1-in-4 dangerous trucks taken off Milton roads during annual safety blitz

More than one-in-four trucks were pulled off Milton roads during a safety blitz held this week.

The Halton police’s annual Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Blitz was held at Elements Casino Mohawk on Oct. 1 and 2.

More than 80 police officers and ministry officials from police services and agencies across the GTA and southwestern Ontario inspected 487 trucks over the two-day event.

Officers with specialized training in commercial truck inspections placed 132 trucks (27 per cent) out of service until critical repairs are completed.

Areas of concern included driver licensing, daily trip inspections and hours of service, along with truck-oriented issues which included mechanical fitness, load security, and weights of trucks and loads.

“The results of this year’s blitz are impressive in terms of our ability to collaborate with our partners to achieve results. However they’re also a disappointing reminder that unsafe trucks continue to be operated on area roadways” said Halton Staff-Sgt. Ryan Snow.

“Truck safety and enforcement is an everyday commitment for police, and we encourage truck drivers and owners to do their part to maintain safe roads.”

A total of 322 charges were laid for various defects and infractions, which is a 10 per cent increase from last year.

A total of 35 trucks were also found to be in such a sufficiently-deteriorated state that the license plates were seized, forcing the truck owner to make repairs to recertify and re-plate the vehicle.

There was also an increase over 2023 in incidents of truck drivers found operating with a suspended driver’s license, with more than a dozen charges laid.

One driver was found to be prohibited from driving and was criminally charged, with the truck impounded for 45 days at the truck owner’s expense.