Brake defects were found in most commercial trucks inspected during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week on August 27, according to Halton Regional Police Service officers. The inspections in Halton Hills, Ontario revealed issues including shoe linings not contacting drums, rusted friction surfaces, and air leaks in both tractors and trailers.
“All the drivers said they had done a pre-trip inspection, and none of them cited any defects in their paperwork,” noted officers at the scene. In one startling case, a driver who had completed a pre-trip inspection just six minutes earlier was immediately found to have brake defects.
Marc Taraso, commercial vehicle inspector with HRPS commercial vehicle unit, urged operators to give drivers adequate time for proper inspections. He’s heard troubling reports of drivers being told to operate vehicles with known defects or risk losing their jobs.
“Drivers have a right to refuse unsafe work, and if they’re disciplined or fired for refusing unsafe work, that’s certainly something the Ministry of Labour would love to hear about,” Taraso said.
Not all news was negative during the enforcement action. Driver Terry Fanson received a CVSA decal after passing a Level 1 inspection – the only driver rewarded that morning.
“I feel pretty good,” Fanson said. “I’m particular about what I drive, so I’m all over everything.”
Constable Laura Brooker from HRPS’s traffic unit described encountering “mind-boggling” defects during recent blitzes, including holes in cabs, brakes falling off, and disconnected air lines.
Taraso emphasized that proper maintenance benefits everyone. “Properly maintaining the vehicle keeps a carrier from unnecessary downtime and helps the pocketbook in case of an otherwise preventable collision,” he explained.
For carriers repeatedly found with defects, Taraso noted the Ministry of Transportation can impose sanctions, suspensions, or even cancel operating permits.