A Peace Officer pulls over a vehicle for inspection Wednesday (Lethbridge News NOW)

By Lara Fominoff

High failure rate amongst commercial vehicles inspected during three-day joint forces operation

Jul 31, 2019 | 3:04 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A multi-day joint commercial vehicle inspection involving Lethbridge Police, Calgary Police, Peace Officers, and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Branch has so far seen 68 vehicles inspected – with a 72 per cent failure rate.

LPS Constable Stewart Seefried says most of the violations involved issues like improper cargo securement.

“And then a number of different types of mechanical (issues). We’ll find worn components on the driveline, suspension, brakes (are) always a big issue – not adjusted properly, not functioning properly. Airlines worn – vehicles with air brakes, airlines are a critical component. If you lose an airline, you lose your brakes.”

A commercial vehicle inspector checks the brakes of a van that was pulled over (Lethbridge News NOW)

He says sometimes drivers get frustrated when they’re pulled over, but Seefried explains officers are there for everyone’s safety.

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“Yes, it’s an inconvenience to people when they’re having to slow down and take a few minutes to get through these checks. But they have to understand that the check is here to try and catch and remove some of these unsafe vehicles off the road. So, it’s in everyone’s interest.”

And those drivers and their vehicles that aren’t in compliance can face some hefty fines ranging anywhere from $310 to $776 per offence. Dangerous goods offences are $465, and overweight vehicle offences are calculated by how much overweight they are.

One issue that is affecting the number of inspections performed this time, says Seefried, is that they’re working with fewer inspectors.

“This year, due to scheduling and other factors, we do have a noticeably fewer commercial inspectors here…and that does, as a result, end up with fewer vehicles that can be stopped.”

The commercial vehicle inspections will continue through Aug. 1. LPS will release a final report with all the results after the project concludes.