Halton Police share results of commercial motor vehicle enforcement blitz

By: Muhammad Aamir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

The Halton police have released the results of their annual Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Enforcement Blitz, which took place at Elements Casino Mohawk earlier this week. Working in collaboration with 80 officers and ministry officials from various police services and agencies across the Greater Toronto Area and Southwestern Ontario, a total of 487 trucks were inspected over the two-day event on Oct. 1 and 2.

During the blitz, officers trained in commercial truck inspections took a close look at a range of safety concerns. As a result, 132 trucks (27%) were taken out of service until critical repairs could be completed. Inspections focused on key areas, including driver licencing, daily trip inspections, and service hours. Mechanical fitness, load security, and the weights of trucks and loads were also checked to ensure compliance with permits and to prevent overloading, which can lead to brake failures.

A total of 322 charges were laid for various defects and infractions, a 10% increase compared to 2023. As many as 35 trucks were found to be in such poor condition that their licence plates were seized, requiring owners to repair and recertify the vehicles before they could be re-plated.

There was also a rise in incidents involving truck drivers operating with suspended licences, with more than a dozen charges laid. One driver was criminally charged after being found prohibited from driving, and the truck was impounded for 45 days at the owner’s expense.

“The results of this year’s HRPS CMV Blitz are both 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 HRPS S/Sgt Ryan Snow. “Truck safety and enforcement is a 365-day-of-the-year commitment for police, and we encourage truck drivers and owners to do their part to maintain safe roads.”