(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
November 26, 2012 - 1:21 PM
North Okanagan RCMP had its suspicions that light duty commercial vehicles were pushing the boundaries of their licences and a seven-hour blitz of provincial roads confirmed it.
Nearly every one of the 40 or so vehicles they checked Nov. 21 had issues, including 43 orders for vehicle defects or licencing.
Though police also handed out several other criminal code charges—including drug seizures and alcohol prohibitions—the focus was squarely on commercial vehicles breaking the rules.
"A huge issue on our roadways is drivers pulling large trailers and heavy loads without licensing their trucks to carry or tow these weights," says RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. "Not only is this a safety concern due to exceeding axle weights, but a large percentage of these drivers are significantly over their licensed weight and this can be in breach of their insurance policy."
Through their enforcement, police found the following:
• 5 vehicles by passed the weigh scale
• 4 vehicles were overweight
• 3 vehicles found defective
• 3 vehicles had no insurance
• 1 vehicle was found speeding
• 1 driver had no licence
• 2 tickets for not wearing seatbelts
• 12 Motor Vehicle Act charges
• 43 orders to fix vehicle or licencing defects
• 1 vehicle was ordered off the road for outstanding mechanical issues
• 2 drivers were given three-day driving prohibitions for alcohol
• 1 24-hour driving prohibition for driving while impaired by drugs
• 1 charge of driving while prohibited
• 3 minor drug seizures
News from © iNFOnews, 2012