Province better than Canadian average in 2003 Roadcheck

On June 3, 4, and 5, a total of 9,782 vehicles and drivers underwent full inspections for mechanical and driver fitness during the annual roadside safety inspection of commercial vehicles conduced across Canada.

Each year, an inter-jurisdictional roadcheck is conducted in association with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and enforcement agencies in Canada, the US, and Mexico. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) reported on the national findings of all Canadian provinces and territories.

George Sweeney, Minister of Government Services and Lands, is pleased with the inspection results for this province in 2003. The minister attributes the more favouable results in 2003 to action taken by the department over the past year.

"The results of Roadcheck 2003 are an indication that our initiatives have been a success. The percentage of vehicles taken out of service during the inspection blitz decreased to 17 per cent this year from 26 per cent just one year ago. A total of 236 vehicles were inspected in this province this year, with 43 being issued Out of Service orders for reasons ranging from minor to major safety violations.

"Over the past year, the Motor Registration Division put priority on training additional inspectors in the CVSA national on-road safety standard procedures. In October 2002 we had a total of 14 certified inspectors which has now increased to 23 in less than a year.

"The increased number of certified inspectors and spot-checks contributed to better results during the annual inspection blitz. Combined with the renewed commitment to safety by the trucking industry, these numbers should improve again next year.

"Newfoundland and Labrador has a record better than the Canadian average. On a province by province comparison, only one province, Saskatchewan, had a lower percentage of vehicles taken out of service."

A copy of the Roadcheck 2003 Results can be found on the CCMTA website at: //www.ccmta.ca/english/news/news.html#Roadcheck2003

Media contact: Jeff Mackey, Communications, (709) 729-4860

2003 08 14                                      1:05 p.m.