Registrar and trucking company agree to a safety plan

Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen announced today that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles has agreed to a gradual and staggered release of commercial vehicles belonging to Weir�s Construction Ltd. under certain conditions.

The agreement was reached after the management of Weir�s provided the registrar with a detailed safety plan and demonstrated a willingness to follow it.

The registrar suspended the licences of the company�s commercial vehicle fleet in December for failing to satisfactorily carry out a safety plan. The registrar has now agreed to release six trucks and five trailers initially, once they pass official inspection. Reviews will be conducted by the Motor Registration Division and, if successful, additional vehicles released at intervals of 45 days, 90 days and 135 days.

This gradual return to the road of these vehicles will take place in accordance with conditions agreed upon by the company. These include the hiring of a safety officer and the implementation of the safety plan, which will be closely monitored by Motor Registration Division.

This staggered release is a reasonable approach given the serious implications of this situation for the company and its 140 employees. It gives the company an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to highway safety and its approved safety plan before the registrar releases additional vehicles. The company has cooperated with the registrar to reach this arrangement.

"The management of Weir�s Construction have presented a safety plan to the registrar and have committed to implementing it. We�re interested in highway safety, not in punishing companies unnecessarily," the minister said.

Other reviews or audits may occur periodically without prior notice. A thorough facility audit will be conducted in 180 days of the release of the first vehicles. Successful completion of this audit is mandatory for a satisfactory rating.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-4860 or (709) 690-6157.

2004 02 23                                       10:35 a.m.