The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Harry Harding, Minister of Government Services:

Department of Government Services Inspectors
Participate in National Brake Check Day

I am standing today in this Honourable House to announce the completion of this year’s national Brake Check Day, as part of North America’s Operation Airbrake, which took place on May 4.

This announcement is of particular significance as it comes today on May 11 which the UN has designated as the launch day for the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

Operation Air Brake is an annual initiative of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. The alliance was created in 1982 with a mandate to oversee an international truck and bus brake safety campaign dedicated to improving commercial vehicle brake safety throughout North America. The objective of the initiative is to reduce the number of highway crashes caused by faulty braking systems on commercial vehicles, by conducting unannounced roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.

The Department of Government Services is responsible for inspections under the Highway Traffic Act. Our inspectors, who are certified by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, conduct roadside inspections of commercial vehicles with an emphasis on braking systems and other mechanical safety systems. Inspection guidelines provide for the testing of mechanical components, brake adjustment and air pressure. Poorly adjusted air brakes and brake system defects constitute the main reasons for inspectors to determine that commercial vehicles should be placed out of service.

The department mobilized 25 enforcement staff members across the entire province at 10 sites on the Island and in Labrador over a 12-hour period on May 4. Out of 207 total inspections, 12 per cent of trucks were taken out of service specifically for brake systems and 21.2 per cent of trucks out of service for all conditions including brakes.

Over the past few years there has not been a significant change in the rate of vehicles taken out of service for poor air brake adjustment or other brake related defects. Traditional enforcement methods are having a reasonable impact in helping to remove dangerous vehicles from the road.

The Department of Government Services is continuing to participate in national initiatives such as Operation Air Brake which are important in ensuring that commercial vehicles are inspected and required corrective actions taken, thereby making our roads safer for all motorists.

2011 05 11             2:25 p.m.