Peel Regional Police in Mississauga are concerned about the ongoing presence of commercial trucks operating in unsafe conditions on local roads and highways, posing risks to both truck drivers and other motorists. They recently initiated another day-long commercial vehicle safety blitz to address this issue. Working alongside vehicle inspectors from Ontario’s transportation ministry, as well as OPP and police from Toronto and Halton, Peel police conducted inspections on numerous trucks, aiming to identify safety violations.

Constable Tyler Cerson from Peel’s Road Safety Services emphasized the importance of thorough pre-trip inspections by drivers to prevent safety issues. During Tuesday’s blitz, although specific numbers were not disclosed, police identified several violations that could have been avoided with proper inspections. In a recent similar initiative, seven out of twelve inspected trucks were taken off the road due to mechanical safety concerns, and 25 charges were laid against operators and owners of these vehicles.

As the warmer weather approaches, Peel police, along with OPP, transportation ministry officials, and other GTA and southern Ontario police agencies, plan to conduct larger-scale truck safety blitzes on city, regional roads, and highways. These efforts are part of ongoing initiatives to enforce safety regulations and remove unsafe trucks from operation. Peel police officers participating in these blitzes are trained to conduct comprehensive “level one” mechanical inspections, checking critical components such as steering, brakes, tires, suspensions, and load security, including visual inspections underneath the vehicles.

Throughout the year, Peel police regularly conduct truck inspection blitzes in Mississauga and Brampton to promote safety and enforce penalties when necessary, including taking trucks off the road. Currently, Peel police have a dedicated team of 12 to 14 road safety officers trained and certified in truck safety inspections.