REGINA, Sask. — Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers removed over 100 commercial vehicles from service during Operation Air Brake, a 72-hour enforcement initiative focused on commercial vehicle brake safety in Saskatchewan.
From Aug. 25-27, officers completed 294 inspections at the Beverly Weigh Scale near Swift Current, with more than one in three vehicles placed out of service for safety violations. Most violations involved brake component or brake adjustment defects.
Brakes are among the most critical safety systems on a commercial vehicle, according to Sask. Community Safety. Operation Air Brake’s high out-of-service rate highlights the ongoing need for inspections, education and compliance efforts to prevent collisions and improve safety, the ministry says.
Operation Air Brake was held as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA’s) annual Brake Safety Week. CVSA is a non-profit organization that brings together enforcement agencies across North America to inspect commercial vehicles, promote industry education and remove unsafe vehicles from roadways.
"Operation Air Brake removed commercial vehicles unfit for operation on Saskatchewan highways,"
The operation ran continuously for 72 hours and involved 39 Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers, with support from the RCMP, SGI and Ministry of Finance revenue investigators. During joint check stops, revenue investigators reviewed documentation and inspected fuel and cargo to verify compliance with provincial tax requirements, including fuel tax, tobacco tax and provincial sales tax legislation. Together, enforcement personnel conducted 294 commercial vehicle inspections, focusing on brake systems and other critical safety equipment.
As a result, 103 commercial vehicles were placed out of service, including 62 with brake component or brake adjustment defects. An out-of-service designation means a vehicle has a serious safety issue and cannot continue operating until the necessary repairs are completed. These joint initiatives help promote compliance, support a level playing field for businesses and protect provincial revenues that fund public services, according to Sask. Community Safety. The ministry says the Government of Saskatchewan encourages carriers, fleet operators and drivers to review maintenance programs, conduct routine brake inspections and address defects before vehicles head out onto the road.
