July 16, 2025
RED FM News Desk
A concentrated two-day safety inspection blitz conducted by BC Highway Patrol and its partners has revealed over 500 vehicle defects and resulted in more than $18,000 in fines, highlighting ongoing concerns about commercial vehicle safety on British Columbia’s roads.
On July 8 and 9, 2025, BC Highway Patrol joined forces with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE), Burnaby RCMP, Coquitlam RCMP, and Coquitlam Bylaws. This significant interagency effort targeted commercial vehicles in the Coquitlam and Chilliwack areas.
Unsafe Trucks Pulled from Service
“Far too many commercial drivers are still bending the rules by driving broken trucks and trailers,” stated Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “These inspections are part of our commitment to address road safety concerns from the public. People are right to expect the best from professional drivers.”
The enforcement and education events yielded striking results:
109 total vehicle inspections were conducted.
543 distinct defects were identified across these vehicles.
79 Violation Tickets were issued to drivers and companies.
A staggering 58 vehicles were immediately taken out of service due to safety concerns.
Combined fines for provincial violations and bylaw infractions totaled over $18,700.
Among the numerous violations, inspectors found a driving school tractor with non-compliant front brakes, a dump truck with significant holes in its bed that caused its load to leak onto the road, tires worn down to dangerous levels, and bent or damaged wheel rims. These deficiencies underscore the potential hazards posed by poorly maintained commercial vehicles.
Despite the high numbers, Corporal McLaughlin emphasized that these findings don’t represent the majority of professional truck drivers. “We know most commercial vehicle drivers take safety seriously, and the public should know that these numbers are not representative of most professional truck drivers,” he added.
The success of the operation, in terms of both inspections performed and defects intercepted, is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the various agencies involved. Their combined expertise allowed them to effectively target vehicles with visible or potential safety defects, maximizing the impact of the initiative.
Authorities believe that operations like this will have a direct and positive influence on overall traffic safety. Plans are already underway for more joint enforcement operations in the near future, signaling a continued commitment to ensuring the safety of commercial vehicles on BC’s roadways.
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