Commercial vehicle blitz underway

The commercial vehicle inspection area and weigh scales on Highway 401 near Lancaster, Ont. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

EASTERN ONTARIO – A 72-hour commercial vehicle inspection blitz is underway across North America as well as in Eastern Ontario.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck started today (June 4) and will see inspectors doing numerous shakedowns of trucks and drivers on our roadways.

In Canada, Transport Canada inspectors are participating.

“This year’s focus is steering and suspension systems…(the) CVSA is highlighting steering components and suspension systems this year as a reminder of their importance to highway safety,” the alliance said.

The CVSA, a non-profit association made up of various safety officials and industry representatives, covers five regions across Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The CVSA says International Roadcheck is the largest enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world with 17 trucks and buses looked over every minute in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico during the 72 hours.

The program has been around since 1988.