Making our highways safer

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Sergeant Arthur Anderson observes oncoming traffic during the April 21 check stop at Donnelly Corner intersection. Anderson is standing beside the Mobile Vehicle Inspection Unit used as a portable office.

Emily Plihal
Express staff

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers conducted a Commercial Vehicle Safety check on April 21 at Donnelly Corner.

Grimshaw District Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Sergeant Arthur Anderson explains the stop is necessary to ensure safety on Alberta’s highways.

“Commercial vehicles registered or capable of handling a load of 4,500 kg or more are the vehicles we are inspecting,” says Anderson. “This time around, we have both a Mobile Vehicle Inspection Unit and a Thermal Imaging Unit on site.”

Inspections of commercial vehicles in Alberta are in random locations at different times throughout the year. The Smoky River Region is included in the Grimshaw District. Officers from Slave Lake, Grande Prairie and Grimshaw were at the Donnelly Corner check stop last week.

“The Thermal Imaging Unit allows us to take photographs of vehicles as they are driving by,” says Transport Officer 3 Ray Montgomery. “It allows us to determine if brakes are working properly on the vehicle, and it can target vehicles that may not follow code.”

There are a total of six Mobile Inspection Units in Alberta, along with three Thermal Imaging Units.

“Thermal Imaging Units are restricted to military or peace officers,” explains Anderson. “The camera helps target vehicles that are obviously in need of repair. This allows us to focus on commercial vehicles that do not meet code, make our usage of time more efficient.”

Each commercial vehicle can take between 30 minutes to one hour to inspect, depending on the number of defects found. Depending on how severe the service required is, the peace officers can declare the vehicle out-of-service on site. (more below)

Transport officer 3 Ray Montgomery manned the Thermal Imaging Unit at Donnelly Corner on April 21.

“The Thermal Imaging System will detect the difference in heat, if he heat is less intense there is obviously work needed,” says Anderson. “Even tires with low air pressure will show a difference in temperature.”

Inspectors look at the driver’s credentials, hours of service, brake adjustment, brake systems, coupling devices, exhaust system, frame, fuel system, lamps, safe loading and tie-downs, steering mechanism, suspension, tires, van body, wheels, rims, hubs, windshield wipers, emergency exits and dangerous goods.

Inspections are conducted every month throughout the district.

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