OPP’s focus on commercial vehicles

[Cybergal]

OPP’s focus on commercial vehicles
2/7/08
St. Thomas Times-Journal, Canada

Truckers using Highway 401 can expect to see more OPP vehicles -- marked and unmarked -- enforcing the law.
The OPP say Highway 401 and other 400 series highways will be where they will be focusing their resources.
An increase in the number of commercial vehicles is what has prompted this initiative, police say in a press release.
“There have been a number of major incidents involving commercial vehicles, including one last week on Highway 401 at Morrisburg, that resulted in the death of one driver,” said OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino.



Fantino said speeding is one of the biggest infraction areas that police want to focus on because, as trucks travel faster, it takes them longer to stop.
“Commercial drivers who are travelling over the posted speed limits are a danger to themselves and other motorists,” Fantino said.
The OPP believes truckers should be prepared for the enforcement crackdown.
Earlier, the OPP notified the Ontario Trucking Association of its intention to proceed with the crackdown and asked for its co-operation in notifying its members.
Other things police will be looking for include aggressive driving, going too fast for conditions, following too closely and moving over a extra lane when passing an emergency vehicle with its flashing lights on.
That was prompted by several accidents on highways where police or their vehicle was hit while emergency lights were activated.
Fantino said OPP know that while commercial vehicles are not responsible for all the major accidents, when they are, long road closures usually are involved.
Const. Michelle Smith, of Elgin OPP, said police work closely with Ministry of Transportation officials who focus on checking the mechanical fitness of commercial vehicles on the highways.
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