TRUCK SAFETY BLITZ BEGINS TODAY

Released on June 4, 2002

Starting today, up to 500 semi trailer units will be pulled over for safety

inspections at the Langham Weigh Scale Station on Highway 16.



The inspections are part of an annual 48-hour safety blitz called Roadcheck

2002, sponsored by Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation and the

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), a North American safety

association.



"Roadcheck 2002 is an educational and enforcement program that provides a

safety reminder for semi trailer operators," Highways and Transportation

Minister Mark Wartman said. "It's important for trucks to be operationally

safe while using our highway system."



The safety blitz is an annual international event that also visits other

provinces in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Inspections are

performed by traffic officers from the department's Transport Compliance

branch and qualified CVSA inspectors from other agencies. Drivers are

checked for fatigue and proper qualifications and vehicles are checked for

mechanical fitness, such as proper brake adjustments and damaged or worn

tires.



Last year, the event was held in Swift Current. Of the 436 trucks

inspected, 84 were taken out of service for violations.



"This program gives us a snapshot of what the safety situation is out

there," Wartman said. "Each year, several drivers or vehicles have to be

removed from the road due to serious violations.



"We are hopeful there will be a decline in vehicles that are taken out of

service."



The safety data collected from Roadcheck 2002 will be compared with data

from other years. The comparisons allow department and CVSA officials to

determine if truck safety is improving. Results will be released later

this month.



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For more information, contact:



Vanessa Gooliaff Beaupré

Highways and Transportation

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4792