In conjunction with the 100 Mile House RCMP, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) inspectors conducted a 6.5-hour safety check in front of the 100 Mile Marsh on April 14.
Noting the CVSE has the mandate to check both commercial and private vehicles, local vehicle inspector Peter Shearer says the goal is to help make British Columbia’s highways safe for the travelling public.
When the CVSE sets up at a site, he adds inspectors check both the drivers and the vehicles to ensure they are up to regulated standards as established by the province.
"We inspect any vehicle that looks like it may have mechanical deficiencies.”
Shearer notes they had six commercial vehicle inspectors at the roadside block along with four members of the RCMP traffic services (two at all times).
He adds violation tickets, which carry financial penalties, were handed out.
Shearer says they also issued "notice and orders," which could be for mechanical problems that need to be repaired with in a certain time.
Sometimes, he adds, the problems have to be fixed that day or within two weeks or up to a month depending on the issues.
The "notice and orders" could also be for driver deficiencies, such as updating driver’s licences and registration names and the like, he explains.
“The 'notice and orders' basically direct the driver to do certain things that are required for a deficiency.”
Some of the drivers who are pulled over and checked out fine and send on their way and may be issued paperwork that shows their vehicle passed, Shearer notes.
“In the event the vehicle is deemed unsafe at the time of inspection and there are certain serious violations under the Motor Vehicle Act, we will have a vehicle removed from the road.
"These vehicles would have to undergo a provincial vehicle inspection prior to being allowed to return to the road.”
Shearer says he knows it’s inconvenient for the public, but he adds it's important to make the highways safe for the travelling public.
“It’s all about getting everyone home safe at the end of the day."