Ontario Provincial Police have expressed concern after an enforcement blitz this week resulted in numerous infractions.
The Essex County OPP Traffic Management Unit worked with enforcement officers with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) during a blitz conducted on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday's blitz was done on County Road 22 near Patillo Road in Lakeshore. Eleven vehicles were inspected, but one plate was seized and a vehicle was taken out of service. A total of 13 charges were laid.
On Thursday, officers worked on Highway 3 and Walker Road in Tecumseh. Another 11 vehicles were inspected, but eight were taken out of service. One plate was seized, and 14 more charges were laid for a two-day total of 27.
OPP Constable Steven Duguay called the results "concerning", and said that officers noticed additional violations during the blitz, particularly of Ontario's Move Over Law.
"The OPP investigates thousands of preventable commercial motor vehicle collisions every year, making this a serious road safety issue," said Duguay in a media release. "In addition to this commercial motor vehicle inspection, officers observed many drivers that are continuing to fail to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles."
The officers check commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with licencing, documentation, mechanical fitness, and vehicle weight.
