A recent 72-hour enforcement initiative by Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers led to more than 100 commercial vehicles being removed from service for safety violations. Operation Air Brake, held Aug. 25-27 at the Beverly Weigh Scale near Swift Current, focused on commercial vehicle brake safety in the province. Officers inspected almost 300 vehicles, with more than one in three being taken off the road. Most violations were due to brake issues. “Brakes are among the most critical safety systems on a commercial vehicle,” the province said in a media release Friday. “Operation Air Brake’s high out-of-service rate highlights the ongoing need for inspections, education and compliance efforts to prevent collisions and improve safety. Saskatchewan will continue to support safer highways and the safe movement of people and goods throughout the province.”\ The initiative was part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual Brake Safety Week. “Operation Air Brake removed commercial vehicles unfit for operation on Saskatchewan highways,” Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said. “Every unsafe vehicle removed from the road helps reduce risks for families, workers and everyone travelling on provincial highways. Safe highways save lives.” Thirty-nine Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers took part in the 72-hour operation, which ran 24/7 for three days. RCMP, SGI and Ministry of Finance revenue investigators were also involved. Revenue investigators inspected fuel and cargo to ensure they complied with provincial tax requirements. In total, 103 vehicles were placed out of service, including 62 with brake component or brake adjustment defects. A vehicle cannot return to the road until necessary repairs are completed.
