Government, Trucking Industry Offer Free Brake Inspections

Thousands of truckers across North America will take advantage of free brake checks this week during Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Brake Safety Awareness Week.

Nova Scotia will hold its check on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Kelly Lake Vehicle Inspection Station on Highway 102, near the Halifax International Airport. Vehicle inspectors from the three Maritime provinces will provide free checks for truckers who stop in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"This popular event gets bigger each year and helps us build a strong relationship with the trucking industry," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "Having inspectors from all three Maritime provinces underlines the co-operative nature of the event and illustrates that an inspection in Nova Scotia is the same as a trucker will receive in New Brunswick, P.E.I., and throughout North America."

Building on the success of previous years events, there will also be product demonstrations of equipment of interest to the industry, a barbecue and refreshments for truckers, courtesy of Easson's Transport Ltd., the Nova Scotia Human Resource Council, and the Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association.

SLH Transport of Halifax will each have a mechanic on hand to make free brake adjustments, where necessary. The Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association will provide safety literature.

"Trucker participation is strictly voluntary and no tickets will be written, but we'll show drivers how to adjust air brakes and how to check for other brake-related defects," said Don Evans, manager of vehicle compliance. "Out-of-adjustment air brakes and brake system defects are the major reasons for commercial vehicles being placed out of service."

Similar events are being held in New Brunswick and P.E.I. on different dates.

For more information on Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Brake Safety Week, visit www.cvsa.org/programs/op_airbrake.aspx .