A safety blitz targeting trucks and commercial vehicles saw 35 pulled out of service and six towed away on site on Wednesday, Sept. 18 on Langley's Fraser Highway.
Commercial vehicles were being pulled over for inspection in Langley on Fraser Highway just east of 232nd Street Wednesday morning. Township of Langley, RCMP, CVSE and Vancouver Police could be seen at the scene. pic.twitter.com/IgkTtkMKKz
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 18, 2024
The commercial vehicle enforcement action took place in the 23300 block and 23800 blocks of Fraser Highway, with local RCMP and other police agencies working with Langley Township bylaw officers.
According to the Township, the event resulted in 74 inspections of commercial trucks, vans and trailers.
A full 35 vehicles were put out of service due to "serious safety violations," according to a Township statement.
There were 85 vehicle defects or violations detached in the 23300 block of Fraser Highway, and 13 bylaw tickets were issued, including one for a truck that was overweight.
There were also 27 traffic tickets issued.
Farther down the highway, in the 23800 block, there were five charges for defective vehicles issued, two drivers were charged for not having car insurance, 14 for not wearing a seatbelt, and six for using an electronic device while driving.
"These road safety inspection and enforcement initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to making our roads safer, ensuring that everyone can travel safely throughout the Township," said Township Mayor Eric Woodward.
With Langley's growth, trucks have become an ever-bigger issue. The province has become involved after multiple overheight trucks have slammed into Lower Mainland overpasses, including several in Langley, and even pulled the safety certificate from an Aldergrove-based trucking firm for repeated overheight collisions.
Truck parking has also become a major issue, with rural residents upset about illicit and unapproved truck lots appearing on farm land. Truckers have lobbied the Township for more formal truck parking to help alleviate a dire lack of legal spots to park their rigs, and the Township has approved some temporary sites in south Aldergrove in recent months.