HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR BRAKES TODAY?

Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation, SGI and the Saskatchewan Trucking Association have teamed up to improve commercial vehicle brake safety.

These provincial agencies are taking part in Operation Air Brake, a program of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), today at the Husky Truck Stop on Highway 1 East from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This "Truck Stop Event" will involve CVSA certified inspectors on site to conduct brake inspections on commercial vehicles with an emphasis on education rather than enforcement. Drivers, mechanics and others will be informed about the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.

The demonstrations and educational material drivers will receive on proper brake operation, how to recognize potential brake problems, and the need for properly maintained brakes are intended to provide them with a learning experience that will enhance safety on the highways. In addition, drivers who take part will receive a free brake adjustment if needed.

"Brake-related defects on large commercial vehicles are a significant safety concern for truckers and other motorists that share our highways," Maynard Sonntag, Highways and Transportation Minister and Minister Responsible for SGI, said. "This educational event is key in helping to reduce the number of infractions and accidents related to faulty braking systems."

In 2003, brake violations comprised the largest percentage (27 per cent) of major defects which resulted in trucks being placed out-of-service during roadside inspections in Saskatchewan.

CVSA's Operation Air Brake program and Brake Check Days are conducted across North America annually. The Regina event is the first and only Truck Stop Event in Canada to include a truck stop operator and a heightened educational component.

The CVSA is an association of state, provincial, and federal officials responsible for the administration and enforcement of motor carrier safety laws in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is a not-for-profit organization, established to promote an environment free of commercial vehicle accidents and incidents.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Cell: (306) 536-9692