In 1971 J. Standard Baker Quoted " Drivers Towing Trailers  Are Four (4) Times As Unsafe As Those In Cars Alone! 

15, 2016  |  Vote 0    0

OPP charge driver of July 4 collision

Renfrew Mercury

Police have charged a male after a collision closed Highway 17 near Renfrew on July 4.

The Renfrew detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) report that on July 4  at 3 p.m., a 2011 Dodge Ram pickup truck was westbound on Highway 17 at the Bonnechere River Bridge in the Township of Horton. 

The pickup was towing a 1990 McCoy, dual-axle dump trailer and was loaded with a soil/gravel mixture. This vehicle combination was determined to be a ‘commercial motor vehicle,’ within the meaning of the Highway Traffic Act by way of actual gross weight.

The investigation revealed a wheel completely separated from the front, right trailer axle, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The front-end of the vehicle struck the concrete wall on the bridge causing significant damage. The load carried in the trailer spilled across both lanes of the highway. Highway 17 was closed for approximately two hours as a result.

A 64-year-old Horton Township man was the driver and registered owner of the both the truck and trailer. He has been charged with six offences and was issued a summons to appear in provincial offences court in Renfrew on Aug. 19. Sgt. Derek McLeod led the investigation.

Charges include:

• Operate vehicle – fail to display device, 85(1) HTA

The total combined gross weight of the involved commercial motor vehicle was determined to be 7,420 kg.  This amount exceeded 4,500 kg. Both the involved truck and trailer required annual safety inspection stickers to be affixed and displayed in the manner prescribed. 

• Wheel separation – Commercial Motor Vehicle, 84.1(1) HTA

The wheel and hub assembly on the front, right trailer axle completely detached from the trailer.

• Driver commercial motor vehicle – Improper Licence, 32(1) HTA

The involved vehicle was towing a trailer with an actual gross weight exceeding 4,600 kg and required the driver to possess a “Class A” Ontario Driver’s Licence or equivalent. 

• Improper brakes on trailer – Commercial Motor Vehicle, 64(5) HTA

The involved trailer had a gross weight exceeding 1,360 kg.  It was not equipped with brakes adequate to stop and hold the vehicle.

• Overweight vehicle – violate permit by 4420 kg, 121(1) HTA

The involved vehicle had a Registered Gross Weight (RGW) of 3,000 kg as registered with the Ministry of Transportation. The gross weight of the involved vehicle exceeded this weight. 

• Draw trailer, no identification number, 10(2)(a) HTA

Upon inspection by police, the involved trailer had no vehicle identification number (VIN) displayed or affixed.

“Drivers are encouraged to make sure they understand the licensing and inspection requirements if they plan on towing trailers. Research the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario online or attend a Service Ontario office for more information,” says an OPP press release. “As a driver you are responsible for the safety and security of your load if you are towing, as well as the safety of other road users.”

And I got this From A Mentor....who knows..

Some How a powerful person with 'pull' will stop, look, listen then order full review of costs of ignoring all the trailer related issues.  Then the cold light of day will shine, eyes will open, the world will be safer.
Do you really think that Ontario, Canada case where they determined the yokel with the double axle dump subject to commercial standards and then ticketed the heck out of him happened without folk like you badgering lawyers, congress, and insurance companies?  No you are having an impact.

My mind wanders to what it would take for the national highway safety administration to consider the logic, ordering - heck turning loose all the truck cops to write the VERY high cost citations on trailers.  In Michigan every town has a certified truck violation cop with portable scales not for safety but for income.  To sweeten the pot for local jurisdictions by calling dip sticks "commercial" would be a justifiable coup!

You must know someone who writes good official sounding letters who could put the ideas together with a little of your statistics then let the enforcers know there is money to be made from trailers!

be well .. you are, inch by inch, winning the battle