Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid 18 charges during a single traffic stop in Mapleton Township on Thursday.
According to OPP, the driver, a 56-year-old from Neustadt, a small community south of Hanover, was driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on Wellington Road 9 around 3:30 p.m.
Police said the vehicle was stopped as part of proactive traffic enforcement.
The driver is facing the following charges:
- Failure to have insurance card
- Person knowingly operating a vehicle missing emission control equipment
- Drive a commercial motor vehicle with a major defect
- Improperly drive commercial motor vehicle with a minor defect in it or in drawn vehicle
- Fail to surrender inspection schedule
- Fail to surrender completed daily inspection report
- Insecure load - commercial motor vehicle (two counts)
- Overweight vehicle
- Operate commercial motor vehicle - no valid CVOR certificate
- Drive commercial motor vehicle - improper licence
- Defective braking system - commercial motor vehicle
- Improper tires - drawn vehicle - commercial motor vehicle
- No muffler - motor vehicle
- Improper means of attachment - commercial motor vehicle
- Operate unsafe combination of vehicles - commercial motor vehicle
- Operate vehicle - fail to display inspection sticker or proof (two counts)
Police included an image of the CMV involved. It appeared to be hauling a large load.
OPP said CMV collisions carry unique risks due to the size of the large vehicles especially on the highway.
“The outcome can be catastrophic,” police said in a news release. “CMVs can weigh more than 60,000 kg. (132,277 lbs). When combined with speeds ranging from 80 to 105 km/h, these vehicles generate significant momentum and energy, giving them the potential to cause extensive loss of life, injuries and property damage.”
Police noted that there are many safe, responsible CMV drivers out there as well.
If you have an urgent traffic complaint or if you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately. If you have a non-emergency traffic complaint, you may also call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.
