Enterprise (Sep 11/06) - A recent inspection blitz of brakes on commercial trucks in the NWT found about 25 per cent required immediate adjustments or more extensive work.

Harris Beaulieu, the manager of carrier and inspection programs with the Department of Transportation, said finding problems in about a quarter of the vehicles is roughly the same percentage as in previous inspections.

"It was pretty much actually what we expected," he said.

However, the findings were encouraging in that only one problem was serious enough to warrant a ticket.

"Just to see one is promising," said Beaulieu.

The inspections were carried out during Brake Safety Week, Aug. 27-Sept. 2, by the Department of Transportation and Yellowknife Municipal Enforcement.

Thirty-five random inspections took place in Enterprise, Hay River, Yellowknife and Inuvik.

Of that number, nine units - tractors with or without trailers - were found to have problems that needed immediate attention.

"They had defects which took them out of service," said Beaulieu. Eight of the problems involved brakes, which were found to be working but not to their maximum potential, and the other problem involved steering/suspension issues.

Of the eight problems with brakes, six vehicles required brake adjustments that could be done by drivers, Beaulieu noted.

"All they had to do was make the adjustments and they could leave," he said.

The other two were component problems, such as air leaks, which required the vehicles to be towed for repairs or fixed on the spot by a mechanic.

Marc Hunt of Hay River was pulled over for a random check of the propane truck he was driving and said such inspections are good.

"It ensures everyone's safe and makes sure everything is maintained and working properly," he said.

The trucker noted getting pulled over for a random check might be a bit of a bother in a person's work day, "But it's all part of safety."

Other jurisdictions across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico also participated in the Brake Safety Week awareness program, administered by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

The organization's statistics show improper brake adjustment and maintenance as the number one cause of conditions that force trucks out of service.