One local company is taking a proactive approach when it comes to truck safety.
Harbour Link Container Services Inc. invited Delta police's commercial vehicle inspection unit to have a look at its trucks this week.
The officers spent three days at the Tilbury-based company, which operates as an independent provider of intermodal container transport and off-dock container terminal services.
It currently has 115 trucks - 30 owned by the company and the rest by owner/operators - almost 90 drivers and operates around the clock seven days a week. Harbour Link serves many in the industry, including shipping lines, big box retailers, importers and exporters from a 4.4-hectare (11-acre) Hopcott Road site that is a maze of shipping containers.
Last year Harbour Link hauled just over 80,000 containers locally.
The company initially invited police out to inspect its fleet about a year ago and asked officers to come back this week to follow up.
"For the most part, we're seeing a really good improvement," said Special Const. Sean Kelly.
One of only two in the Lower Mainland, the commercial vehicle inspection unit is out on Delta roads on a daily basis to inspect trucks travelling through the community. The department joins with several other agencies for an annual inspection blitz, which targets trucks officers suspect might pose a safety risk.
As well, officers often visit with trucking companies to inspect trucks or educate drivers on safety.
Kelly said visiting companies like Harbour Link allows officers to reach out to more drivers at once.
"It's really nice to see how Harbour Link is really proactive on safety," he said.
While officers look at all aspects of the truck, from the mechanical to ensuring the driver has the proper class of licence, Kelly said the two most common safety issues the unit sees are brakes not working properly and cargo that is not adequately secured.
