April 15, 2008
Landscape Ontario and the Ministry of Transportation have scheduled a truck and trailer inspection day at the LO home office in Milton on Thurs., April 24. The purpose of the event is to educate members. MTO inspectors will inspect contractors’ vehicles with the goal of pointing out violations to the Highway Safety Act. The difference with this day is that all fines are waived. Contractors must still correct any problems, and serious contraventions may prevent the vehicle from going back on the highway. Repair garages in Milton will be alerted that the industry is planning such a day.

The advantage to the green industry for this day is not just help in understanding regulations, but that we have eliminated all fines for violations that day. As MTO’s Mark Bonner indicates, “The problem still must be corrected, for if the contractor was pulled over on the highway, there would be an automatic fine and possibly impoundment of the vehicle.” Most fines start at $450 for each violation, so catching violations may save several hundreds of dollars in fines, not to mention lost time.

This is the first such safety rodeo for the landscape industry, and the logistics are still being worked out. As LO’s Terry Murphy states, “We are trying this to see if it will be a success, and if our members are pleased with the day. If it’s a hit, we’ll repeat it in Milton next year, and also look to hold this event in other LO chapters as well.”

For further information, and to book your free appointment with MTO inspectors, please contact Terry Murphy at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 317. The cut-off date for registration is Fri., Apr. 18, 2008.