Are you highway compliant?
Are you highway compliant? Are you the type to throw a bunch of garbage cans into the back of a truck with an open tailgate? Or, do you take the extra time to make sure your payload is secure? Here at Harbourview we are a big target for the MTO and for good reason. We truck and transport some pretty serious commercial equipment on a daily basis. We don’t blame the authorities for cracking down on the rules, in fact we embrace it! Safety first is a motto we strive to live by. Now, in order to supply our customers with the excellent service that this machinery can provide, we need to cross our T’s and dot our I’s when it comes to transportation compliance. It doesn’t matter if you are working around the house and need to make a quick trip to the dump, or helping a friend move, most of the same rules apply. Let’s break it down into three categories.
We start with the vehicle itself. Even if you’re driving a two door coup with a mattress on the top, you’ll want the vehicle to be tip top. If you’re planning an endeavor make certain your main components are in order. If your car is puking smoke and the brake lights don’t work, you can be considered a danger to others on the road. It never hurts to do a quick circle check. On our company vehicles it’s a must. It has gotten to the point that I do a circle check each day on my own vehicle out of habit! Put together a quick checklist covering the main areas of your vehicle to be highway compliant. Give the engine a once over for fluids, check your lights and electrical, inspect the brakes and make sure your vehicle can stop under stress, and even put your mirrors in the proper alignment. You can get a full list from the MTO for a circle check. Just keep in mind that your check should cover your payload too.
Now onto your payload. In some cases you are towing a trailer full of equipment like we do. In other cases you could just have a few things in the back of a pickup. In any case there are certain steps you should take to be complaint. Whatever you are transporting, make sure you are allowed to in the first place. Some volatile, or overweight, or oversized items might need paper work and/or special restrictions to allow transport. Again, dot your I’s and cross your T’s. Your items need to be secure! Let me say this again… YOUR ITEMS NEED TO BE SECURE! Using ratchet straps is a fantastic way to keep things from sliding. Bungees and that cheap yellow rope will always fall short of the power of the ratchet strap. Now if your goal is to make you a target for the MTO and the OPP, your best bet drive around with an unsecured load.
Finally are the extras. Now I’m calling them extras, but depending on your circumstances they could very well be a necessity. From a health and safety standpoint it is a good idea to have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher in each vehicle. A vehicle log for any fleet or commercial vehicle is a must. If you are pulled over this is one of the first things that the MTO will inspect. Keep on hand extra straps, extra tools related to your vehicle, and extra anything else that is either useful to you, or required depending on your circumstance. To be compliant can seem like a daunting task, but remember that it is all about safety. You may not have covered every possible issue, but if you make a solid attempt and show that you are doing your best to remain safe for yourself and others on the road, you should be just fine.
If all else fails… now if you are truly stuck and need a professional company to assist in moving a more serious payload, you know you can count on Harbourview to get the job done right. And you can bet your bottom dollar that we will be compliant on your behalf.