FREE farm vehicle inspections at Farm Safety Day

Farmers in Strathcona and Lamont County are invited to take part in a free, farm vehicle safety check at the Farm Safety Day on Friday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., outside of the Moyer Recreation Centre in Josephburg (#4-54569 Range Road 215).

The Farm Vehicle Safety Day, hosted by Lamont County and Strathcona County, aims to increase agricultural industry vehicle safety education and awareness. Violation tickets will not be issued. Enforcement Services Commercial Vehicle Inspectors will conduct safety inspections under the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. If safety violations are located, they will be noted on a vehicle inspection report and repair instructions will be provided.  If inspectors locate an out of service defect that is an immediate public safety concern, repairs on site will be required.

Farm vehicles will be inspected on a first come, first serve basis. Owners of inspected farm vehicles will have the chance to enter a draw for two tickets for Josephburg Presents, donated by Strathcona County Councillor Paul Smith. Wait times may vary, due to vehicle size and number of participants. In compliance with Alberta laws, a farm vehicle is subject to the same vehicle equipment regulations as any other commercial vehicle. This preventative inspection will help to ensure farmers and ranchers are not going to be stuck on the highway due to a mechanical breakdown - or worse yet, involved in a collision because of equipment failure. 

In addition to the farm vehicle inspections, attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments throughout the day and a free BBQ at lunch. The event, proudly supported by Beaver Creek Co-Op, Crop Management Network Inc. and Joburg Aggregates Ltd., will feature County information about weeds, clubroot, agriculture road use agreements, as well as FireSmart safety demonstrations.

Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a thriving, successful and vibrant community of over 98,000 residents. Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. It is home to 75 per cent of hydrocarbon processing in Western Canada. Strathcona County is a leader in environmental conservation, and 55 per cent of its land is within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere. With a focus on economic, governance, social, cultural and environmental sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595