The BC Trucking Association is throwing its weight behind new chain up regulations for commercial trucks on B.C. highways telling truckers chain up as required, or else.
BCTA president and CEO Dave Earle says the province needs to use the carrot first, educating truckers about the new rules, but for those who don’t get that message then it is time for the stick.
“It’s not a mistake. These individuals are making a choice going past that flashing lights, going past that chain-up area,” Earle says.
“But they make that choice, I fully expect government to be able to enforce and make sure these individuals are either educated or they are motivated through monetary penalties to comply with as well.”
Earle says the BCTA would like to see an escalating fine structure with the base fine higher than the current $121 for not chaining up as required and then rising from there for repeat offenders.
“Nobody gets more frustrated than our members who get stuck behind somebody who doesn’t chain up.”
The chain up requirements now applies to commercial trucks weighing over 5,000 kilograms.