The British Columbia government is stepping up penalties for truckers who crash into highway overpasses after a rash of such incidents in recent years.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the province will implement escalating penalties for companies and drivers with repeat offences, adding longer suspensions and the possible loss of their operating certificate.
Fleming says the province has used unprecedented penalties with recent offenders, including suspending one company’s entire fleet while investigators look into a crash involving one of its drivers.
“Infrastructure crashes have a huge impact. They delay commuters, affect the movement of goods and can impede first responders. This means families, businesses and the economy all suffer,” said Fleming. “Safety is the priority and this issue needs to stop.”
“That’s why we’re taking tougher action, grounding fleets through suspensions and increasing fines, so highway traffic keeps moving safely and reliably for travellers and commercial vehicles, and people can count on their commute.”
The changes also include the requirement for dump-style vehicles to have in-cab warning devices by next June that tell drivers their trailer hasn’t been lowered, while over-height vehicle fines will increase to $575, up from $115.
Dump truck drivers found without an in-cab warning devices will be fined $598.
All heavy commercial vehicles will also required to have a speed limiter by April 5 which will prevent drivers from travelling over 105 km/hr. Fines for non-compliance or tampering will be $295 and three driver penalty points.
“While B.C.’s new fines for infrastructure crashes will become the highest in Canada, fine amounts are currently limited by legislation,” the Ministry said, in a statement. “The Province is reviewing potential legislative changes that would allow even higher fines in the future.”
BC Trucking Association president and CEO Dave Earle says in a statement that his organization supports the tougher penalties, as they “mark a pivotal step toward creating safer roadways.”
Provincial statistics say as many as 30 bridge strikes have happened on British Columbia’s highways since 2021, with 16 of them reported last year alone.
–With files from Paul James
