The provincial government is increasing penalties for truckers who crash into highway overpasses in B.C., after a series of incidents in recent years – including several in Langley.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming announced that the province will implement escalating penalties for companies and drivers with repeat offences, adding longer suspensions and possible loss of their operating certificate.
“Infrastructure crashes have a huge impact. They delay commuters, affect the movement of foods, and can impede first responders,” said Fleming.
He noted the province has used unprecedented penalties with recent offenders, including suspending one company’s entire fleet while investigators looked into a crash involving one of its drivers.
“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,” Fleming said.
The changes include the requirement for dump-truck style vehicles to have in-cab warning devices by June next year, which tell drivers their trailer hasn’t been lowered. Not complying with the device will result in a fine of $598.
Over-height vehicle fines will increase to $575, up from $115, making it one of the highest fines of its nature in Canada.
New speed-limiting systems will also be required by April 5, which will prevent heavy commercial vehicles from travelling more than 105 km. Drivers who don’t comply with the requirement will face a fine of $295 and penalty points.
Dave Earle, BC Trucking Association president and CEO, said the Langley-based organization supports the tougher penalties.
“These initiatives mark a pivotal step toward creating safer roadways for all,” he commented.
People can learn more about the new regulations at gov.bc.ca.
For Langley, the most recent overpass struck was a rail bridge across the Trans-Canada Highway, near 232nd Street, on Oct. 24. The trailer of the semi-truck suffered significant damage and its cargo was offloaded.
The Trans-Canada Highway through Aldergrove has more crashes than any other location in the province, according to ICBC stats. They show there were 240 crashes in and around the 264th Street interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway last year. That is a rate of just under two crashes every three days.
A highway widening project between 216th and 264th Streets was announced in 2019, to include upgrades to both 264th and the 232nd Street interchanges. Construction on the widening began in 2021 and is expected to finish around 2025.
The Glover Road overpass is also currently being replaced with a newer, higher overpass.
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