National

British Columbia sets tougher penalties for trucks that hit overpasses

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Dec, 2023 05:32 PM

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.

Today, we announced tougher action to prevent infrastructure crashes throughout B.C., as trucking companies involved in overpass crashes will now see stronger consequences for unsafe driving.
See what we’re doing to keep traffic flowing and our roads safe:https://t.co/60781GBBWK pic.twitter.com/4PuR7rbhRQ
— Rob Fleming (@Rob_Fleming) December 14, 2023

The changes include the requirement for dump-style vehicles to have in-cab warning devices by next June, telling drivers their trailer hasn't been lowered, and over-height vehicle fines will increase to $575, up from $115.

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.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

The latest federal government forecast says Canada's already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says there is potential for increased wildland fire activity from eastern Alberta through to central Ontario at least until the end of this month, while fires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories will continue to smoulder.

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

The City of Surrey says it will be removing derelict boats from the Nicomekl River this month. The city says boats have been illegally mooring on a narrow section of the river, dumping raw sewage and garbage into the water, and creating hazards for other boaters.

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

Police return emotional support rabbit that ran loose in Vancouver SkyTrain station

A rabbit that hopped the tracks at a downtown Vancouver transit station was reunited with its owner after efforts by passengers and police. Metro Vancouver Transit Police say the bunny was running loose last Thursday at the Granville SkyTrain station when a passenger picked it up and handed it to officers patrolling the underground stop.

Police return emotional support rabbit that ran loose in Vancouver SkyTrain station

Private donation helps attract teachers to rural B.C. with $10,000 cash welcome gifts

A rural school district in the British Columbia Interior has filled a shortfall of teachers with help from an anonymous benefactor who donated $200,000 to welcome new educators. At a time when schools across the province are struggling with staff recruitment and retention, the Gold Trail School District offered $10,000 incentives to attract new teachers, and $15,000 for those who agreed to move to the small town of Lytton which was devastated by fire two years ago.

Private donation helps attract teachers to rural B.C. with $10,000 cash welcome gifts

'There's no one to fill his shoes': Journalist and author Peter C. Newman dies at 94

Veteran journalist and author Peter C. Newman, who held a mirror up to Canada, has died at the age of 94. He died in hospital in Belleville, Ont., Thursday morning from complications related to a stroke he had last year, which caused him to develop Parkinson's disease, his wife Alvy Newman said by phone.

'There's no one to fill his shoes': Journalist and author Peter C. Newman dies at 94

Western Canada a global hot spot over summer months: Climate Central study

An analysis has found that Western Canada was one of the global hot spots in a summer that climate change made one of the warmest on record. The extensive study by Climate Central concludes that Canada saw nine days of high temperatures that were made at least three times more likely by greenhouse gases.