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

Can Canadian downtowns find new purpose in a post-office era?

Kay Matthews doesn't mince words when asked about the state of businesses fighting to survive in downtown cores across Ontario. The experiences in Ontario's cities are echoed across Canada, as downtowns grapple with high vacancy rates, the post-pandemic work culture and the prospect that crowds of office workers may never return in full.

Can Canadian downtowns find new purpose in a post-office era?

Housing dominates B.C. legislative session with next election less than a year away

The end of the fall legislative session comes less than a year away from B.C.'s expected election, and about three months before the New Democrat government's tabling of its February budget. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy signalled this week it will post a multibillion-dollar deficit and projects economic growth below one per cent.

Housing dominates B.C. legislative session with next election less than a year away

2 min court silence in Ibrahim Ali trial

The B.C. Supreme Court first-degree murder trial of Ibrahim Ali fell silent for two full minutes as Crown attorney Daniel Porte neared the end of his closing arguments. Porte was illustrating how long it would have taken Ali to strangle the 13-year-old girl he's accused of killing in a Burnaby, B.C., park six years ago, saying Ali would have had to apply "consistent and sustained" pressure.

2 min court silence in Ibrahim Ali trial

150 overdose deaths in October

A statement from the coroners' service says in October alone 189 people died from overdoses, which is more than six deaths a day. It is also the 37th consecutive month where at least 150 people died from illicit overdoses.

150 overdose deaths in October

Surrey lifeguard charged with sexual interference

Mounties in Surrey are advising the public after an investigation led to sex offence charges against a 24-year-old man. Police say the man was a lifeguard at the City of Surrey Recreation Centre and has been charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and luring a child.

Surrey lifeguard charged with sexual interference

B.C. files application for Canada's first unexplained wealth order, minister says

British Columbia's solicitor general says the government has filed the first-ever application to secure an unexplained wealth order in Canada. Mike Farnworth says the notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court is the start of a series of similar applications, which are powerful tools that "put those engaging in illegal activity on notice."