Truck Hits an Overpass in B.C, New Penalties Enforced as Trucking Company is Suspended

British Columbia is taking strong steps to make roads safer and protect bridges from truck accidents. The recent suspension of SGD Transport Ltd. shows how serious the province is about these measures.

Background: New Safety Rules in B.C.

B.C. has introduced tough rules to stop trucks from hitting bridges and other structures. These rules include bigger fines, warning devices in trucks, and speed limits for heavy vehicles. The goal is to make sure travel on B.C. highways is safe and reliable.

Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, said that crashes delay drivers, slow down goods, and can block emergency services. “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,” he said.

The BC Trucking Association supports these rules. Dave Earle, president and CEO of the association, said, “These steps are important for making roads safer for everyone.”

Recent Event: SGD Transport Ltd. Truck Hits an Overpass

Recently, a truck from SGD Transport Ltd. hit a railway bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway in Langley. This is the 19th time this year that a commercial truck has hit a bridge or overpass.

The government suspended SGD Transport Ltd. from operating while they investigate. The Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch and the RCMP are looking into what happened. All seven vehicles from SGD Transport are not allowed to operate until the investigation is done.

This same bridge was hit earlier in May by M&H Transport Ltd. This led to a temporary suspension and fines. It was found that the driver had measured the load wrong, causing the crash.

Tough Penalties for Breaking Rules

The government has set strong penalties for those who damage bridges and other structures. These penalties include fines up to $100,000 and up to 18 months in jail, or both. Fines for vehicles that are too tall have increased to $575, the highest in Canada.

New rules also require dump trucks to have warning devices by June 1, 2024. These devices will alert drivers if the dump box is raised while driving. Not having these devices will result in a $598 fine. Also, heavy trucks must have speed limiters set to not exceed 105 km/h on B.C. highways. The fine for not having a speed limiter or tampering with it is $295 and three penalty points for the driver.

Looking Ahead

The suspension of SGD Transport Ltd. shows that B.C. is serious about road safety and protecting bridges. By setting strict penalties and safety rules, the province aims to make roads safer for everyone. These actions are meant to hold trucking companies and drivers responsible for safe driving on B.C. highways.

As the investigation continues, the trucking industry in B.C. is getting a clear message: follow the rules, or face serious consequences. This approach is to prevent unsafe practices and promote a culture of safety and responsibility, benefiting all road users.