NEW! BC - Stricter regulations for commercial drivers on winter roads

British Columbia Minister of Transportation Claire Trevena announced that the government has introduced enhanced chain-up regulations for commercial vehicles that include stricter fines for non-compliance. The ministry found that the overwhelming majority of closures on the Coquihalla highway last winter were due to either poorly chained trucks or trucks without any chains and hopes that the new regulations will result in safer B.C. highways.

Previous regulations only required vehicles over 27,000 kilograms to carry and use traction devices, with only one wheel needing chains during winter conditions and mandatory chain-ups. The new, all-encompassing enhancements include all commercial vehicles over 5,000 kilograms:

• Vehicles less than 11,794 kilograms – like buses or five-ton trucks – must use chains on a minimum of two tires and can use steel chains, cable chains, automatic chains, socks or wheel sanders, if not equipped with winter tires.
• Vehicles 11,794 kilograms or more must use steel chains, and the number of tires needing chains ranges from a minimum of two tires for vehicles without a trailer to six tires on some larger and more-demanding configurations.

The ministry recognizes that the new regulations come shortly before the winter season and not all commercial vehicle companies may be able to comply immediately. During the coming months, commercial vehicle safety officers will provide information and education before the stricter fines are handed out. The Transportation Ministry is still considering the values of the escalating fines under the enhanced chain-up regulation.  Previously, drivers faced a fine of $121 for not carrying or installing chains when required.

For additional information, please read the press release or visit the BC Government website. 

If you have any questions, please contact Darren Cunningham, Director, Government Relations (West) at darrencunningham@propane.ca or 403.801.9111.