B.C. pulled a carrier's safety certificate after its sixth infrastructure crash
In December 2023, a truck hit the 112th Street overpass on Highway 99 in Delta, and the province grounded the company's 65-vehicle fleet.
In late December 2023, British Columbia suspended the safety certificate of Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. after one of its trucks struck the 112th Street overpass on Highway 99 in Delta on Dec. 28.
DriveBC said the crash, shortly after noon, blocked traffic in both directions on the overpass. Southbound Highway 99 was closed overnight for cleanup and reopened early on Dec. 29.
The suspension
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said the crash was the company's sixth involving infrastructure in two years, and that the suspension reflected its unwillingness or inability to operate safely.
The province's Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch used new powers to suspend the certificate. That meant the company's 65 commercial vehicles could not operate in B.C. from 4:30 p.m. Pacific time on Dec. 29. Fleming said the driver and carrier would face the toughest fines in the country and that the investigation could lead to further action.
"This needs to stop," Fleming said, adding that most commercial drivers in B.C. operate safely.
Tougher rules
On Dec. 14, 2023, B.C. had announced new rules to prevent trucks from hitting highway infrastructure. Penalties escalate for repeat offences and can include suspension or cancellation of a carrier's safety certificate.