Bigger fines could be coming for B.C. truckers that hit highway overpasses

Police are considering charges under the Motor Vehicle Act against the driver of a commercial truck after its load slammed into an overpass on Highway 1 in Abbotsford.

Police are considering charges under the Motor Vehicle Act against the driver of a commercial truck after its load slammed into an overpass on Highway 1 in Abbotsford.

The ongoing investigation comes at the same time the province says it’s looking at whether to bring in stronger deterrents for dangerous truck drivers.

The crash happened Monday afternoon at the Peardonville overpass and sent debris flying. Some of that debris hit a vehicle, but no one was injured.

“The load was not low enough to get under the clearance so there was an overpass strike,” said Dave Earle, president of the BC Trucking Association.

But it’s an incident that could have been avoided.

“When trailers are loaded, drivers are required to measure the height of the trailer and if it’s over 4.15 metres, that’s an oversize load and they’re required to contact various authorities – including provincial ones – to get a permit to move that oversize load,” he explained.

There are multiple signs warning drivers of the overpass height.