Stricter chain-up rules for commercial vehicles are now in place on the Coquihalla Highway.
The previous rules required big rigs over 27,000 kilograms to carry and use traction devices, with only one wheel needing chains during winter conditions and mandatory chain-ups.
Now, vehicles less than 11,794 kilograms but greater than 5,000 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, according to a provincial press release.
This is Larson Hill right now. So many trucks pulled over to chain up. Some drivers are just sitting in their cabins. We’re driving about 10 km/h. #Kamloops #driveralert #Coquihalla pic.twitter.com/FtzBLVDwAj
— Tereza Verenca (@tverenca) November 24, 2018
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.
“Last winter, 33 of 35 extended closures on the Coquihalla involved commercial vehicles, and in most cases this was due to truck drivers either poorly installing chains or not using them at all,” says Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, in the release. “While most drivers do chain up during winter weather, these new regulations, and the stricter fines that will follow will improve safety and hopefully reduce the number of closures.”
The province says given the short notice, it will give drivers time to adjust to the new rules. Enforcement officers will provide information and education to drivers in the coming months, notes the release, before stricter fines are handed out later this winter.
Up until now, the fine for not carrying chains or not installing them when required has been $121.
“The values of the escalating fines for non-compliance are being evaluated and considered,” reads the release.
