VICTORIA — With input from the B.C. Trucking Association, the provincial government is implementing four changes to the region’s trucking industry.

All four recommendations stem from the province’s Truck Compliance Advisory Panel, which was formed in 2008. The panel was comprised of senior representatives from the BCTA, the Teamsters Union and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

A report was submitted to the ministry in 2009 and recommended improvements in the areas of safety and compliance.

“The implementation of these recommendations validates the efforts of the advisory panel,” said Don McGill, secretary/treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and chair of the Truck Compliance Advisory Panel. “Long-term, these improvements will save lives and mean safer highways for all British Columbians.”

Creation of a Premium Carrier program
The Premium Carrier Program will recognize and reward carriers who are able to demonstrate exceptional and proactive commitment to safety and build upon their best practices to provide examples for other carriers.

Premium carriers will be able to optimize their efficiencies through the Weigh2Go program by being able to bypass inspection stations/weigh scales more often. As well, premium carriers will also receive ministry recognition that they can use to promote themselves with shippers.

Promotion of shared responsibility between drivers, carriers and shippers
Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) is working with the BCTA to develop best practices and promote awareness of shared responsibility for vehicles leaving shippers facilities.

Strengthened oversight of Designated Inspection Facilities
The ministry has introduced amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act which will allow CVSE to implement new initiatives for monitoring of Designated Inspection Facilities. The amendments will enable CVSE staff to monitor inspectors in the process of conducting inspections to ensure they are following program requirements.

CVSE is also implementing more stringent monitoring and audit requirements for facilities which have been identified through comparison of roadside inspections with the inspections done at the facilities.

New measures to remove unsafe heavy commercial vehicles from the road
CVSE is undertaking enhanced roadside enforcement right across the province and unsafe operators will not be tolerated.

When CVSE encounters a vehicle with critical defects, they will remove that vehicle’s licence plates. The vehicle will not be able to return to service until after the owner has completed the necessary repairs and provided CVSE with a maintenance plan explaining what the owner will do to ensure the vehicle will be properly monitored and maintained.

“We’re proud of our association’s many fine drivers and well-run companies,” said BCTA president and CEO Paul Landry. “We support these changes that will recognize excellent operators, while strengthening the rules that keep our highways safe.”