LANGLEY, B.C. – The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) has written to the Minister Responsible for Deregulation in hopes of changing the way long-distance truckers can challenge traffic tickets in the province.

Currently in B.C., drivers must appear in court personally or hire a lawyer to represent them in order to challenge a traffic violation. Because this is often impractical for long-distance truckers, the driver or company often pays the fine, which is then reflected on their driver and carrier profile records.

BCTA president Paul Landry is appealing to the province to consider alternatives for long-distance truckers, such as the ability to challenge the fine by submitting an affidavit, participating in an informal hearing over the phone, or pleading in writing. Landry also suggested technology could be used to allow drivers to dispute tickets from outside the region where the ticket was issued.

Truck drivers should be allowed to either provide evidence or plead by telephone, facsimile, video conferencing or other electronic means, Landry said, or at least allow drivers to appeal tickets in a court closer to home.