Fines increase in B.C. for not following chain-up regulations
VICTORIA, B.C. – Starting Oct. 1, truck drivers traveling in B.C. will face stiffer fines if they do not chain up their tires.
Base-level fines during previous winters were $121 for not carrying chains or not installing them when the law required.
This year, drivers will face a $196 fine for not carrying chains during the time they are required, and a $598 fine will be imposed for not installing chains during mandatory chain ups.
Winter chain-up in B.C. runs from Oct. 1 to April 30, with vehicles over 11,794 kg required to carry tire chains and those under 11,794 kg having to use winter tires or carry chains. Previous regulations only required vehicles over 27,000 kg to carry and use traction devices, and only one wheel needed to be chained during mandatory chain ups. New regulations are now clarified for all vehicles over 5,000 kg.
The stricter fines follow last year’s enhanced chain-up regulations, which the government said was to improve safety and reliability of the province’s highways during winter months.
During the winter of 2017-18, there were 35 extended closures of the Coquihalla Highway, 33 involving commercial vehicles. Following the new regulations, last year’s numbers dropped to 10, with nine involving commercial vehicles.
The government delayed increasing fines related to chaining up to allow the industry time to adjust to the new regulations.
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Truck drivers who don’t chain up fined $1000 and drivers who don’t know how fined $2000. Fines to company with fine doubling if not paid in 30 days and doubling again after further 30 days. After that company lose of license. This is a basic skill and if not done driver loses license because he does not have operating skills required to operate. They are dangerous
Chaining up is not the issue , if it’s bad enough to need to chain up a competent driver would park it instead of creating a hazard on the road , those that cause problems on the road with out chaining up simply do not know how to drive in winter conditions. Poor training or judgement. I have driven mountains over 15 years never needed chains . The real issue is poor drivers .
If anyone wants tips on how to drive in winter , I’m available for advice, may I should start a driving school? Chains are not needed unless you are driving off road or on ice . And even then not always needed . The truck needs to be suitable as well and forget about fully auto trucks they are a winter hazard and should be outlawed in winter mountain driving . I could go on and on …
Fines for not chaining up are to low, also one,s that don,t chain up should lose their licence, ( class # 1)