LANGLEY, B.C., (Feb. 11, 05) — B.C.’s Minister Responsible for Deregulation Initiative says he’ll entertain ideas from the province’s carrier association on how to reduce red tape for truckers fighting traffic tickets far from home.

The BC Trucking Association has been lobbying John Les to allow long-haul truckers who are handcuffed in fighting tickets away from home to challenge them electronically.

“Due to the nature of their work, professional long-haul truck drivers are more likely to be issued traffic violation tickets while they are far from their home,” BCTA President Paul Landry wrote last December. “Therefore, if they wish to dispute the ticket, it is likely to be a costly and time-consuming exercise because they are required to appear in person or hire a lawyer in order to do so.”

Drivers and carriers usually pay the penalty rather than dispute the ticket. The only alterative is paying a lawyer to make an appearance in court on the driver’s behalf.

In a letter sent to the BCTA last month, Les responded by saying the issue of improving access for persons disputing tickets is being studied in conjunction with pilot test results and further reforms will require consultation with the judiciary.

He said he has forwarded the BCTA’s comments to Attorney General Geoff Plant.

BCTA says it will continue to remind the provincial government about its recommendations at opportune moments.