EDMONTON,(May 13, 2003) — A new Traffic Safety Act in Alberta becomes law on May 20, consolidating the Highway Traffic Act, Motor Vehicle Administration Act, Motor Transport Act, and Off-Highway Act.

“This has been a long and arduous undertaking to revise the four Acts into one and 35 regulations into 18,” said Ed Stelmach, Minister of Transportation.

Among the changes that affect commercial vehicles are higher fines, including doubling the penalties to $50 from the current $25 for such offences as failing to complete a bill of lading, failing to retain a bill of lading for 12 months, failing to prepare a proper livestock manifest or permits, and failing to use an approved hog manifest form.

Logbook violation fines will also increase from $28 to $345 and up, while fines from unsecured loads will jump from $25 to $500.

The changes also include stiffer penalties for vehicles whose lights do not comply with the Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standard for lights on a vehicle. It will be an offence to drive a vehicle equipped with lights not authorized by the legislation.