Impaired big rig driver caught by police on Hwy. 1 in Chilliwack, gets defective tractor-trailer towed

CHILLIWACK — There’s a certain standard that commercial truck drivers need to maintain when they’re operating tractor trailers in B.C.

And when they fail to meet that standard, whether by not properly maintaining their rig or by being impaired, the BC Highway Patrol stands ready to intervene when it can.

Case in point, the BC Highway Patrol says the driver of a Peterbilt tractor-trailer was stopped early Saturday, July 26 at approximately 1 a.m. on Highway 1 near Yale Road West in Chilliwack, after the unit was clocked doing 117 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.

“There are thousands of professional truck drivers working hard and following the rules every day,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “But we are constantly looking for the lawbreakers, and this truck driver showed signs of impairment and failed an approved screening device.”

It was all downhill from there for the 34-year-old Mission man. Both the tractor and trailer also failed roadside safety inspections. The truck driver was issued the following:

• A ticket for speeding against a highway sign, section 146(3) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), with a fine of $138;
• A ticket for speed limiter not set (in a heavy commercial vehicle), section 146.1(2)(b) of the BC MVA ($368);
• An Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) from driving for 90 days;
• A vehicle impound (for the tractor) for 30 days;
• Heavy-duty towing at the driver’s expense;
• Removal of licencing for both the tractor and trailer until vehicle defects are fixed.

“As the Summer Impaired Driving campaign continues to the end of August, BC Highway Patrol is urging everyone- and especially professional drivers- to take driving sober more seriously,” Cpl. McLaughlin said.