A Calgary driver has had his company’s auto transport truck impounded for excessive speed through a construction zone on the Coquihalla Highway, police say.
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. on July 31, a BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) officer clocked the truck — which was fully loaded with vehicles at the time — doing almost 110 km/h in a 60 km/h area near Merritt.
“The police officer activated his lights and sirens, but the truck went through the entire construction zone before stopping,” police say.
“Suspecting that a mechanical issue was a factor, BC Highway Patrol began a level 1 inspection of the tractor-trailer.”
The BCHP says both the tractor and the trailer failed safety inspections. Fines have been issued for improper brake performance, inoperable yellow marker lamps, and failure to have tires in good condition, among other issues.
Highway patrol says the vehicles were unloaded from the trailer at the scene.
The registered owner of the tractor-trailer is a Surrey-based company, police say. The company is responsible for paying costs associated with towing and the seven-day impound.
“Any time you appear to be speeding in a construction zone, you will attract the attention of police,” the BCHP said.
“That is doubly true when you are driving a fully-loaded auto transport truck.”
Sgt. Michael McLaughlin says officers are taking extra care to keep an eye on trucks in the area.
“We are watching commercial trucks everywhere in B.C., but residents in the Thompson-Nicola Region have told us they want even more focus than usual,” McLaughlin said.
“There’s an expectation that commercial truck drivers will be as committed to road safety as anyone else, and police are committed to upholding that standard.”
Fines total more than $1,400.
