Expensive day for truck driver caught speeding in construction zone near Merritt

A truck driver behind the wheel of a semi was caught going almost twice the speed limit in a construction zone near Merritt last month.

The 53-year-old from Calgary was clocked doing 109 km/h in a 60 km/h construction zone at around 9:40 a.m., July 31, on the Coquihalla Highway at the Okanagan Connector, according to an RCMP media release issued today, Aug. 17.

The officer threw on lights and sirens but the driver of the fully-loaded auto transport truck kept going and drove through entire construction zone before pulling over, RCMP said.

The driver faces more than $1,400 in fines.

The BC Highway Patrol conducted a level one inspection of the tractor and trailer with both recording fails.

Here’s how the BC Highway Patrol breaks it all down:

• A ticket for excessive speed (between 41 and 60 km/h over the limit), section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, with a fine of $368,
• The cost of a seven-day impound (with premium costs for a heavy-duty hauler), improper brake performance (three brakes), section 6.02(2)(b) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (MVAR) with a fine of $414,
• Fail to have pneumatic/adequate tires in good condition, section 7.161(1) of the MVAR, $109,
• Numerous yellow marker lamps inoperable, section 4.04(2) of the MVAR, $109,
• Fail to comply with trip inspection requirements, section 37.60(1) of the MVAR, $138,
• Fail to verify accuracy of certified record of duty status, section 37.52 of the MVAR, $311.

The cars on the auto trailer were unloaded at the scene, and both the tractor and trailer were taken out of service for the safety violations, RCMP said.

The Surrey company that owns the tractor-trailer is on the hook for the cost of the tow and seven days of impound.

“We are watching commercial trucks everywhere in BC, but residents in the Thompson-Nicola region have told us they want even more focus than usual,” BC Highway Patrol spokesperson Sgt. Michael McLaughlin said in the media release.

“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.”