News release

Fixing your truck is not optional: Two big rig drivers share almost $3,000 in fines after ignoring BC Highway Patrol

July 31, 2025 - Fort Nelson, British Columbia
From: BC Highway Patrol

Content

The first people to complain about unsafe commercial truck drivers are good commercial drivers who follow the rules. This time, two unsafe drivers are facing thousands of dollars in fines after ignoring an order to fix their poorly-maintained truck.

On July 28, 2025, at 11:20 a.m., on Highway #97 near Fort Nelson, a Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) officer stopped a black semi-tractor with no trailer. The truck’s tandem drivers said they needed gas, but when they were allowed to go, they did not return for the required inspection. Soon afterwards, a BC Highway Patrol officer tracked the drivers down and found them trying to make roadside repairs.

CVSE and BC Highway Patrol inspected the tractor unit and found it had no functioning rear suspension. The driver’s logs were also not in order, resulting in $1,018 in total fines. The drivers were given a list of local mechanics and ordered to fix the problems before driving again.

At 5:59 p.m., the same BC Highway Patrol officer saw the same truck driving on Highway #97. The truck was pulled over with the same two drivers, the same inaccurate log books, and the same non-functioning rear suspension.

The drivers, who were both residents of Alberta, received five more tickets worth an additional $1,927. The truck was issued a Notice and Order, the licence plates were seized, and it was towed directly to the nearest truck mechanic at the expense of the drivers.

“Not only do bad commercial truck drivers make the roads unsafe for everyone, they also undercut the reputation of good truck drivers,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “Following safety and maintenance laws costs money. Our job as police is to make breaking the law more expensive.”

Contacts