VICTORIA – The Government of British Columbia is requiring mandatory use of speed-limiting technology on commercial vehicles as of April 5.
The measure, announced in December 2023, takes place after a series of crashes where commercial vehicles hit infrastructure.
Heavy commercial vehicles with a gross-vehicle-weight rating of more than 11,793 kilograms that were manufactured after 1994 will be required to have the devices installed in their vehicles to operate in B.C. The devices must be programmed to a maximum speed of 105 km/h, a release said.
The legislative amendments made to the Motor Vehicle Act mean any contraventions, including not being equipped with a speed limiter or not having it accurately programmed, will result in a fine, including a victim surcharge of $368.
Some vehicles will be exempt such as emergency vehicles and motorhomes. Other exemptions include situations such as during emergency response or if the vehicle is equipped with an electronic control module that is incapable of meeting the speed limiter requirements, the release said. Exemptions are made at the discretion of the director of commercial vehicle and safety enforcement.
“The change brings B.C. into alignment with other jurisdictions where these requirements have seen reductions in crashes,” the release added, with B.C. joining Ontario and Quebec in use of speed-limiting devices.
The new regulations are available here.
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