B.C.’S Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement branch (CVSE) has used its new powers to suspend the safety certificate for Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. in the interest of public safety following a collision of one of its trucks with an overpass on Friday.

The truck struck the 112th Street overpass in the southbound lanes of Highway 99, between Ladner Trunk Road and Highway 91, in Delta.

This means the company’s entire fleet of 65 commercial vehicles will be unable to operate in B.C. as of 4:30 p.m. (Pacific time) on Friday, December 29.

Furthermore, the driver and the carrier responsible will face the toughest fines in the country. The outcome of the investigation could lead to further action, according to a statement by Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Fleming added: “This suspension is a result of the company’s unwillingness or inability to operate safely within the province, following its sixth infrastructure crash in two years.

“We recently announced increased fines and the ability to ground fleets through suspensions like this, so highway traffic keeps moving safely and reliably for travellers and commercial vehicles, and people can count on their commute.”

Fleming said: “This needs to stop. We know that the vast majority of commercial drivers in B.C. operate safely and responsibly. However, some operators are not getting the message.”