B.C. trucking industry, province work to reduce growing number of crashes on Highway 3

New campaigns are being launched and more signage is being added along Highway 3 through B.C.’s Southern Interior following concerns about the growing number of crashes involving commercial trucks along that route.

Commercial truck traffic along Highway 3 is already surpassing its previous peak levels as the Coquihalla  — which most truckers used — continues to be shut down following catastrophic flooding in recent weeks.

“Highway 3 wasn’t a heavily utilized commercial corridor before the disaster. On average, we would see about 800 commercial movements a day on that route. It would peak around 1,200 in the summertime — we’re well above that now,” Dave Earle with the B.C. Trucking Association said.

With goods now being able to move through after flooding closed major routes, the president and CEO says more drivers and carriers are using Highway 3. Earle warns people need to be careful, as the highway is one of the only routes connecting the Lower Mainland to the rest of Canada, “and it’s got to stay open.”

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Earle says many carriers have heard from drivers who refuse to drive the route because of its treacherous nature.

“They’ve just said ‘No, I’ll go drive elsewhere. But I’m not going to drive that one. I’m not comfortable driving it.'”

The industry is launching its own educational programs to warn drivers about the challenges in driving Highway 3.

“They’ve never been on that type of highway,” Earle said.

**Commercial drivers** please note this important info regarding #BCHwy3 conditions. #BCTrucking #BCFloods https://t.co/D79p2SRwry

— BCTA (@BCTruckingAssoc) December 6, 2021

He adds the industry is now working with the province to post more signage on the route, while also putting out videos and literature to give drivers a better sense of what they’re going to face if they choose to use Highway 3.

With the Coquihalla out of commission until well into the new year, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming was clear Monday that there is no timeline for when Highway 3 will be open to anyone but commercial vehicles.