Police impounded a commercial vehicle and issued substantial fines after catching a truck driver speeding through a construction zone near Merritt, British Columbia.
Shortly before 10 a.m. on July 31, 2026, a British Columbia Highway Patrol officer spotted a fully loaded car carrier traveling at a speed of nearly 68 m.p.h. (109 km/h) in a construction zone with a speed limit of 37 mph (60 km/h) located on Highway 5, near Highway 97C.
“The officer activated his lights and sirens, but the truck drove through the entire construction zone before coming to a stop. Suspecting a mechanical issue, the British Columbia Highway Patrol conducted a Level I inspection of the truck and trailer,” police reported.
Both the truck and the trailer failed the inspection and were taken off the road due to “serious safety violations.”
The police issued fines totaling approximately 1,400 Canadian dollars (CAD).
The following is a breakdown of the penalties imposed as a result of the traffic stop:
- A speeding ticket of 368 Canadian dollars (CAD)
- The cost of impounding the vehicles for seven days (with surcharges because they were heavy-duty trucks)
- Brake malfunction (three brakes), with a fine of 414 Canadian dollars (CAD)
- Failure to have adequate tires in good condition, with a fine of 109 Canadian dollars (CAD)
- Numerous yellow signal lights out of order, with a fine of 109 Canadian dollars (CAD)
- Failure to comply with roadworthiness inspection requirements, with a fine of 138 Canadian dollars (CAD)
- Failure to verify the accuracy of the certified service record, with a fine of 311 Canadian dollars (CAD).
The Surrey-based trucking company must cover the costs of towing and the seven-day impoundment of the vehicle.
“We are monitoring commercial trucks throughout British Columbia, but residents of the Thompson-Nicola region have indicated to us that they want even greater attention than usual,” says Sergeant Michael McLaughlin of the British Columbia Highway Patrol. “Commercial truck drivers are expected to be just as committed to road safety as anyone else, and the police are committed to enforcing that standard.”
