Why some in B.C.’s trucking industry are pushing back on new dash-cam law

FILE: Transport trucks at an industrial park in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Graham Hughes/Bloomberg)

A new law requiring dash cameras in commercial trucks is moving ahead in British Columbia after receiving rare unanimous support in the legislature.

The bill, introduced by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer, will require forward-facing cameras in heavy commercial vehicles — aimed at improving safety and providing clearer evidence after crashes.

“I’m quite pleased that we’ve got to the point where we’re going to have a law that we can mandate dash-cams in commercial vehicles, and we’re going to be able to make our roads safer,” Stamer said.

Under the legislation, dash-cams must be forward-facing, record in high definition, include night vision and retain at least 72 hours of footage.

Supporters say the cameras will help investigators determine fault more quickly.

“When there is a crash, what’s the first thing the RCMP says? Does anybody have any dash-cam footage?” Stamer added.

The B.C. Trucking Association (BCTA) is among those backing the move, saying it could protect drivers and reduce disputes after collisions.

“The data tells us about three-quarters of accidents that involve heavy commercial vehicles, the heavy commercial vehicle is not at fault at all. And what this data does is enables the driver and the carrier to show exactly what happened,” said Dave Earle, president of the BCTA.

Some in the industry, however, are raising concerns about how the rules could be implemented.

Tom Johnson, president and general manager of Kimberly Transport in Delta, says while safety improvements are welcome, there are risks tied to making cameras mandatory.

He points to potential operational challenges if equipment fails or isn’t installed yet — particularly when new trucks are being added to fleets. There are also concerns about how insurance coverage could be affected if a camera isn’t working properly at the time of a crash.

“We are absolutely supportive of measures that improve road safety. However, we believe programs such as mandatory camera systems should remain optional, with participating companies being incentivized through reduced insurance premiums or other cost-saving measures, rather than through mandatory requirements tied to coverage eligibility,” said Johnson.

Earle echoed some broader industry concerns, saying the rules should be consistent across the country to avoid creating barriers for trucking companies operating between provinces.

“We don’t want to have a particular set of requirements in British Columbia that’s different than in every other province across the country,” Earle told CTV News. “We really want to avoid creating any more interprovincial barriers.”

Earle says there are approximately 65,000 heavy commercial vehicles operating in B.C., and estimates more than 70 percent are already equipped with dash cameras.

The new regulations are still being finalized, though a timeline for when the rules will take effect is unclear.