A new bill passed in the British Columbia legislature will make dashboard cameras mandatory for large commercial trucks, a move widely applauded by the trucking industry. The legislation, which cleared third reading on Monday, aims to enhance road safety and protect professional drivers.
Industry support for the measure
Liam Parfitt, partner at Prince George-based Freya Logging, emphasized the importance of dash cams for accountability. 'It protects good drivers, and it puts a spotlight on those who are not,' he said, noting that his drivers welcome the change.
Dave Earle, president of the B.C. Trucking Association, highlighted that many truckers become advocates for dash cams after being involved in an accident. 'The drivers we speak to who were reluctant say the first time they're involved in an accident they become converts,' he explained.
Data supports the policy
Provincial data reveals that in two-thirds to three-quarters of crashes involving large commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, the driver of the passenger vehicle is at fault. Dash cams provide crucial evidence to tell the driver's story, according to Earle.
Concerns about interprovincial standards
While supportive, Earle expressed concerns about potential interprovincial trade barriers if regulations are not harmonized across Canada. He warned that differing rules on camera quality, data storage, and retention periods could burden trucking companies. A suitable camera costs between $400 and $500, plus a data subscription, which adds up for large fleets.
Legislative details
The private member's bill, introduced by B.C. Conservative MLA Ward Stamer, requires dash cams to be forward-facing, retain at least 72 hours of recording, have night-vision capability, and record at 1080p resolution. Stamer, who has worked on the issue since his time as mayor of Barriere, noted that B.C. has some of North America's most challenging roads.
The legislation still needs to be signed into law by the lieutenant-governor. Enforcement and penalty details are pending, but Stamer hopes the law will take effect by winter.
Part of broader safety measures
The dash cam mandate is one of several new safety initiatives in B.C., including speed-limiters for commercial trucks and increased penalties for overpass strikes. These measures come as the province enters the summer road trip season, when deadly crashes tend to spike. Last year, 19 people died on B.C. roads in a single week following the July long weekend.
