Truckers unmoved by Coq speed change

NEWS — While advocates of higher speed limits are cheering an increase to  the speed limit on the Coquihalla Highway, it won’t have any effect on professional truckers, says the B.C. Trucking Association.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced Wednesday an increase in the speed limit on the Coquihalla to 120 km/h as part of a review of the province’s highways.

Louise Yako, president and CEO of the province’s largest trucking organization, said she welcomes changes and initiatives in highway operation because they offer an opportunity to remind motorists about commercial truck operation.

However, changing the speed limit on the Coquihalla Highway to 120 km/h will not affect her members. “Our members have indicated that most of the time they already govern at 90 to 100 km/h,” Yako said.

There are several reasons why commercial truckers tend to stick to the slower speed range, she added. First, it’s difficult for large trucks to reach the posted limits, particularly on the Coquihalla Highway with its long, steep grades.

Second, emissions are significantly increased when trucks exceed 90 km/h. Most important, though, is safety.

“As a trucking industry, we are very aware of stopping distances. We need to make sure our industry and our truck drivers are capable of stopping when they have to.”

Heavy trucks operate differently from small passenger vehicles and motorists need to respect those differences for the safety of everyone, Yako said.

Sense B.C., a lobby group that has asked the government to increase speed limits provincewide, was happily Tweeting about the news on Wednesday.

Sense B.C. maintains that higher speed limits make economic and safety sense. While motorists may welcome the change, many were already driving at the new speed limit or faster.