Repeat offender Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd, the BC trucking company that has already been accused of circumventing rules by using Alberta certificate and have been accused of multiple infractions when it comes to overpass damage due to improper loads and other accidents, were promptly suspended by the BC government following another bonehead overpass damage in Delta last week. BC Transportation Minister Rob Fleming wasted no time in suspending Chohan’s trucking fleet’s ability to operate in B.C. following a collision with an overpass on Dec. 28, 2023. According to the provincial government documents, Chohan has also been involved in five other overpass strikes in the past two years: Dec. 10, 2021 Highway 1 and 192 St.; Feb. 12, 2022 Highway 1 and 264 St.; Feb. 17, 2022 Highway 99 and 112 St.; Jun. 01, 2022 Highway 1 and No. 3 Rd.; Jun. 08, 2022 Highway 1 and 264 St.

By R. Paul Dhillon – Editor DESIBUZZCanada

VICTORIA – Repeat offender Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd, the BC trucking company that has already been accused of circumventing rules by using Alberta certificate and have been accused of multiple infractions when it comes to overpass damage due to improper loads and other accidents, were promptly suspended by the BC government following another bonehead overpass damage in Delta last week.

BC Transportation Minister Rob Fleming wasted no time in suspending Chohan’s trucking fleet’s ability to operate in B.C. following a collision with an overpass on Dec. 28, 2023.

“This needs to stop. We know that the vast majority of commercial drivers in B.C. operate safely and responsibly. However, some operators are not getting the message,” Fleming said.

“In the interest of public safety, B.C.’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement branch (CVSE) has used its new powers to suspend the safety certificate for Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd.

“This means the company’s entire fleet of 65 commercial vehicles will be unable to operate in B.C. as of 4:30 p.m. (Pacific time) on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Furthermore, the driver and the carrier responsible will face the toughest fines in the country. The outcome of the investigation could lead to further action.

“This suspension is a result of the company’s unwillingness or inability to operate safely within the province, following its sixth infrastructure crash in two years.

“We recently announced increased fines and the ability to ground fleets through suspensions like this, so highway traffic keeps moving safely and reliably for travellers and commercial vehicles, and people can count on their commute,” Fleming concluded.

Following the suspension, Chohan Management gave this statement: “Thank you for giving Chohan the opportunity to provide a statement. Unfortunately, one of our trucks operated by an Owner Operator was involved in an accident today in Delta. The driver, who is not a company driver, failed to wait to receive his permit and route directions for his oversized load. At approximately 12:22pm, our Safety Department received a phone call from the driver stating that his load was oversized. Our Safety Manager advised the Owner Operator to wait while he obtained the permit. Within 8 minutes, the Safety Manager received a call from the Owner Operator advising that he had crashed into the overpass. We are disappointed in this driver’s non-compliance as we have been working hard with CVSE and the Ministry of Transportation over the past 2 years. Our company has an exemplary safety rating and has been in compliance with all safety regulations. At this time, we are cooperating with all investigating agencies and no further comment will be provided.”

But the statement from Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd was met with laughter and criticism as the company has history of it’s drivers and fleet causing damage across BC.

Chohan trucking was at the centre of the latest overpass strike in the Lower Mainland is the same one involved in a crash into a Kelowna home in early 2023.

A truck belonging to Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd. hit an overpass on Highway 99 in Delta on Dec. 28 causing significant damage.

On April 11, another truck belonging to the same company slammed into a home at Cameron Avenue and Gordon Drive.

A woman and her grandson were trapped by the crash and had to be rescued via the home’s balcony by the Kelowna Fire Department.

The truck remained embedded in the home for a month. The house was also robbed several times by men masquerading as construction workers, and the homeowners had their vehicle stolen, reported Black Press.

Kelowna RCMP told Black Press Media that the incident was thoroughly investigated and no charges were forwarded to the BC Prosecution Service.

“There was no evidence of wrongdoing by the driver who was in full compliance regarding his hours of driving, his driving log was up to date and well documented,” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera. “Multiple witnesses interviewed and all stated that the truck did not appear to be driving erratically or speeding,”

Della-Paolera added the driver and company were cooperative throughout the investigation and it was determined that there was a medical issue.

The driver received treatment at Kelowna General Hospital where he remained for several days after the crash.

According to the provincial government documents, Chohan has also been involved in five other overpass strikes in the past two years:

Dec. 10, 2021 Highway 1 and 192 St.

Feb. 12, 2022 Highway 1 and 264 St.

Feb. 17, 2022 Highway 99 and 112 St.

Jun. 01, 2022 Highway 1 and No. 3 Rd.

Jun. 08, 2022 Highway 1 and 264 St.

Now Chohan is being accused of circumventing the new suspension by using Alberta license to continue to operate its trucks in BC

Photos posted on social media this week appear to show the trucking company that had its license suspended in B.C. last week is still operating its Alberta fleet in the province, reported Citynews.

The Ministry of Transportation says an overpass along Hwy 99 in Delta sustained “significant damage,” after one of Chohan Freight Forwarders Ltd.’s trucks hit it on Dec. 28.

Following the incident, the ministry said it was suspending the company’s B.C. fleet of 65 commercial vehicles while it investigated the company.

“The company faces the highest fines allowed in the country,” the ministry stated.

It adds Chohan can’t transfer any of its vehicles or operate them under another company name within B.C.

But multiple photos posted to X show Chohan trucks filling up in Hope and Aldergrove this week.

The ministry says Chohan operates in Alberta as a separate entity, and the Alberta-registered vehicles of the fleet are regulated by that province.

They add that, generally speaking, carriers from one province may operate in other jurisdictions as long as they carry the proper insurance.

The Ministry says they are looking into the posts, and are speaking to the regulators in Alberta to make sure they know the company is suspended in B.C.

B.C. is trying to crack down on trucks hitting overpasses. The government has announced several changes including higher fines, stronger consequences for repeat offenders, and speed limiters.