WHEREAS collisions involving farm worker transportation vehicles are on the increase resulting in an increase in serious injuries and deaths of farm workers; AND WHEREAS these collisions and resulting injuries and deaths are occurring due to improperly licensed vehicle operators driving vehicles that do not comply with existing provincial safety regulations; AND WHEREAS the provincial government, which is responsible for public safety, is responsible for the proper regulation and licensing of farm worker transportation vehicles, as well as the licensing of operators of such vehicles: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the provincial government to review and strengthen existing regulations regarding farm worker transportation vehicle and operator licensing; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial government increase inspections of farm worker transportation vehicles to bring these vehicles and their operators into compliance with provincial regulations in the interest of ensuring farm worker safety.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION Current vehicle safety standards and driver qualification requirements provide for enforcement opportunities. The Ministry of Transportation has implemented a series of ongoing enhanced roadside vehicle and driver inspections to ensure vehicle fitness and driver qualifications are complied with. Effective May 14, 2007, regulatory change to the provincial Motor Vehicle Act requires a seatbelt and dedicated seating for each passenger in a vehicle. Drivers, owners and operators will be responsible for ensuring there are proper seats and seatbelts for every passenger. The Ministry of Transportation has coordinated focused blitzes on the vehicles transporting farm workers. In May, 140 vehicles were inspected to yield an out-of-service rate of 36. Follow-up blitzes in June and July included 63 vehicles and yielded out-of-service rates of 9 and 3 respectively. The Ministry of Transportation has also joined an inter-agency committee comprised of Ministry of Labour and Citizens Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, RCMP and WorkSafeBC. The inter-agency committee was formed to ensure the farm labour industry is compliant with the various requirements of each regulatory agency. The inter-agency committee has also been struck to ensure that appropriate strategies and activities are put in place to support that goal.