Saskatoon snow haulers angry after picking up tickets for unsecured loads

Several truck drivers helping to haul snow after Saskatoon’s first two major snowfalls of the year are upset with how the Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol handled a traffic blitz last week.

Last Friday, as Saskatoon was still digging out after a major weekend snowstorm, the two police forces participated in a joint education and enforcement project related to unsecured loads after getting complaints from the public on the issue.

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In total, there were 20 tickets handed out under the Highway Traffic and Transportation Act during the blitz.

“Such projects with policing partners are not uncommon and occur several times throughout the year to address a variety of traffic-related issues,” read a statement from the Saskatoon Police Service.

“Section 40 of the Highways and Transportation Act is specifically relevant to insecure loads and is enforced throughout the year.”

Multiple private drivers told 650 CKOM that they picked up tickets from police for not having their loads secured as they were hauling snow out of the city to storage sites.

Jason Starosta, owner of Starosta Trucking, said one of his employees was handed a ticket from police while he was on his way to dump a load of snow.

“The officer pulled over the truck in front of the bus barns and was corralling all haulers where you couldn’t get out of it,” Starosta explained. “You had to go through basically a checkstop, and he basically gave no warning, just issued a ticket.”

Starosta said the employee who was being issued the ticket called him and explained the story.

Starosta said police told him the ticket was being issued because, as of June 1, all bulk loads not fully contained are required to be covered by tarp or another appropriate material such as a canvas, wire mesh or netting to prevent materials from becoming dislodged. Starosta said he understands the law, but doesn’t understand why police would target truckers when they’re simply trying to help with the snow-clearing efforts.

“With Mother Nature, you got to have a little bit of lenience with hauling snow. I said, ‘Yes, you guys are out doing your job, but you should be looking at gravel or steel – stuff that needs to be tarped – not this money grab where they’re issuing everybody tickets.’ Except for the City of Saskatoon – they’re not issuing them any tickets,” Starosta said.

Another truck driver who works for a different company emailed 650 CKOM, also claiming that trucks owned by the City of Saskatoon didn’t have a tarp over the snow they were hauling but were allowed to operate without picking up tickets.

The ticket cost is $175 for the first offence, according to Sarosta.

Starosta said he feels that private trucking companies contracted to help haul snow are being unfairly punished.

“It’s the private guys trying to make a living and trying to get snow to get the city flowing again, and they’re getting issued tickets, and there isn’t much warnings,” he said.

Saskatoon Police didn’t say if any City of Saskatoon trucks were ticketed during the blitz, but said all drivers have to follow the same rules and regulations.

“They’re all working together and just like trying to build up some some money for something that’s just bogus,” Starosta said. “Saskatchewan is so far behind in the times.”

Starosta added that he plans on fighting the ticket his employee was issued.