New Semi-Truck Regulations
Say the word ‘Humboldt’ to almost anyone and you are guaranteed to stir up certain images or emotions.
We all have seen images from the crash. Over time we have also come to know and understand why this accident happened.
It was the result of a lack of training for commercial vehicle operators. The worst part is that the Humboldt crash is not an isolated incident.
In one report focused on accidents caused by commercial vehicles, it was discovered that approximately 5,000 people die each year as a result from semi truck crashes.
Many are left to wonder if there is anything that can be done to reduce these numbers and make the roads safe for everyone.
One government official seems to have the solution.
Need For Change
Ask anyone in the trucking industry about the type of training they received before becoming a truck driver and you will get a very mixed review. While some companies offer great training, others keep it to the bare minimum. This process obviously does not build confidence with the public, not to mention increases the risk for other drivers that share the road with commercial vehicles.
Many individuals today are capable of operating their own personal car or small truck on the road. However, when it comes to commercial vehicles many don’t seem to recognize the vast differences between the two. Stopping distances, lanes changes and blind spots are just a few of the many areas that prove the skill set from personal driving do not translate over to commercial driving.
It’s reasons such as these that Marc Garneau, the Transport Minister for Canada made an announcement that the minimum entry-level semi-truck driver training standards will be developed for next January. An important step in this process is getting the importance of this training for truck drivers recognized in the National Safety Code.
Once this standard entry training is in the Safety Code it will help ensure that all future truck drivers across Canada will have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely operate these vehicles.
These proposed changes are entirely based around safety. It is hoped that we will never again have to hear about thirteen injured, and sixteen people dying from a commercial vehicle accident as we did on April 6 2018, in the Humboldt bus crash.
What to Expect
Garneau plans to work with all of the provinces across Canada to ensure the rules and regulations for commercial vehicle training are similar. We are all one big country so it makes sense that we should have a unified standard of safety. Not to mention that many long haul drivers’ routes cover all the way across Canada, so every province would want to ensure that the drivers driving on their roads are all properly trained.
If all goes according to plan, by January 2020 we should see these new regulations start to roll out across Canada.
Start the Change Now
You don’t need to wait until 2020 to start proper safety training.
If you are a truck driver or if you work for a transport company that uses commercial vehicles, can you say that your drivers are properly trained? If not, speak to your employer about implementing proper training.
It has never been easier to get good training for drivers. There are so many online resources that can help you get started.
One such resource T&P Trucking used is that of a great initiative from SafetyDriven – Trucking Safety Council of BC. They offered 1 on 1 mentorship with their advisors to help with our health and safety program. We highly recommend you check them out and see how they can help you.
If we all do are part to stay up to date with new and improved safety training and information, we can hit the roads with full confidence knowing that the drivers behind the wheel of commercial vehicles have actually gone through proper training.
Resources
www.cbc.ca/news/federal-regulations
www.hg,org/causes-of-semi-truck-accidents
Contributors
4 thoughts on “New Semi-Truck Regulations”
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Thanks for the wonderful guide!
You’re welcome Edison! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the excellent guide!
You’re welcome Galinda. Happy you enjoyed it.