Fighting driver fatigue to improve road safety: feds announce changes for commercial trucks, buses
Posted June 13, 2019 8:15 am.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The federal government is introducing new measures to try and combat truck and bus driver fatigue.
“This is a significant step towards safer roads,” Transport Minister Marc Garneau said.
Speaking at a trucking association in Toronto, Garneau announced that by June 2021, drivers of all federally regulated commercial trucks and buses will be required to use electronic logging devices, instead of the current paper ones.
“These devices log when and for how long a commercial vehicle is in use,” he said. “They help drivers and employers comply with hours of service regulations and can reduce the potential for driver fatigue.”
This was one of the recommendations from the coroners inquest into the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, which killed 16 people.
“We are looking to reduce truck and bus crashes due to fatigue,” Garneau said. “These devices will help to ensure that commercial drivers drive within their limit, and accurately log their working hours.”
https://www.facebook.com/citynewstoronto/videos/2133360950257848/
Garneau added this will also create a level playing field in the trucking industry so that all companies are following the rules.
According to Transport Canada, 20 per cent of all fatal collisions on our roads involve driver fatigue.
The electronic logging devices align with U.S. road safety regulations, in particular for truckers who have to cross the border, Garneau said.
