Feds Take Action to Curb Driver Fatigue in Commercial Buses and Trucks

June 26, 2019, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Fatigue Kills Behind the Wheel

We know that driver fatigue and falling asleep behind the wheel is a major source of car accidents in Canada. According to the Canadian Council of Motor and Transportation Administrators in 2010 nearly 20% of all fatal car crashes in Canada involved driver fatigue. Currently drivers face a limit of 13 hours of road time a day and they must have a minimum of 8 consecutive off duty hours before they can drive again.

The federal government announced new measures this week making electronic logging devices mandatory for all federally regulated commercial bus and truck drivers. This move was taken to combat the dangers of driving fatigued. It’s hoped the data loggers will improve road safety. The electronic devices track when and for how long drivers are behind the wheel. They are tamper resistant and integrated into the engines of the commercial vehicles. These devices should encourage long haul drivers to track their hours accurately and to stick to daily driving limits. They will replace paper based logbooks on June 12, 2021.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance and the Teamsters Canada Union approve of the change which is says will ensure a level playing field with no way for people to manipulate the technology. Forced compliance and the elimination of the need to keep paper logs reduces ‘red tape’ for industry and this will help to ensure the roads are safer.

This move also harmonizes our industry with that south of the border making cross border shipping, trade and transport more seamless.

Federal transport Minister Marc Garneau hopes that the Provinces and territories also adopt similar requirements for provincially regulated vehicles.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

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