OTA seeks clearer guidelines on trucker smoking regs

TORONTO -- The head of the Ontario Trucking Association has written to the Minister of Health Promotion, Margarett R. Best, about clarifying for drivers the rules regarding truckers smoking in their cabs.

Tanks For Nothing: ‘Wetlines’ rule could be costly and dangerous

TORONTO -- It ain't easy getting tanked south of the border. Congress is looking to make life even more complicated (and expensive) for tank fleets that operate in America.

CVSA Safe Driver enforcement blitz kicks off this week

WASHINGTON -- Truck inspectors across North America are out in full force this week for the annual Operation Safe Driver campaign.

Hybrids: No noise is good noise for lawyers

NEW YORK -- Hybrid trucks and cars reduce emissions pollution coming out of exhaust pipes, but it's the low levels of noise pollution that has at least one New York lawyer blowing smoke.

IMMIGRANT DRIVER GUIDE

New from the CTHRC is a guide to help fleets hire and integrate immigrant drivers

Sleep apnea program should be law: US safety board

WASHINGTON -- Trucking rulemaklers should implement a program to identify commercial drivers at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, says the National Transportation Safety Board.

On the Rocks: Jersey passes vehicle ice-clearing law

TRENTON, N.J. -- The Garden State is officially the first jurisdiction in North America to require that drivers remove snow and ice from atop their cars, trucks and trailers.

B.C. answers the cell ban call

VICTORIA -- Drivers in B.C. will have financial reasons to make switching to hands-free cell phones a New Year's resolution.

Speed limiters coasting west?

VANCOUVER -- In a recent blog posted on the Vancouver Sun website, Paul Landry urges the B.C. government to consider speed limiter legislation in the province.

E-stability on trucks saves lives, money: NHTSA study

WASHINGTON -- Stability control systems can provide substantial safety benefits for heavy trucks, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Michigan anti-texting bill before the House

LANSING, Mich. -- Ontario truck drivers who think they'll be able to sneak a text or two on the southwest side of the border will likely notice things won't be all that different stateside.

10-axle trucks OKed for Alberta forestry sector

GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. -- An Alberta log hauler is reportedly the first carrier in Canada to be allowed to run nine and 10-axle trucks in the province.

Altering behavior the key to limiting distracted drivers

WASHINGTON -- Texting while driving has become socially acceptable, and laws as well as education are needed to change the culture, a prominent trucking exec told House of Representatives.

Truck tech, fuel efficiency top industry’s future: Study

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Equipment brand loyalty is becoming less important for truck buyers while fuel efficient, green vehicles with loads of new technologies are topping their wish lists.

Herb Appeal: medical marijuana liberties don’t apply to truckers

WASHINGTON -- Exemptions from prosecution for those who use medical marijuana do not trump the Department of Transportation's prohibition of the drug used by safety-sensitive transportation employees, including truck drivers.