Regulations
Continental Divide: The differences between European and North American trucks
TORONTO, Ont. -- The manufacturers of North American and European trucks are more closely aligned than ever. But as close as the companies have drawn together, the equipment itself can appear a world apart. Different regulations are just one reason.
Spear goes on offensive in ATA address
AUSTIN, Texas – American Trucking Associations president and CEO Chris Spear went on the offensive during his annual state of the industry address today, calling for changes to everything from minimum driving ages to new drug testing tools and a massive infrastructure investment.
North American fleets head into the weed(s)
AUSTIN, Texas – North America’s trucking industry finds itself in the midst of a growing drug problem. The same marijuana being legalized across Canada and select U.S. states is still banned by the federal government in the U.S. What remains is a legal quagmire, and carriers are still trying to determine what the details all mean.
On-road charges, enforcement practices changing
MILTON, Ont. -- The rules of engagement have changed when it comes to the charges Ontario drivers can face – as have the people who might lay the charges in the first place. As of last week, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement teams expanded their focus beyond speed limiters to include charges for outright speeding, Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions’ Alex Bugeya told fleet managers during a presentation hosted by the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC).
Drivers face tougher tests with legal marijuana
MILTON, Ont. – Cross-border truck drivers who already face drug screening are not the only ones who face restrictions under Canada’s new framework for legalized recreational marijuana. Impaired driving rules have been refined at federal and provincial levels, said Alex Bugeya of Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions, during a presentation hosted by the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC).
Want to spot brake defects? ‘Bend at the waist’
Brakes are a focus of roadside enforcement officers every day of the year, but the focus will intensify later this month during Brake Safety Week. Scheduled for Sept. 16-22, the week coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) combines education initiatives and inspections alike, depending on the jurisdiction. It has traditionally allowed enforcement teams to shine a light on a variety of systems and issues.
Will in-cab cameras survive privacy challenges?
TORONTO, Ont. -- Canada has a lot of workplace privacy legislation on the books, some of which can be applied to driver-facing cameras. Some jurisdictions seem favorably disposed to the video monitoring of operators (drivers) in safety-sensitive positions, while others suggest cameras might be OK, as long as no other reasonable mechanism exists to achieve the same results.