EDMONTON, Alta. — Beginning tomorrow, commercial vehicles in Alberta will have to comply with new rules aimed at standardizing Canadian safety and compliance requirements.

“There will now be a one-window approach for commercial vehicle safety, maintenance, and equipment standards in Alberta,” said Luke Ouellette, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation. “The consistent standards will also make it easier for Alberta carriers to conduct business in other jurisdictions.”

Under the new Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation, nine previous regs are being consolidated and new safety requirements are being introduced.

Most notably for commercial vehicles: a daily, written pre-trip inspection report will be required and kept for at least six months; a new offence is being created for commercial vehicles not maintained in a safe operating condition; beginning Jan. 1, 2012 all wheels (including trailer wheels) on a tractor-trailer will need to have brakes; only an advance warning triangle will be accepted as an advance warning device (flags and flares will no longer be acceptable); and modified commercial vehicles manufactured in 2012 or after will need a new compliance label or mechanical fitness certificate issued by a qualified engineer.

For full details, visit: www.transportation.alberta.ca/3.htm. The August issue of Truck West will contain a full report, with industry reaction.