Seat-switching trucker faces multiple charges in Ontario
A commercial motor vehicle driver is facing a string of charges after Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say he switched seats with a passenger during a traffic stop in Hearst, Ont.
James Bay OPP officers pulled the truck over on Front Street at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 16 after observing the driver using a handheld communication device. According to police, a witness reported seeing the driver and passenger swap seats while the vehicle was still in motion.
Officers later found the original driver hiding in the sleeper berth. While the passenger initially denied the switch, investigators confirmed the deception. A further inspection uncovered multiple violations involving the driver’s daily logs and inspection reports.
Police say Gurkirat Singh, 27, of Caledon, Ont., was arrested and charged with dangerous operation, obstructing a peace officer, using a handheld communication device while driving, failing to maintain a daily log, failing to complete and surrender daily inspection reports, and failing to properly record duty status changes. He was released and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Hearst on Nov. 5.
The truck’s passenger, a 25-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., was also charged under the Highway Traffic Act with making a false statement. That individual is scheduled to appear before the Provincial Offences Court in Hearst on Nov. 12. Charges have not been proven in court.
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There are many ways to manipulate ELD’s . Ghost drivers, personal driving, false editing , third party editing. The only way around is stiffer penalties not only to drivers but the companies who either employ or encourage this type of operation. Shutting down repeat offenders impounding equipment is the solution to make both our roads safer and a fair operating field for those that comply with the laws.
Good reporting, you put down the driver’s name. I knew it was an immigrant story. Let’s keep the names coming on these stories guys. Get these drivers licenses taken away and find out where they got them. This assault on our trucking industry and public safety needs to stop. Now!!!!
It would be interesting to know if the company knew that there was a second driver in the vehicle. If this was a company vehicle or an owner/operator. Is the charge of fail to maintain daily log indication that the driver did not have an ELD login?
While these behaviours are egregious, there are many questions for the company as well to ensure that this is not a bigger issue in their operations. i.e. Driver Inc, lack of WSIB or equivalent coverage, unknown driver creating an insurance risk in the event of an accident.
Hopefully, the MTO sees this as well and can have these questions asked and answered through audit.