Think Tanks: There’s a right way and wrong way to fill up

MONTREAL, Que. -- Some truck components have been around for so long that they rarely receive a second thought, and dual fuel tanks are a perfect example. Introduced to extend the range of trucks between refills, the tanks are usually mounted on opposite sides of the frame rails. But this also introduces hazards that emerge with two separate filling points.

Pulse Survey: The safety where you work

TORONTO, Ont. — Safety is the key to running an efficient business. Accidents and injuries can cost time and money in insurance claims and lost productivity. In this month’s Pulse…

‘Safety is not a department, it’s a way of life’

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- A good record on safety is no accident. It takes a combination of commitment, planning, and action. That was a central theme during a Truckload Carriers Association presentation

Transport Canada tackles ‘phantom’ vehicle lighting

OTTAWA, Ont. – Transport Canada will soon require updated lighting packages in new cars, in a bid to address those who travel in the dark without any lights. As of…

Shock Gap: Reefer techs can lack the training to stay safe

GUELPH, Ont. -- Modern reefer units are clearly more efficient than their belt-driven predecessors. Compressors and electric motors have combined into single units, and there are no alternators to be found. Noise has dropped; reliability has improved.

Feeling Disconnected: Platooning has promise, but barriers remain

The idea of platooning trucks has been released to great fanfare, and for good reason. Double-digit fuel economy gains can be realized by allowing one tractor-trailer to tuck closely behind…

UPS executive challenges fleets to ‘define excellence’

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance and engineering at UPS, is challenging the trucking industry to define the excellence needed to realize cleaner cities, safer vehicles, and underlying technical knowledge. “If you’re the one who defines excellence, then you’re the one who shapes expertise to achieve it,” Rose said.

Ryder preaches safety. The Canadians lead the way.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- The safety messages are found at every turn, usually in a bold red and black. There are reminders not to smoke, and the need to wear safety glasses and safety shoes. Lockout tags and keys hang from door handles to ensure vehicles are not unexpectedly started while someone is working underneath. They’re the not-so-subtle signs of Ryder’s commitment to safety in this Mississauga, Ont., shop and beyond.

Electric vehicles are sparking more training for first responders

TORONTO, Ont. -- When engineers at Kenworth brought their hydrogen-electric hybrid Zero Emission Cargo Transport (ZECT) to Mount Vernon, Wash., they were sure to let first responders know the truck was on site, and trained them on how to respond should an emergency arise.

Trucking contributes to 14% of all work-related crash claims: WorkSafe BC

RICHMOND, B.C. – Motor vehicle incidents (MVI) are the leading cause of traumatic workplace deaths in British Columbia, according to WorkSafe BC. The agency says work-related MVI’s account for one-third…

OOIDA calls for change to U.S. hours of service

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is petitioning the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to amend the existing federal Hours of Service (HoS)…

Ontario investments should focus on green tech, safety and parking: OTA

TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is calling on the government to offer more support for green-trucking technology and alternative fuels, increase truck parking, and promote driver safety oversight programs. The group met with the provincial government today as part of pre-budget consultations. The Ontario budget is expected to be released this Spring ahead of a June 7 election. The OTA says it commended the government for reinvesting carbon fees paid by the trucking industry back into the sector in the form of rebates for fuel-saving devices and natural gas and electric-powered vehicles, but stressed that low carbon programs should reflect the realities of the modern supply chain.

Adding ELDs make for happier drivers: Omnitracs panel

TORONTO, ON - Investing in new technologies, including Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), is the key to creating safe, efficient companies that attract both customers and new drivers, speakers at an Omnitracs panel said last week.

Bison takes home more hardware for safety record

WINNIPEG, MB - It's awards season and Bison Transport is taking home some hardware. The carrier was given first place at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) National Fleet Safety Awards in the large fleet division. This is the 12th time the company has been honored with the award.

Bison takes seventh ATA safety award

ARLINGTON, VA - Canadian fleet Bison Transport has been named the winner of the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) National Truck Safety Contest. The cross-border carrier won first place for the seventh consecutive year for having the lowest U.S. Department of Transportation recordable accident rate in the 100 million miles category.