Safety

Changes Proposed to Dangerous Goods Transportation Reporting

OTTAWA -- Transport Canada has posted in the Canada Gazette proposed changes to reporting requirements when it comes to regulations over spills or accidents involving the transportation of dangerous goods. Regulators are providing a comment period, after which they will review comments from industry. No timeline has been established for when Transport Canada will finalize the proposal. Highlights from the proposed amendments include: A new definition of the release of dangerous goods; Amendments to reporting requirements to introduce circumstances under which a report is required; Exceptions where the reporting obligation does not apply; The reporting of the loss or theft of dangerous goods; The reporting of unlawful interference with dangerous goods; and New reporting criteria for misdeclared or undeclared dangerous goods to harmonize with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) reporting requirements.

Safety Officials Push for Collision Avoidance Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Safety officials in the U.S. are recommending what it calls the "life saving benefits" of a technology to become standard on all new commercial and passenger vehicles. A new National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Special Investigation Report, The Use of Forward Collision Avoidance Systems to Prevent and Mitigate Rear-End Crashes stresses that collision avoidance systems can prevent or lessen the severity of rear-end crashes, to help save lives and reduce injuries. According to statistics from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes kill about 1,700 people every year and injure half a million more. More than 80% of these deaths and injuries might have been mitigated had the vehicles been equipped with a collision avoidance system.

U.S. Issues Electronic Stability Control Mandate for Trucks

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday it has finalized rules requiring electronic stability control (ESC) systems on new commercial trucks and large buses. The regulations require the systems on Class 6-8 trucks plus large buses exceeding 26,000 pounds in gross weight. Compliance will be evaluated using a "j-turn" test that replicates a curved highway off-ramp. The rules will take effect for most heavy trucks two years from publication of the regulations while some of the largest buses will have longer to comply. Canada is expected to adopt similar regulations.

Time to Get Ready for the Big Trucking Inspection Blitz

It's that time of the year to make sure every truck along with driver paperwork is in order because those who don't could be sidelined and forced to shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars.The 28th annual, three-day International Roadcheck 2015 is set for June 2-4, when approximately 10,000, local, provincial, state and federal inspectors in jurisdictions across North America fan out for roadside inspections. The event is organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), in cooperation federal governments in Canada, U.S. and Mexico. Inspectors will primarily be conducting the North American Standard Level I Inspection, the most thorough roadside inspection, that's a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both the driver and vehicle.

Avoid Fines, Penalties This Week: Secure Your Cargo

Not having your cargo properly secured could lead to a world of problems, more so than usual, as truck inspectors across North American are gearing up to hit the highways throughout North America. June 2-4 is the annual, three-day truck inspection marathon known as International Road Check, when 10,000 truck inspectors will be out in full force, handing out fines and placing trucks and drivers out-of-service for safety violations.In addition to performing a high number of the tough Level I inspections, where they thoroughly scrutinize both the driver and their tractor-trailer, they will be putting a special emphasis on checking cargo securement.

Canadians Say Distracted Driving a Problem, But Not Their Problem

AURORA, ON -- Four-wheelers you see on roadways believe driving distracted is a problem but the funny thing is many believe someone else is responsible for it.A new survey of 1,300 Canadian motorists, released Thursday by State Farm insurance, found 93% of respondents feel that other motorists drive while they are distracted. However, far fewer, 56%, believe that they themselves drive while distracted, a striking difference from how drivers view their own abilities behind the wheel compared to those with whom they share the road. The same survey also found 30% of respondents indicated the most dangerous thing a person can do on the road is to drive distracted, yet about one third acknowledged that they check their cell phone or handheld device once or more while driving and 35% admit to driving while distracted.

U.S. Safety Agency Sees Benefits of Onboard Video Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Transportation Safety Board has released a report on what it says are the benefits of commercial vehicle onboard video systems that record either continuously or as the result of a triggering event, such as a crash. The report also focuses on what this U.S. government agency says are the advantages offered by these systems for evaluation of both driver and passenger behaviors and collision analysis. The report highlights two recent crash investigations in which continuous video systems were installed on commercial vehicles. The report discusses many what NTSB said are the benefits of onboard video systems, in addition to highlighting areas for improvement, such as the need for to be able to see the driver and each occupant seating location, the need to be able to see forward of the vehicle, optimized frame rate, and low-light recording capability.

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