Transport Canada to mandate electronic stability control

TORONTO, Ont. — Transport Canada revealed today that it is in the process of mandating electronic stability control on newly built truck tractors.

Transport Canada’s announcement was in Gazette I and calls for for the mandatory installation of electronic stability control (ESC) on newly built 3 axle truck tractors with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 11,793 kgs beginning in August 2017.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance applauded the decision by Transport Canada saying that over time, this regulation will dramatically reduce these types of incidents occurring on Canadian roadways.

CTA added that a 2012 analysis by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, ESC is between 40% to 56% effective in reducing roll-over incidents. It is estimated a rollover can cost a motor carrier on average anywhere between $197,000 and over $1.1 million in repairs, insurance and other costs depending on the cargo being carried and whether the crash results in a fatality. Today, the current purchase price of electronic stability technology is in the $600-$1,200 range. And, it is anticipated that this price will go down once a mandate is introduced.

“This measure introduced by Transport Canada is not only going to improve highway safety and reduce roadway safety incidents involving commercial vehicles, it is inexpensive insurance for motor carriers,” said David Bradley, CEO of CTA.

The regulation is set to come into force for new equipment only, starting with 3 axle truck tractors beginning August 1, 2017 and phasing in all targeted truck tractors and motor coaches by August 1, 2019.

Have your say

This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

Cancel

A little behind the curve aren’t they ???

Typical. It is easier to mandate electronic stability control (ESC) than to actually give the driver an education in the characteristics of heavy vehicle handling. I would have to say as a professional I have had an experience with one of these ESC devices. The outcome could have been catastrophic if I didn’t use all of my experience to get the truck under control after the ESC hammered the brakes on in an icy corner in the mountains hauling a tanker. The Canadian Trucking Alliance are just a bunch of monkeys, probably non drivers just following the fund money to keep them together. It is plain and simple. Educate drivers. Get rid of theses so called puppy mill truck driver, money grab wanna be driver training schools and actually teach drivers more than just a steering wheel and gear shift operation. Maybe that is why I am still only a well-educated truck driver with the background in transportation safety, still driving a truck because it is not about educating drivers but merely about money and nothing more.

With the number of rules, regulations and dangers on the road, it is no wonder there is a driver shortage. As Will says, driving schools can’t teach more than the very basics of basics. I wonder what would happen if ALL drivers had to follow the same rules as truckers.