Following an announcement from the provincial government regarding planned safety updates for the trucking industry on Monday, some working in the industry are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Travis McDougall, a professional long-haul trucker and member of Truckers for Safer Highways, says a welcome announcement is the establishment of a dedicated integrity manager for driver testing. McDougall says there have been serious issues in the past with testing new drivers.
"We've seen that even with the OPP arresting and charging some drive test examiners for fraud. I think this is a good start, but we have to make sure the driving schools are teaching what they're supposed to be, and what they say they're teaching," McDougall emphasized.
McDougall added that upping enforcement efforts are also a good idea. But ultimately, he says the industry has to ensure trainees are being taught more in the trucks, where safety is paramount and mistakes can cause serious accidents and fatalities.
The provincial says organizations across Ontario that offer truck driver training will be required to follow the new standardized entry-level curriculum.
"The curriculum will include more than 103 hours of clear, robust and consistent training designed to ensure anyone applying for a Class A commercial driver’s licence has the skills and knowledge needed to operate safely and responsibly on Ontario’s roads. Additional training subjects being considered for the new curriculum include fatigue management, northern, rural and remote driving, human trafficking awareness and new mandatory air brake training," the province said.
With respect to standardized training, McDougall says the industry already has that in the form of Mandatory Entry Level Training, or MELT, but updates to the curriculum and more hands-on, in-cab training would be welcome. Part of the provincial announcement said that there will be consideration for curriculum updates to include lessons on fatigue management; northern, rural, and remote driving; human trafficking awareness; and new mandatory air brake training. McDougall says those are all good additions, but the testing side of the industry has to hold up its end of the bargain.
"Pretty much the whole industry is in agreement that the 103 and a half hours that's already set out in the curriculum as it is is hardly enough. So if we're going to be adding to it, which I think we should be, let's not just add it in as extra things to teach in that (103 hour) timeframe," he said.
The training, McDougall says, is largely done in classroom settings, which he says he understands in terms of practical knowledge being taught to larger groups. But in the grand scheme of the industry, hands-on is best, and he and his counterparts want to see a greater emphasis on in-cab training and a bump up in standardized hours.
"All this job is done in the truck. The majority of the training, whatever the amount of hours that's decided, and I'd like to personally see it more like 150, but whatever that's decided to be, we need to make sure the majority of that training is done in the truck, and around the truck," McDougall added.
The provincial government stated some measures that will be focused on, including:
Requiring commercial vehicle drivers to provide documentation verifying their eligibility to work in Canada.
A dedicated integrity manager for truck driver testing across the province, as well as supervisor spot checks and weekly reviews of commercial driver training schools.
Tabling legislation to introduce tougher penalties for distracted driving in commercial vehicles and for operating a commercial vehicle without a functioning speed limiter.
Introducing a mandatory six-month waiting period, effective January 1, 2027, before Class G or higher licence holders can attempt a Class A road test.
There is also going to be an emphasis on trucking safety in the north along Highway 11/17, by increasing the number of Transportation Enforcement Officers in northern Ontario, the provincial statement claimed.
"Our government is focused on keeping Ontario’s roads safe, and a new standardized curriculum will ensure truck drivers have the rigorous training they need before getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle," said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. "By strengthening training standards and ensuring commercial drivers have the skills and experience they need, we’re making our roads safer for truck drivers, commuters and families in every corner of the province."
For more on Truckers for Safer Highways, which was founded by McDougall and fellow truck driver Jeff Orr, visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/truckersforsaferhighways/
