Ontario government works with independent truckers on safety improvements

The Ontario government is working on a number of solutions with aim to help the trucking industry become more efficient and improve road safety, says Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar.

Takhar met with approximately 85 members of the Professional Truck Operators and Drivers Association of Ontario on Saturday, December 18.Concerns raised included the overloading of commercial vehicles. The ministry has promised to work closely with members of the industry and the shipping community to come up with practical solutions to this issue.

They will review certain aspects of roadside truck inspections, as well as its processes to ensure that commercial vehicle drivers and motor carriers are not prevented from making minor repairs to vehicle defects at a Truck Inspection Station or at roadside. MTO says it is also committed to ensuring the consistent enforcement of truck inspection protocols through a new Officer Code of Conduct.

The ministry is also considering opportunities to improve public education so that drivers of passenger cars can more safely share the road with large trucks.

“Improving knowledge testing for both commercial and
passenger vehicle drivers is something we’re looking at to further improve safety for all road users,” says Takhar.

In the new year the Ministry will also launch a review of its Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration system.