April 2009 Volume 29, Issue 4 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Survival of the fittest Steering your fleet through difficult times By James Menzies CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – The 2009 Driving for Profit seminar series kicked off Feb. 3, with a refreshingly optimistic overview of the recession’s impact on the trucking industry as seen by Dan Goodwill, president of transportation consulting firm Dan Goodwill and Associates. While Goodwill didn’t sugarcoat the severe economic crisis facing motor carriers, he did say it could be a lot worse. He noted the ‘Misery Index’ (the combined unemployment and inflation rates) may reach as high as 10% shortly, but that’s well below the 20-25% range experienced in the last big recession in the early-80s. “If there’s any consolation, it’s bad the way things are right now but it’s not as bad as it could be and it’s not as serious as some folks suggest,” Goodwill told the gathering of fleet managers. In fact, Goodwill said the current Continued on page 29
TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?: A protest at Queen’s Park March 2 attracted a small but vocal group of drivers that are opposed to Ontario’s Bill 41. Photo by Adam Ledlow
Taking it to the Park Truckers gather at Queen’s Park to protest Bill 41 dubbed a success. Fewer than 10 trucks travelled from starting points in Cambridge and Bowmanville, converging at Queen’s Park where they were greeted by a full throng of media. A couple dozen professional drivers, many arriving in their passenger
By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – It could hardly be described as a convoy, but if the goal was to expose the mainstream media to truckers’ concerns about Ontario’s speed limiter law, then a March 2 gathering at Queen’s Park could be
Small tweaks, big savings See pg. 42
vehicles, were also on-hand to lend support and sign a petition which will be hand-delivered to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by Conservative MPP John O’Toole of Durham Region. The grassroots protest was Continued on page 16
Inside This Issue... • Smile!: Quebec truckers will soon have to contend with photo radar and all its administrative burdens.
Page 15
• Safety systems: We take a look at some advanced safety
See our ad page 50
systems and how they work in conjunction with each other. Is the uncrashable truck a future possibility? Page 32
• Big bark:
A close-up look at the big, bold Mack Titan. Technical correspondent John G. Smith takes it for a ride under the Florida sun. Page 35
• Special delivery: Mark Dalton finds the open road more lonely than ever after making a rare delivery.
Page 52
905-795-2838
To view LIST OF ADVERTISERS visit us at www.trucknews.com
Careers 40-44
Ad Index 51 PM40069240