March 2009 Volume 29, Issue 3 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Limiters: It’s now the law Educational enforcement kicks off with a whimper By Ingrid Phaneuf TORONTO, Ont. – Educational enforcement in Ontario and Quebec for the newly passed speed limiter law kicked off Jan. 1 with a whimper, with industry insiders providing little feedback, beyond some scattered grumbling, on what’s happening when the rubber hits the road. “We don’t have any figures yet to provide, as enforcement officers have only been conducting speed limiter inspections since January 1,” says Ontario Ministry of Transportation spokesman Bob Nichols. “But officers with speed limiter training are actively conducting speed limiter inspections to monitor compliance levels.” According to Nichols, there has been no increase in the number of MTO enforcement officers for the initiative. But speed limiter reading technology is up and running at 14 locations along the 400-series highways, including the 401 in Ontario. Quebec, for its part, is also holding off on full enforcement – including the issuing of fines and speeding tickets – until July. In the meantime, Continued on page 20
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?: Passing a road test with the tractor-trailer pictured would not allow a driver with three million accident-free miles to keep his A/Z licence. Why? Because new testing requirements in Ontario don’t allow drivers – including experienced drivers – to take their road test using a truck with an automated transmission.
Too restrictive? Senior drivers in Ontario now face even higher hurdles By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – Changes to Ontario’s A/Z licensing requirements implemented last year, are making it more difficult for some senior drivers to maintain their commercial driver’s licence. Ontario introduced a “restricted”
Used trucks: A good time to buy See pg. 42
Class A/Z licence last June, to close loopholes that were allowing inexperienced drivers to obtain an A/Z licence using small vehicles such as a pick-up truck with horse trailer.The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) was embarrassed into action after a Global TV news reporter obtained a
Class A licence without ever driving a tractor-trailer. Now, drivers must take their road test using a truck with: a manual transmission; a fifth wheel coupling; a trailer at least 45-ft. long; and air brakes on the tractor and trailer. Continued on page 22
Inside This Issue... • Ferry fury: Truckers in Canada’s Atlantic provinces wish for more reliable ferry service.
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• Putting it to the test: We solicit the help of a flatdecker to see
See our ad page 50
if the Johny Tie-down system works as advertised. Find out how this clever device worked in the real-world. Page 36
• Snowed in?:
Comparing trailer-top snow and ice removal systems. There’s a growing list of options for fleets willing to make the investment. Page 38
• Special delivery: Mark Dalton finds himself having to make a rather extraordinary delivery.
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