March 2011 Volume 31, Issue 3 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
EOBRs for all? US proposes law that would require electronic logs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a regulatory proposal that would require virtually all interstate commercial trucking companies to use electronic on-board recorders (EOBRS) to monitor driver hours-of-service. The requirement would include any Canadian trucking company operating in the US. To help sell the proposal, the FMCSA pointed out it would relieve carriers from having to retain documentation such as delivery and toll receipts currently used to verify the number of hours a driver has been behind the wheel. “We cannot protect our roadways when commercial truck and bus companies exceed hours-ofservice rules,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This proposal would make our roads safer by ensuring that carriers travelling across state lines are using EOBRs to track the hours their drivers spend behind the wheel.” The proposed law would affect
better late than never: Nolan Transport v.p. Jim Peacock (left) presents a cheque to former owner/operator Dave Monroe (middle) while co-owner Kelly Nolan looks on. Monroe received a payment of $9,600 following a settlement with Canada Revenue Agency involving dozens of carriers and millions of dollars. Photo by James Menzies
Canadian carriers take on the taxman
Settlement could return up to $15M to owner/operators By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – A group of Canadian trucking companies has won a landmark settlement with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that will see up to $15 million distributed to owner/ operators who hauled into the
US between 1991 and 2002. About 35 companies were involved in the November settlement and the first cheques are now making their way to owner/operators, many of whom are now retired and caught entirely off-guard by the windfall.
Nolan Transport is one of three Canadian fleets that has received a payment from CRA. In November, Nolan received more than $310,000, with much of that destined for owner/operator pockets. The largest of those cheques is for about $16,000 Continued on page 26
Continued on page 8
An Ontario fleet with a ‘Ritch’ history See pg. 66
Inside This Issue...
• Break the ice: A new safety campaign out of Nova Scotia puts
the focus on trailer snow and ice accumulation. Can you help break the ice? Page 15
• All aboard on-board recorders?: So EOBR mandates are
coming. What are the implications for carriers and what kind of investment is required? Page 40
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• Electrifying: There’s progress south of the border towards the electrification of truck stops.
Page 60
• Eye for an eye: Mark Dalton pays a fellow driver a visit in the hospital and decides to do something.
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