As the following excerpts from the just-released report on that conference illustrate, there can be no argument with the fact that all suggested the need for more work to improve the relationship between trucks and people. Eight Canadians out of ten are basically worried about the trucks going by. It is rare that we see such a majority on these types of questions. I think globalization, deregulation, the drive to reduce costs and become more competitive, are killing people. There is a serious economic effect from the traffic disruptions caused by many truck collisions - in the millions of dollars.
Trucks have significantly different characteristics than cars.
If trucks were operating on roads by themselves, this would not be a problem. But, since they are on the same roads with cars, these differences do pose dangers. As trucks get bigger, some of these problems get worse. There are those who say the current regulations on hours of service are outdated, and we can trust the driver's judgement when it comes to rest. They are hallucinating.