On one hand, there are the structured carriers governed by collective agreements who, generally speaking, respect the fundamental Highway Safety regulations. On the other hand, there are others who shamelessly infringe on the law. We do not blame them, they are only trying to survive. Unfortunately, Federal bureaucrats, with the support of their Provincial colleagues and the Trucking Association, are proposing changes to the Hours of Service regulations that will increase the maximum number of driving hours to 14 hours a day. In fact, the government simply refuses to take responsibility regarding highway safety and control by legalizing the actual illegal practice of exceeding the limit of driving hours.
Truck drivers are fatigued and highway safety is affected.
Teamsters Canada is opposed to the proposed increase to 14 hours per day of driving time. During the work of the committee, we have promoted the concept of 12 hours of driving time per day, plus 2 hours break period, to be taken at the driver s own convenience. This concept was rejected. The experience and comments of Teamsters truck drivers have convinced us that this solution would make our roads safer. The Canadian population should denounce the 14 hour proposal.