Robert (Bud) McAulay, National Director of the Freight and Tank Haul Division, and Phil Benson, Lobbyist, appeared before a Standing Committee at the Ontario Provincial Legislature on Bill 118.  The Bill intends to stop drivers from using communication technology while driving, though it will permit the use of hand-free technology.  Brother McAulay noted that the Bill is only half measures, in that it ignores heads up displays of GPS.  

Brother McAulay was also making our submission that CB Radios should be exempted from the application of the law:  “CB Radios are an important tool truckers use especially for safety on the road. It is not that the Bill is bad; it is just there are far more important transportations issues.

“Issues like clearing snow from the roofs of trailers, the glare from new High Density Headlights and the lack of enforcement of truck safety are being ignored,” Brother McAulay added.  

Speed Limiters at 105 KM/H on trucks mandated by the Ontario Government have serious safety implications especially on two and three lane highways.  Trucks trying to pass each other are causing drivers to get frustrated and may lead to road rage. Having two speed limits, one for cars and another for trucks, is a recipe for accidents.  

Speed Limiters may also create a non-tariff trade barrier forcing out of province and country trucks to lose hours to reset limiters and up to $250 in additional cost for each trip into Ontario. This is not the time to give companies any excuse to stop doing business in Ontario.  

Teamsters Canada Freight Division does not necessarily oppose speed limiters; we think it is wrong for provinces to enact such legislation on their own creating a patchwork quilt of regulations across North America.  How would Ontario truck companies react if Michigan mandates speed limiters at 100 KM/H? Provincial governments should use the CCMTA national regulatory body in conjunction with its USA counterpart AMVA when creating such regulations.  

Banning the use of cell phones in cars or forcing truck to use speed limiters doesn’t cost governments anything. The more important task of enforcing laws and regulations do - easy choice for a government to make, tough on industry to comply and perhaps even tougher on Ontario jobs.

The Teamsters Union represents 125,000 members in Canada in all trades. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.

Information:
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
514-609-5101