C.R.A.S.H., P.A.T.T. And Other Citizens Groups

Last week a D.C. Court of appeal has leaned towards the lobby pressure groups that think we are working too much. These groups have not seen the light at the end of the tunnel yet. When in the USA, we could drive 10 hours without any time limit to do so under the old H.O.S. rule. Today the 11 hour rule has a time limit of 14 hours.

This group of three judges may have not looked at all sides of the issue and this shows how disconnected from our industry some high ranking individuals are.

I am a compassionate person and when fatalities happen in wreckage involving a heavy truck, I get affected and try to look at every factor before I blame either driver. A law suit can never replace the lost of a loved one but on the other hand, the same persons may be the ones whining about the missing goods on the shelves of the supermarket or the retail store. These same groups, judging on an industry that is safer by the mile, also forget that the great majority of accidents involving a professional driver, the responsibility is on the other driver.

Should we demand that manufactures to also work on a 70 hours on 8 days cycle too?
To not start a new week of work after a few days off?
A recent study in Ontario has shown that many automobile drivers did nod off frequently in the last year.

We can not generalise on a group as a whole but, recently a judge has been caught with an alcohol level over .20, so these groups can not generalise on the safest drivers on the road on a few incidents.

It may be time for us to start our own pressure groups.

T.A.T.R.U.: Truckers Against Tired Road Users
S.H.U.T. on Docks: Shippers Holding Up Drivers on Docks
S.H.I.T.: Safer Highways Involving Truckers

We finally had hours of service in both countries that were almost compatible. The ATA and the CTA has every thing to gain by joining in with OOIDA and OBAC to straighten up the issue in an industry that is pressured by the “Just in Time”.

Owner Operators Business Association of Canada, OBAC

I already know what you will say

-It’s only for O/O’s
-What is there for me?
-What can they do to help me if I have an issue with my employer?

For a long while now, I often hear drivers and owner-operators complain that nothing is done, nobody can represent us, and only large carriers have their way in Canada. I say Canada because transportation is federal and laws are applied by the Provinces.

We need a strong representation across the country and in all Provinces. By looking south of the 49^th, there is over 150,000 active members with OOIDA and there is over 330,000,000 habitants in the USA. Often the 10% proportion is valid to compare and if we are 35,000,000 here in Canada, OBAC should count more then 15,000 members and it is not the case.

Rome wasn’t built in one day and since 2002, this association if fighting for the rights of the Canadian truckers. One thing I can tell you, even if I am an owner-operator, I am still a driver. Over 10% of OOIDA’s members are company drivers that have understood that the power is in the numbers. The more we will be united under one professional association, the more weigh our voices will have with all levels of governments. Currently, after 3 failed referendums (I include Meech), Quebec is still part of Canada. We have a seat waiting for us at the Forum des Intervenants du Transport in Quebec (Transport Representatives Forum) but, if that seat stays empty, our voices won’t be heard.

OBAC, like OOIDA, is a Professional Association that represents the drivers just like the Canadian Trucking Alliance does for the carriers. It is a lobby group that represents Professional Drivers interests. This is not a disguised union local. Even unions have their seat at the Forum and if you are not unionised, nobody can speak up for you.

The cost of the membership is less then most union fees paid in the industry and you will have a voice. Instead of starting a new organisation in our distinct society that will die by lack of vision, like many in the past, why not strengthen a group that is already there and that will keep up the work in progress.

Yes I am a supporter. I am a member of both association and I believe in them.

The power is in the numbers. We, Professional Drivers, need to regroup to get respect from our governments.

Jean Catudal

What is the Tolerance on Limitations?

Quote from a press release on heavy truck restrictions by the MTQ

« Rappelons que seuls les véhicules lourds dont la charge par essieu et
la masse totale en charge respectent les limites autorisées en vertu du
Règlement sur les normes de charges et de dimensions applicables aux
véhicules routiers et aux ensembles de véhicules routiers peuvent
circuler sur les ponts interdits aux surcharges. »

Free translation by author

« Remind that only heavy trucks with loads by axel and gross weigh respecting the authorised limits accordingly to the weighs and measures regulations applicable to vehicles and combinations can circulate on bridges where overweighs are not allowed.”

Last year a little scandal broke open when the Medias came out with the tolerances allowed by the weigh stations in Quebec. Many though that they could have a tolerance on the tolerance. We see today the results of these tolerances over the years on the state of our roadways.

Why is there nervousness on a scale in the state of Virginia? Simply because over the years the agents of transportation have applied the rules and regulations on weighs and measures.

I know for a fact that there are very few public scales in the province of Quebec and too often we have to rely on gauges that are not to precise or unclear bill of lading to make a decision to run or not with a load. Quebec has one of the highest permitted weighs in North America and over that the inspectors are asked to give a tolerance. Is this one of the reason why our roadways are in really bad shape?

Why is it that in California and in Ohio, just to name these, we are more careful about our speed? Simply because the Troopers and the CHP are watching out for the ones going over the posted limits. Why not do the same thing here!

Speed Limiter Simulation

I have got from a good source recently the information that the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators has asked Transport Canada to prepare a study based on traffic simulations with heavy trucks limited to 105Km/h based on real time data. The CCMTA counts on the participation of many high ranked civil servants from all ministries of transportation across Canada. Their study should be ready in spring of 2008. Why the Transport Ministers of Quebec and Ontario did came out last week with legislation proposals for this coming fall before the studies come out?

This gave me an idea, a suggestion to make the simulation a reality.

Let’s use our common sense and especially without breaking any laws to do so. In all due respect of the other road users, like we already do but, for one day let’s limit our maximal speed in passing manoeuvres.

When? What about October 5^th! A date that expresses well 105 because if you take the month and the day you get 10-5. This is also a Friday and we also have single though, get home early but, if nothing is done, in a near future we won’t have that ability no more. It is also the preceding Friday to the Thanks Giving weekend. The last long weekend of the year. If together we respect the Safety Highway Code and when needed to pass, we do not exceed 105Km/h on all roadways of Quebec or Ontario, other road users will know what to expect in the future if heavy trucks can’t follow the flow of traffic when needed.

This is just a suggestion I wanted to share with you all.

Jean Catudal

Thank You for Your Support!

The petition to let know the governments of Ontario and Quebec about our position about mandating speed limiter activation is going really well. I would like to thank the people of Land Line Magazine and Land Line Now, on XM17, in helping to get the word out to you all.

I will ask you to spread the word out too!

Tell a friend, a co-worker, anyone that can be concerned about this issue, as a driver or not. If you know someone that is not connected to internet, tell that person and offer to sign via you connection.

Just like the associations that represent the North American Truckers, OOIDA and OBAC, the power is in the numbers. This petition is intended to go on until the parliaments of the Provinces come back to session after the summer break.

This may be our best way yet to let the Ministers know.

Again, Thank You for your support

Happy trails to all, running compliant!

Jean Catudal

6 Priority Actions of the Minister of Transport, 5 time Bravo!

You surely all know now, many topics made the news this week for the transportation industry and all road users. Not only our Minister of Transport wants to upgrade the penalties for speeders, DUI's and cell phone users, She also followed the foot steps of the Ontario Minister annoucing the mandatory use of speed limiter for heavy trucks in their Provinces.

Some declarations in the medias made the few hair I have left raise up. I won't repeat them here, because some of them my recollection is not good but you heard them or read them.

I say Bravo for the repeat offenders that still drive while under the influence of alcool. If someone has such a poor judgement to drive when highly intoxicated, more then once, in my book it should be a lifetime suspension of his rights without any conditions. Human stupidity has a price and I don't have to pay of my life for it neither one of my loved ones.

I say Bravo for limiting driving distraction by the use of cell phones without a hands free device. Many may not agree with me but I am using one since many years and I feel better then holding up to my head a receiver.

I say Bravo for higher fines and suspensions for extreme speeders. I admit, I did my share of high speeding in the past. This is a good time to restart the debate on ajusting the speed limits on our highways and enforce them.

I say Bravo for putting back mandatory drivers education for new drivers and less demerit points. The younger generation will complain but they can make their point by arguing the statistics on their case.

Jean Catudal

June 24th, July 1st, The Vacations are Coming!

In Quebec we have the advantage to be able to rehearse the week before our neighbours of Ontario for Canada Day traffic. On Friday the 29th, I was on my way to Toronto for a delivery and another load to the USA, I saw a few situations of human non-sense I had to take pictures of.

I can say that there is some people in a rush to get to the day off and there is some people in a rush to get to destination to start the vacations. Here is two examples.

If you clic on the picture, you will see in front of the car in the left lane a tent trailer pulled by a minivan. The time it took to get out the camera, it was already far. The tent trailer is nose diving and the van has the rear lowered by the weigh. The kids in the back, the wife and even I think I saw a dog. This is an example of somebody in a rush to get on location for the vacations. At the time of the picture, I was cruising at 108Kmh



You will excuse the bad focus, it's a new camera and I'm still not familiar with all the fonctions.










This is an example of somebody in a ruch to get to the long weekend. Even a three hundred and something fine is not going to get in his way. There again, I was rolling about the same speed as my encounter with the happy camper. Fortunatly there is more professional drivers on the roads then there is careless truckers. Can you imagine what a MPP can think seeing this?
"When we vote for the mandatory speed limiters, I'll vote yes even if this is a situation of lacking enforcement"

With this in mind and on the upcoming vacation season at our front door, we need to act like what we are: Professional Drivers. We all saw in the past terrorist LCV's (I mean tourist), the kind that has a boat hooked to a car that is hooked to a motor home! Or the other version of a pick-up truck pulling a 5th wheel that pulls a boat trailer!

Many of these people don't even drive hauling a trailer the miles we run in a week, a five day week. Let's keep an eye open for them and let them enjoy their vacation.

Jean Catudal