Happy New Year 2008

I did not update my English blog recently. The topics were mostly for the French speaking Canadians. I hope you will forgive me this time. In this time of the year, most of us take a step back to look at what happened in the last 365 days and what could be in store for us for the next 366, 2008 is a leap year…

2007 has surprised many with diesel fuel over the $3.25 mark in the USA while in Canada, the price of a litre of the same precious oil has closed over the dollar in Ontario. The manufacturing slow down had a toll on the trucking industry also. Many plants are either moving where the labour costs are cheaper, are cutting back on the shifts if not closing completely. Our governments are saying that every thing is going good. I wonder if they live on the same planet we are, especially in Quebec

Enough pessimism, let’s look at some good things that happened too. There is a rise in the solidarity among Owner-Operators and Professional Drivers. The associations that regroup them are picking up membership to voice their comments. Here in Quebec, we have seen the start of a new activity for drivers and their families with the Convoy for Special Olympics. The true Professionals are taking a stand and leaving their mark by their courtesy, respect and communications, not only within the driver’s community but also with the public and other road users. Many Medias don’t see it this way and are still showing trucks and truckers as nuisances on the roads with biased polls to sell more papers. To communicate our passion of trucks and lifestyle we have, this will help the general public to understand that without trucks, the economy comes to a screeching halt and if we keep on having restrictions and new regulations, the price of consumer goods is only going to go up.

What I see coming up for 2008.

Honestly, I would be a fool to say that fuel prices will go down. I see a little bit of relief with some more stable prices. I may not have a crystal ball but, I have a feeling that 2008 will see some funny merges among carriers, if not some unexpected closings. The battle to stop Mandatory Speed Limiters in Canada will go on and to stop this madness and we will need a strong voice represent us in all Provinces. The governments needs to know that there is more Owner-Operators then carriers in this country and we need to keep all the tools we currently have to keep up with the large fleets.

Since many laws in many jurisdictions are made that we can not stop to protest, I have a suggestion to make in the beginning of the New Year. Why not make it a habit to run compliant? This is the only way to show to every one that the rules and regulations we have to deal with every day are putting a burden on us. If we keep on hiding the facts, how can we show them!

The true secret is to stay informed. All public documents are available online to read. Staying ahead of the ball is more then ever important if we all want to succeed in this industry we love so dearly.

Happy trails and stay safe for 2008

Presentation at the Quebec Parliament

Friday November 30th, OBAC was at the « Committee on Transport and Environment » to represent you Professional Drivers. Yours truly was asked to do the presentation. I did my best to be as communicative of your concerns to the government of Quebec. OBAC has made some allies at this commission. I invite you to follow the links to make up your mind. I should comment on t shortly. . The links are to the presentation of OBAC, Quebec’s Road Controllers and the QTA. Quebec being a French speaking Province, unfortunately, all presentations are in French. If you are curious, go ahead and look them up

OBAC’s presentation
http://diffusion.assnat.qc.ca/video/cte/cte200711301221.wmv

Quebec Road Controllers
http://diffusion.assnat.qc.ca/video/cte/cte200711291709.wmv

QTA’s presentation
http://diffusion.assnat.qc.ca/video/cte/cte200711291556.wmv

We will talk about it soon!

Calculating Green House Gases (GHG)

If you go back on my blog in the month of May, I was sharing some apprehensions on the calculation by our Quebec civil servants and their researches on the GHG reductions
See: http://thetruckingblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/mandatory-speed-limiters-is-picking-up.html

I saw today a survey made by Statistics Canada on registered vehicles in Canada. The numbers leave me with event more questions and they should do the same for you.

The Green Plan 2006-2012 in Quebec expects that heavy trucks could reduce 330kt of GHG by a mandated speed limiter. I am still wondering how Ontario comes to 140kt.

It there is in Ontario 7,130,694 vehicles including 211,779 vehicles over 4,5tonnes, how can we in Quebec with 4,471,723 vehicles including 98,320 of these over 4,5tonnes and double the GHG reductions?

I suggest you ask the question to the concerned Ministers…

Source:
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/53-223-XIE/53-223-XIE2006000.pdf

A Strike! To Do or Not To Do?

Funny question as an opening title. Personally, I never was in favour of such a movement mostly because international and inter-provincial transportation are ruled by the Canadian labour laws. The only big losers are the drivers and the small business trucker. I am using the topic Jacques Plante talked about last week on his radio program. I wasn’t able to air my comments on his show.

Jacques also pointed out the rules of law in Bill 130 that puts a restriction to pressure tactics that can be used by truck drivers after the road blocks done in the past. Our governments being reactive administrators, they answered to drivers demands against load brokers in their protests by new laws to keep trucks rolling in the late 90’s.

What do we have left?

Many would say: “nothing!”

No, we still have a very powerful weapon and we use it every day. If we apply the proverb “The pen is stronger then the sword” we all have a pen, a ruler and a log book. The best way to beat the system which we are cheating with the lame excuse that we don’t make a profit is to run the system by the book. How can we prove our points if we continue to be creative and sweat at any scale that is slow to give the green light?

If written words meaningful, spoken one are lost in the air. We can complain until the cows come home, if we have nothing to support our sayings, these are only words. By taking action and with some good will, we have the possibility to slow down the economy without putting it to a screeching halt, without breaking any rules or laws and with no fines attached. We must deliver the goods and not use cheating to cover up an extended stop to shoot the breeze in a truck stop or to cover the expected traffic jam. We must assume the consequences of our actions too. This is the basics of professionalism in any field of work. If the demands of the customer are impossible to do, you must advise them from the start.

I once told a dispatcher that my job is to carry a load from point A to Point B in a safe and legal manner. We are not there to repair others mistakes. The road throws at us enough things unexpected already. After all, the first one blamed is the driver in many cases.

Why not take the resolution for 2008 to make things change by running compliant?

Members of the Parliament Commission on Transportation and Environnement

Now that we know more on the process of the rule making of legislations, we still have some homework to do in order to help our cause. You will find below the list of the Members of the Commission that will overlook Bill 42 that Minister Boulet presented to the National Assembly last Novembre 14^th.

What I suggest is to write to them in your own words, while staying polite and courteous, and let them know the impacts that limiting the speed of your truck at 105Km/h in zones where the limits are greater then the ones in Quebec.

It is your right if your residence or your business place is in their electoral base. Your voice will have a great impact on them. They are politicians and votes are important for them.

Here are a few examples

Your quality of life

The lost of income on your business
The lost time at home between trips with your family and to get proper rest so you can be a safe and alert driver
The extra loads you will have to do in order to keep a similar income

For contractors or small fleet owners

The impact on the tonnage of freight you can move if your trucks are slower in areas where you can have them roll faster, the 2 trips yearly per truck that are going to be required and the financial burden of getting extra trucks, trailers and staff to get the same revenues
Our industry is in a driver’s shortage, the impact you will have to recruit qualified personnel to operate the extra trucks

I see the most impact on carriers moving produces from and to the west coast. An easy calculation gives me about 5 hours more round trip and this adds up to 240 hours a year in extra driving time.

Here is the list of the Members

President

Lawrence S. Bergman PLQ
Deputy of D’Arcy-McGee
Telephone: 514 488-7028
Telecopy: 514 488-1713
lbergman-dmg@assnat.qc.ca

Vice-President
Jean Domingue ADQ
Tel. Toll Free: 1 866 875-0303
Telecopy: 418 895-6351
Deputy of Bellechasse
jdomingue-bell@assnat.qc.ca

Members representing PLQ

Johanne Gonthier
Deputy of Mégantic-Compton
Tel. Toll Free: 1 800 567-3523
Telecopy: 819 583-0926
jgonthier-meco@assnat.qc.ca

François Ouimet
Deputy of Marquette and Parliamentary assistant to Transport Minister
Telephone: 514 634-9720
Telecopy: 514 634-1653
fouimet-marq@assnat.qc.ca

Pierre Reid
Deputy of Orford
Telephone: 819 847-3911
Telecopy: 819 847-4099
preid-orfo@assnat.qc.ca

Gerry Skalavounos
Deputy of Laurier-Dorion
Telephone: 514 273-1412
Telecopy: 514 273-3150
gsklavounos-lado@assnat.qc.ca

Members representing ADQ

Jean Damphousse
Deputy of Maskinongé
Telephone : 819 228-9722
Telecopy : 819 228-0040
jdamphousse-mask@assnat.qc.ca

Simon-Pierre Diamond
Deputy of Marguerite-D’Youville
Telephone : 450 641-2748
Telecopy : 450 641-0689
spdiamond-mayo@assnat.qc.ca

Pierre Gingras
Deputy of Blainville and Transport Critic
Telephone : 450 430-8086
Telecopy : 450 430-9795
pgingras-blai@assnat.qc.ca

Members representing PQ

Camil Bouchard
Deputy of Vachon
Telephone : 450 676-5086
Telecopy : 450 676-0709
camilbouchard-vach@assnat.qc.ca

Serge Deslières
Deputy of Beauharnois and Transport Critic
Telephone : 450 429-3102
Telecopy : 450 225-1505
sdeslieres-beau@assnat.qc.ca

Luc Ferland
Deputy of Ungava
Tel. sans frais : 1 800 463-7122
Telecopy : 418 748-3255
lferland-unga@assnat.qc.ca

A Speed Limiter on the Minister’s Limo?

In all the debate on the question, the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada had brought up the suggestion of limiting the trucks of repeating speed offenders and their fleets if nothing else was a way to slow them down.

Friday November 16^th, a team of the “Journal de Montreal” followed Minister Boulet limousine after a press conference in Laval, on her way back towards Quebec. The journalist did note not less then 3 major violations to the Highway Code and 1 minor. Maybe the people of Quebec should ask that the Minister’s limo would be equipped with a speed limiting devise. I had talks with some safety directors and some company owners and most of them agree that a driver with bad driving habits will keep them in just about any circumstances. Even the statistics of the SAAQ, brought up by the oppositions critics this week after the deposit of Bill 42, shows that drivers with the worst records are most likely to be the ones with the most violations.

In a meeting at the Minister’s Cabinet, the point was brought up that impatient automobile drivers are not shy to often pass a heavy truck by the right before this one resumes the right lane after a passing manoeuvre. Minister Boulet, wake up! You had a front row seat on what we were explaining to your staffers. You were even lucky that the truck driver didn’t come back to the right lane when your limo was in the blind spot!

With all the violations noted by the journalist of the “Journal de Montreal” , Mister Driver of the Minister, would have his driver’s permit on the brink of a suspension with fines totalizing 715$ and 10 demerit points to his permit. If a Professional Driver has more then 2 moving violations in a year, he or she may have a hard time to find a job.

Minister Boulet declared she was snoozing when the events happened.

Original article from the Journal de Montreal on Canoë(in french)
http://www.canoe.com/infos/quebeccanada/archives/2007/11/20071117-063902.html?14290a715a5b4bdbbf90eb7d1982ac04

November 11th 2007, Lest We Forget

I had planned to make a nice text with a picture of a WWII vet and a picture of Larry Jesse's truck that is a rolling tribute to the men and women that served the country. Instead, you will have a cut and paste of a press release I got from the Cabinet of Minister Boulet and a picture of her...
All things considered, I'll drop the picture of the Minister.
Sorry for the french text, Transport Quebec is the opposite of the CTA who only puts up releases in english...
I short, this coming Tuesday, Minister Boulet will propose a "Projet de loi" with the 6 priorities for safer roads in Quebec including mandatory speed limiters for all heavy trucks.


La ministre des Transports Julie Boulet annonce le dépôt du Projet de loi modifiant le Code de la sécurité routière et le Règlement sur les points d'inaptitude


MONTRÉAL, le 11 nov. /CNW Telbec/ - La ministre des Transports et ministre responsable de la région de la Mauricie, Mme Julie Boulet, a annoncé aujourd'hui le dépôt du Projet de loi modifiant le Code de la sécurité routière et le Règlement sur les points d'inaptitude.
Les modifications proposées dans ce projet de loi concernent, la vitesse, l'alcool, les radars photos et les caméras aux feux rouges, l'accès graduel à la conduite, le cellulaire au volant et les limiteurs de vitesse pour les véhicules lourds.

Vitesse

En matière de vitesse au volant, des changements législatifs et règlementaires sont proposés afin d'introduire des sanctions plus sévères pour les grands excès de vitesse, notamment en doublant les amendes et le nombre de points d'inaptitude pour les grands excès de vitesse.

Alcool au volant

Malgré les progrès réalisés, près de 30 % des conducteurs décédés à la suite d'un accident de la route, en 2005, avaient une alcoolémie supérieure à la limite légale. Dans ce contexte, des changements législatifs auront comme résultats d'augmenter la sévérité des sanctions existantes et qui en ajoutent de nouvelles. Il est recommandé la mise en place de sanctions plus sévères pour les récidivistes de l'alcool au volant et également, l'introduction de sanctions au Code de la sécurité routière pour les personnes conduisant avec un taux d'alcoolémie se situant entre 0,05 et 0,08.

Radars photos et caméras aux feux rouges

La mise en place de radars photos et de caméras aux feux rouges a été approuvée par le Conseil des ministres en juin 2007. Il est proposé la mise en place d'un projet pilote de radars photographiques et de caméras aux feux rouges. Ce projet pilote sera déployé dans 15 sites d'implantation. Les endroits où seront initiés les projets pilotes seront annoncés au courant des prochaines semaines.
Ces sites d'implantation sont des endroits où les accidents sont attribuables à la vitesse ou au non-respect des feux rouges et que les usagers de la route seront prévenus de l'emplacement des caméras et des radars photographiques. L'objectif n'est pas de piéger les automobilistes, mais de sauver des vies. De plus, tel qu'annoncé cet été, les sommes provenant des contraventions seront réinvesties dans des mesures de sécurité routière et en soutien aux organismes qui aident les victimes de la route.
Les préoccupations des partenaires ont été prises en considération, comme il avait été prévu de le faire. Ces projets pilotes auront une durée de 18 mois et seront révisés par l'Assemblée nationale après 12 mois.

L'accès graduel à la conduite

L'introduction de nouvelles mesures d'accès graduel à la conduite automobile est proposée, notamment par l'instauration de cours de conduite obligatoires pour les nouveaux conducteurs, par l'imposition du permis de conduire probatoire pour les 25 ans et plus, et par un accès graduel aux points d'inaptitude pour les moins de 25 ans.

Le cellulaire au volant

La recherche démontre que l'utilisation du cellulaire au volant est une source importante de distraction qui augmente le risque d'être impliqué dans un accident. Il est donc recommandé d'interdire au conducteur l'usage du téléphone cellulaire combiné pendant qu'il conduit et d'imposer des amendes et des points d'inaptitude dans ces circonstances.

Les limiteurs de vitesse pour les véhicules lourds

Dans le domaine du transport routier des marchandises, le respect des limites de vitesse est plus que crucial. Pour amener les conducteurs de véhicules lourds à réduire leur vitesse, il est proposé de modifier le Code de la sécurité routière pour rendre obligatoire l'activation des limiteurs de vitesse sur tous les véhicules lourds ainsi que le réglage de la vitesse maximale de ces véhicules à 105 km/h.
"Voilà, sommairement, ce que je proposerai mardi à l'Assemblée nationale du Québec lors du dépôt d'un projet de loi. Il appartient maintenant aux élus de faire de ces propositions des actions constructives pour changer le comportement des plusieurs usagers de la route et, ultimement, éviter des drames humains qui sont encore trop nombreux sur les routes du Québec", a conclu la ministre.



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