Spear goes on offensive in ATA address

AUSTIN, Texas – American Trucking Associations president and CEO Chris Spear went on the offensive during his annual state of the industry address today, calling for changes to everything from minimum driving ages to new drug testing tools and a massive infrastructure investment.

North American fleets head into the weed(s)

AUSTIN, Texas – North America’s trucking industry finds itself in the midst of a growing drug problem. The same marijuana being legalized across Canada and select U.S. states is still banned by the federal government in the U.S. What remains is a legal quagmire, and carriers are still trying to determine what the details all mean.

FMCSA chief paints picture of a truck-friendly Trump administration

AUSTIN, Texas – The head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) painted the picture of a federal government friendly to the trucking industry today, as he delivered a broad-ranging address for members of the American Trucking Associations.

Drivers face tougher tests with legal marijuana

MILTON, Ont. – Cross-border truck drivers who already face drug screening are not the only ones who face restrictions under Canada’s new framework for legalized recreational marijuana. Impaired driving rules have been refined at federal and provincial levels, said Alex Bugeya of Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions, during a presentation hosted by the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC).

Group unveils cannabis course

The Nova Scotia Trucking Safety Association (NSTSA) has unveiled a new online course covering cannabis and workplace safety, as employers prepare for the legalization of recreational marijuana. The content covers issues including impairment, duty to accommodate, employer obligations, employee rights […]

Ulch wants alcohol interlocks in all trucks

ST. MARYS, Ont. – Ian Parsons says he has never driven while drunk. There’s no DUI on his record, and he’s a firm believer in Ontario’s zero-tolerance policy around commercial vehicles and alcohol. If someone has been drinking, he doesn’t want them anywhere near a highway…

Legal marijuana can still present legal headaches

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – On a day that has become known as 4/20, celebrating the use of marijuana, lawyers from Fernandes Hearn are explaining the many challenges of cannabis in the workplace. Medical marijuana is already approved under regulations in force […]

Are your driver drug test records secure?

TORONTO, Ont. – Cross-border drivers face drug tests when they’re hired, after an accident, and randomly throughout the year. But once you give a sample, what happens to the medical data? It’s a similar question to one that researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto asked in a study of five teaching hospitals, including clinics and physicians’ offices.

Trucking companies should be worried about marijuana: Boisvenu

MONTREAL, Que. — The federal government has promised to legalize marijuana this year, as early as July 1, but more likely this fall. No matter when it comes, there will be challenges for the trucking industry – particularly when it comes to testing regimes.

CTA wants harmony on 11 issues

TORONTO, ON – Leaders of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and provincial trucking associations have come together to identify 11 industry issues that could benefit from improved harmonization.

The call is designed to support a new task force under the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety, established in September 2016, and complements existing initiatives like the National Task Force on Weights and Dimensions.
“This is a great opportunity for further collaboration between industry and government,” said Stephen Laskowski, president and Chief Executive Officer of the alliance. “CTA commends the provincial trucking associations for their efforts in contributing to our submission and looks forward to working with all interests in addressing the issues identified.”

Prepare to go green in 2018

The only thing to like about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is that he’s proving to be a man of his word and keeping his campaign promises. Like most, I wasn’t surprised (or disappointed) when he announced that recreational pot will […]

Smoke Screening: Cross-border drivers can’t use legalized weed

TORONTO, ON — Think of it as one of the first steps to help clear the air around a campaign promise. The federal government has officially unveiled its plans to legalize recreational marijuana by July 2018, and promised as well to introduce some of the toughest impaired driving laws in the world – complete with roadside saliva tests that can be demanded by police.

Feds to toughen impaired driving rules under pot laws

TORONTO, ON – The federal government has officially unveiled its plans to legalize recreational marijuana by July 2018, and promises as well to introduce some of the toughest impaired driving laws in the world – complete with roadside saliva tests.

Under the proposal, police would be able to demand oral fluid samples if they believe drivers have drugs in their body, and with reasonable grounds would be able to demand a blood sample.

Punishments for those found driving under the influence of drugs including cannabis will become more severe, said Ralph Goodale, minister of public safety, during a press briefing on Friday. There are also plans for a “wide-ranging” campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while impaired.

ATA seeking guidelines regarding hair testing for drugs

ARLINGTON, VA – Chris Spear, president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Trucking Associations has submitted a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, Tom Price, calling on Washington to hastily provide guidelines and standards for the use of hair samples in mandatory drug testing of truck drivers.

U.S. establishing database of drug test violations

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is establishing a national drug and alcohol clearinghouse for commercial truck and bus drivers — creating a central repository of violations under FMCSA’s drug and alcohol testing program.

It applies to Canadian drivers who enter the U.S. as well as all American carriers. “Creating a central, comprehensive, and searchable database of commercial motor vehicle drivers who violate federal drug and alcohol testing requirements has been a departmental priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This system will be a new technological tool that will make our roads safer.”