According to Transport Canada 400 fatal crashes a year in Canada involve heavy vehicles like semi-trucks.
As we approach the 2-year anniversary of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash, we remember the terrible tragedy faced by the Humboldt community – killing 16, injuring 13, and leaving a community forever impacted.
Canadians rallied to show their support - from hockey sticks left on porches, to fundraising efforts in support of the impacted families. The strength and support of the Humboldt community lives on.
Since that time, provincial governments across Canada have begun to enact laws that ensure all heavy truck operators have standardized mandatory entry-level training programs – Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario among them.
Working towards safer roads.
However, large commercial vehicles are involved in an increasing number of fatal collisions each year. The safe operation of larger commercial vehicles remains a serious road safety concern.
- Ontario saw an 800% increase in fatal collisions in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to an Ontario Provincial Police report.
- Heavy truck related fatalities increase every year (since 2008), according to the American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To address the issue of fatal collisions by operators of large trucks an organization called Safer Roads Canada is taking action. Their mission is to advocate for more effective commercial driving regulations and enforcement, a nation-wide graduated commercial licensing system, and educating all drivers on how to share the road with large vehicles.
Pattie Fair, whose husband was killed in a crash that involved a novice heavy truck driver in British Colombia, leads the organization. The board also includes a few members who lost loved ones in the tragic Humboldt event.
Safer Roads Canada is a great example of an organization taking meaningful action to address the safer operation of large commercial vehicles, and making our roads safer for all.
For more on Safer Roads Canada click here.
