On Tuesday, Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca unveiled new mandatory entry-level training requirements for those seeking to become truck drivers in the province.
The new standards will require aspiring truckers to spend more than 100 hours in training, both in the classroom and behind the wheel, in a provincially licensed school before taking the test to receive a Class A licence. Previously, there were no requirements for formal instruction before taking the test.
The new standards were developed in partnership with the trucking industry in an effort to make sure truck drivers are properly trained before hitting the roads. Their focus was on keeping Ontario’s roads as some of the safest in North America, while allowing the province to continue to lead in the commercial trucking space.
The push for new standards came after a Star investigation discovered that nearly anyone could obtain a Class A licence without formal training. That void led to the growth of unregulated truck training schools that provided just enough information for students to pass the road test.
Now, all schools must be licensed and provide provincially approved curriculum. The new standards will go into effect on July 1, 2017.
According to statistics recently released by the transportation ministry, semi-trucks were involved in 105 accident-related deaths in 2014, which accounts for 22 per cent of all traffic fatalities in the province.
Improved training standards can help prevent accidents caused by truck drivers who are inexperienced and have not received enough training to adequately control these large vehicles.
The truck accident lawyers at Greg Monforton & Partners have seen firsthand the devastation often caused by truck crashes. We can help you get the compensation you deserve by holding truck drivers and their companies accountable for their actions.
Call (866) 320-4770 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation today.