The Government of Canada has taken another important step towards the introduction of a mandate to require the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) by federally-regulated motor carriers and commercial vehicle drivers. The mandate would apply to those federally-regulated bus and truck carriers and drivers who are currently required to carry a log book and demonstrate compliance with the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.

Bison Transport, a member of AMTA, has announced new executive appointments; Trevor Fridfinnson will serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Mike Ludwick as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

Hard facts about drug impaired driving

In 2015, nearly half of all 24 hour licence suspensions were due to drug impairment.

A recent Canadian study of alcohol and drug use among drivers found that drug use in nighttime drivers exceeded that of alcohol use. In Canada, studies indicate that drugs are found in up to 40 per cent of fatally injured drivers (TIRF).

In Alberta, 21 people were killed and 305 people were injured in drug-involved casualty collisions (2010-2014).

A growing body of research suggests that marijuana use — particularly chronic use — can negatively affect mental and physical health, brain function (memory, attention and thinking) and driving performance (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse).

About 16 per cent of 15–24 year olds in Canada report riding as a passenger with a driver who has smoked cannabis within the previous two hours (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse).

Momentum continues to build towards the implementation of a federal ELD mandate in Canada. Transport Canada has released its long-awaited Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for a proposed mandate that would apply to all federally-regulated vehicles where the driver is currently required to complete a paper logbook.