by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jan 30, 2025 | BLOG
For the past 20 years, Brian Patterson has been a steadfast advocate for road safety in Ontario. His dedication to reducing preventable deaths, injuries, and destruction on our roads through public education and safety awareness has made a significant impact. Brian’s strong advocacy with various governments and leaders has led to positive changes that benefit all Ontarians.
Many of us know Brian from his appearances on news, radio, and safety commercials. Who can forget Elmer the Safety Elephant, beloved by children? Today, the Ontario Safety League is recognized as one of North America’s leading traffic safety organizations, providing the general public with safety information and programs. The Ontario Safety League is a registered not-for-profit charity. Learn more about them at ontariosafetyleague.com
Last night, we had the honor of attending Brian’s retirement celebration. It was an amazing evening of sharing memories of a remarkable man and his many contributions to society. Brian, we will miss your strong voice. Over the years, his family so selflessly shared more of his time with his work and not them. Behind every successful man is an incredible woman. Lesley, thank you! Happy retirement, Brian, and good luck with that honey-do list.
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Brian Patterson
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OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt
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Ken Adams TTSAO Chairman
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Joe Warmington & Brian Patterson
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Shelley Walker & Sgt. Kerry Schmidt
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Shelley Walker & Brian Patterson
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jan 2, 2018 | BLOG
It’s estimated that we have over 300,000 truck drivers in Canada. Yet we are seeing very few answering this survey. The lack of Truck Parking effects everyone in the industry. Carriers we need you to do your part too !! Take the time to complete the survey, get it out to your drivers. Send a satellite message, post it on your company website, in your employee only forums, why not send them an email with the links. Have you posted it on your Facebook page ?? Contact Ted Harvey: ted.harvey@spr.ca and get a flyer to put up in your terminals. All drivers who travel through Ontario are encouraged to participate in this survey. Even our American sisters and brothers of the highway.
The lack of Truck parking has Major Economic Impacts on The Trucking Industry. In their work, SPR has consolidated considerable research, by bodies such as the American Transportation Research Institute which indicates that the lack of parking costs the trucking sector hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Similarly, an excellent study recently published by Trucker Path indicated substantial costs to North American trucking, of over $5.1 billion, [including Canada], comprised of $500 million in lost profits, $500 million in added maintenance, $1,500 million in lost wages [trucker time], $2.6 Billion in wasted fuel, plus stress impacts detrimental to recruitment and sustaining the trucking workforce. Trucker Path estimated direct costs at $ 7,200 per driver per year, and $720 per driver in lost profits.
These costs of parking shortages impact all segments of the trucking sector, including those directly affected — companies and drivers — and also those serving trucking, in training, recruiting, insurance, leasing ,parts and services — since the total trucking ‘economic pie’ is reduced by lack of parking.
The Driver Survey: Their survey of truck drivers — their main method — has obtained 800+ driver responses. This is good, but they need at least 3,000 driver responses to meet the Ministry’s information needs and bring about real change.
SPR is appealling for your help !! Drivers they need you to complete the survey (deadline is February 28th).
English : http://spr.ca/trucking/survey.htm
French: http://spr.ca/camion/sondage.htm
Benefits: The survey is providing very detailed and rich data. Nearly all drivers who come to the survey complete the entire questionnaire even though it is relatively detailed.
For example: the 800+ drivers responding so far have provided over 5,600 ratings of parking difficulty on 25 highway segments. (each driver rates an average of 8 segments of the 401 or other 400 series or secondary highways). This will tell the Ministry where parking is most needed. The same drivers have evaluated 70+ individual truck stops (each driver rating an average of 8 truck stops), so that about 16,000 ratings of truck stops have been obtained. More than half of the drivers report economic losses, stress, anger or loss of sleep.
Other Findings: SPR has recently prepared a report on their consultations which includes submissions from a number of associations, companies and municipalities. Four submissions are of particular interest, from: Ontario Trucking Association, the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada , ITS, and the US-based OOIDA [all available on request contact Ted Harvey at ted.harvey@spr.ca. They all make the case: that the truck parking shortage is severe, particularly in central Ontario.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 19, 2017 | BLOG
Inevitably every year we have a major pileup of cars and trucks in inclement weather…but it is avoidable if we all do our part. Pay attention to local news and weather reports and plan your trip accordingly. If you have to travel in inclement weather leave an extra hour or two to get where you need to be safely. If you don’t feel safe don’t go !!! Remember to slow down, keep your distance and not cut in front of others. The life you save maybe your own !!!!
Let’s discuss a few of the issues :
1. Following distance!
Trucks require a football field on dry ground… on bad roads you can expect at least double if not triple! When visibility is less than a mile… your distance needs to increase and you’re speed needs to decrease .
Keep a safe following distance
2. Speed!! SLOW DOWN…
Not only should you slow down sooner, but your maneuverability will be easier if you catch yourself in a slide…. sliding is scary in ANY situation… sliding at 100 + KPH , is terrifying Because any movement by yourself or others can make a bad situation worse!
Slow Down-Posted speed limit is often too fast for the conditions
3. “Always Leave Yourself An Out” THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!
I can’t imagine that many of you haven’t heard this somewhere, even us old timers… “always leave yourself an OUT!” A ditch or a field is much better than a person or another vehicle… you might sustain some injury, or damage to your vehicle, but it’s better than the alternative.
Instead of ending up in the pile… find your way out!!
4. Lights On !!
Make sure your full headlighting system is on. Clear the snow from your lights and don’t forget your tail lights.
5. Sliding !!
If you find yourself in a skid … steer into the skid and not out of it , this will help you get control of your vehicle . Keep your foot off the brake. No engine/jake brakes !!!
Find a safe place to get off the road and “Park It” if weather is severe, no load is worth a Life !!!!!!!!!
Let’s all keep safe this winter ……
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Oct 1, 2017 | BLOG
This is getting to be a common sight on our roadways it seems. Some will blame the speed limiters or E-logs ,while others will tell you it’s a lack of professionalism in today’s driver . Traveling in this fashion is dangerous to everyone on the road way. All three of these drivers show a total lack of what it means to be a Professional driver !!
WHY do I think this way… It’s simple. The driver to the far right (Granny Lane) was traveling slower than the truck currently in the middle lane. Problem is were talking about probably a half a mile to a mile per hour slower. Then the truck to the far left decides they’re going to pass as well. I’m guessing by this picture they were all traveling at close speeds. Next thing you know you have 3 trucks holding up traffic , a recipe for disaster.
A Professional Driver would have realized this could potentially cause an accident, and slowed down to allow the pass. Instead you have 3 drivers all rushing to get by each other. What a lovely image for the general public to see on a daily basis. If you want respect and to be treated like a Professional Driver …act like one!
There’s no doubt this won’t be well received by my fellow drivers, but it’s as I see it from the drivers seat.
Shelley Uvanile-Hesch
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Sep 3, 2017 | BLOG
SONY DSC
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A Border Crossing Trip was formed in conjunction with Border Officials to offer our students proper border crossing training. We have also incorporated a stop at an MTO Inspection station, where MTO officials provide our students complete understanding of the importance of these stations and exactly what is required of the drivers. Fork Lift , Aerial Lift, Boom Truck Working at Heights & Heavy Equipment Courses were introduced to train students on backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, Wheel Loaders, Rock Trucks, Graders and scrapers. Today an operator’s job involves much more than “Operating the equipment”.
Lessons are taught by qualified over the road instructors who have experienced the challenges you may encounter as a new operator. Thousands of men and women have successfully obtained employment and began careers operating heavy equipment, trucks, buses with the help of our job-oriented training.
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