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Rodeo du Camion Truck Racing is Coming to Ontario in 2025!

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Luc Lafontaine announces the move of the Rodéo du Camion to Ontario, with a new track in Mattawa offering a unique experience for truck racing fans.

The Rodeo du Camion truck drags is making its way to Ontario, bringing an exhilarating new truck racing event to Mattawa from July 31 to August 3, 2025.

Luc Lafontaine, the event’s president, has confirmed that preparations are well underway to welcome truck enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers to this new location.

After the 2024 edition in Notre-Dame-du-Nord was canceled due to safety concerns raised by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, the Rodeo team searched for a site that could meet all the necessary requirements. Mattawa was chosen for its ability to host a safe and well-adapted racing track, with a new slope designed specifically for the competition.

A Thrilling Challenge for Truck Racers

In an interview with Truck Stop Québec, Luc Lafontaine shared :

Luc Lafontaine announces the move of the Rodéo du Camion to Ontario, with a new track in Mattawa offering a unique experience for truck racing fans.“There will be a 7% grade. It’s less than what we had in Notre-Dame-du-Nord, but the difference is we’re considering adding two tiers. The racers will start on a steeper slope at the bottom, hit a flat section, and then encounter another slope right after to add a new level of difficulty for the racers.”

The Mattawa site was chosen not only for its modern facilities and large capacity but also for the unique experience it will provide to participants and spectators alike. The location allows for better crowd management and supports the infrastructure needed for an event of this scale, all while maintaining the spirit of the Rodeo.

A Bright Future for the Rodeo in Ontario

Despite the challenges of finding a new venue, Luc Lafontaine remains optimistic and views this move to Ontario as a unique opportunity to expand the event to a broader audience. This new location will offer Ontarians and Canadians the chance to witness an exhilarating show, while giving North America’s top truck racers a new stage to showcase their skills.

2024 Draw: Support the Event and Win Big!

While eagerly awaiting the 2025 Rodeo, the 2024 Rodeo draw is a key initiative to support the event, offering participants the chance to win exceptional prizes, with $42,000 to be won this weekend. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity, with top prizes including a house, a truck or $250,000 in cash!

Visit ElRodeo.com for more infos.

Luc Lafontaine announces the move of the Rodéo du Camion to Ontario, with a new track in Mattawa offering a unique experience for truck racing fans.

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Have you seen on display last October at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition (MCE) in San Diego, the spectacular Peterbilt’s new SuperTruck II demonstrator vehicle? The goal of the SuperTruck II program is to meet prevailing emissions and Class 8 tractor-trailer vehicle safety and regulatory requirements, initiated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Its important target : the development of cost effective efficiency technologies (…)

The trucking industry must prepare to welcome and work with Generation Alpha, the cohort born between 2010 and 2024. This generation, the first to grow up entirely in the digital age, brings unique skills and expectations to the workforce. Highly adept with technology, they are also deeply committed to social and environmental causes. Their familiarity with digital devices and proficiency with technological tools will shape their professional expectations, making the integration of advanced technologies in daily tasks imperative for employers. Generation Alpha values flexibility and work-life balance (…)

Truckers has voiced varied concerns about the imminent arrival of electric trucks. We asked them, “What concerns you the most about the transition to electric trucks?” The feedback we received highlights pragmatic and technical issues that could significantly impact their professional lives. Lack of Adequate Charging Infrastructure: Carole points out a major issue regarding the insufficiency (…)

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Truck Accident in Baie-Comeau Averted Thanks to Citizen Report

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A citizen report helped prevent a truck accident in Baie-Comeau by alerting authorities about an improperly secured load.

On September 4, a citizen in the Baie-Comeau area in Quebec helped prevent a potentially truck accident by reporting a heavy truck with an improperly secured load.

Thanks to this report, authorities intervened swiftly to stop the vehicle before the situation worsened.

A citizen report helped prevent a truck accident in Baie-Comeau by alerting authorities about an improperly secured load.

Quick Intervention: Load Falls Without Incident

The authorities intercepted the truck shortly before a load loss could have occurred at high speed on the road. After inspection, the truck was moved to a safer location to restore traffic flow. At that moment, part of the unsecured load detached and fell onto the roadway. Fortunately, no truck accident occurred, and no injuries were reported.

A citizen report helped prevent a truck accident in Baie-Comeau by alerting authorities about an improperly secured load.

Penalties and Safe Load Securement

The truck driver was fined $554 by Contrôle Routier Québec and was required to secure the cargo properly before continuing the journey. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to load securement regulations, especially for heavy vehicles transporting large loads.

Reporting Dangerous Situations: A Civic Responsibility

To help prevent truck accidents involving, citizens who witness potentially dangerous situations on the road are encouraged to report them. A simple, anonymous phone call can make a difference. Those in the trucking industry can also contact authorities to report carriers or employers who fail to comply with road safety regulations.

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Wabash Ordered to Pay $462 Million Following Fatal Accident

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A court ordered Wabash to pay $462 million after a fatal accident involving a 2004 trailer.

Last week, a jury in St. Louis, USA, awarded a $462 million verdict against trailer manufacturer Wabash, following a fatal accident in May 2019.

In the incident, a car collided with the rear of a 2004 Wabash trailer being hauled by GDS Express, a now-defunct transportation company. The driver and passenger of the car lost their lives in the crash.

According to Wabash, the trailer met the regulatory standards in place at the time of its manufacture, 15 years prior to the accident. Evidence presented in court showed that the car was traveling at 55 mph at the time of impact—20 mph over the current National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standard for rear impacts (35 mph) and 25 mph over the standard in place at the time the trailer was manufactured (30 mph).

These NHTSA standards pertain to rear underride guards, which are designed to prevent a vehicle from sliding under a trailer during a collision. Wabash emphasized that the speed of the car far exceeded what these guards are designed to withstand under safety regulations.

Despite the verdict, Wabash stated that it would explore all available legal options and emphasized that its underride guards have always met or exceeded U.S. standards. In 2018, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recognized Wabash as one of eight North American manufacturers surpassing federal standards for rear underride protection.

The attorneys representing the victims’ families argued that the rear guard detached during the impact, allowing the car to slide under the trailer and causing the occupants’ deaths. They challenged not only the design but also the structural integrity of the guard, claiming the trailer was in a defective and dangerous condition.

A court ordered Wabash to pay $462 million after a fatal accident involving a 2004 trailer, picture no 2.

Wabash countered by asserting that no existing technology at the time could have prevented the crash. Furthermore, the company criticized the court’s decision to exclude evidence showing the driver had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit and that neither the driver nor the passenger were wearing seatbelts—information that might have influenced the jury’s decision.

New Rear Guard Standards Challenged for Low-Overlap Collisions

In July 2022, the NHTSA tightened its safety standards for rear underride protection between passenger vehicles and trailers or semi-trailers, adopting requirements similar to Canadian standards. These updated rules mandate that rear guards must have sufficient strength and energy absorption capacity to protect occupants of compact and subcompact cars in impacts at speeds of up to 35 mph. The improved standards aim to protect vehicles that strike the rear of a trailer with 50% to 100% of the car’s width overlapping the trailer.

However, a coalition of safety groups, including Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and the Truck Safety Coalition, has challenged these new standards, arguing that they are inadequate and dangerous. They have urged the NHTSA to strengthen the guards for collisions involving 30% overlap. A 30% overlap is considered more dangerous because only a smaller portion of the car’s width makes contact with the trailer, concentrating the impact force on a narrower area. This increases the risk of underride, as rear guards are less effective in low-overlap situations.

In June 2023, the NHTSA denied this request, arguing that the data used to develop these rules, particularly from the Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents (TIFA) database, were more reliable than those from its own Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

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Heroic Truckers Form Lifesaving Barrier Around School Buses After I-75 Mass Shooting in Kentucky

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Truckers form a protective barrier around school buses during the I-75 shooting incident, praised by authorities for their bravery as the search for suspect Joseph A. Couch continues.

In the aftermath of a mass shooting on I-75 in Kentucky, truck drivers took swift action to protect school buses stuck in traffic.

The tragic event, which occurred on September 7, left five people injured. Joseph A. Couch, 32, is accused of opening fire from a cliff overlooking the highway. Despite hours of searching, Couch remains at large.

Heroic Actions Praised

As traffic came to a standstill, several truck drivers formed a protective barrier around school buses. Congressman Hal Rodgers praised these “unsung heroes” for their bravery in a public statement. Their intervention, alongside local residents providing support to first responders, exemplified true community solidarity during a moment of crisis.

Ongoing Manhunt

Authorities continue their search for Couch in a rural, heavily wooded area near Exit 49. A former National Guard member with a minimal criminal record, Couch remains elusive. Fortunately, no further shots have been reported, and all victims are recovering.

Truckers form a protective barrier around school buses during the I-75 shooting incident, praised by authorities for their bravery as the search for suspect Joseph A. Couch continues.

Professionalism of Truckers

This incident highlights the vital role of truckers not just as transporters, but as protectors in critical situations. Their quick thinking and coordination demonstrate the essential contributions they make to public safety on the roads.

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Urgent Risk to Trucking Industry and Working Conditions in Canada

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A truck on a Canadian highway illustrating the challenges related to working conditions in the trucking sector in Canada.

Canada, like Europe, is facing growing risks of exploiting foreign workers in the trucking industry, which could have significant consequences for working conditions, road safety, and business competitiveness. This highlights the need for stricter regulations and protection for workers.

Since the expansion of the European Union in 2004, the road transport sector in Western Europe has experienced an increase in exploitative practices, reports Le Monde. Truck drivers, often from non-EU countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, are hired by companies based in Lithuania or Poland. These drivers work under precarious conditions, sometimes for six months straight, earning wages significantly below local standards.

While the EU has implemented rules to regulate the trucking sector, enforcement remains challenging. Currently, inspectors can only check compliance over a four-week period, but starting in January 2025, they will be able to review records over eight weeks. This should theoretically allow for better oversight, ensuring that drivers return home regularly and that their working conditions improve.

Organizations like Road Transport Due Diligence (RTDD) have been vocal about these systemic abuses. Edwin Atema, a former truck driver and founder of RTDD, asserts that the situation has worsened over the past twenty years. Today, many drivers work in conditions akin to modern slavery, with wage deductions for minor infractions and no paid leave.

In 2023, strikes in Germany highlighted these issues in the freight transport sector. Drivers, mainly from Central Asia and Eastern Europe, protested wage arrears and abusive working conditions. These protests underscored the urgent need for stricter oversight of road transport companies.

Foreign Workers in Canadian Trucking

The situation in Canada mirrors these troubling trends. In Ontario, the labor shortage in the road transport sector is pushing companies to recruit foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). While this program is designed to address labor shortages, it also opens the door to exploitation. Employers sometimes charge foreign workers up to $50,000 for their work permits before subjecting them to wages below industry standards and poor working conditions.

The rise of the “Driver Inc” phenomenon in Canada exacerbates this issue. These drivers, often foreign workers, are forced to incorporate themselves to bypass employers’ social obligations. Although this status is legal, it is frequently used to avoid paying social benefits such as employment insurance and retirement contributions. These self-employed drivers are thus vulnerable to exploitation, much like their European counterparts.

In both Canada and Europe, unions and associations are calling for stricter regulations to oversee the status of foreign workers. They emphasize the need to protect the rights of these workers and ensure the sustainability of the transport sector by preventing abuses that undermine competitiveness and working conditions in the trucking industry.

Risk of Deteriorating Working Conditions in Transport

Social dumping is one of the primary risks for Canada’s road transport sector, where companies hire foreign workers at low wages under conditions below Canadian standards. If not properly controlled, this could lead to a general decline in wages and working conditions across the trucking industry.

The exploitation of foreign truck drivers could intensify, with drivers subjected to low wages and excessive working hours, similar to the abusive conditions seen in Europe. Prolonged working conditions also pose significant risks to road safety, as fatigued drivers are more likely to cause accidents. As in Europe, some truck drivers in Canada could find themselves spending months on the road without returning home, exacerbating safety concerns.

The use of Drivers Inc in Canada presents another serious problem. By circumventing fiscal and social obligations, these practices deprive governments of critical revenue needed to fund social programs like employment insurance and retirement. Additionally, this creates unfair competition, penalizing companies that comply with labor standards and threatening the stability of the freight transport sector.

To prevent Canada from following Europe’s path, it is crucial to strengthen regulations in the trucking sector and ensure better protection for foreign workers. Strict enforcement of labor laws is also essential to protect these vulnerable workers and safeguard the sustainability of the road transport industry. Although Canada has not yet reached the level of exploitation seen in Europe, current trends indicate a real risk of moving in that direction. It is imperative to protect the integrity of the Canadian transport sector to prevent a deterioration in working conditions and to ensure fair practices while keeping roads safe for everyone.

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Double Brokering in Trucking: Preventative Measures Against This Practice

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Here are several recommended steps to ensure the security and integrity of transportation transactions and avoid double brokering in trucking

To effectively combat double brokering in the trucking industry, transportation companies must adopt proactive and rigorous prevention measures. Here are several recommended steps to ensure the security and integrity of transportation transactions:

INVESTIGATE AND VERIFY CREDIT SCORES

Conduct thorough research, including a comprehensive background check, on the broker you are dealing with to ensure their legitimacy. Additionally, verifying a company’s credit score can provide valuable insights into the broker’s reputation.

Ensure that you verify the contact information of the broker or carrier you are working with. Many identity thieves are eager to deceive individuals into parting with their hard-earned money, and fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated by the day.

MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH BROKERS

After each successful transaction, make sure to strengthen the relationship and save the contact details of the individual. This way, you’ll have a reliable person to reach out to if other opportunities for collaboration arise.

Before this, ensure you do your research and only work with brokers who have a good reputation and a solid track record. Check their references, reviews, and accreditations to ensure they are trustworthy and reliable.

REVIEW RATES

If a load rate seems too attractive, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with an illegitimate broker who has no intention of paying. They might also offer a high rate to lure carriers.

Another indication of double brokering is if the rate confirmation requires you to identify yourself as someone other than the actual carrier who booked the shipment. In some cases, a broker may insist that the proof of delivery is sent to a random email address immediately after delivery.

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY AND PROMPTLY

While communication is crucial in every transaction, creating open lines of communication with all involved parties is essential to avoid double brokering. Maintaining clear communication also helps you track your loads throughout the transportation process, allowing you to quickly identify any potential issues and take corrective action if necessary.

When your broker or carrier does not respond promptly to your inquiries, starts providing vague or incomplete information, or becomes generally difficult to contact, consider it a sign that it’s time to find new brokers or carriers.

For a successful shipment, all parties involved in the transaction must set clear expectations and be responsive throughout the different phases of the transportation process. By adopting these preventative measures and remaining vigilant, transportation companies in Canada can better protect themselves against the risks and consequences of double brokering, ensuring the safety and efficiency of their logistics operations.

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Truck Backing Up? Take a Breather, It Won’t Take Long

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Truck Backing Up? Take a Breather, It Won’t Take Long – Truck Safety Campaign for National Trucking Week : When a truck is backing up, that’s not the time to try and squeeze by or rush past. The driver already has a hard time seeing everything around them, even with all the mirrors and cameras in the world. If you slip into their blind spots, you’re putting yourself at serious risk.

Being behind a reversing truck is like playing Russian roulette. One small mistake or a brief moment of inattention can quickly lead to disaster. A truck needs space—a lot of space—to maneuver safely.

The rule is simple: stay back and let the truck do its thing. Even if you’re in a hurry, don’t try to pass. Your impatience could cost you much more than just a few seconds of your time. This is definitely not the moment to take unnecessary risks. So next time you see a truck backing up, use your common sense. Keep your distance and let the driver work. Make safety your priority!

If you really want to waste time, go ahead and force your way through, but if you’d rather avoid a fender bender and a mountain of paperwork, stop and let the trucker complete their maneuver.

Accident Statistics: Accidents involving reversing trucks often occur because drivers or pedestrians fail to maintain a safe distance. The consequences can be severe, even fatal, especially when smaller vehicles or pedestrians are involved.

Recommendations: Always staying visible to the truck driver. If you can’t see their mirrors, chances are they can’t see you either. The best practice is to keep a safe distance and wait until the maneuver is complete before continuing on your way.

As Philippe wisely says, “Let us back up without you moving forward into our ***.” This simple piece of advice can make all the difference between a safe maneuver and an avoidable accident. Your impatience or lack of caution isn’t worth the risks involved. Stay vigilant, respect trucks, and remember that road safety starts with simple yet essential actions.

Better safe than sorry: stay alert around heavy trucks.

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Truckers: Innovative Solutions to Reduce Road Debris

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Truckers using cleaning stations on Highway 30 to prevent gravel projections and improve road safety.

Truckers working on battery-related projects along Autoroute 30 in Quebec have been facing a rise in incidents caused by granular materials, such as gravel, falling from their trucks.

Last October, the medias reported, “The number of motorists affected by granular materials being projected from moving trucks or from the road is countless,” describing it as an epidemic of shattered windshields.

Despite the use of tarps and covers to secure loads, accidents still occur, especially with loose materials like stones. To tackle this issue and reduce frustration among other road users, companies like Nemaska Lithium and Ultium Cam have implemented cleaning stations at the exits of their sites.

These stations allow truckers to drive over metal rollers that shake the trucks, dislodging stones and dust from the tires. This solution, designed by Air Liquide and developed by Excavations Tourigny, aims to reduce debris left on the road while minimizing environmental impact. Alain Tourigny, president of Excavations Tourigny, explains that this system lessens the need for mechanical road sweeping, thus reducing the environmental footprint.

Truckers using cleaning stations on Highway 30 to prevent gravel projections and improve road safety.

Additionally, Nemaska Lithium has introduced a manual sweeping system where a worker cleans trucks at site exits and ensures that protective tarps are properly secured. Vincent Perron, Director of Environmental Affairs at Nemaska Lithium, notes that these measures help truckers prevent hazardous material from being projected onto the road, thereby improving safety for all.

The Becancour Industrial and Port Park Corporation, which faced this issue due to increased traffic from the construction of a large battery factory, welcomes the benefits of these measures. Donald Olivier, CEO of SPIPB, highlights that these installations have contributed to safer roads and represent a model for other regional companies, particularly in managing debris and transportation risks.

With these initiatives in place, there is hope that motorist frustration over debris from trucks will decrease, fostering better coexistence between truckers and road users.

Read more about trucking : 
  • Trucking: ELDs Boost Efficiency, but Major Challenges Persist : ELDs have not reduced accidents as expected, and their effectiveness in improving road safety remains contested within the trucking industry. “For companies that were already compliant under paper logs, the ELD provided additional tools to ensure compliance, as they now have real-time information. But those who were gaming the system before continue to circumvent it because companies are given access to ‘correct’ the hours, which leaves the door open for falsification, and we witness this daily,” explains Jean-Claude Daignault, President of the Fraternity of the Road Transportation Officers of Quebec (…)
  • Truck Parking: A Critical Issue for Road Transport Safety : Major highways often lack safe parking spaces, forcing drivers to park in unsafe areas or continue driving while fatigued. While investments in road infrastructure are crucial, the need for truck parking is urgent. Governments are focusing on the electrification of transport, but driver safety must be a top priority, starting with ensuring that truckers can access parking whenever needed. The truck parking issue is a growing concern, particularly in high-traffic areas such as British Columbia and Ontario. Truck drivers, especially around the Lower Mainland in B.C., struggle to find adequate overnight parking. There is only one significant facility on Highway 91 near Nordel Way, with plans for additional spaces in North Surrey, but this will provide minimal relief considering the demand. The region has over 20,000 heavy vehicles, and drivers are often forced to park in unsafe or unauthorized locations, which creates safety and logistical problems for both the industry and local communities. Similarly, Ontario faces significant challenges in cities like Brampton and Caledon, where illegal truck parking has become rampant. With Peel Region serving as a central hub for Canada’s supply chain, the shortage of truck parking spots puts immense pressure on both truckers and local governments. Various levels of government are now working to address these issues by considering innovative solutions such as utilizing underused facilities and revising land-use policies​.
Truckers, looking for a job? 

On the road : In front of a truck, don’t be stupid

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In front of a truck, don’t be stupid – Truck Safety Campaign for National Trucking Week : Cutting off a truck on the road is like playing with fire—it endangers your life and the lives of others. A truck isn’t just another vehicle; it’s a steel giant weighing tens of thousands of pounds. As Demsey puts it: “Keep your distance, a truck doesn’t stop on a dime!” When traffic slows down, resist the urge to squeeze in front of a truck because you’re putting everyone at risk.

Imagine a fully loaded tanker truck, as described by Hélène on our Facebook page. It’s not just a massive machine barreling down the road; it’s a heavy load that, even when braking, continues to surge forward with incredible force. The liquid in the tank can cause a dangerous wave effect, and your recklessness could cost you your life. Hélène, who isn’t even a trucker, understands the danger of underestimating the power of such a vehicle. Be like Hélène—stay smart!

Martin highlights a critical point: the space a truck driver leaves in front of their truck isn’t an invitation for you to cut in—it’s a vital safety zone designed to protect your life. By filling that gap, you drastically reduce the truck’s ability to react in an emergency, exposing yourself to immense danger. Don’t be the one who, through carelessness or impatience, ends up in a tragic situation. Avoid putting your loved ones or children at risk.

Yes, there are also trucks that follow a little too closely, and even fellow truckers find it annoying. Be patient—their turn will come! Meanwhile, remember that hundreds, if not thousands, of trucks have crossed your path without you even noticing. That’s because they’re professionals, and respecting that space is their priority—just as much as your safety! So please, help them protect you.

  • Trucks require significantly more time and space to stop than cars due to their weight and size. At 100 km/h, a truck may need 150 to 180 meters to come to a complete stop—nearly twice the distance required for a car. Road conditions, like rain or ice, can extend this distance even further. This is why it’s crucial never to cut off a truck or merge suddenly in front of one, even at low speeds.
  • Never cut in front of a truck only to brake and turn immediately afterward—it’s your life you’re risking, especially on a downhill slope!
  • Maintaining safe distances with trucks is essential to avoid severe accidents. A braking truck cannot stop instantly, and every second counts in avoiding a collision. As drivers, we all share the responsibility to drive safely, keeping in mind that trucks need ample space to maneuver and stop safely.

The message is clear: don’t be stupid in front of a truck. Respect the distances, be aware of the size and weight of these vehicles, and above all, think about everyone’s safety. Your life is worth more than a few seconds saved on the road.

Better safe than sorry: stay alert around heavy trucks.

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Trucking: ELDs Boost Efficiency, but Major Challenges Persist

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sophie
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Electronic Logging Devices in trucks help track driver hours, but challenges with compliance and safety persist.

ELDs have not reduced accidents as expected, and their effectiveness in improving road safety remains contested within the trucking industry.

Since the implementation of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) in Canada, Transport Canada and other authorities claim that these tools have helped improve safety in the trucking industry. By automatically and accurately recording work hours, ELDs are designed to limit excessive fatigue, which is often linked to accidents caused by prolonged driving periods. The main objective is to ensure that drivers comply with legal driving and rest schedules to prevent incidents related to exhaustion.

Electronic monitoring makes it much harder to falsify logs, a common practice with paper records. Before the introduction of ELDs, it was easy to manipulate daily logs, discard them, or switch logbooks, allowing drivers to exceed authorized hours of service, which increased the risk of accidents. The implementation of ELDs has thus brought greater transparency and more accurate tracking of driving hours.

Challenges Persist in Trucking

However, not everyone in the industry shares this optimism. Some argue that ELDs have not significantly reduced the number of truck-related accidents. Studies even show a slight increase in fatal accidents involving heavy trucks, raising doubts about the actual effectiveness of these devices in improving safety.

Moreover, ELDs enforce rigid schedules, which do not always account for unforeseen circumstances, such as the availability of rest areas. Some drivers, in an effort not to lose valuable hours, choose to continue driving despite being fatigued, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. Instead of stopping to rest, they prefer to maximize their driving time to avoid delays and impacts on their professional and personal lives.

“About 80% of the problems we have with ELDs stem from drivers who wanted to do more and changed their hours,” explained Andre Tardif, President of TEC Transport Expert-Conseil, on Truck Stop Quebec radio. “Companies call us frequently, saying they don’t want to fire the driver, but they want to know how to handle the situation. Many drivers go ‘off-duty’ at the customer site, claiming they are not working. But the law on driving and working hours is clear: if you are available for your employer and assigned tasks, then you are on duty.”

Additionally, some truckers have found ways to bypass these devices by using fake accounts to extend their driving hours. There are even reports of carriers altering ELD data to add driving hours for their drivers, allowing them to work longer. While illegal, this shows that technology alone is not enough to ensure safety if not accompanied by strict enforcement of regulations.

“For companies that were already compliant under paper logs, the ELD provided additional tools to ensure compliance, as they now have real-time information. But those who were gaming the system before continue to circumvent it because companies are given access to ‘correct’ the hours, which leaves the door open for falsification, and we witness this daily,” explains Jean-Claude Daignault, President of the Fraternity of the Road Transportation Officers of Quebec.

Another issue arises from the fact that local companies operating within a radius of less than 160 km are exempt from using ELDs, which opens the door to potential abuse. For example, in the city snow removal sector during winter, drivers can often exceed authorized hours of service without being monitored by an electronic device, increasing the risks related to fatigue.

Many voices in the trucking industry continue to doubt that ELDs are the silver bullet for all safety problems. To truly improve safety, it is essential to combine ELDs with other measures, such as ongoing driver training, increasing parking availability for heavy trucks, and more flexible working conditions. These solutions would reduce pressure on drivers and better enforce mandatory rest periods, thus reducing the risks related to fatigue and exceeding hours of service.

Fatigue remains a major cause of accidents among truckers, according to the Canadian Safety Council, exacerbated by long driving hours despite strict regulations.

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