Fall - Private Motor Truck Council of Canada

the
COUNSELLOR
FALL 2010
THE VOICE OF PRIVATE TRUCKING
CELLPHONE BANS
A Fair Call for Drivers?
Also in this issue:
Operating Urban Fleets
versus Long-Haul Fleets
Fleet Management Software
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©2010 Private
Motor Truck
Council of Canada.
All rights reserved.
The contents of
this publication
may not be
reproduced by
any means, in
whole or in part, without the prior
written consent of the Private Motor
Truck Council of Canada.
Articles and information in this
magazine represent the opinions
of the writers and the information
that, to the best of our knowledge,
was accurate at the time of writing.
Please return undeliverable magazines to: Private Motor Truck Council, 1660 North Service Road East, Suite 115, Oakville, Ontario L6H 7G3
Users of any information
contained in The Counsellor
are encouraged to validate that
information by independent means.
Publisher
Robert Thompson
Editorial Director
Bruce J. Richards
Editor
Jeanne Fronda
Sales Manager
Joe Strazzullo
Sales Executives
Steve Beauchamp, Ashley Privé,
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Published October 2010
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the
FALL 2010
COUNSELLOR
THE VOICE OF PRIVATE TRUCKING
CONTENTS
Counsellor Columnists
4
Bruce Richards, President / président
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
Association canadienne du camionnage d’entreprise
5
Steve Ropp, Chairman / président du Conseil d’administration
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
Association canadienne du camionnage d’entreprise
6
Gary Petty, President and CEO / président et chef de la Direction
National Private Truck Council
Association nationale du camionnage d’entreprise
Features
8
Operating Urban Fleets versus Long-Haul Fleets
Differences concerning setup, rules, leasing, drivers and management
By Kelly Parker
10
Fleet Management Software
Advances with new technology, upgrades and software
By Kelly Parker
15
Cellphone Bans
A Fair Call for Drivers?
By Matthew Bradford
18
Join Us Now!
19
20
22
Bridge to the 21st Century
Buyers’ Guide
Advertisers Index
3
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
PMTC President’s Report /
le mot du président, ACCE
By / par Bruce J. Richards, President / président
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada / Association canadienne du camionnage d’entreprise
W
hile working our collective way
through the recession, which by the
way officially ended in June 2009, many
issues that seemed to be longer term or esoteric
in nature have been sidelined. It may be time to
pull them to the fore.
One such issue is driver hiring practices. At
the PMTC we have long been of the view that this
industry needs a more comprehensive hiring tool;
one that goes far beyond the normal verification
of a licence, road test, and cursory check with
former employers.
We need a way to get beyond the obvious when
hiring drivers, a way to identify specific characteristics or attributes that can differentiate excellent
drivers from poor or mediocre ones.
The challenge is to get inside the individual’s
personality a little, to determine whether an applicant has the specific attributes that successful drivers
are known to have, and as importantly, whether they
have any of the characteristics that we don’t want in
a driver.
A few years ago PMTC did some work that involved
a consulting firm and the co-operation of some of the
drivers in our Hall of Fame. The study identified the
most common characteristics that the Hall of Fame
drivers possessed.
We are now considering furthering that research
to compile a tool that could be used by any fleet
manager in selecting new drivers. It is an exciting
concept that needs to be pursued.
A
lors que nous sortons collectivement de la récession, qui, soit dit en passant a pris fin officiellement en juin 2009, bon nombre de problèmes qui
semblaient vouloir durer ou qui étaient de nature ésotérique
ont été mis de côté. Le moment semble être venu de les
ramener à l’avant-plan.
Parmi ces problèmes, mentionnons les pratiques d’embauche des chauffeurs. À l’ACCE, nous pensons depuis longtemps que cette industrie a besoin d’un outil de recrutement
plus performant ; cet outil devrait aller bien plus loin que la
vérification normale d’un permis, l’essai sur route ou la brève
enquête auprès d’ex-employeurs.
Au moment d’embaucher des chauffeurs, il faut regarder
au-delà de ce qui est évident, cerner les caractéristiques
spécifiques ou les attributs pouvant départager les excellents
chauffeurs des moins bons ou des médiocres.
Le défi consiste à effleurer la personnalité du candidat,
pour évaluer s’il possède les attributs spécifiques propres
aux bons chauffeurs ; tout aussi important, il faut voir s’il
affiche l’une ou l’autre des caractéristiques que nous considérons comme étant indésirables chez un chauffeur.
Il y a quelques années, l’ACCE a fait affaires avec une
firme conseil et avec certains chauffeurs de notre Temple de
la renommée. La collaboration a permis de définir les caractéristiques les plus communes aux chauffeurs du Temple de
la renommée.
Nous envisageons maintenant approfondir cette
recherche afin de créer un outil que les gestionnaires de
flottes pourront utiliser lors de l’embauche de nouveaux
chauffeurs. Il s’agit d’un concept stimulant qui demande à
être approfondi.
4
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
PMTC Chairman’s Message /
le mot du président du Conseil d’administration, ACCE
By / par Steve Ropp, Chairman / président du Conseil d’administration
Private Motor Truck Council of Canada / Association canadienne du camionnage d’entreprise
T
his issue of The Counsellor contains some very
interesting articles that examine subject matter
that fleet managers need to be aware of.
Quite a number of North American jurisdictions
have now, or are considering, banning the use of handheld communication devices like cellphones while
driving. The arguments for and against this move are
the subject of this article, which considers the science
and the emotion behind the various positions taken.
The most commonly accepted principle is that it is
the conversation itself, not the device being held, that
causes the distraction that could lead to a collision. If
that position holds, it follows that the use of Bluetooth
technology that allows the conversation to continue
even though both hands are on the wheel is not a
significant safety feature. The opposing views make
interesting reading, and may change your mind, if not
the law.
We also take a quick look at what’s new in fleet
management software from some of the most prominent suppliers of this equipment. The available technology seems to have an inverse relationship to the
price….one coming down while the other is constantly
being added to.
And we also cover some of the important differences between operating urban and long-haul fleets.
Not all trucks and certainly not all drivers are suited
to both types of operation and this article will explain
some of the differences.
All in all, it makes for some interesting reading. I
hope you find the articles informative.
L
e présent numéro de The Counsellor contient des
articles très intéressants qui abordent des sujets
avec lesquels les gestionnaires de flottes doivent
être familiers.
Bon nombre de juridictions en Amérique du Nord l’ont
fait ou envisagent de le faire : interdire l’utilisation au volant
d’appareils de communication comme les téléphones
cellulaires. Un article porte sur les arguments en faveur et
contre une telle décision et aborde les volets scientifique
et émotionnel qui sous-tendent les diverses positions dans
ce dossier.
L’argument le plus invoqué est que c’est la conversation, et non l’appareil, qui est source de distraction et peut
entraîner une collision. Si cet argument est vrai, il implique
que l’utilisation de la technologie Bluetooth, qui permet de
parler au téléphone tout en gardant les deux mains sur le
volant, ne constitue pas un élément de sécurité. La confrontation des deux points de vue est intéressante à lire ; elle peut
même changer votre point de vue, sinon la loi elle-même.
Nous abordons aussi rapidement les nouveaux logiciels
de gestion de flotte de certains des plus grands fournisseurs
de ce matériel. La technologie disponible semble inversement proportionnelle au prix… l’un est en perte de vitesse
tandis que l’autre ne cesse de s’améliorer.
Nous traitons aussi des différences entre l’exploitation
de flottes en ville et sur de longues distances. Tous les
camions, et sûrement pas tous les chauffeurs, ne conviennent pas aux deux modes d’exploitation et un article en
explore les différences.
Bref, le numéro vous offre une lecture intéressante qui,
nous l’espérons, saura vous plaire.
5
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
NPTC President & CEO’s Message /
le mot du président et chef de la Direction, ANCE
By / par Gary Petty, President and CEO / président et chef de la Direction
National Private Truck Council / Association nationale du camionnage d’entreprise, Washington, D.C.
PFMI 2011
- A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
PFMI 2011
– UNE POSSIBILITÉ D’APPRENTISSAGE
The National Private Truck Council will hold its 2011
Private Fleet Management Institute January 15 to 19,
2011, at the Omni Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida.
Le National Private Truck Council tiendra son Private Fleet
Management Institute 2011 du 15 au 19 janvier 2011 à l’Omni
Jacksonville de Jacksonville (Floride).
No matter what your official title is, today’s transportation and logistics environment demands excellence. You need a variety of skills that lead to outstanding performance in every aspect of your job. NPTC’s
Private Fleet Management Institute provides the most
comprehensive and intensive instruction, education
and learning experiences led by the industry’s top
practitioners and designed to enhance your personal
and professional mastery of private fleet management.
Peu importe le poste que vous occupez, le transport et l’environnement logistique exigent l’excellence. Vous avez besoin
d’une gamme de compétences afin d’accomplir chaque aspect
de votre travail de manière exceptionnelle. Le Private Fleet
Management Institute du NPTC se veut l’expérience la plus
complète et intensive en matière d’instruction, d’éducation
et d’apprentissage, dispensée par les meilleurs praticiens de
l’industrie ; il est conçu pour améliorer votre connaissance
personnelle et professionnelle de la gestion d’une flotte privée.
In addition, the Institute provides one of the most
effective ways of refreshing your knowledge base
and preparing for the 2011 CTP Examination set
for Saturday, February 12, 2011, at dozens of locations across North America. This accelerated five-day
“graduate level” program details the core curriculum
deemed by the industry’s leading practitioners as
essential for on-the-job success. The knowledge
you’ll acquire in this interactive learning experience
will provide you with a strong foundation in the
following areas:
• Justifying the Private Fleet
• Network Optimization
• Communicating Private Fleet Value by Partnering
with Corporate Finance, HR and Safety
De plus, le Private Fleet Management Institute est l’un
des moyens les plus efficaces d’actualiser vos connaissances
et de vous préparer à l’examen CTP 2011, qui se tiendra le
12 février 2011 à des dizaines d’endroits en Amérique du
Nord. D’une durée de cinq jours, ce programme accéléré de
deuxième cycle est le programme d’enseignement de base
que les grands praticiens de l’industrie considèrent comme
essentiel pour réussir au travail. Ce que vous apprendrez dans
ce cours interactif vous donnera des bases solides dans les
secteurs suivants :
• Justification d’une flotte privée
• Optimisation des réseaux
• Transmission des valeurs d’une flotte privée au moyen
de partenariats avec les secteurs Finances, Ressources
humaines et Sécurité de l’entreprise
• Improving Fleet Planning, Make-Up and Utilization
• Amélioration de la planification, de la constitution et de
l’utilisation de la flotte
• Attracting, Recruiting and Developing Drivers
• Façons d’attirer, de recruter et de perfectionner les chauffeurs
• Developing Effective Safety Programs
• Développement de programmes de sécurité efficaces
• Creating, Understanding and Using Financial Reports
• Création, compréhension et utilisation de rapports financiers
• Creating Maintenance Standards – Managing
Outsourced Relationships
• Création de normes d’entretien ­– Gestion de relations
imparties
• Reverse Logistics: Building Backhaul Profitability
• Logistique inverse : Rentabiliser les voyages de retour
For more information about the Private Fleet Management Institute and how to register, visit NPTC’s
website at www.nptc.org.
Pour en savoir plus sur le Private Fleet Management Institute et sur la façon de s’y inscrire, rendez-vous sur le site Web
du NPTC à www.nptc.org.
6
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
Operating Urban
Fleets versus
Long-Haul Fleets
By Kelly Parker
Differences
concerning
setup, rules,
leasing,
drivers and
management
O
n the surface, beyond a couple
of obvious factors, such as
the fact that a long-haul fleet
will consist of sleeper cabs instead of
the day cabs working the city, there
might not seem to be many differences between running a long-haul
fleet versus running an urban fleet, but
there is more to it. From leasing and
maintenance nuances to the temperament of the operator, there are significant differences between operating
fleets in the two environments.
Beyond running sleeper cabs
versus day cabs, a highway rig is likely
to be “set up” differently, says Sebas-
tian Carta, National Fleet Manager,
Consolidated Fastfrate, who says that
the long-haul rig will not just have a
higher horsepower — depending on
the commodity being hauled — but
will “also likely be using a 13-speed
transmission on the highway versus a
10-speed for the city.”
Generally speaking, says Garth
Pitzel, Director, Safety & Driver Development, Bison Transport, the fleet
operator can use a couple of approaches, including running separate vehicles for the highway and city fleet.
“What some [fleet operators] choose
7
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
to do,” he says, “is extend the life of
that highway truck and use it in the
city after it has ended its highway
service period. [Perhaps they use] it
for another three years in the city after
first running it for five years on the
highway, because there is less wear
and tear on that equipment using it
in the city.” Pitzel notes that there are
also companies that will use the same
long-haul equipment exclusively for
city use when the driver who would
typically be using it on the highway
has days off, which can be effective in
reducing costs.
From a regulatory standpoint, the
rules are roughly the same for both
urban and long-haul fleets. All drivers,
of course, regardless of their operating
area, are required to do their circle
check each day, explains Carta, and the
highway driver is also required to keep
a logbook, “providing that they are
working outside of that 160-kilometre
radius of the terminal, and of course,”
he adds, “they have to have a 14-hour
prior duty status with them at all
times.” Some operations, like Bison, for
example, find it easier just to have all of
their drivers keep a logbook, regardless
of their geographical driving area.
When it comes to leasing, there
is a world of difference between the
urban and long-haul arrangements.
Because of the additional mileage
racked up on a long-haul rig — particularly if deploying two-driver teams
— the urban rig might only have
500,000 km on the odometer at lease
term versus perhaps double that for
the long-haul equipment. “When
someone is looking for a vehicle,”
Because of the
additional mileage
racked up on a
long-haul rig —
particularly if
deploying two-driver
teams — the urban
rig might only have
500,000 km on
the odometer at
lease term versus
perhaps double that
for the long-haul
equipment
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8
10-PEC-002 Counsellor HlfPgSprd.indd 1
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
points out Bryan Richards, Vice president of Specialized Road Services for
the Yanke Group, “the first thing they
look at is the odometer. The higher
the number on that, the tougher that
truck is to sell for the OEM, so the
lease is structured quite a bit differently, even though those rural miles
might be so-called ‘easy miles’ or
‘long miles.’”
Perhaps the last consideration
— but arguably the most crucial —
when looking at differences between
running an urban fleet versus a longhaul one is the driver him or herself.
Although both have a huge responsibility to the fleet, and there are obvious
lifestyle and pay-scale differences, says
Pitzel, “just because you happen to be
a good city driver, doesn’t necessarily
mean that you’re going to make a good
long-haul driver. We have some great
long-haul drivers who aren’t particularly good city drivers. That city driver
has to spend so much more of their
time dealing with traffic congestion,
but more importantly, with customers.
They have a greater customer service
responsibility on behalf of the fleet.”
Any fleet manager who has both
city and highway routes knows what
Pitzel is talking about when he says
Bison has “had some great long-haul
drivers who wanted to get into the
city, and they don’t end up enjoying
it, so they are back on the highway
within two months. There have even
been a few situations where we have
made that decision for them. The two
types of driving require significantly
different mindsets.”
Outside of the handful of minor
differences — sleeper cab versus
day cab, transmission adjustments,
and minor lease term nuances, for
example — between operating a
highway fleet versus a city fleet, the
real difference between managing the
two has nothing to do with nuts, bolts
and sheet metal. Two fleet managers
with identical equipment, spec-ed out,
maintained and leased identically, are
going to see entirely different efficiencies by having the right people behind
the wheel — people who thrive on
driving and doing business in the environment (ie., urban or rural) where
they feel most comfortable.
The most important position in
the entire operation, in that sense
— where the rubber truly meets the
road — might just be the Human
Resources Director.
a mobile communications and onboard computing company
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9
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
3/3/10 12:00 PM
Fleet
Management
Software
By Kelly Parker
Advances with new technology,
upgrades and software
10
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
A
dvances in electronic and
online technology continue
to permeate every facet of
life, so it should be no surprise that in
the fleet management field, the next
piece of hardware or software — be
it an upgrade of existing resources
or a new technology entirely — is
never far off. The Counsellor thought
it might be helpful to pass along a
summary of the latest from a handful
of prominent providers.
and, through custom integration,
will report back to the customers’
legacy system. It also has the ability
to integrate to a hand-held to allow
for barcode scanning and signature
capture capabilities with a custom
application that communicates
through our system (XAM). In turn,
that would feed the back-end with
the pertinent data and customer
details regarding the pickup and
delivery of their shipment, driver
details — including hours of service,
GPS locations, landmarks, and geofencing capabilities — all of the bells
and whistles.”
PeopleNet, Jamie Williams,
President – Canadian Sales
• “We just introduced something
called the PeopleNet Tablet, which
is the trucking industry’s first optionally portable on-board computer
that runs all of the safe applications
and all of the same back office that
our BLU product had in a driver
friendly piece of hardware with a
seven-inch touch screen – which
includes a stylus. It’s robust, has
lots of communication speed, and a
120 GB hard drive operating under
Windows 7. The main thing that
sets it apart, though, is its flexibility;
drivers can take it out of the cab to
capture signatures, scan bar codes,
take photos, etc. It’s not a hand-held
or an in-cab display; it’s a combination of both.”
• “The other thing that we’re
constantly updating is our automated driver logs that help fleets
meet the CSA 2010 compliance
model through a combination of
GPS and vehicle management engine
diagnostic information. The nice
thing is that it needs no new hardware or software, and it will really
help the driver improve their safety
efficiency while delivering real-time
information across the network.”
Go Far with Great HR
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Volume II, Immigrants and Temporary Foreign Workers,
provides the tools and templates you need for recruitment,
cultural awareness, orientation and integration of foreign-trained workers.
For more HR information, Volume I, Practical Tips and Tools for the
Trucking Industry, offers application, orientation and evaluation templates,
and vital HR information.
To order Your Guide to Human Resources visit www.cthrc.com
Our Industry. Your Council!
Xata Turnpike, Rob
Pallante, Director of
Business Development
• “For the private fleet segment, our
XataNet solution offers automated
logging and hours of service, plugs
into the engine, has GPS capabilities
This project is funded by the
Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.
3231_CTHRC_Pub_Ad_HR_Guides_E2_ART.indd 1
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
11
9/30/09 10:54:48 AM
rugged meets
profitable.
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• “ For smaller fleets, Xata’s purchase of
Turnpike Global has given us access
to their product Route Tracker. It’s
almost plug and play; it’s basically
a black box that can be installed in
under 10 minutes. We also have the
TP Mobile application that simply
gets downloaded as an app on the
BlackBerry that will allow — through
the use of Bluetooth technology —
the drivers to log in, run their hours
of service, and do a DVIR inspection.
It can process their IFTA reports
through a very simple print, sign and
send method, and all for a very low
cost — under $45.”
Have you
taken your
career to
the next
level?
• “We’ve re-tooled our Trailer Tracking product, adding more functionality and reducing the capital cost,
as well as improving the installation
time — a key requirement for these
fleets.’
Get ahead with the Professional Driver Trainer Certification Program.
National certification helps establish standards for safe professional practices
with increased recognition for you, and positive direction for the
trucking industry.
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with the Professional Driver Trainer Certification Program.
Apply online now at www.cthrc.com.
• “There are three significant
advances that we have been
working on, [and they are] all
driven by the fact that customers
need more, want more, and are
challenged by economic models
and regulatory issues.”
• “The release of Qualcomm’s next
generation of in-cab communication solutions is called the MCP200
— the industry’s first real tri-mode
communications solution designed
to utilize cellular, satellite and Wi-Fi
to provide on-board solutions. The
new generation is an XP platform,
so that it is the first true on-board,
rugged-ized PC that incorporates a
number of our existing applications
for navigation, hours of service,
critical event reporting, speed
gauge, performance monitoring
and on-board scanning.”
ATTENTION: DRIVER TRAINERS!
Use our easy three step process to get certified.
Shaw Tracking, Mike Ham,
Vice President of Business
Solutions
• “Our Shaw Mobile product utilizes
an Intermec hand-held, allowing
power of communications both
inside and outside of the vehicle. It
allows our customers to have a tool
to take right to the shipper to do
barcode reading, signature capture,
bill of lading scanning and closure
of an order right on site [even as it
monitors and reports] all of those
other things that we need to do
to monitor the performance of the
driver and the asset for idle, speed,
hard-braking and all of those other
critical event reports that we need
to gather.”
Our Industry. Your Council!
This project is funded by the
Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program.
14
3231_CTHRC_Pub_PDTCP_Ad_ART2.indd 1
9/11/09 2:46:12 PM
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
CELLPHONE
BANS
By Matthew Bradford
A Fair
Call for
Drivers?
A
lot of accusations have
been levelled at cellphones
in recent years, but none
have struck as much of a public
chord as the ones that suggest
cellphones may be the key culprit
in distracted driving accidents.
Accurate or not, this concern is one
that has reached the ears of enough
influential people to result in bans
across Canada, the U.S. and around the
globe, on using hand-held cellphones
while driving.
Just how much cellphones are to blame
in distracted driving incidents is a debate that
is supported by research and experts on every
side. Defending its legislation, the Ontario Ministry
of Transportation cites a number of studies including
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 2009’s research
which showed that reaching for a hand-held unit within a
vehicle increased the risk of accidents by up to 1.4 times for
car drivers and 6.7 times for truck drivers. Others, like the 2004
study conducted by U.S. professors Dr. David L. Strayer and Dr.
Frank A. Drews, concluded that cellphone use resulted in 18
per cent slower reaction times, and a 2007 study by the Insurance Bureau of Canada further noted novice drivers who used
cellphones drove more erratically than their adult counterparts.
15
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
Cellphone legislation
Canada
5 provinces have some form of cellphone ban.
(Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, British
Columbia, Ontario)
3 provinces are in the process of creating cellphone bans.
(Alberta, New Brunswick, Yukon Territories)
U.S.
States with some kind of ban on text messaging (full or for
novice drivers, as noted) include:
Alabama (novice drivers) Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Georgia, Guam, Illinois,
Indiana (novice) Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine
(novice), Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi (novice), Missouri (novice), Nebraska, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas (novice),
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (learner
of intermediate licence), Wisconsin, Wyoming
States with hand-held bans include:
Arkansas (18-20), California, Connecticut, Delaware, D.C,
Louisiana (novice), Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico (in
state vehicles), New York, Oklahoma (novice), Oregon,
Virgin Islands, Washington
States with no legislation at all (but may have some in the
works) include: Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, South Carolina
Source: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
Considering this credible mix of
domestic and international evidence,
the Ontario Ministry’s position that
cellphones are indeed the largest
factor in distracted driving accidents
appears to hold some water. Confirms
Bob Nichols, Senior Media Liaison
Officer with the Ministry, “Studies
have shown that drivers who use cellphones are four times more likely to
get into a collision than drivers who
are focused on the road. Evidence from
the United Kingdom and Australia also
indicates that if enforcement and
public education are sustained, the use
of these devices while driving tends to
be reduced, and road safety improves.”
Surely, there are few who would
debate the fact that cellphones can
pose a distraction, yet there are many
who would suggest they are bearing
an unfair amount of the distracted
driving burden.
According to research gathered by
the Canadian Automobile Association
(CAA), cellphones are reported to play
a part in only 1.5 to 5.0 per cent of
distracted driver accidents which, in
themselves, account for only 8 to 13
per cent of ‘driver inattention’ incidents. Says Dean Morin, Communications Manager with CAA, “While cellphones get a lot of publicity as one of
the main culprits of distracted driving,
it’s important to note that several other
factors are equally as distracting on the
road, such as car radios, personal grooming, eating, drinking and other exterior influences.”
Certainly, there’s weight to the
idea that it’s the distractions themselves that are cause for concern.
And while the Ministry does not
discount the idea by any stretch, it
remains convinced of its original cellphone conviction. “Several studies
have also shown that the active engagement of conversation can cause high
levels of driver distraction,” admits
Nichols. “However, there is substantial evidence indicating that handheld devices are more of a problem.
Research has shown that the increased
risk from other aspects of cellphone
use, such as dialling, reaching for and
16
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interacting or looking at the device,
causes drivers to take their eyes off the
road and are far more distracting than
the actual conversation.”
For their part, cellphone companies
have addressed the issue by introducing a number of hands-free, voice-activated calling options for consumers.
Major car and truck companies have
also come to market with built-in,
fully integrated and voice-controlled
dashboard systems such as Microsoft’s
SYNC program, Volvo’s Bluetooth
devices and Toyota’s BLU Logic HandsFree system. Attending to commercial
needs, truck manufacturers across
Canada have also begun incorporating Bluetooth enabled tech for better,
hands-free communication between
driver and dispatcher.
Still, while the options are many for
hands-free technology, there exists no
government incentive for employers
or consumers to invest in hands-free
technology. Moreover, the question
remains as to whether or not handsfree tech is even the answer to vehicular cellphone bans.
2008 study in the US Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. In it, Lee
Strayer, a professor with the University
of Utah, argues that conversations are
a definite distraction, whether they are
conducted via handset or hands-free.
In a following interview, Strayer stated,
“When you take a look at the data, it
turns out that a driver conversing with
a passenger is not as impaired as a
driver talking on a cellphone. The difference between a cellphone conversation and a passenger conversation is
due to the fact that the passenger is in
the vehicle and knows what the traffic
conditions are like, and they help the
driver by reminding them of where to
take an exit and pointing out hazards.”
Given the credible evidence for
and against the validity of cellphone
legislation, one has to wonder if we’ve
only just begun to chip away at a much
larger issue.
“It’s a very complicated problem
and there’s no silver bullet,” says
Vanlaar, noting that while initial cellphone use dropped immediately after
legislation, it has since returned to near
pre-legislation levels. “The problem is
so complicated that it’s not possible to
solve with just one solution; be it a new
law, education or establishing working
relationships with the industry. If
there’s going to be a solution it’s going
to have to come from a combination of
all these factors.”
No matter where one falls on the
issue of cellphone legislations, it’s
hard to find fault with the law’s overall
intent: that is, to make our roads safer.
Says Nichols, “The goal of the new law
is to make our roads safer for all road
users and pedestrians. Anything that
distracts or competes with a driver’s
attention impairs driving performance
and increases the risk of a collision.”
In short: If you have to take a call,
find a place to park.
“That is the one million dollar question,” says Ward Vanlaar, Vice President of Research at Canada’s Traffic
Injury Research Foundation (TIRF).
“This has been debated for a long
time, but if you look at all the available
evidence, there’s a consensus now
that using hand-held or hand s-free
units are both equally dangerous.”
That consensus, notes Vanlaar, can
be found in B.C.’s 2008 report entitled A meta-analysis on the effects of
cell phones on driver performance
published in the Accident, Analysis
and Prevention magazine, one of
the leading journals in the field. In
it, authors Jeff Caird, Chelsey R. Willness, Piers Steele and Chip Scialfa
compiled 33 conclusive research
papers on the subject of distracted
driving. Among their findings, the
study shows that hand-held and
hands-free phone usage produce
similar performance decrements as
well as comparable crash risks.
This notion is also supported in a
Belleville: 538 Grills Road, Belleville, ON N1T 1Z6
Cambridge: 410 Pinebush Road, Concord, ON L4K 3Z3
Milton: 8155 Lawson Road, Milton, ON L9T 5E5
Head Office: 36 Cardico Dr., Gormley ON L0H 1G0
Tel.: (905) 760-7503 Fax: (905) 760-9501
TollFree: 1-866-482-5311
[email protected]
17
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
!
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Join
The PMTC is the only Canadian association dedicated to the interests of private fleet operators.
We offer forums for fleet operators and suppliers to exchange views and resolve issues together, and we
are at the forefront in representing your interests to government, protecting
your rights, and supporting the needs of private carriers.
Visit our website at
PMTC publications and seminars will keep you abreast of what you need
www.pmtc.ca
to know to work successfully in the private trucking community. And as a
special benefit, our position in the North American Private Truck Council gives members a window on
private trucking activities in the U.S.A. and Mexico.
Complete and fax this information request form to receive a no-obligation membership kit.
Please send me
a free no-obligation
membership kit
Name
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Mail to:
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Council of Canada
1660 North Service Road East,
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Oakville, ON L6H 7G3
Or Fax to: 905-827-8212
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with
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tractors
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trailers
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others
other leased personnel
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18
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
The Bridge to the 21st Century
L
ike all successful organizations, the Private
Motor Truck Council of Canada improves
by adapting to change. The effectiveness of
these changes depends totally upon the commitment of the private trucking community and its suppliers to their own future. Several years ago the council
sought investment to continue providing programs and
services and to make sure its voice remains strong, clear
and persuasive.
The “Bridge to the 21st Century Fund” was created to:
• Build an operating reserve to allow the council to continue to promote the special interests of the private
trucking community and to continue the provision of
valuable services and programs;
• Continue our commitment to the Canadian Trucking
Human Resources Council to ensure the development
of a skilled worker pool for the future;
• Defray legal and administrative expenses involved in
making briefs and presentations to government;
• Be a one-time campaign fund to provide the momentum
to carry PMTC into the 21st Century.
A number of supporters responded to the challenge,
and in doing so, became members of a very special group
of PMTC supporters. On this page you’ll see the companies that have already made this commitment — we
extend our thanks on behalf of the entire membership.
Bruce J. Richards
Bruce
Richards
President,
PMTC
President, PMTC
19
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
BUYE
RS’
GUID
PMT
C is
nize
those pleased t
o
comp
mark
anies
ed
as va
lued
mem
bers.
recog
E
20
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
Additives
Howes Lubricator Products
60 Ocean State Drive
N. Kingstown, RI 02852
Kelly Archambault
Tel: 401-294-5500
Fax: 401-294-4229
[email protected]
www.howeslube.com
Fleet Management
Services
PeopleNet
1107 Hazeltine Boulevard, Suite 350
Chaska, MN 55318
Meghan AuBuchon
Tel: 888-346-3486
Fax: 952-368-9320
[email protected]
www.peoplenetonline.com
Human Resources Council
Truck Bodies & Trailers
Canadian Trucking Human
Resources Council
203-720 Belfast Road
Ottawa, ON K1G 0Z5
Tel: 613-244-4800
Fax: 613-244-4535
[email protected]
www.cthrc.com
Human Resources &
Employment Services
Huron Services Group Ltd.
A CPC LOGISTICS COMPANY
418 North Service Road East, Suite 3C
Oakville, ON L6H 5R2
John Thomson
Vice President Canadian Operations
Tel: 1-800-92HURON or 905-845-4075
Fax: 905-845-4802
[email protected]
www.callcpccanada.com
Trailers, Rentals, Sales
& Leasing
WESTERNSTAR.COM/HWY-COUNSELLOR
Western Star Trucks
12120 Telegraph Road
Redford Township, MI 48239
Akbar Ghous
Tel: 313-592-4236
Fax: 313-592-4247
[email protected]
www.westernstartrucks.com
Truck & Trailer Access
Products
Bustin Industrial Products
401 Oak Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Mike Williams
www.bustin-usa.com
WS/MC-A-310. Specificati
without notice. Western S
registered to ISO 9001:200
Copyright © Daimler Trucks N
reserved. Western Star Truck
Daimler Trucks North Americ
GTA Trailer Rentals Inc.
36 Cardico Drive
Gormley, ON L0H 1G0
Jason Ciciretto
Tel: 905-888-6363
Fax: 905-888-6061
[email protected]
www.gtatrailer.com
Trucks
PACCAR of Canada Ltd.
6711 Mississauga Road, Suite 501
Mississauga, ON L5N 4J8
Greg Grabinsky
Tel: 905-858-7097
[email protected]
www.paccar.com
21
The Counsellor • Fall 2010
COUNSELLOR
the
Advertisers Index
PMTC is pleased to recognize those companies marked
as valued members.
Bustin Industrial Products.......................................21
www.bustin-usa.com
Huron Services Group Ltd.
.................................................... Outside Back Cover
www.callcpccanada.com
Canadian Trucking Human
Resources Council (CTHRC).......................... 11 & 14
www.cthrc.com
PACCAR of Canada Ltd. . ...................... 22
www.paccar.com
GTA Trailer Rentals Inc......................... 17
www.gtatrailer.com
PeopleNet......................................... 8 & 9
www.peoplenetonline.com
Howes Lubricator.......................... Inside Front Cover
www.howeslube.com
Western Star Trucks............ 12 & 13 & 21
www.westernstartrucks.com
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22
For information on the PMTC call 905-827-0587, Fax 905-827-8212, or visit our website at www.pmtc.ca
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