BRADLEY INTRODUCES NEW TRUCKING SAFETY PROGRAM

Released on July 9, 1999

Judy Bradley, minister responsible for the Highway Traffic Board,

today announced implementation of a new national safety program for

Saskatchewan's trucking industry that uses carrier at-fault

collisions, convictions and on-road inspections to identify truckers

with a poor safety performance.



"This is a national program being implemented by all jurisdictions

across Canada. Our goal is to generate national safety programs that

are consistent from one jurisdiction to the next," Bradley said.

"This joint project, facilitated by the Highway Traffic Board,

Saskatchewan Government Insurance and Saskatchewan Highways and

Transportation, is an example of government agencies working together

to find a solution to the safety issue surrounding the ever-increasing

number of big trucks on our highways."



The Carrier Profile is a computer program that collects information

about the on-road activities of all commercial truckers plated in

Saskatchewan. The profile collects information on commercial

trucker's convictions, on-road inspection results and involvement in

at-fault collisions. The computer applies demerit points for each

infraction based on its severity.



"Saskatchewan is about the middle of the pack in implementation.

Ontario and Manitoba have already begun the process," Bradley

said.



"Safety is good business and safety is of paramount concern. Few

industries must share their workplace with the public like the

trucking industry does," said Denis Prudhomme, of Prudhomme

Trucks Ltd. in Regina. "While our industry exhibits an enviable

safety performance, we are, along with the government, always

aggressively seeking improvements. The status quo is no longer

acceptable to responsible carriers."



"Every trucker brought into the Compliance Review will be given

ample warning that there is a problem and an opportunity to

improve their performance," Bradley said. If that company does

not improve its performance however, the Highway Traffic Board

can impose sanctions ranging from fines to removing the trucker's

right to operate.



Under the Compliance Review Program, trucking companies may be

asked to attend a meeting to discuss actions required to improve

the safety of the operation. Failure to meet the commitments or

deadlines set forward in the safety plan could result in the

suspension of a carrier's National Safety Code Certificate, and

the registrations of the trucker's commercial vehicles.



"Most commercial trucking companies in Saskatchewan operate

safely and should be commended for their efforts," Bradley said.

"This program is being established to identify that minority of

truckers that pose a danger to the public and force them to

operate at an acceptable level of safety."



All sanctions and decisions made by the Highway Traffic Board can

be appealed to the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench.



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For more information, please contact:



Tim Shoulak, Secretary

Highway Traffic Board Secretariat

Regina

Phone: (306) 775-6661