Following the recently reported accident which involved a semi-trailer truck colliding with a coach bus, the Government of Alberta has issued a response. In this response it was stated that training for new commercial drivers would now become mandatory. On top of this, pre-existing safety requirements will also be strengthened to hopefully prevent a repetition of the previously mentioned horrific accident in which sixteen were killed and thirteen injured. For any claims that were filed for compensation, the importance of a personal injury lawyer in Red Deer was understood.
What Will This New Mandatory Training Look Like And How Will It Be Implemented?
To ensure a higher safety standard on our highways, Class 1 licenses, which allow the driving of semi-tractor trailers, and Class 2 licenses, which allow the driving of buses commercially, are only be issued to drivers who have successfully conquered the standardized curriculum and new hours of training, as well as passed the tests for increased knowledge and road.
Beginning at March of 2019, all drivers seeking to obtain either a Class 1 or Class 2 license will have to pass an entry level training course, which includes in-class, in-yard, and in-vehicle training, as well as a minimum of 125 hours spent training, before they take an air-brake test. This is an important component of the safety aspects of the trucking industry and has to be adhered to for ensuring higher safety on the roads.
Anyone who has obtained either the Class 1 or Class 2 license between the dates of October 10th, 2018 and 1st of March 2019, they will have to take the new knowledge and road test, however, this will be free of charge and only as a matter to prove their driving won’t pose a threat to other people’s safety.
What New Requirements Will Commercial Carriers Have To Fulfill?
In Alberta alone, there are already over 25,000 commercial vehicles that are utilizing a staggering over 150,000 autos, which are navigating our highways on a regular basis.Starting at January 1st of 2019, each of these commercial vehicles will have to:
• Present full documents as they apply for a Safety Fitness Certificate, as well as upon each instance in which they apply to renew said certificate in three year intervals
• Successfully complete the new compulsory safety course, as well as a test of their knowledge before they can continue the operation of their vehicles
• Successfully undergo the review of a formal third party to prove they are compliant of provincial and federal safety regulations as they continue the operation of their vehicles