OPP, MTO crack down on transport drivers in wake of highway deaths
Provincial police and the Ministry of Transportation are teaming up to crack down on commercial transport truck drivers who aren't following the rules of the road.
Sergeant Carolle Dionne says trucks involved in collisions with other vehicles often result in fatalities. A total of 14 people died in collisions with transports in northeastern Ontario last year, she said.
Only one of them was driving a transport, while the rest were in the other vehicles. Collisions involving the large commercial vehicles usually are fatal for drivers of the smaller vehicles, Dionne noted.
The number of deaths in 2014 is a jump from 2013, when five people lost their lives in collisions with tractor trailers.
Dionne said commercial truck drivers are generally safe drivers, but like anyone, can be tempted to ignore the law.
"They're not immune to it. We've had commercial vehicle operators charged with impaired operation both by drugs and with alcohol," she said.
"They're not immune to the drinking and driving, and the seatbelt laws, and speeding and distraction — just like any other motorist out there."
This summer's ramped-up enforcement in Ontario will occur on Highways 11 and 17, from border to border.
"We focus on speeding, distraction, [and] ensure they have a speed limiter in their vehicle," Dionne continued.
"[We want to ensure] they don't have any hazardous moving violations, that they have the proper equipment, and that they wear their seatbelts."