A new provincial initiative aimed at improving the training, testing and oversight of all motorists, including those in the commercial trucking industry, is both welcome and needed in Alberta.
Coming in the wake of the horrific Humboldt Broncos tragedy that claimed the lives of 16 people and injured more than a dozen others, the "Better-trained drivers keep roads safe" undertaking will include consultations with key stakeholders.
Whether the project will lead to safer roads in rural Alberta remains to be seen. What is known is that with almost every resident in this province making use of public roads on a daily basis, efforts to improve overall road safety is in everyone’s best interest.
The consultations will focus on mandatory entry-level training for commercial drivers, modifying the road test model for all driver’s licence classes, and pre-entry requirements for new commercial carriers.
For his part, Minister of Transportation Brian Mason says keeping Alberta’s roads safe is a must.
“We need to ensure that Alberta’s driver examination model is safe, transparent and secure,” said Mason. “And registry agents play a vital role in this system. They provide front-line services and jobs throughout the province.
“That’s what we need, to consult and work with them on these proposed changes to ensure that Albertans can continue to access these services.”
Alberta Motor Transport Association officials have welcomed the initiative.
“We believe minimum standard training is required for both new and existing commercial drivers and carriers to operate on Alberta roadways,” said association president Chris Nash.
“We look forward to working with government to develop standard training in the transportation industry.”
Regarding driver examinations, the government is planning modifications to the road test model for all classes of drivers, including the possibility of restoring driver examiners as government employees.
Alberta has one of the finest road networks anywhere in Canada. This new initiative to identify and promote improvements that could make those roadways safer is welcome.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.
