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The debate over whether or not to mandate speed limiters on commercial trucks has always been a controversial one. Now, with the US taking another step closer to making them a requirement, some provinces in Canada and the rest of the global trucking industry are watching closely to see what happens.

So, what are speed limiters, and why are they such a hot-button issue? In this post, we’ll give you a brief overview of everything you need to know.

The Basics of Speed Limiters

A speed limiter is a device that’s fitted to a vehicle engine. It regulates the maximum speed at which the engine can operate, regardless of how much pedal the driver presses down. 

In other words, it acts as an invisible hand on the throttle, keeping speeds at a safe level. 

The Pursuit of Safety

Safety—it’s a word that’s on everyone’s mind when it comes to road transportation. For commercial trucks, which are often carrying large loads and traveling at high speeds, the stakes are even higher. That’s why various organizations have been calling for the implementation of speed limiters on trucks for years.

Of course, in two of Canada’s largest provinces, Ontario and Quebec, this isn’t anything new—speed limiters have been mandatory for years. In Ontario, Canada, Bill 41—or the Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Speed Limiting Systems)—was enacted on March 19, 2008, mandating speed limiters for commercial vehicles. 

Bill 41 is an amendment to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act that requires large trucks to have speed limiters installed, and sets the maximum truck operating speed at 105 kilometers per hour (km/h). Backing this crucial ruling are the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA).

In the Province of Quebec, legislation has been passed requiring the usage of truck speed limiters. It also specifies that a vehicle with a speed limiter already installed must be switched on and the maximum permitted speed set at 105 km/h. In Quebec, fines for non-compliance range from $350 to $1,050. In Ontario, the fine is $310.

 Unlike the position taken up by Ontario and Quebec, Alberta remains opposed to speed limiters.

“Forcing trucks to stay below 105 km/h on provincial highways could potentially cause more collisions on roads, while other vehicles travel at higher speeds,” said former Transport Minister Luke Ouellette

“I believe it is safer to have trucks moving at the same speed as other traffic, to reduce the collisions resulting from an increase in lane changing. If there’s a real problem with certain carriers, we can deal with that through roadside enforcement or other measures. So, unless it becomes a North American standard, I really don’t see any reason why our government would force you to put them in your vehicles.” 

Alberta’s speed limits at the moment are as follows:

• 100 km/h is the maximum speed limit on a provincial highway located outside an urban area.

• 80 km/h is the maximum speed limit on a provincial highway located inside a corporate limit of a city

• 80 km/h is the maximum speed limit on a roadway that is located outside an urban area

• 50 km/h is the maximum speed limit on a roadway that is located within an urban area, unless otherwise posted.

However, a private member’s bill could make Alberta the latest province to tinker with its speed limits. The bill, which was put forth by Spruce Grove-Stony Plain MLA Searle Turton in March, would increase speed limits on all non-urban divided highways to 120 km/h. 

Gordon Lovegrove, associate professor of engineering at the University of British Columbia, found fatal collisions rose by 118 per cent over the last three years, which prompted the government to revert back in some areas. His advice for Alberta? 

“Do this with a lot of forethought and planning,” he said.

“We become a pinball inside a car in a crash. The driver has less reaction time at a higher speed, you’ve got less distance because you’ve gone further at that higher speed before you react,” he added.

On the other hand, some believe that speed limiters could actually make the roads more dangerous. One of the main arguments against mandatory speed limiters is that if trucks move at the same speed, it could create a situation where cars try to pass the trucks and then cut back in, which could lead to accidents. 

Let’s explore the pros and cons of this issue in more depth. 

Arguments For and Against Speed Limiters

There are several arguments for and against mandatory speed limiters. We list some of the main arguments made by opposing sides below. 

Pros of Mandatory Speed Limiters

1) Improved Road Safety

Speeding is a leading cause of traffic fatalities and injuries. Excessive speeding reduces the amount of time a driver has to react in a dangerous situation in order to avoid a crash, increases vehicle stopping distance, and affects the ability of road safety structures—such as guardrails, impact attenuators, crash cushions, median dividers, and concrete barriers—to safeguard vehicle occupants in a crash.

According to a report by The Independent, nearly 2,000 Canadians are killed each year and another 10,000 seriously injured in collisions involving a heavy truck (one with a gross vehicle weight greater than 12,000 pounds).  

A recent study found trucks with speed limiting devices have a 50% lower crash rate compared to trucks without such devices, further supporting the argument that mandating speed limiters could help improve road safety.

David Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association, agrees with the use of speed limiters, saying these are key in helping keep highways safe.

“The mandatory activation of speed limiters is an effective way for the trucking industry to further contribute to safer highways. This is the right thing to do.”

2) Better Fuel Efficiency

 Trucking companies are always looking for ways to cut costs and improve their bottom line, and one way to do that is by increasing fuel efficiency.

Speed limiters can help to improve fuel efficiency because the truck will be using less fuel to maintain a lower speed. For example, when a truck is traveling at a high speed, it needs to use more fuel in order to maintain that speed. By limiting the truck’s speed, it will use less fuel and will therefore be more efficient.

The potential fuel savings associated with speed limiters is significant and could be as high as $250 million per year for the carrier industry in Canada. Fuel savings is the main driver behind the decision by most carriers to implement speed limiter policies.

 In addition, speed limiters can help to reduce wear and tear on the truck’s engine, which can also lead to increased fuel efficiency. As a result, speed limiters can be a valuable way to increase the fuel efficiency of commercial trucks.

3) Reduced Emissions

 When a truck is traveling at high speeds, the engine has to work harder, which uses more fuel. By capping the speed of the truck, the engine doesn’t have to work as hard, which reduces the amount of fuel that is used and, as a result, the emissions that are produced.

The environmental benefits are equally significant representing a potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions amounting to 0.6 megatonnes per year. Environmental concerns are probably the main driver behind the decision by some provinces (Quebec and Ontario) to introduce speed limiter regulations.

Cons of Mandatory Speed Limiters

1) More Traffic Congestion

Some argue that one of the biggest drawbacks to speed limiters is that they can actually lead to increased traffic congestion. 

If all trucks are required to travel at the same speed, it is likely that there will be more trucks on the road at any given time. This could lead to increased traffic congestion and longer wait times for drivers who are stuck behind a slow-moving truck. 

2) Loss Of Productivity

Now here’s one that will likely get the attention of trucking companies: a potential loss in productivity. 

If all trucks are required to travel at the same speed, it is likely that they will take longer to make deliveries. This could lead to a loss in productivity for trucking companies, as well as increased shipping costs. In addition, it is possible that some companies may be forced to reduce the number of trucks on the road in order to compensate for the increased travel time.

3) Unintended Safety Issues

On the highway, vehicles interact more frequently when moving at different speeds, which might result in hazardous driving situations. 

If and when vehicles of any kind can’t reach a safe passing speed, speed limiters could pose safety risks, particularly on two-lane roadways. This could lead to accidents as drivers become frustrated and attempt to pass the trucks in unsafe ways.

Pushing for Change

With strong opposing comments, it’s evident that there is still much debate surrounding the mandate of speed limiters. However, many mandate advocates and officials continue to push for change in an effort to put into effect what they believe will result in improved safety for all motorists. 

So as the debate continues, it’s important to stay informed and make safety a priority when traveling on the roadways. If you have any questions about speed limiters or want to learn more about commercial driving safety, please contact Gennaro Transport Training today. 

We offer a range of courses covering everything about commercial truck driving. Contact us and we’d be happy to help you find the right training solution for your needs.

As the truck driver shortage continues to plague the industry, many trucking companies are banking on one demographic that we all look to when a crisis hits: women. 

When the economy took a nosedive in the 1929 stock market crash, it was women who went out and got jobs to help support their families while their husbands were unemployed. And now, in 2022, with the truck driver shortage at an all-time high, it’s once again women who are being looked to as a solution.

So, what’s the current status of female drivers in the trucking industry? And what are truck companies doing to attract more women to the field? Let’s take a look. 

Women in Trucking Today

 Statistics show that almost half (47%) of Canada’s workforce is composed of women. However, in the trucking industry, that number drops to only three percent. 

 In the past, this low number might have been accepted as the norm as, historically, trucking has been a male-dominated industry. But now more trucking companies are taking a closer look at their hiring practices and are asking themselves: why aren’t more women driving trucks?

The answer to that question is not a simple one. There are a number of factors that play into why women are underrepresented in the trucking industry—from cultural norms to a lack of family-friendly policies. But whatever the reason, trucking companies are starting to sit up and take notice. In fact, the number of female truck drivers has risen steadily in recent years in Canada & the US. Since 2010, there has been an 88% increase in the number of women getting their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL).

However, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of attracting women drivers. With 23,000 vacant truck driver positions in Canada that need to be filled in, it’s clear that the industry needs to start making some changes to get women behind the wheel.

So, what’s being done to address this gender gap? We explore the initiatives that trucking companies are taking to bring more women into the industry.

Women in Trucking & Women’s Trucking Federation Of Canada 

Two such organizations, Women in Trucking (WIT) and the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada (WTFC), are making strides in creating a more inclusive industry for women and helping break down the barriers that are preventing them from joining the field.

These organizations work to promote women’s employment in the trucking industry and support female truck drivers through networking, education, and advocacy.

The Women in Trucking Association is a non-profit organization with the mission to encourage women’s employment in the trucking industry. It also supports the advancement of women in the industry and minimizes obstacles that might prevent their success. 

Meanwhile, The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada is a national organization created for women to empower, expand and retain employment of — and shift attitudes about—women in the industry and beyond. This includes supporting the industry with issues around training, safety, career progression, education, mentoring, and more. Established in 2015, the group aims to promote personal growth and responsibility whether women are “in the office, under the hood or behind the wheel”. 

Programs That Encourage Women in Trucking

Aside from the work of organizations like WIT and WTFC, there are also many programs in place to help encourage women to enter the trucking industry. Here are a few of them: 

Alberta Government Supporting Women In Commercial Trucking Careers

Alberta’s government has earmarked $3 million to help support women who are seeking job opportunities in the transportation sector. As one of the five pillars of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the province is strengthening the workforce with skills training and employment grants. This funding is part of a $10-million investment in the 2022 budget to help reduce labor shortages in the commercial trucking industry.

Driving Back To Work Grant Program

Unemployed Albertans have an opportunity to start careers as commercial truck drivers through the extension of the Driving Back to Work Grant Program (DBTW). Unemployed Albertans can access funding to take the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program to earn a Class 1 driver’s license. This grant will help to fill an expected shortage of commercial drivers, forecast to be more than 12% by 2023, putting the province’s supply chain at risk.

Women With Drive Leadership Summit

 The annual Women with Drive Leadership Summit has become the industry’s go-to event for leaders across the sector. It works to support and strengthen their workforce through strong diversity and inclusion initiatives backed by action and understanding. Delegates leave this event with new connections, ideas, and best practices in recruitment and retention that foster inclusive workplaces.

“The representation of women in the trucking and logistics industry remains well below their representation in Canada’s workforce as a whole,” says Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada. “The Women with Drive Leadership Summit puts the issue front and center; promotes the sharing of ideas, experiences, and leadership practices while providing richer perspectives on the issue.”

Top Fleet Employers Program

The Top Fleet Employers program is a national program that recognizes the importance of having and implementing sound HR policies and practices in the trucking and logistics industry. Trucking HR Canada rates applicants for this distinction on topics such as recruitment and retention practices, workplace culture, compensation, training and skills development, and innovative HR practices. 

Skills Training Project In Ontario

The Ontario government is investing $600,000 in a skills training project in the Waterloo region to prepare 30 women and individuals from underrepresented groups for careers in the trucking industry. This program will provide people with more opportunities to find meaningful, well-paying jobs and address labor shortages in the region’s trucking sector. 

YWCA Changing Gears

This is a free truck driver training program for self-identifying women. Participants will have the opportunity to acquire a Class 1 driver’s license as well as the training needed to kick start a career in transportation. 

Women Shifting Gears

Women Shifting Gears is a unique program designed to empower women and develop their skills to enter the transportation industry as a Class 1A Professional Truck Transport Driver. The program results from a collaboration between the Saskatchewan Trucking Association, the YWCA Saskatoon, and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.

Women Success Stories in the Trucking Industry

Despite the challenges faced by women in the trucking industry, there are many success stories of those who have persevered and made a name for themselves. Let’s look at several who have blazed a trail for other women.

1) Luella Bates

In 1918, Luella Bates became the first woman truck driver. She worked for the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company from 1918 to 1922. She was a test driver for the company during WWI, traveling across Wisconsin. Luella Bates worked as a demonstrator and driver even after the war, when most women were laid off to make room for returning soldiers. She was a proficient driver and mechanic who took care of all her truck’s maintenance.

2) Lillie Elizabeth Drennan

Lillie Elizabeth Drennan is recognized as being the first female truck driver and owner of a trucking company in the United States. Drennan and her husband took advantage of the oil boom in 1928. They established their own trucking company, which she eventually became sole proprietor of. After the Railroad Commission began overseeing the motor-freight industry in Texas, she obtained her commercial truck driver’s license in 1929.

3) Kitty Liang

Kitty Liang’s narrative is one of passion and creativity, as she uses trucking to discover inspiration all around the US. Liang hails from Sacramento, California, but was born in China and immigrated to the United States in 2007. She received a Master’s degree in English Creative Writing from Harvard University.

Liang realized after graduation that she didn’t want to be tied down in an office and wanted to learn more about the United States, where she had recently become a citizen. Liang decided to become a truck driver with these two things in mind. As a Schneider truck driver, she found the training to be calm and laid back. She also had the opportunity to travel around the country while creating art.

Kitty has always felt welcome in the trucking profession and wanted to share her experiences with others. The job never felt too difficult, and she always felt accomplished, and she hopes that others feel the same way.

4) Molly Sizer

Molly Sizer is a YouTube celebrity and a contestant in the 2017 Most Beautiful Trucker event. There is a lot more to Sizer, though, than her good looks. She is renowned as a tireless worker, driving hundreds of miles and transporting up to 50,000 pounds of frac sand as a professional frac sand hauler. In a feature on FreighWaves, Sizer shared how much she enjoys her profession.

“What was most thrilling was going to these sites and working with these other drivers, and everyone is hyped up because there is a lot of money to be made – the passion and high level of emotion are contagious,” says the driver.

Sizer’s YouTube channel—where she gives people a peek into the day-to-day grind of being a woman in the trucking profession—has thousands of subscribers and views.

5) Susie De Ridder

Susie De Ridder won Female Driver of the Year in 2020. She is the first recipient of the coveted award sponsored by Women In Trucking Association (WIT) and Walmart. She works as a driver for Armour Transportation Systems in New Brunswick, Canada.

“I am always inspiring and encouraging the next generation to join the trucking industry. I promote this in my daily travels with Clare, WIT’s trucking doll. She is proudly displayed on my dash and is a great conversation starter to tell others about my awesome trucking career,” said De Ridder. 

De Ridder has been driving for 40 years and has gone over four million miles without an accident. She was named to WIT’s Image Team in 2018 after serving on the board of the Women in Trucking Federation of Canada. Since then, she’s been featured in trucking periodicals in the United States and Canada, giving women in the trucking profession a lot of visibility.

As a panelist and speaker, De Ridder speaks at and participates in many trucking industry events. She regularly visits Girl Gala Events at high schools and community colleges as a mentor.

Ready to Get Started On Your Trucking Career?

The trucking industry is changing, and with it, the role of women within it. Women are now more visible than ever before in this traditionally male-dominated field.  And with more opportunities opening up for female drivers, the crisis of the driver shortage may soon be a thing of the past. 

If you’re a woman considering a career in trucking, there has never been a better time to get behind the wheel. Contact Gennaro Transport Training today to learn more about our courses and see how we can help you start your career in trucking.