New electronic driver log regulations to curb fatigue among truck drivers

REGINA – The federal government is implementing new regulations that will require truck drivers to log their hours electronically.

Drivers currently log their hours manually by paper and can be behind the wheel for up to 13 hours.

Transport Canada said no date has been set but regulations should be in place when similar rules in the US take effect.

The new electronic devices will track total hours driven and aims to tackle fatigue among bus and truck operators.

Dalron Transport in Regina has three-quarters of the truck fleet already installed with electronic logging devices.

Although his employees still record using paper logs, the electronic device monitors where his drivers are, and how fast they go.

“I don’t want my mother driving down the road, and having somebody that falls asleep at the wheel and runs into her because he didn’t want to be monitored. I think a doctor is monitored, so I’m quite content with it”, Dalron Transport’s Dale Platt said.

Some of the electronic devices on the market today cost roughly $2,000.