ABS to be mandatory on trucks this year

OTTAWA (Feb. 10) — Canada is finally getting regulations requiring antilock braking systems on medium and heavy trucks, tractors, semi-trailers, and buses.

Expected to be in force as of December this year, the new regime will apply only to new vehicles, but will cover more than just air-braked units. All new trucks with hydraulic brakes and a gross weight rating over 4536 kg will also have to have ABS.

Federal Transport Minister David Collenette says the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations will bring Canada into harmony with the United States and will allow manufacturers to test heavy-vehicle brake performance against the same standard in both countries. The regulations will also require medium and heavy vehicles, braked hydraulically or by air, to meet a detailed series of standards for braking performance.

The new regs were developed following consultation with manufacturers, importers, public safety organizations, and provincial authorities — but apparently not carriers — according to a Transport Canada press release.

The proposed regulations were published on Feb. 6 in Part 1 of the Canada Gazette. Transport Canada will accept comment from interested parties for 90 days following that date.