APTA calls for single carrier profile and safety rating system in Atlantic Canada

HALIFAX (May 15, 2002) — Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association general manager Ralph Boyd leveled stinging criticism at transport regulators in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island over inconsistencies with their motor carrier safety rating and profile systems.

In an interview with Today’s Trucking, Boyd said his association is frustrated by a lack of uniform standards for managing carrier profiles, conducting facility audits, and establishing thresholds for rating carriers on their safety performance. He called for a single carrier profile and safety rating system for the region.

Boyd said the jurisdictions differ on the type of infractions that are included in a carrier’s profile, the period of time they are maintained in system, and whether the profile includes violations that occurred in other provinces.

“New Brunswick, which we held out as having the most comprehensive profile in the region, says its system is ‘in transition.’ Newfoundland builds its profile on a one-year capture period [for infractions and accidents] and not a two-year period, as every other jurisdiction does. You can’t get consistency with four jurisdictions that are within a day’s drive of one another,” Boyd said.

He also pointed to inconsistencies in enforcement.

“How is it, during last year’s RoadCheck blitz, you have 30% of the trucks in New Brunswick receiving an out-of-service violation and 27% in PEI, while in Nova Scotia the number is 15%?” he asked. “The same trucks travel this region.”

Paul Arsenault, director of driver and vehicle safety at Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, said the jurisdictions understand the need for harmony. “We’re committed to improving safety, and to fairness for motor carriers. The four jurisdictions are moving toward some of the things Ralph is talking about.”