We’ve learned that all commercial drivers are subject to punishments for wrongdoings over and above that which would be applied to any other driver operating a private motor vehicle. Therefore, when something goes wrong, the commercial driver is held to a much higher standard than just that regular passenger car driver. Why? Are the rules of the road different for commercial drivers? Do the rules of the road apply differently for commercial drivers?
Except for training on the operation of the larger vehicle, the drivers knowledge of rules of the road are the same regardless of what vehicle is being driven. Therefore, why aren’t all drivers considered “professional”? If commercial drivers were considered and in fact actual tradespeople there might be a case for different treatment of commercial drivers being held to that higher standard but that’s not the case. It can’t be viewed as either one way or the other. Unless and until commercial drivers are tradespeople all drivers must be considered equally culpable.
The Humboldt disaster was not a criminal event but it’s had criminal consequences. The accidental running of a stop sign is a Highway Traffic Act offence at best regardless of the consequences. But in this case, it has resulted in a criminal charges and a sentence with incredible ramifications. Now, because of the precedent set every commercial driver in Canada faces criminal proceedings in the event of involvement in a wreck in which death occurs.
The Humboldt sentence is going to have dramatic effects on recruitment. Those who may want to take the additional training to upgrade their skill level to include driving a truck may take a different look at driving as a job, especially considering a hamburger flipping job where the risk of going to prison because of an error you may make during the course of your daily job is nil. Where you must spend days and weeks away from home is not far away and for very little more money than a no risk job.
Every driver regardless of the size of the vehicle is a professional having taken the same “rules of the road” test. The only difference is training of the size of the vehicle. If everyone must follow the same rules, how can one type of driver be more responsible? The only drivers not responsible 100% for their actions are those with learner permits and less than full licences.
Taxi drivers only require a regular car licence yet by driving they earn a living but aren’t professional based on only having a car licence. Same thing for Uber, Lyft and other ride sharing services. What about that driver that brings your restaurant food to your door? These are allegedly operating as professional drivers. Do these drivers pay up to a $30,000 annual insurance premium that truckers often pay?
What about all those government vehicles where a general licence is all that’s required to drive? Are those drivers, like police, simply car drivers?
Every driver with full drivers licence or a classified licence is subject to the same rules, regulations and laws. The difference is the type of vehicle on which they’ve been tested by the government. Why does any driver require being held to a higher standard based on the type of vehicle being driven? The classified drivers licence does not raise the standard required by the rules of the road, or at least it shouldn’t.
