A survey of heavy truck operators was conducted in 1986 at eleven weigh scales across seven provinces. A total of 1509 drivers were interviewed. The results of the survey include some of the following observations: 1) 28% of the drivers had taken a tractor-trailer driving course; 2) 64% of drivers reported that they never wear a seat belt and another 13% reported that they wear a seat belt some of the time; 3) 34% of the drivers stated that they had driven for more than 10 hours in the last 24 hour period and 24% stated that they had driven more than 60 hours over the last 7 day period (these are the maximum limits under the canada labour code, subject to certain exemptions); 4) 85% of drivers stated they never had difficulty staying alert while driving, although 50% claimed that they knew drivers who had had accidents or close calls after falling asleep at the wheel; 5) drivers who owned the tractor they were driving tended to drive greater distances per year and more hours in the past week; 6) 33% of those surveyed drove within province only, 40% drove within canada and 27% drove within both canada and the united states; 7) about 10% of drivers believed that driving a tractor while under the influence of alcohol was a frequent practice.
Samenvatting