[ ♪♪♪ ] -[ David ] Let's talk about
truck driver training. You should see some of
the reckless driving I've seen on the road. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Cars coming. It blows my mind. It's not safe. -[ David ] This is
your Marketplace. Unit 5, brove zero, 10-4,
just running chase cars... -[ David ] On Canada's
busiest highway... We got one. He's on his cell. It looks like something's
out of the norm there. Did he bump into you? -[ David ] ..police are
cracking down on truck drivers. They can be the most
dangerous vehicles on the road, just because of their
mass they're carrying. -[ David ] About
one in five road deaths in Canada involves
commercial trucks. What we are finding with a
lot of the heavy trucks and inexperienced drivers is that
a lot of times they're either travelling the
highways too fast, they're not leaving
enough space for stopping. Apparently this gentleman
said his brakes failed and that caused the collision. -[ David ] Experts
say training for new truck drivers leads
to safer streets. More driver training, good for
everybody out on the roadways. -[ David ] We're going
to test that training. That's why we're
hitting the highways, going across the
country, from Halifax, through the prairies, to BC. First stop... Saskatchewan. Heath, I'm David.
- Nice to meet you, David. -[ David ] Yeah,
good to meet you. So you up for a
big challenge here? Bring it on. -[ David ] Heath
Muggli is on special assignment for Marketplace. We want to see
what you're learning, as you're learning it. We've hired him to go
undercover and find out... What does it take to get
a license to drive an 80,000- pound big rig? And you're good to go. He's going to truck
driving school in Saskatoon. Hi, how are you doing? Good, so day one of my
truck driver training, and I don't know
what I should expect. We're gonna do a circle check. I'm nervous. -[ David ] We want
to know if schools are properly preparing
students to drive big rigs. Or are they just providing
the bare minimum to pass the road test? Ten minutes and
he turns to me and says, "Okay." So, you're going to be
right in, right now. So now I'm driving a big rig. My training thus far in terms
of piloting a vehicle like this, I read a manual. And shift, clutch, clutch. Because you over-rev it. I stalled the truck
about 30 seconds in. Let off the clutch. We're in fourth now. It's not smooth, I
will be honest with you. Eggs would have been broken. -[ David ] In Saskatchewan,
truck training is optional. But if you choose to take
it, there often isn't much. At Heath's school, he's
getting 16 hours over the week, and wonders, "Is that enough?" If I'm a guy just trying to
get my truck drivers license, that makes me feel pretty good. If I'm a guy analysing how
ready I am for the road, then it makes me feel a
little less good about things. -[ David ] Even Heath's
instructors know the training he's
taking isn't enough. After one week, do you
think you're fucking ready for the road? You don't know how
to do a logbook yet. -[ David ] Here's the thing... If Heath was in Ontario,
the law requires at least 100 hours of training. It's the only province
where training is both mandatory and rigourous. Canada's biggest trucking
group argues licensing should be this tough everywhere. Because truck drivers, no matter
where they get their license, cross provincial
borders, yet politicians haven't taken action. Sometimes only
tragedy can bring change. Breaking news, out
of Saskatchewan... There has been a deadly
collision involving a semi truck and a bus RCMP announced 29 criminal
charges against the driver, Jaskirat Singh
Sidhu of Calgary. How long has that
truck driver been driving? -[ David ] Our search
for answers brings us to the sombre
scene of that crash. One of the big reasons why we're
even talking about truck safety now, why it's become an
issue, is because of what happened here. Sixteen killed here
in rural Saskatchewan, part of the Humboldt Broncos
team killed when their bus on their way to a game, a
big game, a playoff game, a truck coming down
this road, hit them. Russell Herold's son
was killed in that crash, 16-year-old Adam. We lost our son, my
daughter's brother. We lost our best friend. We lost one of the best
things that ever happened to us. -[ David ] This
will be the family's first harvest without Adam. It hasn't been made easier after
learning details about the man behind the wheel of the truck. What did the RCMP tell
you about the driver? Well, they told us
that it was the truck driver's first trip alone. -[ David ] What did you think
when you hear that? It made me sick. It really made me cry because
those 16 people and everyone else on that bus, and
all the families involved, didn't need-- didn't
need to have this happen. -[ David ] Russell
is now suing the driver and the trucking company, hoping it will lead to
mandatory training and stricter licensing rules. It's not going to
bring our son back. It's not going to bring
anybody else on that bus that perished back. If you can make any small change
that would save even one life, is it not worth it? -[ David ] What is your
message to every province where
training is not yet required? Get on board before this
happens in your province. It shouldn't take a tragedy
like this to bring it to the forefront. -[ David ] But these
tragedies are happening, and far too often. We spent months analysing
fatal truck crashes across the country. In five years, over 1500 deaths. One of those trouble
spots is right here in BC. Do you find it
difficult just driving through? Absolutely. -[ David ] A year
before Humboldt, Pattie Babij's
husband Stephen was killed in a crash near
the BC-Alberta border. She's been fighting
for change ever since. That's the day
your life changed. Yeah, I just had a gut feeling. That afternoon, the RCMP car
drove in my driveway and I knew. -[ David ] Her
husband had been hit head-on by another trucker. He was going full speed, full
speed when he hit my husband. -[ David ] The driver,
just 24 years old. Why does a hairstylist
require more training than a professional driver
pulling, you know, just under 40,000 KGs. -[ David ] Hundreds
have signed her petition calling for tough new mandatory truck training laws. There needs to be a much
stricter training component. -[ David ] Have you ever
stopped here before? No. -[ David ] What goes through
your mind stopping here? This is the end of
my life as I knew it, and my husband's. -[ David ] Are you
comfortable to get out? Yes. -[ David ] I can't
imagine it's easy. No, it's not, you know? We always say, "Love you, bye." You never think that's
going to be the last time. At the end of the day, all
we can do is try to make some change so that people don't
have to keep going through this. That's the important
part-- it has to stop. -[ David ] The system's
broken, you think? Absolutely. -[ David ] Back
on hidden camera, Heath is concerned
about that system too. He can't believe after
just 16 hours' training, he's about to
take his road test. Are you ready?
- Yeah. This is it. It's test day. I've trained. I've studied. I've learned. Let's find out if you're
going to get your license today. Let's do that. -[ David ] If he
passes, he can drive just about any truck
anywhere in North America. One more right-hand
turn pretty well executed, if I do say so. And I think we're gonna be done. So, how do you think you did? I think I did pretty good. -[ David ] Good
enough, it turns out. Well, folks, there it is. I am a professional driver. -[ David ] Let's see about that. We've brought
Heath to Ontario... I guess a
congratulations is in order. ..where drivers must have 100
hours of rigourous training. Professional
driver, right there. -[ David ] That's
six times more than what Heath not in Saskatchewan. The test here is very different. We want to see if you're
actually ready for the road. Oh, no. -[ David ] We want to put you out on another test. How do you feel about that? Surprised. But strangely
comfortable with it. -[ David ] I'm going
to bring in Carole. -[ David ] Carole's
got decades of experience behind the wheel. I'm Heath.
- Carole. Nice to meet you. This is like-- this is like
an intervention or something. Nobody told me about this. What the hell?! -[ David ] So here's the
surprise, Heath. We're going to put
you in that truck. Okay. -[ David ] And Carole's
gonna put you through the gears. It's a test after
your test to see how ready you really
are to take on a truck. You gotta make me
look good somehow! I'm going to try! -[ David ] Fasten
your seat belt. Marketplace puts
Heath in the hot seat. I was hoping I could get
through this without you having to stop me. -[ David ] Is he
really ready to drive a big rig? We mapped out fatal truck
crashes across the country in the past five years. Check out that interactive
map at cbc.ca/marketplace. Do you have a story you
think Marketplace should investigate next? Tell us all about it,
on e-mail, Twitter, Facebook. -[ David ] On the road
with your Marketplace. [ ♪♪♪ ] -[ David ] Every
year, big rigs are involved in tens of thousands of crashes, leading to
hundreds of deaths. Long-time truckers tell
us one of the solutions... Tougher training. What are the things that you
see now that just make you shake your head? Just tailgating,
inexperienced driving. I am to the point where I am
scared out on the highways. When they don't
have any training, they are opportunities
of careless driving. It should be mandatory
because I'm telling you, it's dangerous
driving these trucks. Training is the number 1 answer. It is the answer. - [ David ] This one?
- Yes. -[ David ] Heath
out his license in Saskatchewan after
just 16 hours of training. Training, the law says, he
doesn't even really need. So, what we're going to
do, a vehicle inspection. So, right from the start,
like, as if you just started this job today. -[ David ] So,
Ontario instructor Carole Dore is putting Heath's
training to the test. Okay, good start. He was able to
get the hood open. Remember, in Ontario, drivers
are forced to have 100 hours of training before they
take the road test. Step one for Heath,
step one for any driver, taking a look at the truck,
making sure it's roadworthy. Yeah, belt looks good here. Pulleys look good on that side. -[ David ] Next
challenge, coupling and uncoupling a trailer, a daily routine
for most truckers. It's not moving. -[ David ] That's
not a great start. So it locked back in. Well, it didn't all the way. -[ David ] He's going to figure
out what's going on, figure out why he
can't uncouple. Take two. There we go. Now you can hook it back up. Now you're going to love this. In my training, I
never coupled a trailer. -[ David ] What do
you mean, you never learned how to couple
with a trailer? Oh, I think you know
exactly what I mean! -[ David ] You're to
be a truck driver. You don't know how to
connect to a trailer? Coupling and uncoupling
is not part of the road test in Saskatchewan. I didn't have to demonstrate
an understanding of it in order to get my license. -[ David ] What do
you think of that? That's nuts! Because as part of our, test
we need to uncouple and couple a trailer. Let's get in. -[ David ] The next
job, out on the road... All right, Hail Mary -[ David ] Remember, Heath
has never driven this truck or on these roads. See the gate? We're gonna go through the gate. -[ David ] Good start
out of the gates. Good thing you didn't
bring a hot cup of coffee. Be wearing it by now? So not this light, but
next light we're going to be going right. -[ David ] A couple
turns in, still doing okay. Okay, so now
we're going 401 East. You're not taking the
where there's a lot of traffic and stuff, are you? No, I would never do that. -[ David ] Well, Heath, it's
actually the 401 Expressway, the busiest
trucking route in Canada. You know, I've only
known you for a few hours, but I don't really trust you. I wonder why you. -[ David ] No issues
on the highway. He's exceeding
everyone's expectations. Could he actually pull this off? The biggest
challenges are still ahead. Oh, my gosh, are you
taking me out into the cornfields to make me disappear? No! No, but at the stop
sign, you will go right. -[ David ] Heath needs
to make a sharp right turn coming up. Drivers need to know this. His technique
needs to be flawless. Otherwise he'll take out an
already dinged up street sign, or worse, other vehicles. Oh, that's tight for him,
two trucks side-by-side. Go ahead. Where does that guy
think he's going? -[ David ] He stopped
short, gives the other driver a bit of a wave. All right, starting his turn. Oh, watch that truck. Yeah, he's not gonna wait. -[ David ] Here we go. Don't turn in too fast. -[ David ] It's tight
but he makes it. Pretty wide. That was very wide.
- Yup. It's only going to get more
challenging for Heath. At the light, we're
going to turn left. -[ David ] This turn isn't
unusual, but it is difficult. Time the lane change perfectly
while making a tight left turn. Not something for rookies. Hold on, hold on. That car's coming. -[ David ] Whoa,
that's not good. Hard stop. Thank you! Hey, you have a brake.
- I do so. -[ David ] Instructor
Carole pulls the emergency brake to avoid a crash. Now he's pulling
through a red light. I was hoping I can get
through this without you having to stop me. -[ David ] Close call. But it's not over yet. So, now you're going to
do a 90-degree backup. Oh! Ever done this before? No, I have not done this before. -[ David ] He passed his
road test in Saskatchewan without ever backing
it into a dock? Doesn't hit the
mark on the first try. You're about a
foot inside the dock. -[ David ] Or the second. Just all crooked again. -[ David ] Or the third. We're gonna the
here a while, Carole. I can see that. -[ David ] A strong start, but not so great at the end. Let's see how he did. Heath got his license in
Saskatchewan after doing training that he
didn't have to do. If he'd done what he did today
in Ontario-- For a drive test? -[ David ] --would
he have passed? No.
-[ David ] No? No. -[ David ] What does
that say to you then that he got his license? It blows my mind. It's plainly not safe to
be on the road to do something like that. -[ David ] What
do you think about the fact that in Canada, the only place where
there's mandatory training is in Ontario? What do I think? My personal opinion, it
should be going across Canada. -[ David ] Now, what
do you think after you've been through
this process? Oh, I agree. It's been humbling and, uh,
I wouldn't say that I was overconfident, but
I thought, "Okay, I am somewhat comfortable doing
this," and it was a terrific illustration today of how
unready I am for more than some very basic, you know, driving. -[ David ] Last
stop on our road trip. The federal government
does in fact have the authority to do this. You're choosing not to
exercise that power. Why is that? As a federal minister, I try
to, wherever it is possible, to seek cooperation. -[ David ] What do
you make of that? That's political posturing. -[ David ] This is
your Marketplace. Get more Marketplace. Sign up for our
weekly newsletter at cbc.ca/marketplace. -[ David ] This is
your Marketplace. [ ♪♪♪ ] -[ David ] Over the
past five years, more than 1500 people have been killed by truck crashes. It's a risky job, right,
because it's not safe if we have no experience. -[ David ] Our investigation
showed how little it takes to become a heavy hauler. >> Hairdressers need to
have more training now than Class 1 drivers. -[ David ] Last year, a 24
-year -old truck driver slammed into Pattie Babij's husband head-on. The Humboldt tragedy,
my husband's tragedy, you know, we're all standing up
and we're pushing this forward. The government isn't going to do
anything until we're sitting in their office, saying, "What
are you going to do about this?" -[ David ] Only Ontario
requires mandatory training for new drivers. Alberta alone, saying it
will follow next year. But the feds could
make the rule nationwide. We're meeting Transport
Minister Marc Garneau in Ottawa. I do support minimum entry-level
standards for training. -[ David ] Right
across the country? Right across the country. -[ David ] You think
it's necessary? I think it is necessary. -[ David ] The federal
government does in fact have the authority to do this. You're choosing not to
exercise that power. Why is that? As Federal Minister, I try
to, wherever it is possible, to seek cooperation
across the country. I'm going to be meeting with
my provincial counterparts in a couple of months. I will be putting it forward
to them that I think it's very important for us that we
have these training standards for our truckers. It is my hope that they will
all see things the same way. -[ David ] And if they don't? Well, it's a bridge I'll
cross when I get to that. -[ David ] What do
those demanding change think of that? It is my hope that they will
all see things the same way. -[ David ] That's
your federal minister agreeing with you that mandatory minimum standards should
exist right across the country. He's not forcing it, but he is
strongly suggesting to others they do it. What do you make of that? I think that's
political posturing. He thinks there should
be mandatory training, and he hopes the
provinces agree with it, but he doesn't say
they're going to force them to. -[ David ] Russel Herold's
son Adam was killed when a truck slammed into the Humboldt Broncos bus. What do you think the holdup is? I don't know what the holdup is. Get moving with this. -[ David ] Make this a priority. Make this a priority. Makes saving lives a priority. Lives are hanging
in the balance, and we're talking
about timelines. Why would we wait until some of
the else dies on the highway? [ ♪♪♪ ] -[ Charlsie ] We're
going up, way up, to get the dirt
on filthy flights. It's already brown. -[ Charlsie ] We
swab all the popular spots. We found E. coli there. These, for example,
they're probably streptococcus, which we probably
associate with sore throats. That doesn't surprise me. No wonder people are sick
when you get off of there. You see that? -[ Charlsie ] Look! A passenger was using other
passenger blankets or pillows. -[ Charlsie ] 18 flights. Over 100 samples collected. We reveal the dirtiest surface. Feels really, really gross. It's not very good. -[ Charlsie ] And looks like it
is made with Canadian apples. I think there would be a lot of
people feeling really deceived if they knew the whole story. -[ Charlsie ] But
the labels are a mystery. I actually have no idea. It says Canada Choice and I
don't know what that means. -[ Charlsie ] The
truth of apple juice. Consumers are taking a
backstreet to industry. I really don't think so. -[ Charlsie ] You can't
afford to miss Marketplace. [ ♪♪♪ ]
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Something not mentioned in the show, Ontario doesn't accept out of province license exchanges if driver has less than two years of experience. I think this came into effect as a result of the broncos crash.
Also, who knew trucks in Canada kill 5 ppl every WEEK? Staggering.
Also it looks like Alberta is going to be introducing mandatory training requirements: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=60784B7CDBDC5-9DC6-69D2-9D0A5F2298F19E97
Imo even the us needs to revisit the school training requirements I feel personally. I'm currently in a "160 hour" school it's been a joke honestly in many ways. Our road time has been mostly on a 5 students 1 instructor ratio with very limited seat time for each person. I'm starting week 10 of 10 tomorrow and for road time due to the ratios I've only physically been behind the wheel for 2 hours and only logged 52 miles. I know some schools are way better about this (sage schools for one.) But I find this to be scary. Supposedly the school has a "97%" pass rate on students but countless ones have failed for wildly different reasons. I know they say your really training starts at your first job but that doesn't make the foundation start so to speak right.
Hell look how many mega carriers throw people quickly out on there own. Or just treat fresh drivers in general. Don't get me wrong I'm by no means saying I have the answers to fix the system but imo something needs to be farther done.
Yes, truck drivers need training. Yes, it needs to be extensive.
Four wheelers need twice the training.
This is insane.
The Ontario school location is actually exactly where I learned to drive a few years ago.
The problem with Ontario drivers is that the mandatory training rules only kicked in a few years ago. You used to be able to do what you they did in Saskatchewan here in Ontario. I went and got my license after 80 hours.
The problem is the road test is a joke. It's still easy as shit. It's still drilled into you "This is the route you will take, this is where you have to be in 4th gear, now shift when you pass this sign. To make this turn you will have to cut out this far, and turn back at this point. Here is where the speed limits change suddenly, so start downshifting here..... etc....". You do your backing into a spot which is double wide almost, with as much room as you need to pull forwards with as many corrections you need. The only stipulation is you start off at 90 degrees and you have 5 minutes to make it into the spot and don't touch the cone. Anybody can do that after a few hours of backing and being taught how to do the specific set up.
Now you have drivers and schools simply lying about how many hours a student was in their truck, or they simply count class room learning as part of the 100 hours. Even then, sometimes you get more than one student with an instructor at a time, so they just sit in the sleeper while the other student drives or they watch the other student do maneuvers in the yard. Of my 60 hours training in cab, probably a third was hands off while another student split my time.
And I'm sure everyone in Canada can tell you that Ontario Truckers are the worst and least safe, not the best like this video implies which is a shame since I usually love the stuff Marketplace does.
Oh, and that Dingman Dr road sign I pass every day on my way to work... It gets taken out once a month.
6500 for 150 hours