This week, the Truckers Voice announced its intentions to fully support OOIDA June Safety Month.

“There is a growing movement in North America that could have a huge and positive impact on the future of professional truckdrivers,” says Peter Turner of the Truckers’ Voice, an organization representing Canadian truckers and small-business operators. “During the month of June, truckers everywhere have a chance to stand together and by operating in strict compliance with all laws, bring to light the true dilemma of a fatally flawed trucking industry.

"The only way we can improve our safety record and improve driver compensation is to bring an end to the deplorable abuse of forced noncompliance," says Turner. "Over the last 15 years the trucking industry has cut things to the bone to compete with itself, and it comes on the backs of the drivers."

The Truckers' Voice is urging all of Canada's truckers to recognize and support June as Truck Safety Month 2003. All drivers are encouraged to take a stand and operate in strict compliance with all laws, speed limits and commercial vehicle safety regulations. 

"The people who are getting hurt are the owner-operators and the drivers who are getting too little pay for too much work. Drivers are being held for ransom by companies who think that if they starve you, you will have to break the law in order to survive.

"Of course, if you are caught working too many hours, the companies don't expect to bear any of the responsibility. The trucking industry must understand that we are why they are in business and we are why they are successful."

June Safety Month is being organized by the U.S.-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the largest driver organization in North America with nearly 95,000 dues-paying members.

The plan is to encourage truckers to be completely legal and in compliance with regulations. If a safer, more efficient system is to develop, the key will be exposing the many hours drivers work for free each week.

If time logged is in strict compliance with the regulations, the burden will no longer be borne exclusively by drivers. This burden of lost productivity will be shared by all who perpetuate the system, including shippers and receivers.

"All Canadian truckers and motor carriers who are truly interested in improving the industry's performance should be participating," says Turner.