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Healthy choices
Generational déjà vu
Funding axed
Being a healthy driver is all about choices.
Millennials not the only group that has been chastised.
Aspiring Manitoba drivers lose funding source for driver training.
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau Contact Derek Clouthier Derek@Newcom.ca or call 403-969-1506
WWW.TRUCKWEST.CA
AUGUST 2017 VOLUME 28, ISSUE 7
RETAIL ING IS ADVERT 9PAGES 2
Driving women
WBF’s Class 1 driver program gives women the tools to be successful in the industry
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By Derek Clouthier
Smoke signals With legalization of marijuana looming, we look into the U.S. experience By Derek Clouthier DENVER, COLORADO Whether you agree with the legalization of marijuana or are against it, most would agree that for those in the transportation industry, safety managers will have to be on high alert when the substance becomes legal. Many companies south of the border know all too well the challenges that come with the legalization of marijuana, but for Peninsula Truck Lines from Federal Way, Wash., the process has been made easier due to the staff it has on-board. “We employ good people who understand the implication of drug use as a CDL driver and for other safety sensitive positions,” said Curt Burhenn, safety director for Peninsula Truck Lines. “We have been a very fortunate company in our ability to hire great professionals who understand the dangers of drug use, not just because it is off limits as federally regulated employees. We have historically had a very low occurrence of positive drug tests and that trend has not changed with the legalization of marijuana.” Despite Peninsula’s success in circumventing issues surrounding marijuana use, Burhenn admitted he was against the substance’s legalization. “I think legalization of a federally controlled substance in just certain states opens the door to a lot of confusion, and being in a federally controlled indus-
try makes drawing the line even more challenging,” said Burhenn. “This also opens the door to possible attempts for federal legalization, which would have far greater negative implications on the trucking industry.” In Colorado, where marijuana is also legal, Patti Gillette, vice-president of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, said education of drivers was an initial concern. “We were concerned that drivers would think they could use marijuana products since it was not going to be illegal, and put their jobs and future livelihood at risk,” Gillette said. And at first, this concern did become a reality, with a huge uptick in positive drug screenings from commercial drivers. “Unfortunately, that resulted in many drivers losing their jobs and having to complete a substance abuse program as mandated by the Federal Department of Transportation,” said Gillette. “That has since fallen off with outreach and education.” Gillette said concerns remain over impaired driving, an issue she feels is one without a current solution. “The difficulty with that is there does not exist a good roadside tool to measure marijuana impairment,” she said. “Accident statistics have trended up, but it is unclear how much is due to marijuana impairment versus distractions, or other factors, but in speaking Continued on page 7
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Though medical marijuana has been legal in Canada for some time, full legalization would pose challenges to carriers, much like it did south of the border.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA In an effort to leverage one of the most significantly untapped sources to help alleviate the impending driver shortage, Women Building Futures (WBF) is offering women a chance to take its professional Class 1 driver program. “The driver shortage is very real, with staggering numbers,” said Megan Bates, manager of employer services for WBF. “This is a gap that WBF can help fill by attracting, assessing, and training the right women for this work.” Bates pointed to a study – Understanding the Truck Driver Supply and Demand Gap – that predicts a driver shortage of 33,000 by 2020. And with only 3% of professional truck drivers being women, WBF provides a pathway for more female drivers to get behind the wheel. “Without programs like WBF, women may not consider this career option, and through thorough assessment, WBF ensures that women make an informed choice in the career they are pur-