Why are Canadian truckers involved in more fatal crashes?

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIANS FOR RESPONSIBLE AND SAFE HIGHWAYS (CRASH)

********************** Canadian heavy truck crash fatality rate is 25 percent higher than U.S.

OTTAWA, July 21 - CRASH today released a one-page report showing Canadian heavy truck crash fatalities per 100 million kilometres travelled are about 25 percent higher than in the U.S. The Canadians for Responsible and Safe Highways (CRASH) report covers 2000 to 2004 and is at: http://www.crashcanada.com/

Harry Gow, president of CRASH said: "In the five years under review, 808 more Canadians died than if heavy truck crash fatalities had been at the lower U.S. rate. Fatal crashes not involving big trucks occur at a lower rate in Canada."

"It's very likely that it is rules not roads which make the situation worse in Canada. We have a 13-hour driving shift for transport truck drivers. In the U.S. the limit was ten hours," said Gow. Gow says more has to be known about the truck drivers who are involved in fatal truck crashes.

"How many of these crashes are in the 11th hour and later? What opportunity did the drivers have for proper, recuperative rest during the week prior to the fatal crashes? We don't know these things, but 808 Canadian deaths say we should start finding out," Gow says.

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