Western Shore Traffic Services
"H" Division

General Information:

Commercial Vehicles differ from passenger vehicles in a number of key areas - not the least of which is size and weight. Most commercial vehicles are also "articulated vehicles". This means that they have at least one "pivot" point, such as a "fifth wheel" trailer connection or similar attachment. These articulation points mean that the vehicle behaves differently than a straight frame vehicle. For instance - I am sure at some time you have been in a town or city behind a large truck and seen the sign that says "This vehicle makes wide turns" - this is because at low speeds the trailer will always track "inside" the cab. This makes sense to most of us, as the trailer wheel base is longer than the cab, etc.... Would it suprise you to know that once that same vehicle reaches about 40 - 50 kph, that same trailer actually tracks "outside" the cab? Meaning that it actually makes a wider corner than the cab that is pulling it. This can have serious implications for a driver who does not take that into consideration. What if he is on an on-ramp to a highway, gaining speed & there is a curb that he feels he can easily clear - but his trailer clips it.... The results can range from the driver not even knowing he hit it, to losing control and a tragic rollover accident.

Another important issue that affects ALL DRIVERS - especially those of us in smaller vehicles:

Everyone who has ever seen a Tractor Trailer and a passenger vehicle side by side can tell that the Tractor Trailer is higher than most highway traffic, that goes without saying. What we must also consider is that the Tractor Trailer's "Center of Gravity" is also higher. This results in these vehicles being less "stable" on the highway and more prone to tip over. It also has a dramatic negative impact on braking efficiency. Tractor Trailers, and related commercial vehicles have just SIXTY FIVE PERCENT (65%) of the braking efficiency of a normal passenger vehicle. This is a fact you should seriously consider the next time there is an "18 wheeler" in your rear view mirror and it seems to want to stay really close. You are safer behind that vehicle than you are in front of it.

Section 117 The Motor Vehicle Act of Nova Scotia outlines the offence for "Following Too Closely" - Subsection (2) shows that the government recognizes the extra responsibilty that falls to the operators of commercial vehicles, and this section applies specifically to them. They are prohibited from following any vehicle at a distance closer than Sixty (60) meters. The Motor Vehicle Act of Nova Scotia states the specified penalties for a number of offences outlined in this piece of legislation and on numerous occasions the fine for a Commercial Vehicle or Operator is much higher than that which would apply to other motorists.

Commercial Vehicle Drivers are professionals and as such, are held to a high standard. If not handled in a thoroughly professional manner, the dangers which their vehicles present to other highway users, are enormous. Fortunately, most Professional Drivers are exactly that, Professional.

Overweight / Oversize Loads:

Loads which are over allowable dimension, or over allowable weight are regulated by the Province of Nova Scotia. Whether you are moving a large fishing boat, a pre-fabricated building, or other large object, you will need to review the regulations which govern the highways of Nova Scotia.

Need information on the movement of oversize loads and equipment on Nova Scotia's Highways?
If the answer is yes, see "Transportation and Public Work's" Website for details.

Transportation and Public Works (regulations for oversize vehicles, weights etc...)

Tired / Overworked Drivers:

Driving without adequate sleep is a recipe for disaster no matter what size vehicle you are operating. You might say that the scope of the 'disaster' grows with the size of the vehicles involved.

Collisions involving large commercial vehicles result in losses, both personal and economic to the operator of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle, and the owner of the cargo. This is in addition to the persons who may be in any other vehicle(s) involved in the collision.

There are rules respecting the operation of Commercial Motor Vehicles and the amount of sleep you must have before your trip.

Tips for Tired / Overworked Truckers

Hours of Service Regulations: Provincial / Federal

Each Province has it's own legislation as it pertains to the maintenance of a Daily Log. In Nova Scotia the driver of a commercial motor vehicle (Registered GVW in excess of 4500 kg) is required to maintain a daily log. This log will show the driver's time in each of 4 status codes:
(a)On Duty Driving
(b)On Duty Not Driving
(c)Off Duty
(d)Sleeper berth

The driver is limited to a set number of hours that he can drive before taking a rest break, the maximum number of hours he can be on-duty in a day or a week, etc...

The Driver's Daily Log must be maintained accurately up to an including the lat 'change of duty status'. Failure to maintain a Daily Log as required will result in a Summary Offence Ticket being issued and may result in the driver being declared "Out of Service" until sufficient time has passed to allow him to obtain the sleep required to 'make him legal to drive'.

If the driver has crossed Provincial Boundries, ie: the ferry's from NFLD to North Sydney, PEI to Pictou, or St. John to Digby, or crossed international boundries, ie: the ferry's from Portland and Bar Harbour, Me., USA, to Yarmouth, then the Federal "Motor Vehicle Transport Act of Canada" applies and the driver is subject to the rules as laid out in this Act. This Act requires that the vehicle has a minimum Registered GVW of 18,000 kg.

Hours of Service Regulations - Provincial:

17 No carrier shall operate or permit a driver to drive a commercial vehicle and no driver shall have a commercial vehicle unless the driver has in his possession,

(a) copies of his daily logs for the preceding seven consecutive days; or

(b) if operating in compliance with clause (e) of subsection (1) of Section 4, copies of the driver's daily logs for the previous fourteen consecutive days; and

(c) the driver's current daily log completed to the time for which the last change in duty status occurred.

The Nova Scotia Act:
Provincial Hours of Service Regulation

The Federal Act & Regulation:
Motor Vehicle Transport Act of Canada
Federal Hours of Service Regulation

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

Transport Canada - CANUTEC

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