A Critical Reminder for Commercial Drivers and Fleet Managers

For commercial drivers, work zones are part of the job. From highway construction and utility work to towing, maintenance, and roadside response, these environments can change quickly and create serious risk for both workers and the drivers moving through them. That is why Road Safety at Work’s work zone safety information is such a useful resource for employers, fleet managers, and professional drivers alike. These tools are practical, accessible, and highly relevant for fleets looking to strengthen safe driving habits and reinforce expectations around roadside hazards.

A good place to start is Road Safety at Work’s Work Zone Safety – For Drivers resource. It outlines what drivers need to know when approaching and moving through work zones, including legal responsibilities, recognizing signs and traffic control devices, and safe-driving practices such as planning ahead, merging courteously, expecting sudden changes, reducing speed, and staying alert even when workers are not immediately visible. It also includes specific guidance for commercial drivers, noting that large blind spots, long stopping distances, and narrow lanes can make work zones especially challenging for trucks and buses.

Road Safety at Work also reinforces an important point for professional drivers: work zones are not always obvious, and they are not always active in the same way from one day to the next. A work zone may be fixed or mobile, may involve cones and barriers or only flashing lights, and can extend from the first traffic control device to the last. Drivers are responsible for obeying instructions throughout the entire zone and giving roadside workers the space they need to do their jobs safely.

For fleet managers, supervisors, and employers, Road Safety at Work also offers Work Zone Safety – For Employers and Supervisors. This resource focuses on employer, supervisor, and prime contractor responsibilities and is a useful reference for anyone developing procedures, training content, or internal conversations around work zone driving. It is especially helpful for organizations looking to reinforce that work zone safety is not just a driver issue, but part of a broader approach to road safety management.

And that message matters. According to Road Safety at Work (citing WorkSafeBC statistics), 9 roadside workers in BC were hit by a vehicle and killed between 2015 and 2024, and 267 others were seriously injured enough to miss work. Drivers and passengers were also hurt. Those numbers are a stark reminder that how a vehicle is driven through a work zone can have life-changing consequences.

There are also important legal responsibilities to keep in mind. Road Safety at Work notes that drivers in BC work zones must drive with care at or below the posted speed limit, obey signs and traffic control devices, and follow the instructions of traffic control people. The page also highlights BC’s Slow Down, Move Over law, which applies when approaching stopped vehicles displaying red, blue, or amber flashing lights, including tow trucks, pilot cars, snow removal equipment, and enforcement or emergency vehicles.

These resources offer a solid starting point for conversations about slowing down, following instructions, watching for lane changes and closures, and recognizing that every roadside worker deserves to get home safely at the end of the day. For more information, visit Road Safety At Work’s website at RoadSafetyAtWork.ca.

Law enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct commercial motor vehicle inspections, educate drivers and motor carriers about the importance of brake safety, and provide brake inspection and violation data to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) for this year’s Brake Safety Week, scheduled for Aug. 24-30.

CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct routine commercial motor vehicle inspections throughout the week, focusing on brake systems and components. In addition, inspectors will focus on drums and rotors, the emphasis for this year’s brake-safety initiative. Brake drum and rotor issues may affect a vehicle’s brake efficiency. Broken pieces of drums and rotors may become dislodged from the vehicle enroute and damage other vehicles or result in injuries or fatalities to the motoring public.

Commercial motor vehicles found to have brake-related out-of-service violations, or any other out-of-service violations, will be removed from roadways until those violations are corrected.

During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will capture data about commercial motor vehicle inspections, brake systems and components, and brake-related violations and report that data to CVSA. Some jurisdictions will use performance-based brake testers (PBBT) to assess the braking performance of vehicles and submit PBBT-specific data to the Alliance. CVSA will collect and analyze all data and report the results publicly later this year.

In addition, brake-safety educational efforts by inspectors, motor carriers and others in the industry take place during Brake Safety Week and are integral to the success of the campaign. CVSA also offers resources to help drivers, motor carriers, owner-operators and mechanics prepare for Brake Safety Week.

Brake Safety Week aims to improve commercial motor vehicle brake safety throughout North America. The goal is to eliminate roadway crashes by conducting roadside inspections and educating drivers, mechanics, large- and small-fleet motor carriers, owner-operators, and others on the importance of proper brake inspection, maintenance and operation.

More Information

To learn more about CVSA’s Safety Week click here.

SafetyDriven – Trucking Safety Council of BC hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 19, 2025, in Langley, BC, welcoming industry leaders and partners from across the province. The event brought together representatives from the trucking, moving, and storage sectors to reflect on another year of progress and to recognize outstanding contributions to workplace safety.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of SafetyDriven’s annual Industry Awards, honouring companies and individuals who demonstrated exceptional leadership in occupational health and safety over the past year.

The Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program acknowledges and rewards employers who have implemented and maintained an occupational health and safety management system that meets or exceeds COR certification standards. By following best practices for safe and efficient operations, COR helps companies reduce risks to their employees, protect operations, and support long-term business resilience.

Achieving COR status requires companies to pass a rigorous audit process that evaluates documentation, records, employee training and communication, and internal review procedures. Certified companies are also eligible for a 10% rebate on their previous year’s WorkSafeBC premiums.

As a certifying partner for the transportation, warehousing, and related sectors on behalf of WorkSafeBC, SafetyDriven plays a vital role in supporting organizations throughout the COR certification process. Participation is voluntary and open to all employers in BC through their appropriate certifying partners.

In addition to COR awards, SafetyDriven presented its Safety Leadership Awards to recognize companies and individuals who have gone above and beyond to foster a culture of safety. These recipients demonstrated outstanding leadership by implementing innovative practices, promoting ongoing safety education, and engaging their teams to build safer workplaces. The Individual Safety Leadership Award specifically celebrates those who have shown unwavering commitment and made a significant impact on their organization’s health and safety performance.

Darshan Gill, Industry Health and Safety Services Manager at SafetyDriven, shared his reflections on the calibre of this year’s recipients: “The organizations and individuals we honoured this year have gone above and beyond what’s expected. Their commitment to building safer workplaces isn’t just something they talk about—it’s something they live every day,” said Gill. “Their achievements are the result of strong leadership, consistent effort, and a deep respect for the people who make our industry move. We’re proud to stand beside them as partners in safety.

Our 2025 Industry Award winners represent the best of what our sector has to offer. Integrity, hard work, and a deep-rooted commitment to protecting their teams. These organizations and individuals have raised the bar and serve as an inspiration for others in the industry. Their efforts not only strengthen safety within their own workplaces but contribute to a safer, stronger industry as a whole.”

2025–2026 Board of Directors

General Trucking

• Ahmad Abou-Chkair – Sutco Contracting Ltd.
• Kevin Bandstra – Bandstra Transportation System
• Steven Bauer – F & G Delivery Ltd.
• Matt Cook – Arrow Reload Systems
• Lora Covinha – Phoenix Truck and Crane
• Robert Dike – Posse Heavy Haul Ltd.
• Andy Ellison – Coldstar Solutions
• Timo Annala – Scamp Transport

Other Transportation and Warehousing

• Kyle McCarthy – West Coast Reduction Ltd.
• Todd Nicklin – Enex Fuels Ltd.
• Scott Sadler – Waste Management of Canada Corp.
• Chris Taylor – IntermodeX Logistics Ltd.

Labour

• Duane Bryan – Teamsters
• Don Mundy – Christian Labour Association of Canada

Non-Voting

• Patrick Davies
• Will Dirksen
• Steven Haywood

SafetyDriven is proud to announce the following recipients for the awards below.

2025 Industry Award Winners

COR Achievement of Excellence Award (Small Employer)

• Big River Distributors
• Burrard Transport Ltd.
• Macal Bulk Transport Ltd.

COR Achievement of Excellence Award (Large Employer)

• Accord Transportation Ltd.
• Staples Professional
• Van Kam Freightways Ltd.

COR Best Overall (Large Employer)

• Accord Transportation Ltd.

Safety Leadership Award

• FuelEx Energy Ltd.

Individual Safety Leadership Awards

• Betty Henderson & Randy Geszler – Accord Transportation Ltd.
• Daniel Colosie & Elizabeth Brunner – EV Logistics
• Bryan Wainwright – Lantrax Logistics

Congratulations to all the winners! Learn more about SafetyDriven’s COR Program here.

For more information on each of the winners, continue reading below.

Accord Transportation Ltd.

Founded in 1989, Accord provides long-haul and logistics services across Canada and the U.S. They employ 142 workers, including a large number of owner-operators. Despite a decentralized structure, Accord built and implemented a new safety program with remarkable speed and depth. Their audit score was an impressive 95%, with their Joint Health and Safety Committee receiving a perfect score. Auditors praised the organization for its strong communication, accountability, and worker engagement. Accord was recognized not only with a COR Achievement of Excellence Award, but also as this year’s Best Overall Large Employer.

Big River Distributors

Big River Distributors provides freight hauling and moving services throughout Northwestern BC, including Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Smithers, and the Nass Valley. In June 2024, they began developing their health and safety program while managing day-to-day operations. Through disciplined effort and a strong sense of commitment, they completed their COR audit within the same year, earning a perfect score of 100%. Their journey highlights what’s possible for small businesses determined to prioritize safety.

Burrard Transport

Since 1991, Burrard Transport has proudly served the Lower Mainland with liquid asphalt hauling services. In 2024, they partnered with SafetyDriven to build their safety program from the ground up. Despite the demands of small business operations, they committed time and resources to doing it right. Their efforts resulted in a 95% score on their COR certification audit, reflecting a safety culture supported by leadership and embraced by the entire team.

EV Logistics

With a combined workforce of over 900 employees, EV Logistics operates two major distribution centres in the Fraser Valley. These centres handle the distribution of fresh, frozen, and ambient grocery products to retail stores across Western Canada. As one of the region’s largest employers in the supply chain sector, EV Logistics continues to demonstrate a deep commitment to safety, employee engagement, and continuous improvement—values recognized through the Individual Safety Leadership Awards presented to two of their team members.

Fuelex Energy

Fuelex Energy operates several cardlock fuel locations in the Lower Mainland, including Abbotsford and Surrey. Their team blends operational expertise with a strong sense of community and safety responsibility. In 2024, Fuelex hosted multiple Pop-Up Safety Shops and played a key role in SafetyDriven’s outreach efforts. With over 2,600 workers engaged at 47 events, Fuelex consistently stood out for their collaboration, hospitality, and impact. For their outstanding support and commitment, Fuelex received the 2024 Safety Leadership Award.

Lantrax Logistics

Founded in 2003, Lantrax has grown from a small freight brokerage into a full-service group of transportation companies. Their services include LTL, truckload, air and ocean freight, project logistics, warehousing, transloading, oversize hauling, and more. With deep expertise across the logistics spectrum and a team-driven approach, Lantrax continues to raise the bar for operational safety and service excellence. One of their own, Bryan Wainwright, was honoured with an Individual Safety Leadership Award in 2024.

Macal Bulk Transport Ltd.

Macal Bulk specializes in transporting liquid asphalt, emulsions, and magnesium chloride across BC. Operating from five terminals—Mission, Coquitlam, Kamloops, Nanaimo, and Prince George—the company undertook a full safety system overhaul in 2024. Over two months, they updated and streamlined their safety program, focusing on long-term usability and team-wide effectiveness. Their efforts resulted in a flawless 100% COR audit score, demonstrating their commitment to making safety work for everyone involved.

Staples Professional – Port Coquitlam

Staples Professional delivers warehouse and fleet services to enterprise clients across Canada. Their COR audit focused on the Port Coquitlam facility and identified multiple strengths, including a formal annual health and safety improvement plan and a role-specific hazard assessment system. The audit confirmed that safety practices were not only in place but also actively maintained and monitored. Staples Professional earned a 92% score on their certification audit, reflecting a well-integrated safety system.

Van Kam Freightways Ltd.

Van Kam is one of BC’s largest transportation companies, employing over 600 staff across 8 locations with a fleet of more than 1,000 units. Serving industries like forestry, mining, food distribution, and retail, Van Kam worked with SafetyDriven in 2024 to align its internal systems with COR certification. Within three months, they completed a comprehensive audit involving 70 interviews, records reviews, and site inspections. Strengths noted included active leadership communication, robust safety oversight, and effective JHSCs. Van Kam earned a final score of 93%—an outstanding result for an operation of this scale.

Cone Zone Campaign is back—reminding drivers to slow down and pay attention when passing work zones. These are not just construction sites—they’re workplaces, and the people in them deserve to get home safe at the end of every shift.

Every year, roadside workers are injured or killed simply because a driver was going too fast, distracted, or failed to follow signage. The Cone Zone Campaign aims to prevent these tragedies through education and awareness for everyone—from drivers to employers and supervisors.

The Reality Roadside Workers Face

Working just metres away from fast-moving vehicles is dangerous. From 2015 to 2024, nine roadside workers in B.C. were killed after being hit by vehicles, and 267 more were seriously injured, according to WorkSafeBC.

These workers include traffic control persons, municipal road crews, tow truck drivers, utility staff, and emergency responders. Their jobs often require standing in exposed areas with nothing but a cone or a vest between them and traffic.

What Drivers Need to Know

When you’re behind the wheel, the safety of roadside workers is partly in your hands. According to Road Safety at Work, drivers can help reduce the risk by:

• Slowing down before entering a Cone Zone

• Paying close attention to traffic control personnel, signs, and cones

• Avoiding distractions like phones, food, or in-car tech

• Being patient—delays are temporary, but injuries can be life-altering

Ignoring posted signage or disobeying a flagger isn’t just dangerous—it can result in serious legal consequences, including fines and penalty points.

Employers and Supervisors: You Play a Critical Role Too

The responsibility doesn’t fall solely on drivers. Employers and supervisors must ensure that roadside workers are properly protected while on the job. This includes meeting all obligations under the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

According to Road Safety at Work’s employer guide, steps to improve safety include:

• Completing risk assessments for each work site

• Developing and implementing site-specific traffic control plans

• Providing workers with high-visibility clothing and PPE

• Offering proper training and orientation

• Monitoring performance and continuously improving safety protocols

Resources like templates, training materials, and checklists are available to help organizations stay compliant and protect their teams.

Whether you’re driving through a Cone Zone or supervising a roadside crew, safety is a shared responsibility. The Cone Zone Campaign is a powerful reminder that a moment of inattention can cost someone their life.

As we head into peak construction season, let’s commit to:

• Slowing down

• Paying attention

• And looking out for the people working hard to keep our roads safe

For more information, resources, and campaign materials, visit Road Safety at Work.

Mark your calendars—CVSA’s International Roadcheck is happening May 13–15, 2025. This annual inspection blitz spans Canada, the US, and Mexico and is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in North America.

For 72 hours, law enforcement officers will be stationed at weigh scales, inspection sites, and on mobile patrol to inspect vehicles and drivers for compliance with key safety regulations. The data gathered during this period will be compiled and released later this summer.

This Year’s Focus: Hours of Service & Tires

Each year, CVSA puts a spotlight on specific driver and vehicle issues. In 2025, inspectors will be zeroing in on:

• Driver Focus: Hours of Service (HOS) compliance and accurate Records of Duty Status (RODS). Inaccurate or falsified logs can lead to out-of-service violations and potential prosecution. Inspectors will also check licenses, medical certificates, seat belt use, and signs of drug or alcohol impairment.
• Vehicle Focus: Tire safety, including tread depth, inflation, visible damage, and improper repairs. Inspectors will also examine major mechanical components such as brakes, steering, suspension, and lighting systems.

What to Expect

Most inspections will be North American Standard Level I—a thorough 37-step procedure. Vehicles that pass without critical violations may receive a CVSA decal valid for three months.

If weather or other conditions make full inspections difficult, officials may perform alternative Level II or III inspections. These do not qualify for decals but still ensure roadside compliance.

Why It Matters

Trucking companies can avoid costly delays and ensure safety by preparing now. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe and efficient- for more information visit CVSA.org.