Editor's note: Mr. Kader writes in response to the BayToday story Make northern highways safe demands NDP MPP John Vanthof.
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I wish to thank MPP NDP John Vanthof (Timiskaming-Cochrane) for having concern and interest in the present Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) situation affecting our “main streets” - Hwy 11/17.
He along with MPPs NDP - Lise Vaugeois (Superior - North) and Guy Bourgouin ( Mushkegowuk - James Bay) are on the same page as me in longing for safer highways in the northern part of Ontario.
More enforcement regarding CMV inspections (on-road), improved licensing/training practices for new drivers as well as refresher training and evaluations for those already driving ( facts presented by the media, Auditor General, O.P.P., and MTO - clearly identify who these drivers are).
Note: there have been 24,000 collisions, and 234 deaths involving CMV operators all within the past 3 years.
These so-called “main streets” are an important means for delivering goods to customers and if there is a road closure, we all suffer immensely.
The Minister of Transport mentioned - “ Ontario has the safest roads”, this talk needs to be walked! Trucking companies are recruiting, training, and licensing their own drivers - not a good practice!
The present Government seems to be showing very little interest in bettering the situation and with that it makes other political parties having to “fight“ harder to prove a point.
This is a major concern and the way that I see it, everyone should work together and come up with a “ cure”.
Thank you
Gary Kader
Timmins
