On the heels of a commercial rucking report from B.C.’s Auditor General, The B.C. Trucking Association is working towards a mandatory driver training program.

President Dave Earle says B.C. is the only province in the country without such an effort.

“We are the only province that is not working on one and to say even that, I mean there is notionally some work happening. Right now the Western Provinces are really taking strides to develop a harmonized program across the west which will align with the program already in Ontario and B.C. is unfortunately on the sidelines.”

Earle says the program would provide new entry level driving instruction noting some schools do a good job while others do not.

“It is a question that is a fair one, and maybe a harder one to answer for government. They have so many other conflicting priorities as this issue falls under ICBC’s umbrella. As you know they have got a lot of other issues there. This is something we have been pressing for, for a very long time.”

B.C.’s Auditor General says about 20% of fatal motor vehicle deaths over the past 10 years have involved heavy commercial trucks.