To the editor,
As a health and safety professional and trucker advocate, I am really puzzled by the comments put forward by the Ontario Trucker's Association (OTA) to the media on July 08, 2025.
They advocate for trucker safety and improved policies as well as mentioning a diversion of 1,300 CMVs on Hwy 11/17, an increase of 16 km, 3,000 litres more in fuel and 8,000 tons of CO2 and finally estimating six accidents per year (how do they estimate six)?
In my observation, with all the CMVs using the Dawson Road, would this area have a higher level of CO2? There was no mention on their behalf as to how many transports use the Dawson Road or the tons of CO2.
The OTA wants safer roadways but with that they also want municipal and governmental assistance.
It appears that the OTA has some "mixed" feelings on the alternate route seeing that driving a "missile" on a residential roadway only represents one thought and that is getting the product to the customer in the cheapest way and fastest way and forget the "near misses."
Money and fuel costs can always be recovered by these CMV employers and operators - lives lost cannot.
I am in favour of the requested alternate route (I do not reside in your city but I do visit your city three to four times per year) because it shows that some councillors do care and are concerned for the safety of all using these routes.
Gary Kader
Timmins, Ont.
