Transport Canada’s Driver Distraction Mitigation Program for Commercial Vehicle Drivers helps motor carriers and drivers reduce the risk of distracted driving. It provides motor carriers and commercial vehicle drivers with tools and effective anti-distracted driving practices.
By addressing driver distraction, motor carriers and commercial vehicle drivers can help save lives and make your business more efficient.
In 2022, distracted driving was a contributing factor in 19.9% of fatal collisions in Canada.
On this page:
- About the resources
- Resources for motor carriers
- Resources for people who own, operate or drive a commercial vehicle
- Submit feedback
About the resources
Transport Canada worked with experts from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to develop this program. This work included:
- reviewing scientific literature on distraction and driver training
- reviewing existing training material and fleet guidelines
- developing new training material and guidelines for fleet-based strategies, and
- testing the new material with focus groups
More information about the development of the Driver Distraction Mitigation Program is captured in our summary report. The report contains:
- a literature review of the scientific models of driver distraction and driver training
- an assessment of fleet-based strategies to reduce commercial vehicle driver distraction
- a survey of distraction policies, procedures, and training within Canadian motor carriers
- a review of existing, commercially available, driver distraction training and education programs
- a gap analysis on existing driver distraction training and education programs with a focus on trucks/buses
- a beta test on the drafts of the new training material and fleet guidelines
- tips for a dissemination strategy
Request a copy of the summary report
Resources for motor carriers
There are 2 main resources that have been created for motor carriers:
- an Implementation Guide to help you launch a driver distraction mitigation program within your operation, and
- driver distraction training material
While fleets can choose to roll-out only the driver distraction training material, it is important to emphasize that to maximize positive outcomes, they should implement the full distraction mitigation program presented in the Implementation Guide. The Implementation Guide also provides information about the effective rollout of the training material.
Implementation Guide for motor carriers
The Implementation Guide will help you design and implement a driver distraction mitigation program. It also includes instructions for rolling out the training material and refresher course accessible through this website.
We recommend that executives and safety officers read the Implementation Guide before delivering any training.
The guide covers:
- How to implement the training material
- How to develop and implement a strong safety culture with a focus on reducing driver distraction
- How to develop, implement, and promote driver distraction policies within your company, plus specific strategies and techniques to reduce distracted driving
- Comprehensive guidelines for implementing a distraction risk management system
Request the Driver Distraction Mitigation Program Implementation Guide
Training material for motor carriers
The training material was created for drivers, but any employee can benefit from them. The material explains the underlying mechanisms of driver distraction and the risks they pose and includes strategies to effectively mitigate these risks. The material explains how the brain and attention processes work, how distractions occur while we drive, and what can be done to prevent distracted driving.
The 45-minute training covers:
- What is driver distraction?
- What is the effect of commercial vehicle driver distraction?
- What are the sources of commercial vehicle driver distraction?
- What are the Canadian regulations and policies related to driver distraction?
- When are commercial vehicle drivers distracted?
- What are some common commercial vehicle driver distraction myths?
- What are the skills to minimize distraction?
Motor carriers can choose from 2 training options:
- training material for fleets that permit hands-free phone use
- training material for fleets that prohibit hands-free phone use
Each training package is available in 2 formats:
- training with voice-over for individual learning
- training with speaking notes for fleets that use an instructor to deliver the material
The option with speaking notes is well-suited for group sessions. You can also customize the slides with information about your company, where noted.
Request training material for motor carriers
Material 1: for fleets that permit hands-free phones
Material 2: for fleets that prohibit hands-free phones
Refresher course for motor carriers
The refresher course should be delivered every year during a safety meeting or training. Employees can also opt to take it at any time to refresh their understanding of the information presented in the training package. This short course is not available with voice over.
Request the refresher course for motor carriers
Resources for people who own, operate, or drive a commercial vehicle
Training material for drivers
The training materials were created for commercial vehicle drivers. The materials explain the causes of driver distraction and the risks they pose and include strategies to effectively mitigate these risks. The material explains how the brain and attention processes work, how distractions occur while we drive and what can be done to prevent distracted driving.
The 45-minute training covers:
- What is driver distraction?
- What is the effect of commercial vehicle driver distraction?
- What are the sources of commercial vehicle driver distraction?
- What Canadian regulations and policies relate to driver distraction?
- When are commercial vehicle drivers distracted?
- What are some common commercial vehicle driver distraction myths?
- What skills do drivers need to minimize distraction?
Drivers can choose from 2 training packages, each containing voiceover for self-guided learning:
- material for drivers that work for companies that permit hands-free phone use
- material for drivers that work for companies that prohibit hands-free phone use
Request Training material for drivers
Material 1: for operators that permit hands-free phones
Material 2: for operators that prohibit hands-free phones
Refresher course for drivers
The refresher course should be taken once a year. Drivers can also opt to take it at any time to refresh their understanding of the information presented in the training package. This short course is not available with voice over.
Request the refresher course for drivers
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