Truck driver training, highway safety concerns in northwestern Ontario rev up ahead of election [Video]

Every time Travis McDougall gets into his transport truck, he wonders whether he’ll make it home safely.

His growing concerns about highway safety, particularly in northwestern Ontario, prompted him to create Truckers for Safer Highways alongside fellow driver Jeff Orr in 2023.

Highway safety has been a major concern in the region for years, as single-lane highways surrounded by trees, rocks and water aren’t so forgiving during a wrong move behind the wheel.

“There’s no back road or way to change your direction to avoid a 12-hour closure,” said McDougall, who lives in Ayr but drives across Canada.

“It really impedes the locals and it impedes the economy when these roads are shut down for several hours because of these collisions.”

There were 21 fatal collisions on the region’s highways last year, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North West Region, resulting in 25 deaths and 213 injuries. Of …