Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof is calling for stricter rules for truck driver training to improve safety on northern highways in Ontario. This warning, issued in February 2026, comes after a series of winter collisions along Highway 11, including a major pileup that involved six transport trucks.
Vanthof says the current system is allowing under-trained drivers onto dangerous two-lane roads like Highway 11. During the winter, many long-haul trucks choose this route over Highway 17 to avoid lake-effect snow, which creates more traffic on the narrow highway.
To address these safety concerns, the MPP is asking the Ministry of Transportation to hire more driving school inspectors who have professional trucking experience. He is also pushing for an independent tester to evaluate all commercial drivers before they receive a licence, rather than allowing companies to train and test their own recruits.
Trucking safety groups and online forums, such as 905 Big Rigs, have become central places for residents and drivers to discuss these highway safety issues. The proposed changes aim to reduce the frequency of accidents and road closures that often impact families living in the region.
