'Overdue' mandatory semi-driver training a good start, but not enough: Broncos parents

Saskatchewan's "long overdue"rules for prospective semi-driversdon't go far enough, says the dad of one of the Humboldt Broncos players killed last year in a collision.

"It should be a graduated system of licensing,"said RussellHerold, father of 16-year-olddefenceman Adam Herold.

"Experience is still the greatest trainer."

Saskatchewan's lack of regulations were scrutinized after 16 Broncos playersand others travelling with the teamdied. Thirteen people were also injured.

JaskiratSingh Sidhuwascharged in July with 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. He was behind the wheel of the semi that collided with the bus.

He has not yet entered a plea.

Sukhmander Singh, owner and director of Adesh Deol Trucking Ltd.,Sidhu's employer at the time of the crash, faces eight counts of failing to comply with various safety and log-keeping regulations. He is still seeking a lawyer.

Herold said most professions require people to work their way up to the highest level, and used the aviation industry as an example.

"You're an airplane pilot,you don't automatically graduate and go from learning how to fly a plane to getting to fly that 747 full of people," he said. "So why do you because you've got your licence now automatically drive the biggest, heaviest rig on the highway?"

Heroldalso said provincial action is not enough. He's advocating for standardized regulations across Canada. Ontario isthe only provincewith a mandatory training program for long-haul truckers.

"Trucks do cross borders all the time, so you want to know that people are coming into your province are as qualified as the people that are driving in the province."

Heroldsaid there are frustrations that the mandatory training took so long to be implemented in-province.

Heroldand his wife filed a lawsuit earlier this summer, alleging negligence on behalf ofSidhu, the trucking companyand the manufacturer of the bus.

They allege in the claim that Sidhuwas inadequately trained by his employer,AdeshDeolTrucking Ltd., and thatSidhu"intentionally, recklessly and/or negligently" drove the semi through the collision intersection nearTisdale, Sask., without regard for the corner's warning lights and stop sign. The bus had the right of way.

None of the allegations hasbeen tested in court.

• Parents of Humboldt Broncos player killed in crash sue semi driver, trucking company

The minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, JoeHargrave, admitted last week that more training for commercial drivers should have been in place years ago.

"This same government has been in power for how many years, and they'resaying now it should have been done a long time ago, so why wasn't it?"

Hargravesaid Monday that themandatory training "isn't a Humboldt Broncos plan," but noted the tragedy made it clear the province needed to "get this done."

He said the governmentbegan reviewing the systemin 2017.

Heroldsaid his family is still coping as best as itcan, day to day, while trying to cope with a life without Adam.

It hasn't been easy.

He said there are constant reminders of Adam everywhere, including dealing with big trucks.

"It's a fact of life if you go anywhere on the highway or anywhere now that there's truck after truck after truck,"Heroldsaid.

They're also a part of life of his family's life on their farm nearMontmartre, Sask.

Drivers working for farm operations are currently exempt from the mandatory training rules.

"There still should be training, even for the agriculture sector whether it's the full amount of training or a modified system," said Herold.

"We still share the roads."

Dad says new rules astep closer to safer roads

Scott Thomas said he hasbeen advocating for improved semi-driver training since the Broncos bus crash.

His 18-year-old son Evan died in the collision, andhe believes a gap in driver training is one of many factors that contributed to the fatal crash.

He is hopeful that the mandatory training can curb one of those factors.

"Hopefully this is one step in that path and everyone can rest easy in the fact that it's safer now than it was before April 6."

Thomas said the absence of mandatory training for semi drivers was a glaring hole in the system.

• 'We're looking for accountability': Father of Humboldt Bronco killed in crash hints at more civil action

"I think it's a good thing everybody's at least guaranteed to have a minimum level of competency."

Thomas said the exemption for drivers at farming operations doesn't concern him.

"That's something I'm comfortable with. Most farmers drive from grain bin and field and back," he said.

"I think they're probably already well above and beyond the 121 hours just from the time that they're 10years old to the time they're 16."