Quebec’s government announced new safety guidelines for trucks and other heavy vehicles on Tuesday, aiming to reduce the province’s tally of fatal collisions involving these large road users. The guidelines, issued by provincial authorities, target the interaction between heavy vehicles and other traffic, with a particular focus on protecting cyclists who share the same streets.
The release follows months of work on road‑safety measures for large trucks across Quebec. Officials said the guidelines lay out best‑practice procedures for drivers, including speed management, visibility enhancements and safe passing distances. While the document stops short of becoming law, it provides a framework that could be adopted by industry groups and municipal regulators.
Cycling advocacy organisations welcomed the move but urged the province to turn the recommendations into enforceable legislation. Representatives from the groups argued that without legal backing, compliance may be uneven and the risk to cyclists would remain high. They called on lawmakers to incorporate the guidelines into the provincial traffic code, stressing that cyclists are especially vulnerable in collisions with heavy vehicles.
The government’s decision reflects a broader commitment to road safety that has included previous campaigns on driver education, infrastructure improvements and stricter enforcement of existing traffic rules. By issuing the new guidelines, officials hope to create clearer expectations for truck operators and to foster a safer environment for all road users, particularly those on two wheels.
The guidelines are now publicly available and will be distributed to trucking companies, driver training schools and municipal authorities. Quebec’s transport ministry said it will monitor the impact of the recommendations over the coming months and will consider further steps, including possible regulatory changes, based on observed outcomes.
Cycling advocates plan to continue lobbying for legislative action, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is to see a measurable decline in fatal incidents involving heavy vehicles and cyclists alike.