EOBRS' * Canada - Inconsistent enforcement raises questions about e-log acceptance in Quebec

Are enforcement officers in Quebec shunning electronic hours-of-service logs?

Montreal,QBC,CAN -Truck News, by James Menzies -Mar 4, 2011: ...  That's the message some fleets are receiving; a message that threatens to disrupt the widespread adoption of electronic on-board recorders for the tracking of driver hours-of-service...  Jim Harris, fleet safety manager for Total Logistics Group, which has recently equipped its fleet with Shaw Tracking's electronic logging system - a system that was designed to meet the regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction. He told Trucknews.com his company recently received a $956 fine for, in his words, "allowing a commercial vehicle on the road without a logbook" ... The driver, Harris says, was pulled in for inspection by an enforcement officer who was not familiar with e-logs. The driver first offered to provide a paper copy of the records by faxing the documents to the inspector's office, however after some consideration the officer reportedly said a fax wouldn't suffice. The driver, who had a paper logbook with him, then offered to update it to match what was displayed by the EOBR, but the officer told him he had to update his logbook before leaving the terminal, according to Harris...  However, Arnold Yetman, carrier enforcement officer, Control Routier Quebec, insists carriers are welcome to use electronic logs in Quebec, as long as the systems fully comply with federal guidelines...  Meanwhile, Bessette & Boudreau, a 100-truck fleet out of St-Hyacinthe, Que. recently began installing Shaw Tracking systems in all its tractors, with the intention of automating their hours-of-service. But Yves Letarte told the carrier was informed at a Quebec Trucking Association meeting that SAAQ was not accepting e-logs at all, causing B&B to second guess its investment. (Calls to the QTA have not been returned)...  Some industry insiders have heard that SAAQ is reluctant to accept e-logs because charges for violations have little chance of holding up in court when they're not backed by paper-based evidence...  However, most systems from leading suppliers have the ability to send paper records to a fax machine at the touch of a button...