Your work van is a workshop on wheels. Tight timelines, tighter job sites, winter roads, trailers, ladders, tools, and constant stops - trades driving is not “everyday” driving. One preventable collision can derail a job, tie up a crew, spike insurance costs, and hurt your reputation.
Today, we’re launching TradeSafe Collision Avoidance - an online driver training course designed specifically for skilled trades professionals and their fleets. It’s practical, mobile‑friendly, and focused on the real risks that electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, carpenters, landscapers, telecom crews, and service contractors face on Canadian roads.
And it comes with something brand new: BRUCE, our industry‑first AI teaching assistant that acts as an always‑on, 24/7 course instructor - ready to answer questions, clarify concepts, and guide learners through real‑world scenarios the moment they need help.
Why TradeSafe for Trades?
Job‑site realities: Backing into tight yards, navigating alleyways, shoulder parking, and dealing with blind spots from racks, ladders, and loads.
Seasonal hazards: Black ice, slush, gravel washboard, early dusk, and glare.
Time pressure: Frequent stops and dynamic routes that raise exposure to close quarters, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Mixed vehicles: Cargo vans, pickups, utility bodies, and trailers - each with unique handling and visibility challenges.
TradeSafe Collision Avoidance by Young Drivers of Canada goes beyond defensive driving. It’s built around the way trades actually work.
What You’ll Learn
- Pro‑grade defensive driving: for vans, pickups, and trailer towing
- Low‑speed precision: backing, spotting, mirrors, and camera use
- Load security & visibility: racks, ladders, tools, and cargo management
- Intersection strategy: to prevent the most common serious crashes
- Weather: smart driving for snow, ice, rain, and low‑friction surfaces
- Distraction & fatigue management: to manage multi‑stop routes
- Near‑miss analysis and post‑incident protocols: to build a safer culture
Modules are short and practical, with scenarios you’ll recognize from the field. Complete them on a phone, tablet, or desktop—at the shop, at home, or between jobs.
Meet BRUCE: Your 24/7 AI Teaching Assistant
BRUCE is built into the course as your on‑demand instructor. Ask in plain language and get clear, relevant guidance—anytime.
Try questions like:
- “How much extra following distance should I leave when the van is fully loaded?”
- “What’s the safest way to back into a driveway with a spotter?”
- “I’m towing a 6x12 trailer on black ice - what changes in my braking and steering?”
- “How do I set up a mirror sweep check before leaving a site?”
BRUCE provides targeted explanations, reminders, and quick refreshers. It can break down policies, reinforce key steps, and offer scenario‑based tips—without waiting for a class or email reply. For supervisors, that means consistent coaching across the team; for drivers, help is always within reach.
Built for Individuals and Fleets
- Self‑paced Micro‑Lessons that fit around jobs and shifts
- Certificate of Completion for records, onboarding, and renewals
- Group Enrollment Options for companies and safety managers
- Consistent Standards across crews, branches, and seasons
Get Started
TradeSafe Collision Avoidance is available now across Canada. Enroll your team or sign up as an individual at by contacting us at fleet@yd.com for options.
Drive trade‑smart. Prevent collisions. Keep projects moving—safely.