Mr. Colin Dobell, Director of Transportation Safety and Training for the British Columbia Electric Railway Co. Ltd. and past General Chairman of the Transit Section, was an influential figure in fleet safety since 1945. In 1948, Colin Dobell founded the local Association of Fleet Supervisors, which was soon named the Canadian Association of Fleet Supervisors (CAFS). This organization brought together representatives from many of Vancouver’s trucking firms.
Colin’s immediate contribution included a comprehensive accident prevention program, which he personally assisted with, making it available to any trucking firm seeking to improve their safety practices.
In recognition of his efforts, in 1949, Colin Dobell was honored by the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce for his work in organizing driver education programs for British Columbia’s high school students, promoting chemical tests for drinking drivers, and establishing a central bureau to coordinate provincial accident prevention efforts.
His achievements continued to be recognized, and in 1954, Colin was awarded the Marcus A. Dow Memorial Award, the top accolade for fleet safety directors in the United States and Canada, marking the first time this honor was given to a Canadian.
Colin Dobell frequently spoke at Congress programs and published articles in Public Safety Magazines, sharing his expertise on fleet supervision. Under his leadership from 1946 to 1955, his company’s fleet of about 1,700 vehicles saw a 27 percent reduction in accident frequency, demonstrating his commitment to advancing safety and training in the industry.
The foundation Colin Dobell established has set the stage for CAFS’s continued success and impact in fleet safety, marking over 75 years of dedicated service and progress.
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