A trucker is cleared to proceed after having his log book and driver's licence checked at the inspection site in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I. (CBC)

A western P.E.I. trucking company has been warned to make changes to its operations if it wants to stay in business.

Prince Freight Lines of Wellington Centre violated the American rules covering driver fatigue 14 times over the past two years. During that time its drivers were involved in three crashes that caused injuries.

Transportation officials in both countries have warned the company to make some changes. Prince Freight president Frank Barry declined to be interviewed by CBC News, but did say the company has hired a full-time safety officer to make sure all drivers know how long they can work, and how to fill out their log books properly.

"We anticipate that our U.S. status will go from 'Alert' to 'Satisfactory' on April 24 of this year," Barry said in a written statement.

The warning to Prince Freight is part of an industry wide crackdown that has officials across North America stepping up enforcement to deal with truck driver fatigue.

Hundreds of Canadian companies are under special scrutiny across North America. Prince Freight is amongst companies that have been flagged for more pullovers at inspection sites.

Prince Freight trucks have been flagged for more regular inspections. (CBC)

Officials on P.E.I. say most truckers follow the rules. Deputy registrar of highway safety Doug MacEwen said for those who don't there is no hiding a bad record.

"When a truck leaves Prince Edward Island it doesn't matter what jurisdiction it's traveling in, we will see if there's a violation," said MacEwen.

"It'll get tracked back to the operating record of the company in the home-base jurisdiction."

At inspection sites, such as in Borden-Carleton at the foot of Confederation Bridge, problems result in fines. If problems persist a company could lose its licence, but P.E.I. has never had to resort to that.

Doug MacEwen says Canada is researching a national standard for electronic log books for truckers. (CBC)

One of the things checked at inspection sites is the trucker's log book, which keeps track of how many hours they've been driving. Drivers are limited to 13 hours a day in Canada and 11 in the U.S. These log books are currently on paper, but critics say they're too easily doctored.

To fix that problem, the U.S. plans to bring in electronic log books within three years.

MacEwen said in Canada the provinces have struck a committee to look at electronic logbooks.

"The U.S. has done a lot of the homework on electronic onboard recorders," said MacEwen.

"We'll look at what the U.S. is doing. We'll make a Canadian law but it will be something in comparison to the U.S. because a number of our carriers travel there."

MacEwen expects a Canadian standard for electronic log books will be ready within the next couple of years, and it will then be up to the provinces whether to adopt it.