In late September, the FMCSA issued its final rule prohibiting texting by commercial vehicle drivers while operating in interstate commerce. The rule, which takes effect Oct. 27, will impose sanctions, including civil penalties and disqualification of noncompliant drivers from operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing their drivers to engage in texting while driving. The final rule does not cover the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by CMV drivers for anything other than texting.
FMCSA amends its commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations to add to the list of disqualifying offenses a conviction under state or local traffic laws or ordinances that prohibit texting by CDL drivers while operating a CMV, including school bus drivers.
Drivers will face 60-day CMV disqualification after two violations within a three-year period. Three violations in a three-year period will result in a 120-day disqualification.
The final rule follows the FMCSA’s proposed rulemaking on April 1. In the final rule, FMCSA defines texting as “manually entering alphanumeric text into, or reading text from, an electronic device,” and says such actions include short message service, email, instant messaging, a command or request to access the Internet, or any other form of electronic text retrieval or entry. The ban does not include “reading, selecting or entering a phone number, an extension number or voicemail retrieval codes and commands into an electronic device for the purposes of initiating or receiving a phone call or using voice commands to initiate or receive a telephone call.” It also does not cover inputting, selecting or reading information on a global positioning system or navigation system and non-texting uses of these devices.
Because 20 states have yet to issue bans on texting while driving, the final rule is applicable to all CMV drivers engaged in interstate commerce regardless of the existence of a state law or regulation.
Recent research commissioned by FMCSA shows that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) is 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who engage in texting while driving than for those who do not.
This rulemaking increases safety on the Nation's highways by reducing the prevalence of or preventing certain truck- and bus-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries associated with distracted driving.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
According to the latest Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and related NHTSA data, the number of truck-involved traffic fatalities fell 20 percent in 2009, to the lowest level since the Department of Transportation started keeping records, while overall highway deaths (33, 808) fell to the lowest number since 1950. The number of truck occupant deaths fell 26 percent in 2009, from 682 in 2008 to 503 in 2009, and the number of injuries in large truck crashes also fell 26 percent from 23,000 in 2008 to 17,000 in 2009.
The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent over 2008 levels. In addition, 2009 saw the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded: 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared to 1.26 deaths for 2008.
There are several explanations for the significant reduction: Increased seat belt use, stronger enforcement of drunk driving laws, better roads, safer vehicles, and an increasingly well-coordinated approach to creating a culture of safety by the DOT and FMCSA, including efforts to curb distracted driving.
The reduction also reflects a 33 percent decrease in fatalities since the current Hours-of-Service regulations first became effective in January 2004. “Greater rest opportunities for drivers under the 2004 hours-of-service rules and a more circadian-friendly approach to a driver's work-rest cycle have helped truck drivers achieve these exceptional results," said ATA President & CEO Bill Graves.
“This significant gain in commercial truck safety shows that ongoing enforcement efforts and our partnerships with state and local law enforcement are making a difference,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. “Yet, FMCSA will not rest until there are zero commercial truck-related fatalities on our roads. We are committed to using every resource available to strengthen commercial truck safety and save lives.”
Click here to view the latest 2009 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
One of the many developments in the trucking industry this year is the new Pre-employment Screening Program, or PSP.
This national-level program, which was launched in May 2010, allows employers access to prospective drivers’ roadside inspection history – information from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) that’s not available on a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
A PSP record contains up to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data, regardless of the state or jurisdiction. Access to this information can help employers review the crash and serious safety violation histories of prospective drivers as part of the hiring process. The new program is voluntary, and a carrier must obtain the driver’s written consent to access their PSP record.
Prospective employers aren’t the only ones who have access to this data, though – drivers are able to see their own records as well. There’s no registration or subscription fee for individual drivers, but there is a $10 charge to retrieve their PSP record. To access your PSP, go to http://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. This site also includes a list of frequently asked questions.
Drivers are encouraged to look at their records to ensure accuracy. Incorrect information can be challenged through the FMCSA’s DataQs system: https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.asp.
It’s only a matter of time before the PSP record becomes a necessary part of every company’s hiring process. Until then, drivers who run their own record and share it with potential employers could be in a better position to negotiate a potential job opportunity. It will go a long way in helping them to “stand out”, especially if the PSP record is free from any serious safety violations.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Calling all CDL drivers in Central Indiana!
Join Driving Ambition and many other local, regional, and over-the-road carriers at the biggest Trucking & Transportation Job Fair in Indiana this year!
When: Saturday, September 18 from Noon-4pm
Where: Vincennes University Aviation Technology Center
2175 South Hoffman, Indianapolis, IN 46241
(directions)
Sponsored by the Indianapolis Star and CareerBuilder.com, hundreds of CDL drivers will be in search of potential job opportunities in the transportation and trucking industry.
Visit Driving Ambition's booth and complete a Driver Profile so we can keep in touch with you when certain job opportunities meet your specific criteria.
We hope to see you there!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
There's still time to register for the Ohio Trucking Association’s (OTA) Annual Convention, which will be held September 12-14 at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, OH.
You don’t have to be a member of the OTA to attend this annual event. In fact, non-members are encouraged to attend since there is so much valuable information that’s imparted during each annual convention.
This year, more than ever, it’s critical to be on the forefront of what’s going on in the trucking industry. One of the most affordable ways to do that this year is to attend the OTA’s Annual Convention. Click here for registration information. The deadline for registration is Friday, September 10th.
As a Co-chair of this year’s convention, I’m excited to announce some of the important guest speakers and the topics that they’ll be discussing:
Monday, September 13:
- We’ll first hear from the FMCSA’s Director of Enforcement and Compliance, Jack Van Steenberg. He’ll discuss all the “goings on” at the FMCSA including a pending change to the current Hours of Service rule, the launch of CSA 2010, and driver medical qualification changes.
- We’ll hear from Barbara Windsor, President and CEO of Hahn Transportation, Inc. As the American Trucking Assn.’s First Vice Chair, Barbara will deliver this year’s Washington Report.
- Chris Felger and Mark Flinchum, Manager and Partner respectively of Katz, Sapper & Miller, LLP, will present “Creating a Profit Focused Culture in Your Company”. Their presentation will demonstrate how small changes to a key performance indicator can have a huge impact on your cash flow, profitability, and financial statements.
- As if that’s not enough for Monday, we’ll wrap up the educational portion of the day with former FMCSA Administrator John Hill as he discusses CSA 2010 and what to expect from the FMCSA. Mr. Hill is an exceptional speaker who is certainly an expert on the subject of CSA 2010.
Tuesday, September 14:
- We’ll begin with one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most recognizable economists. Mr. Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, will offer a fresh look at the economy ahead.
- Since 2010 is going to be an interesting year at the voting booths across Ohio, both gubernatorial candidates (Ohio Governor Ted Strickland – D and John Kasich – R) will have an opportunity to address those in attendance. This is a great opportunity to hear first-hand how both candidates present themselves and how they view the trucking industry.
- We’ll also be able to sit down and talk with key leaders of the Ohio General Assembly during the popular “Legislative Roundtables”. Bring your tough questions and take advantage of this opportunity to hear what really happens in Ohio’s legislative branch of government – the Ohio House and Senate.
- A perfect Convention wouldn’t be complete without great meals and entertainment, great networking opportunities, and some great golf!
For more information on this year’s Annual Convention, please click here.
You can also contact the Ohio Trucking Association at: Toll free (888) 382-1574 or via email at info@ohiotruckingassn.org.
It’s not too late - I hope to see you there!
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
It's time to celebrate the professional truck driver! National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, held September 19-25, 2010, is a chance to extend a special “thank you” for all their hard work.
During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW), America and the trucking industry honors and recognizes the true knights of the road for their hard work and commitment to the vital role they play in the economic growth of North America. Companies and industry associations across the U.S. and Canada will host special events and promotions in honor of professional truck drivers.
It’s no secret that the backbone of this dynamic industry is its drivers. Driving a truck is one of the country’s most demanding and essential jobs. Millions of these dedicated men and women travel the roads every day, sacrificing a lot personally to deliver the freight that keeps the country moving. They miss birthdays, anniversaries, family dinners, school plays and many other special moments that most of us take for granted.
NTDAW allows the rest of us to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices that our drivers make every day out there. Be sure to let the men and women driving those trucks down the highway know it’s appreciated. Sometimes a little gratitude goes a long way.
Thank you drivers for a job well done!
Valuable links:
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, has launched the 2010 Top Industry Issues Survey. Continuing a process begun in 2005, the annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with appropriate strategies for addressing each issue.
Commissioned by the American Trucking Association (ATA), the ATRI survey asks respondents to rank items such as CSA 2010, Hours-of-Service, the driver shortage, onboard truck technology, the economy, transportation infrastructure funding, environmental issues, truck size and weight, fuel issues, and government regulation. Strategies for addressing each issue are also proposed, and survey participants are asked for their preferences.
Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey online. Alternately a paper copy is available on ATRI’s website at www.atri-online.org.
The top two issues identified by the industry in 2009 were the economy and government regulation. The results of the 2010 survey will be released at ATA’s Annual Management Conference and Exhibition to be held this October in Phoenix, AZ.
ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
During the 2nd annual two-week long drug and alcohol strike force sweep, which took place between June 21 and July 2, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took 109 bus and truck drivers off the roads. The drug and alcohol strike force also levied charges against more than 175 carriers.
The strike force, consisting of FMCSA investigators as well as state truck and bus safety officials, examined the drug and alcohol safety records of commercial drivers employed by bus and truck companies, including school bus drivers, interstate passenger carriers, hazardous material transporters and general freight long-haul trucking companies. Their goals were to identify motor carriers in violation of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements and to remove from the road commercial truck and bus drivers who jump from carrier to carrier to evade federal drug and alcohol testing and reporting requirements.
"FMCSA is committed to ensuring that only safe commercial drivers and carriers are allowed to operate," said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro. "Our annual drug and alcohol strike force is just one of the ways we weed out those 'bad actors' and make our roads safer for everyone."
The 109 commercial drivers identified in the sweep may face a monetary fine and risk being barred from operating a commercial motor vehicle for failing to adhere to federal drug and alcohol regulations. In addition, the 175 commercial carriers face pending enforcement actions for violations, such as using a driver who has tested positive for illegal drugs and for not instituting a drug and alcohol testing program. Both drivers and carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of the civil penalties.
Although the success of the drug and alcohol task force is commendable, this is symptomatic of a larger problem: the lack of a National Drug & Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse. This Clearinghouse would make it possible for employers to check a database to determine whether or not a prospective employee has either failed or refused to take a DOT drug test. As of now, there is no “sure-fire” way for carriers to verify whether or not an employee has failed a pre-employment drug test from another carrier.
From a regulatory standpoint, a driver must be removed safety-sensitive duty if he/she has a positive DOT drug test result. A driver cannot be returned to safety-sensitive duties until he/she has been evaluated by a substance abuse professional, has complied with recommended rehabilitation, and has a negative result on a return-to-duty drug test. Not being able to adequately verify this information puts the carrier, as well as the motoring public, at risk.
The concept of a National Drug & Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse has been supported in the trucking industry for over 10 years. Its creation is currently written into the new Highway Reauthorization Bill, which has been delayed for over a year due to the concern over the increased cost of the new bill.
Unless that bill is passed, or unless a National Drug & Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse is created separately, the motoring public will have to be satisfied with the successes of the annual drug and alcohol strike force.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will hold a public listening session on September 8th in Washington, D.C. to collect input from the trucking industry on the FMCSA’s five-year strategic plan.
The public meeting will consist of three consecutive listening sessions: safety partners (8am-10am); industry partners (10am-Noon); and enforcement partners (12pm-2pm).
The listening session asks participants to address the following questions/subjects in an effort to help guide the agency through its next five-year plan:
1. How should we strengthen FMCSA’s role/mission of improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles and saving lives as it relates to some of FMCSA’s core program: commercial motor vehicle compliance and enforcement, commercial driver licensing, household goods protection, safe and secure transportation of hazardous materials?
2. How can FMCSA have a greater impact in the reduction of injury and loss of life on the nation’s highways?
3. How can FMCSA improve the way it does business, provides customer service, and interacts with all road user groups? What are some of the challenges you have in interacting with FMCSA that prevent you from conducting your business effectively? What actions should FMCSA take to improve interactions between CMV drivers and drivers of private vehicles? Please identify possible improvements or ideas for doing better.
4. How might FMCSA improve or strengthen its partnership with stakeholders representing State enforcement agencies, safety advocacy groups, the motor carrier industry, and the general public to achieve its safety mission?
5. How should FMCSA balance driver-focused, vehicle-focused, and motor carrier-focused compliance, interventions, and enforcement to achieve its safety mission?
6. How will advanced vehicle technologies (such as crash avoidance, electronic on-board recorders [EOBRs], and global positioning systems [GPS]) impact the future of driver behavior, vehicle safety, and motor carrier safety?
7. How will changes in the following areas impact the industry, your organization, and/or FMCSA’s ability to achieve its mission in the future?
8. Demographics
9. Economics
10. New policies in environment, energy, and other areas
11. What technological changes could positively impact highway safety?
12. How will technology affect driver behavior? What issues related to vehicle/driver interaction could affect safety performance?
Those who would like to share ideas about how the FMCSA can improve its regulation of the trucking industry, but are unable to attend, will be able to submit comments electronically, by mail, or by fax up to September 30th. The comments are being collected under docket No. FMCSA-2010-0242.
To file comments electronically, visit:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480b3e95e
To fax comments, fax to (202) 493-2251.
To mail comments, mail to:
Docket Management Facility
U.S. Department of Transportation
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE.
Washington, DC 20590-0001
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.