Trucking jobs
Access Advertising has posted an updated Driver Recruitment Index. Find it here: http://accessadvertising.com/DRI/DRI.pdf
Distracted driving
University of Utah psychologists David Strayer and Jason Watson in a driving simulator they use to study how cellular phones and texting distract drivers. (Photo credit: Valoree Dowell, University of Utah
A study by University of Utah psychologists found that very few people can drive well while talking on a cell phone, even if they’re using a hands-free device. Jason Watson and David Strayer studied 200 people on a driving simulator. Only 2.5 percent could talk on a cell phone while operating a driving simulator without noticeable impairment.
For the complete story, see http://www.eurekalert.org/
pub_releases/2010-03/uou-fdw032610.php
CSA 2010 update
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced the availability of the Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010 Data Preview, which will allow individual motor carriers to review their safety performance data by the CSA 2010 Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). The Data Preview begans on April 12, 2010 and ends on November 30, 2010, the national launch date for the CSA 2010 safety enforcement program.
During the data preview period, motor carriers are encouraged to closely examine their performance data and immediately address any safety problems. This is also an opportunity for motor carriers to update and verify their safety performance data online. This allows motor carriers to identify and address unsafe behaviors that can lead to crash risk. It also underscores FMCSA’s commitment to data integrity and the motor carrier industry’s responsibility for ensuring commercial vehicle safety.
Complete details on the Data Preview and the CSA 2010 implementation schedule are published in the Federal Register. The CSA 2010 implementation schedule supports the critical importance of incorporating the findings from over 30 months of operational model testing in nine CSA 2010 pilot states.
Proposed new rule
Your comments are invited on amendments to a notice of proposed rulemaking. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is considering amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) as they apply to the transportation of combustible liquids. Specifically, PHMSA is considering whether to harmonize the
domestic regulations applicable to the transportation of combustible liquids with international transportation standards. In addition, they are examining ways to revise, clarify, or relax certain regulatory requirements to facilitate the transportation of these materials while maintaining an adequate level of safety.
Your comments must be received by July 6, 2010. Submit comments by any of the following methods:
- Web Site: http://dms/dot/gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
- Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
- Mail: Docket Management System; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
- Hand Delivery: To the Docket Management System; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You must include the agency name and docket number PHMSA-2009-0241 (HM-242) or the Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) 2137-AE52 for this notice at the beginning of your comment. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to http://dms.dot.gov including any personal information provided. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard or access the Web site at http://dms.dot.gov.
For further details, check out http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-7544.htm. Or, contact Helen L. Engrum, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards, telephone (202) 366-8553, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., East Building, 2nd Floor, PHH-10,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
EOBRs – final rule
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted a final rule regarding electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs). Onboard hours-of-service recording devices meeting FMCSA’s current requirements and installed in commercial motor vehicles manufactured before June 4, 2012 may continue to be used for the remainder of the service life of those CMVs. However, motor carriers that have demonstrated serious noncompliance with the HOS rules will be subject to mandatory installation of EOBRs meeting the new performance standards. This final rule is effective on June 4, 2010.
For further details, check out http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-6747.htm
CSA 2011?
CSA 2010 is starting to look more like CSA 2011. Several sources report that full implementation could come a little later than the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had originally planned. The FMCSA originally was to begin implementing Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 in July and to have all states fully functional by December. While certain phases of CSA 2010 will begin this fall, full implementation will not be completed until spring or perhaps summer of 2011. A Federal Register notice of the exact timeline is expected to be released soon, according to reports.
Distracted driving
Guess we knew this was coming!
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposes to prohibit texting by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers while operating in interstate commerce and to impose sanctions, including civil penalties and disqualification from operating CMVs in interstate commerce, for drivers who fail to comply with this rule.
Additionally, motor carriers would be prohibited from requiring or allowing their drivers to engage in texting while driving. FMCSA also proposes amendments to its commercial driver’s license (CDL) regulations to add to the list of disqualifying offenses a conviction under State or local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit texting by CDL drivers while operating a CMV, including school bus drivers.
FMCSA is inviting comments on this proposed rulemaking. Comments and related material must be received on or before May 3, 2010. Of course we’d love to see your comments on this blog. But they’ll be most effective if you submit them to the FMCSA. You may submit comments identified by docket number FMCSA-2009-0370 using any one of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
- Fax: 202-493-2251.
- Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. - Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
If you have questions about this proposed rule, contact Mr. Brian Routhier, Transportation Specialist, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Vehicle and Roadside Operation Division, at 202-366-1225 or Brian.Routhier@dot.gov.
Trucking jobs
Access Advertising has published a new driver recruiting index. Click on: Driver Recruiting Index to download the PDF.
Haz mat fees increasing
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is amending the statutorily mandated registration and fee assessment program for persons who transport, or offer for transportation, certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials. For those registrants not qualifying as a small business or not-for-profit organization, PHMSA is increasing the annual fee from $975 (plus a $25 administrative fee) to $2,575 (plus a $25 administrative fee) for registration year 2010-2011 and following years. The increase is necessary to fund the national Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants program. The effective date of this final rule is April 29, 2010. For details, see http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-7035.htm
Stopping distance
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administation has amended a 2009 final rule having to do with federal motor vehicle safety standards for air brake systems and stopping distance. Check out the amendment to FMVSS No. 121, S5 and the title heading of Table IIa. The word “drive” has been aded to the term “rear axles” to make the rule read “rear drive axles.” For details, read http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-7132.htm.
