We have seen several bus accidents that were the result of the professional driver's inattention. We've had a few fatal truck accidents this year, with this most recent one in Wyoming making recent headlines today.
With several pending pieces of regulation pending, events such as these hurt the industry. We need to help ourselves. The trucking industry has never been safer since the new HOS regulations have been in place. The bus industry, on the other hand, still operates under the old rules.
Having spent a few hours in a courtroom working for the defense, I've a few suggestions. Consider every hire. If you are forced to defend yourself in a suit, you'll need to answer some basic questions about all of your drivers. Did you contact references? How hard did you try? Defend your drug and alcohol program. Are you consistent?
How is your dispatch? Have you ever knowingly dispatched someone over hours? How do your dispatchers treat your drivers?
What is your company policy concerning speed? Do you have a speed policy in writing? Does your speed policy have a company speed limit, and do you tell drivers to observe the posted speed limit or the company limit - whichever is less?
Review your vehicle maintenance program, as if every vehicle in your fleet has the potential to be involved in an accident.
Carefully consider your exposure, limit the use of your vehicles if they're not producing revenue.
It's not just about limiting tragedies. Sometimes you're the innocent victim of someone else's negligence. Even in these cases, you need to have your business in order.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Free Webinar: Misconceptions About Large Truck Crashes
The FMCSA Office of Analysis, Research, and Technology (ART) is pleased to announce an informational webinar to educate all FMCSA stakeholders about a number of popular beliefs concerning large truck crashes that are not supported by crash data.
Dr. Ralph Craft of the ART Analysis Division will dispel some of the most popular misconceptions about large truck crashes. This webinar is open to all.
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time
Friday, March 25, 2011
CVSA criticizes proposed HOS changes as being too complex
CVSA’s Executive Director Stephen A Keppler:
“Each year, CVSA-certified inspectors conduct nearly four million inspections all across North America, which provides CVSA with an unmatched level of real-world experience in commercial driver and vehicle safety. The consensus from our state and jurisdictional enforcement members regarding these proposed rules is that they are confusing and not easily understood. The proposed rules, in our view, will be more difficult to enforce roadside than the rules in place today.”
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
LoadTrek to Present at the Texas Meeting of the NSRMCA
Members and prospective members of the NSRMCA will be meeting in Grapevine TX on March 26 - starting at 0800 CDT. Subject of the presentation will be the use of technology to meet compliance while gaining a competitive advantage.
Important developments in GPS tracking initiatives, EOBR mandates, and HOS changes are creating uncertainty. We will analyze each of these areas, as well as provide ideas that fleets can implement to take advantage of these changes.
Important developments in GPS tracking initiatives, EOBR mandates, and HOS changes are creating uncertainty. We will analyze each of these areas, as well as provide ideas that fleets can implement to take advantage of these changes.
Monday, March 14, 2011
LoadTrek.net Educatinal Webinar March 15 2011 at 1000 CDT
Join our free educational webinar for LoadTrek.net clients tomorrow, March 15 2011 at 1000 CDT. We will be discussing the new LoadTrek.net 2.29 release.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
FMCSA extends EOBR comment period to May 23 2011
The FMCSA has extended by 45 days the comment period for the proposed rulemaking on Electronic On-Board Recorders and Hours of Service Supporting Documents.
To comment online, go to www.regulations.gov, type FMCSA-2010-0167 in the keyword box and then click on any “submit a comment” link.LoadTrek will not be commenting, but we will answer questions from our clients who wish to comment.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Efficiency in the Early Years
A good article from CCJ by Jack Roberts on the history of fuel economy.
The quest for fuel efficiency started long ago. We've come a long ways. My 1980 International CO4070 could barely break 5 MPG if I held the speed down.
The quest for fuel efficiency started long ago. We've come a long ways. My 1980 International CO4070 could barely break 5 MPG if I held the speed down.
Putting the Company in the Cab
This is an excellent article by Aaron Huff on the history of fleet management systems.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Important Regulatory Changes for the Trucking Industry
Legislation follows a constitutionally mandated and familiar path. Regulations, on the other hand, follow a lesser known path. Agencies propose regulation notices, and the White House Office of Management and Budget reviews these regulations. A public comment period follows, and then a final rule is published. If you want to influence the regulations that apply to you, the comment period is that chance.
The Hours of Service comment period ended Friday. 7000 comments were registered from companies, groups, drivers, and concerned citizens. LoadTrek.net commented, as did the members (our clients) of the NSRMCA. I have browsed all comments and read many. I did not see one comment in favor of the proposed regulation. I am sure there were some, but the overwhelming majority is opposed to these regulations. If the FMCSA publishes the regulation anyway, they will do so in the face of overwhelming opposition.
There is another proposed regulation for EOBR's - paperless HOS logging. This has been in process since 1990, so it took no informed person by surprise. However, for some reason, there are only 100 comments so far - and the deadline is April 4.
We do not support or oppose the EOBR proposed regulation. We'll have a product and service that will respond to whatever they come up with. We currently include EOBR-functionality in our system, and every one of our customers uses it and likes it. We'll do the same in the future.
Truckers, on the other hand, have plenty of reasons to both support and oppose this regulation. We're glad to help our clients respond to this proposed regulation by giving you factual answers from this side of the fence. Contact us with any questions you may need answered to make an educated response.
The Hours of Service comment period ended Friday. 7000 comments were registered from companies, groups, drivers, and concerned citizens. LoadTrek.net commented, as did the members (our clients) of the NSRMCA. I have browsed all comments and read many. I did not see one comment in favor of the proposed regulation. I am sure there were some, but the overwhelming majority is opposed to these regulations. If the FMCSA publishes the regulation anyway, they will do so in the face of overwhelming opposition.
There is another proposed regulation for EOBR's - paperless HOS logging. This has been in process since 1990, so it took no informed person by surprise. However, for some reason, there are only 100 comments so far - and the deadline is April 4.
We do not support or oppose the EOBR proposed regulation. We'll have a product and service that will respond to whatever they come up with. We currently include EOBR-functionality in our system, and every one of our customers uses it and likes it. We'll do the same in the future.
Truckers, on the other hand, have plenty of reasons to both support and oppose this regulation. We're glad to help our clients respond to this proposed regulation by giving you factual answers from this side of the fence. Contact us with any questions you may need answered to make an educated response.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Deadline for Comments is Tomorrow at 2359 EST
The deadline for submitting a comment to the Federal Register on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Hours of Service is tomorrow.
Please consider commenting, if you have not already. We are supplying a template for LoadTrek.net customers to use, contact us for a copy. This template includes instructions, proper formatting, as well as a very powerful case study.
Please consider commenting, if you have not already. We are supplying a template for LoadTrek.net customers to use, contact us for a copy. This template includes instructions, proper formatting, as well as a very powerful case study.
NSRMCA Posts Response to the Federal Register
We assisted the National Star Route Mail Contractors Association formulate the official response to the Federal Register regarding the Hours of Service proposal. This proposal, if enacted, will be detrimental to drivers' pay and will increase operating expenses.
You may obtain a copy of the response by contacting us.
You may obtain a copy of the response by contacting us.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
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