At the National Tank Truck Carriers annual conference last month, Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, touted the results of CSA and outlined her agenda for the coming months. Here's a look at the key points motor carriers should be ready for:

The rule for electronic logging devices likely will not take effect until 2016, a year later than originally intended, according to comments from a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration official.

DON JERRELL
Associate VP

MAP-21, also known as the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (P.L. 112-141), was signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012.  This legislation will go into full effect through September 20, 2014, and will bring a wave of changes to the transportation industry. 

Would you be prepared for a compliance review if the FMCSA or State Patrol came into your facility today?  With the new auditing process, compliance reviews aren’t the same as they used to be.

GARRETT OLESON
Relationship Manager

As you may have heard, on March 27, 2012, the FMCSA made proposed changes to the Safety Measurement System available for viewing by motor carriers before this information is released to the public.  [See our last blog for information on how to access the SMS Preview.] 

DON JERRELL
Associate Vice President

FMCSA stirred up the trucking industry by releasing the new hours of service ruling just two days before Christmas. Upon reviewing this rulemaking, I think its best explained in the following format:   

CHAD TISONIK
Advisory Practice Leader & Associate VP

Much of the talk about the FMCSA fines for hand held cell phone use in commercial motor vehicles misses the point.  Some are saying $11K is too high a fine for employers – but this is peanuts compared the 7-figure judgments that can be handed down for negligence if
employers fail to establish and enforce a policy on cell phone use by employees when they're driving on company business.  This isn't just an issue for trucking companies - any business that asks it employees to drive on the clock should be wary of the liability involved.

DON JERRELL
Associate Vice President

DON JERRELL
Associate Vice President

On November 23, 2011, FMCSA released a Final Rule prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV’s).  Specifically, drivers are banned from holding a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication, from dialing a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for a mobile phone in an unacceptable and unsafe manner.