OOIDA calls for change to U.S. hours of service

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is petitioning the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to amend the existing federal Hours of Service (HoS)…

Martinez confirmed as FMCSA head

Ray Martinez ARLINGTON, VA – Ray Martinez has been confirmed as the new head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the United States. President and CEO of…

OOIDA appealing court ruling on sleep apnea suit

GRAIN VALLEY, MO – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is appealing the United States Court of Appeals dismissal of their lawsuit alleging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)…

Detention costs $1 billion, increases crash risk: report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Delays before loading and unloading activities cost U.S. drivers and carriers more than $1 billion a year – and increase crash risks in the process, the U.S.

FMCSA’s lack of oversight contributed to crash: NTSB

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) needs to crack down on motor carriers after a fatal crash in California. A recent NTSB report found the driver of a motorcoach that crashed on a California highway in the early-morning hours on Aug. 2, 2016, killing four passengers, was sleep deprived.

Livestock haulers to get a 90-day ELD waiver

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is giving carriers who haul livestock a break when it comes to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). Regulations come into effect on Dec. 18 making the devices mandatory for carriers in the United States, however the government agency announced it will give a 90-waiver to the agricultural industry, in addition to other efforts to make the transition for fleets easier. The 90-day waiver on the devices will allow agricultural carriers to continue to use paper logging until March 18, 2018 to allow time for the exemption request filed on behalf of the industry to be evaluated, as well as allowing for more input from that segment of the industry. Other efforts have already been announced to help make it easier for fleets to make the move to ELDs, and a significant number of carrier may need the transition period.

More drivers are buckling up: FMCSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - More truck drivers are wearing their seat belt, according to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A national survey conducted by the group found that seat belt usage in the U.S. was up to a record level of 86% in 2016, from just 65% in 2007. FMCSA deputy administrator Cathy F. Gautreaux says while the results of the survey are good news, work would continue on the issue until 100% of drivers buckled up on the road.

ELD violations won’t mean CSA points

TORONTO, ON - Carriers that operate across the border don't have to fear for their Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores if they are not compliant with the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate before the Dec. 18 deadline. Federal Officials in the United States are confirming that drivers who are cited roadside for non-compliance before April 1, 2018 will be issued a "no points cite" which won't affect the driver or carrier in the CSA system, reports Heavy Duty Trucking.

Clock is ticking toward U.S. ELD mandate

ORLANDO, FL - Electronic Logging Devices (ELD's) are on track to be mandated in the U.S. on December 18, as regulators finalize the underlying systems and prepare to relegate paper logbooks to the trash bin of history.

Clock is ticking toward U.S. ELD mandate

ORLANDO, FL - Electronic Logging Devices (ELD's) are on track to be mandated in the U.S. on December 18, as regulators finalize the underlying systems and prepare to relegate paper logbooks to the trash bin of history.

Short-term truck rentals to be exempted from ELD rule

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is expected to announce on Oct. 11 that it will grant an exemption from being required to use an electronic logging device to "all drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles rented for eight days or less, regardless of reason."

U.S. regulators drop mandatory sleep apnea testing

WASHINGTON D.C. - Federal regulators in the United States will no longer be looking to make tests for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea mandatory for truck drivers or railway engineers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) revealed last week that they are withdrawing their March 2016 notice seeking the changes for those in safety sensitive positions in highway and rail transportation.

Demo allows challenges to U.S. crash findings

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) launches a demonstration project on August 1 that will allow carriers to dispute crash findings applied to collision since June 1. If those crashes are found to be "not preventable", individual Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores could improve. The program emerges following a study on crash causes, released earlier in July. The agency will use its DataQs national data correction system to accept Requests for Data Reviews (RDRs) to "evaluate the preventability of certain categories of crashes".

ELD file checker is now online

WASHINGTON, DC -- One of the barriers to the quick adoption of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) has been the question of how - or when - users can be certain that the mandated devices will be able to electronically transfer data files of Records Of Duty Status for law enforcement officials who use portable computers.

U.S. Safety Measurement System data flawed: report

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine is calling on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to replace the Safety Measurement System (SMS) - used to determine which carriers are at a high risk of future crashes.