CSA, DataQ, SMS: What’s the Difference?

CSA, DataQ, SMS: What’s the Difference? By Nidasha Willis If you’re a truck driver or trucking company, you may hear acronyms like SMS, CSA, and DataQ tossed around a lot. In this short blog, we’ll teach you how to distinguish the three, why they’re useful to you, and how they facilitate safety. Let’s get started.[…]

a drug test result form

FMCSA Relaxes Drug Testing Requirements

The impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt in unpredictable ways. The latest is a relaxation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) requirement for random drug-testing among drivers. The FMCSA made their announcement on July 6. Within the current requirements, carriers must randomly test 50 percent of their drivers (based on number of[…]

a truck driven by someone interested in improving their SAFER scores

Improving SAFER Scores By Changing Your Culture

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program and the CSA score to help identify carriers who are at high-risk of unsafe practices on the road. These are the fleets who cause accidents because of unsafe drivers and/or poorly maintained vehicles. A carrier’s score impacts the health and[…]

a driver preparing for the next CVSA inspection blitz

Getting Ready for the First Inspection Blitz of the Year

It’s never too early to get ready for an upcoming inspection, especially when you know it’s going to happen. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has planned it’s annual International Roadcheck Inspection blitz for May 5 through May 7. If that sounds early, you’re right. Typically this blitz occurs in June, but the timing was[…]

a truck that's been in an accident, driven by someone who needs to review their fleet's accident procedures

Reviewing Your Accident Procedures in 2020

No matter how hard you and your drivers work to prevent accidents on the road, they happen. What your driver does in the immediate aftermath can make the difference in what happens later — lawsuits, settlements, insurance disputes, and more. Now is a good time to review your accident procedures and prepare for future accidents. […]

A truck belonging to a safe driver that uses an ELD

ELDs Lead to Better Rested, More Alert, and Safer Drivers

Time is money, but too much time, especially behind the wheel, leads to fatigue and accidents. The good news is that electronic logging devices (ELDs) lead to drivers who get more rest which leads to fewer accidents. Anecdotal Evidence The hard data isn’t available yet on the effectiveness of ELDs, but many in the industry[…]

Marijuana Legalization Negatively Impacting Driver Shortage

The trucking industry has faced a growing driver shortage in the past several years and decades. Marijuana legalization, for recreational or medicinal use, has only made the problem worse. Drug Testing All drivers face a drug test before being hired but many carriers are voluntarily opting to include a hair test as part of the[…]

If You Employ CDL Drivers, You’re Going To Need A Query Plan For The Drug And Alcohol Clearinghouse

With the registration for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse a few months away, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the Query Plan options for employers conducting queries in the Clearinghouse. The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse is designed to help monitor drivers that are not legally permitted to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) due to drug[…]

FMCSA Announced the Proposed Changes to the Hours of Service Rules

Wednesday, August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on the long awaited changes they suggest for the Hours of Service (HOS) rules. “This proposed rule seeks to enhance safety by giving America’s commercial drivers more flexibility while maintaining the safety limits[…]

Over 1,600 Trucks Placed Out-of-Service During Brake Inspection Blitz

On May 15, 2019, more than 1,600 commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) were placed out-of-service (OOS) for critical brake violations during a surprise brake safety inspection blitz. Surprise Brake Inspection Blitz One day only, fifty-five jurisdictions in the United States and Canada participated in a surprise brake inspection blitz and reported the results to the Commercial[…]

What You Need To Know About The IRT Model Replacing Current CSA Scores

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently working on an Item Response Theory (IRT) Model that will replace the current Safety Measurement System (SMS) used for CSA Scores. SMS identifies commercial motor vehicle (CMV) carriers at high risk for future crashes. The IRT Model will focus on “safety culture” rather than trying to predict[…]

Improve Your Safety Score By Keeping Up With Repair And Maintenance

Being placed out-of-service during a roadside inspection is the last thing any successful fleet wants. An inspection that turns up simple, ridiculous and expensive violations disrupts time on the road delivering cargo. Too many inspection violations can make your safety score plummet. Potential customers will see the low safety score as proof that your company is[…]

Final Driver Training Rule Has Been Delayed For 2 Years

The Final Ruling that will set the standard of training for drivers applying for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) has been delayed for 2 years. Despite the delay, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) insists the new curriculum and training will still take effect on February 7, 2020. Driver Trainers and State Driver Licensing[…]

Hours-Of-Service Proposed Rule Set To Debut July 31

After much delay, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has reset the projected date of publication for the new and improved “flexible” Hours-of-Service (HOS) Rule to July 31, 2019. This date was released by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the June 2019 Significant Rulemaking Report. The proposed driver’s HOS Ruling was set to debut[…]

Brake Safety Inspection Week 2019

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced that this year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for September 15-21, 2019. Although inspections happen all year long, there are several inspection blitzes a year focusing on different aspects of commercial motor vehicles (CMV). While checking brake systems is always part of the North American Standard Inspection Program,[…]

FMCSA Seeking Data on Detention Times When Loading & Unloading

Driver detention times have long been an issue in the transportation industry affecting driver pay and increasing the risk of accidents. According to results from research done on Driver Detention Times in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations, “drivers experienced detention time during approximately 1 in every 10 stops for an average duration of 1.4 hours. This represents[…]

The ELD Mandate: Improving Safety Through Technology

The ELD Mandate goes into effect when the AOBRD grandfather provision expires, December 16, 2019. At this point, Phase 3 of the ELD Rule begins. Drivers and Motor Carriers subject to the ELD Rule must use ELDs registered with the FMCSA to remain compliant. How do ELDs Work? ELDs synch with the CMV engine to automatically record:[…]

2019 International Roadcheck: What to Expect During a Level I Inspection

With the International Roadcheck Inspection going on this week, June 4-6, CVSA-certified inspectors will be conducting numerous Level I – North American Standard Inspections. An average of 17 commercial vehicles are inspected every minute during this 72-hour blitz. Every year, during the CVSA’s Roadside Inspection spree, inspectors focus on a specific category of violations. This year,[…]

Automated Driving Vehicles Under Review

The US Department of Transportation is taking a look into the necessary steps required to test Automated Driving Systems (ADS) Technologies. The FMCSA released an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) on May 22 requesting public comment on the questions regarding the regulations that surround human operators and how they may differ for ADS.[…]

motivated truck driver

Updated Driver Training Regulations Cuts the Cost by $18 Million Annually

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the Final Rule updating driver training regulations and saving an estimated cost of $18 million annually. Entry-Level Driver Training The Final Rule updates the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Regulations put in place December of 2016. This rule implements a new Class A CDL theory instruction that reduces[…]

FMCSA Seeking Public Comment on 18-21 Year Old Drivers and the New HOS Rule

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently seeking public comments on the 2nd Pilot Program under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act that will allow 18 – 21 year old non-military drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. Subsequently, there will be a new Hours of Service (HOS) Rule debuting[…]

Operation Safe Driver Week 2019: “Late won’t kill you, speeding will.”

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week has been set for July 14-20 this year with a special focus on speeding. "For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in nearly one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities,” said CVSA President Chief Jay Thompson with the Arkansas Highway Police. “That is unacceptable, especially[…]

$900 Million Available in Infrastructure Grant Funds through BUILD

On April 22, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, Elaine L. Chao, announced the availability of $900 million in Infrastructure Grant Funds. The Department of Transportation’s announcement was a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for funding through BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program. To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity, click here. BUILD stands for the[…]

5 Things You Need to Know About the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse

On January 6, 2020, the FMCSA and DOT will implement the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse will help to monitor drivers that are not legally permitted to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle due to drug or alcohol violations. The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will be used to enforce the rules already in place regarding[…]

What to expect with 2019’s Roadcheck Inspection spree

Violations that put your trucks out of service are dangerous to drivers and bad for business. It’s important to keep the trucks in your fleet well maintained and compliant with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). 2019 Roadcheck Inspection The International Roadcheck is set for June 4-6, 2019. Every year, during the CVSA’s Roadside Inspection[…]

National Work Zone Awareness Week

On average, over 700 fatalities occur in work zones each year determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 2019 National Work Zone Awareness Week In an effort to protect our drivers and workers, the FMCSA created National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). NWZAW is an annual event bringing awareness to work zone safety[…]

a truck taking advantage of the 90 day agriculture waiver

The 90 Day Waiver for Agriculture Drivers and Why You Shouldn’t Wait

While the ELD mandate compliance date goes into effect for the majority of drivers on December 18, 2017, agriculture drivers have been given a temporary reprieve recently in the form of a 90-day waiver. While it may sound good to some, a good ELD and fleet management system does so much that it really doesn’t[…]

2017 inspection blitz

June Inspection Blitz

Get yourself and your fleet ready, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual International Roadcheck will be June 6 through June 8 this year. The inspection blitz covers the entire North American continent, so drivers in Mexico, Canada, and the United States will be affected. Last year, during the 72-hour blitz, more than 9,000 trucks[…]

a very tired trucker

Why Are Truckers So Tired?

When an accident happens involving a trucker, fatigue is often one of the reasons listed. The 2014 accident involving Tracy Morgan made national headlines, but it’s not an uncommon story. Unfortunately, a lot of truckers are tired. The question that people don’t always ask is, “Why?” Time Spent Behind the Wheel The 14 hour drive[…]

speedometer

Proposed DOT Speed Limiters

On August 26, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a speed limiter mandate proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). At the beginning of September, a 60-day window for public comments began to give the motor carrier industry the opportunity to supply feedback[…]

operation safe driver week

Safety Meeting Series: Operation Safe Driver Week

Be on the lookout for additional inspections while you’re on the road between October 16 and October 22. That is the designated time for Operation Safe Driver Week organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) as part of their Operation Safe Driver program. Law enforcement agencies will increase traffic safety enforcement for both commercial[…]

brake inspection

The Results are In: CVSA Brake Check Day Plus Upcoming Brake Safety Week

Since 1998, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has inspected 3.4 million commercial brakes with one goal in mind: keeping trucks, their drivers, and others on the road safe. Improperly installed and badly maintained brakes reduce the braking capacity of trucks and increase the stopping distances needed out on the road. With two separate events[…]

changes to commercial truck inspections

FMCSA Inspection Changes

In July, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a few changes and updates to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The “Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation” and “Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance” portions of the FMCSRs were the areas that received the most amendments. The FMCSA says no new regulations have[…]