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.[…]

Challenging DataQ

How to Challenge a DOT Violation Using DataQ by Nidasha Willis DataQ is an electronic process that allows you to request and track a review of federal and state data issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Often individuals or companies will go through this process if they receive alerts, violations, and investigations[…]

Understanding DATAQs – Tips to Help Through the Process

]Understanding DATAQS – Tips to Help Through the Process By Nidasha Willis   This piece is an introduction of DataQ. Over the next several weeks, we will be adding more in depth pieces so you can be more comfortable with DataQ, its processes, and why you need to be cognizant of is relevance to you[…]

Radio Nemo Interview with Gorilla Safety CEO at GATS 2019

LIVE from the Great American Trucking Show 2019 Radio Nemo interviewed Gorilla Safety’s CEO, Mark Walton, discussing the looming ELD Mandate deadline and how easy it is to make the transition from AOBRD to ELD. Tune in to hear more about the benefits of ELDs and the changes for drivers editing capabilities. Other topics covered include[…]

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[…]

Freightliner is now delivering the electric eCascadia truck to customers

On August 12, 2019, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) announced that they are ready to start deliveries of their eCascadia all-electric semi trucks to customers. According to Freightliner, Penske Truck Leasing and NFI will be the first companies to employ the eCascadia in their commercial operations. The trucks are part of the Freightliner Electric[…]

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[…]

Texas, Are You Ready For The ELD Mandate December 2019?

The Texas ELD mandate is coming December 19, 2019. Texas commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) driving intrastate must make sure that their fleet is in sync with the new requirements to remain compliant. Texas has updated their Hours of Service (HOS) code with a ruling that follows the guidelines put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier[…]

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[…]

Gorilla Safety Offers Asset Tracking For ANY Business With Advanced GPS

Ever feel like you can’t find your trucks or trailers? Tired of not knowing what’s going on around your business? You can’t leave yourself in the position of not knowing where your $160,000 truck and $75,000 trailer are. Gorilla Safety has you covered. With Advanced GPS Tracking, you know where your company’s assets are at[…]

House passes Funding Bill that bars the DOT from eliminating the 30-minute Break Rule

On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 2020 government funding bill. Stipulations were placed on this bill that requires motor carrier’s ratings with the DOT’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to be made public within 6 months. The stipulations placed on this bill, H.R. 3055, were fought by the House Rules[…]

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,[…]

U.S. DOT launches program to help Veterans and Reservists find jobs in the Trucking Industry

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced Monday, June 17, 2019, that they are accepting applications for a pilot program to permit younger drivers between the ages of 18 to 21 with the U.S. Military’s equivalent of a commercial drivers license (CDL) to operate large trucks in interstate commerce. During the pilot program, which is[…]