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With continuing concerns about speeding on the nation’s highways, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to conduct a survey-research effort to ask 1,500 drivers with one or more recent speeding tickets why they speed — and why others with no violations don’t speed.

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to grant the exemption requested by the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) for commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants seeking a school bus endorsement, from the engine compartment portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement, known as the ‘‘under-the-hood’’ testing requirement. Drivers issued a CDL pursuant to the requested exemption would be restricted to the intrastate operation of school buses only. FMCSA also grants an exemption from the requirement that states administer this portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test in accordance with an FMCSA pre-approved examiner information manual. FMCSA analyzed the application and public comments and determined that granting the exemption is likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.

DATES: The exemption is effective from November 27, 2022 through November 27, 2024.

I just had a great time reviewing load securement regulations with the drivers and managers at E K Services.  I received good questions and we had an educational discussion on hours of service.  I love it when I learn something too.  We went outside and inspected a truck and trailer and pointed out some regulatory and best practice procedures.  Thanks for a great day and a great lunch!

What a great day in Carlisle PA!  We had an awesome array of speakers and a fantastic audience.  The food was pretty good too.  Thanks to Fedex for breakfast and Phillip Morris for lunch.  I also want to thank the PMTA Road Team for their assistance and input.  It hits home when the drivers tell their stories.  Can't wait till next year!

Get your drivers recognized for their safe driving by nominating them for Driver of the Month.  We then select a Driver of the Year from the twelve chosen drivers.  We are collecting the forms and will announce the winners at the banquet in April 2023.  What  a great way to celebrate your driver's commitment to safety.

Click HERE for a Nomination Form!

I was very impressed with the Grocery Haulers facility in beautiful downtown Iselin, NJ.  We had a good discussion highlighting the hours of service regulations pertinent to their operation.  I appreciated their commitment to safety.

Commercial motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance during the emergency in the seven states are granted temporary relief from Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Section 395.3 for maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles.

States of Emergency

States covered by the Regional Emergency Declaration:

• Florida

• Alabama

•  Georgia

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

The emergency declaration applies to commercial motor vehicle operations involved in providing direct assistance for emergency relief in transporting supplies, goods, equipment and fuel into the seven states.

The declaration stipulates that when a commercial driver is transitioning from relief services to normal business operations transporting property, a 10-hour break is required when the total time equals or exceeds 14 hours that a driver is engaged in emergency relief or combined emergency/normal work.

Direct emergency assistance ends when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide nonemergency services, or when a motor carrier dispatches a driver or commercial motor vehicle to another location to begin business operations.

Had a great time with the crew at Birchmont Transport.  The new PMTA member made me feel right at home.  Thanks Greg and Jim for supporting safety.  They have a good group of drivers and we had a fun discussing the importance of Pre and Post-trip inspections.  Stay safe guys!

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering requiring all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with electronic identification technology capable of wirelessly communicating a unique ID number when queried by a federal or state motor carrier safety enforcement officer.

The FMCSA, which says the proposed measure “would enable safety officials to more efficiently and accurately identify a vehicle’s motor carrier designation (or motor carrier on record) while in operation via wireless electronic means,” is requesting public comment on the issue.

FMCSA officials contend that the electronic identifiers would “improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program by more fully enabling enforcement agencies to focus their efforts at high-risk carriers and drivers.”

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It's that time again sports fans.  Please begin submitting your safe drivers for our awards program.  The banquet in their honor is in April so we want to have sufficient time to choose the best candidates for the awards.  The driver of the year will be the best of those chosen for the DOM.  Fleet Safety award submissions were down last year.  Please get your submissions in.  The winners are honored at the AMC each year.