International Roadcheck Is May 17-19 With a Focus on Wheel Ends

Inspectors will be out in force.  Although wheel ends is the focus point, all systems will be examined.  Brake violations are historically the most common problems during roadside inspections.  Protect your CSA scores and be ready!

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) notice of intent to proceed with rulemaking to mandate speed limiters on most heavy-duty trucks is being published in the Federal Register Wednesday, May 4. The publication of what the agency is calling an advance notice of supplemental proposed rulemaking opens the comment period for 30 days.

FMCSA has been conducting new entrant audits and compliance reviews electronically due to the COVID constraints.  All of the data requested during one of these audits must be transferred to the auditor through the computer.  According to Transport Topics and other industry media this system of auditing has created an issue in that the number of conditional ratings has increased.  Inspectors have related that much of this is due to a few key items:  1.  Improper use of Personal Conveyance.  2.  Improper use of the COVID exemptions.  3.  Insufficient auditing of the records of duty status.  4.  Unassigned driving time generated by the system which has not been addressed properly by the motor carrier.  

It is extremely important to have someone assigned to monitor the ELD system.  Even more important than the old paper log system.

National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 11-15) kicks off this year’s road construction season, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) wants to make sure everyone is taking extra care when driving in these areas, particularly when sharing the road with large trucks and buses.

April 4-11, 2022 / High Visibility Enforcement

The U Drive. U Text. U Pay. A high visibility enforcement media campaign centers on aiding law enforcement officers in their efforts to keep texting and distracted drivers off the road. Distracted driving is a first offense in many States and continues to gain recognition across the nation as a deadly traffic safety epidemic. 

Texting and other forms of messaging while driving are real dangers on America’s roads. While distracted driving can take many other forms, these texting behaviors have become some of the most pervasive forms of distracted driving. From April 4-11, 2022, law enforcement officers will be working together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws.

Had a great day with a group at PMTA Headquarters conducting a Mock Level I inspection.  Thanks to longtime member Keen Transport for providing the equipment to inspect.  We were all cool characters out there (the temp was hovering at a balmy 36 degrees).  Lots of good questions.  Thanks to all who participated.  PMTA has lots of good programs coming up.  Check out the calendar of events.  Hope to see you all at one or more of them. 

Operation Safe Driver Week Is July 10-16 With Focus on Speeding

 

Greenbelt, Maryland (March 29, 2022) – This year’s Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 10-16. Law enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will be on roadways throughout that week issuing warnings and citations to commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, drunk or drugged driving, etc.

Spent time with Kenton Good, Paul Myers and Casey Bloom at Transtech yesterday.  What an impressive facility!  They provide state of the art instruction in all aspects of heavy vehicle maintenance.  This is definitely a career path for those who want to enter the workforce without the debt accrued by attending college.  If you enjoy working with your hands and your head this is the place to be.  Thanks to the team at Transtech for a great day!

Had a great time with a good group of safety minded drivers and workers.  After surviving COVID the company was able to bring everyone together for their annual safety day.  The speakers all had good messages and the breakfast was awesome.  PMTA is proud to have Gleim as a member company and we are happy we are able to support their safety values. 

I spent the morning at the Yellow Freight terminal in Ben Salem honoring three drivers who were recognized for their safe driving by achieving one million safe miles!  That is quite a feat in the Northeast!  Chet, Scott and Frank were greeted by national and regional managers from the company as well as a local motor carrier inspector and their fellow drivers.