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  • March 23, 2023 8:05 AM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    The changes to CSA may have a profound effect on drivers.  It is strongly suggested the drivers access the comment page at

    https://www.regulations.gov and the Docket I.D. Number:  FMCSA-2022-0066




    FMCSA strongly encourages stakeholders to participate in the preview and submit their comments to the public docket.

    The proposed changes to the Agency’s SMS are explained in a Federal Register notice (2023-02947). Feedback on the proposed changes must be submitted to the Federal Docket Management System (https://www.regulations.gov/), Docket ID Number: FMCSA-2022-0066. The 90-day comment period will begin on February 15, 2023 and are due by May 16, 2023. FMCSA will hold four public online question and answer webinars, during which participants will be able to ask questions about the preview and proposed changes and receive real-time answers, time permitting. Registration is required. Visit the CSA Prioritization Preview website for more information.


  • March 21, 2023 1:28 PM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    FMCSA

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    Phishing Scam Alert

    FMCSA has been notified of a phishing scam that you may receive from the “Assistant of Administration” claiming to include “membership suspension documents” that “require your signature.”  This phishing scam is being sent from various email addresses.  Please do not respond to any suspicious emails and take appropriate action according to your company or agency policy.

    Questions?

    For more information you can contact us.

     

    Stay informed

    FMCSA will continue to send email updates about the Training Provider Registry. Manage your subscriptions to tell us which topics you are interested in.

     

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  • March 20, 2023 12:29 PM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    More than 80 Police Departments across Southeast Pennsylvania to Target Aggressive Drivers during Statewide Mobilization

    03/20/2023

    King of Prussia, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that more than 80 municipal police departments from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties will join the Pennsylvania State Police in a coordinated aggressive driving enforcement wave to help reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on area roadways as part of a statewide mobilization that runs through April 23.


    The enforcement wave will focus on distracted driving, speeding, and work zone awareness. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or other aggressive actions will also be cited. 


    Law enforcement will use traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrol strategies to identify and cite aggressive drivers. 


    The enforcement is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).


    If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips:  

    • Get out of their way and don't challenge them.
    • Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
    • Don't block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.
    • Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. But, if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. 


  • March 08, 2023 1:46 PM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse starts proactive notifications this month

    Fleet Owner, March 7

    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse will become more proactive by the end of March, notifying current employers if a company driver fails a pre-employment screening with another carrier, FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson said.


  • February 28, 2023 11:35 AM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    International Roadcheck Is May 16-18 with Emphasis on ABS and Cargo Securement

     

    Washington, D.C. (Feb. 28, 2023) – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced May 16-18 as this year’s International Roadcheck. International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume 72-hour inspection and enforcement event where CVSA-certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, designated inspection areas and along roadways.

     

    This year, inspectors will focus on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement to highlight the importance of those aspects of vehicle safety. Although ABS violations are not out-of-service violations, ABS play a critical role in reducing the risk of collisions by preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding, allowing a driver to maintain control of the vehicle while braking. In addition, improper cargo securement poses a serious risk to drivers and other motorists by adversely affecting the vehicle’s maneuverability, or worse, causing unsecured loads to fall, resulting in traffic hazards and vehicle collisions.

     

    During International Roadcheck, inspectors will conduct their usual roadside safety inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. Data will be gathered from those three days and shared later this year, as a snapshot of the state of commercial motor vehicle and driver safety.

     

    International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate the motor carrier industry and general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the North American Standard Inspection Program.

     

    During a routine North American Standard Level I Inspection, inspectors focus on two areas – driver and vehicle safety compliance.

    • Vehicle safety – Inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments.
    • Driver safety – Inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, status in the drug and alcohol clearinghouse, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment.

    Vehicles that successfully pass a Level I or Level V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for three months. If the inspector does identify critical vehicle inspection item violations, as outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle will be restricted from operating until the identified out-of-service conditions have been corrected. Inspectors may also restrict the driver from operating if the driver is found to have driver out-of-service violations, such as not possessing a valid or necessary operating license or exhibiting signs of impairment.

     

    CVSA’s law enforcement member jurisdictions in cities, states, districts, provinces and territories in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. participate in International Roadcheck with support from trucking associations, transportation safety organizations and federal agencies, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Transport Canada and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation.

     


  • February 17, 2023 10:44 AM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    Register for a Q&A Webinar

    The proposed changes to the methodology are detailed below. If you have questions about these changes, use the links below to register for one of the following FMCSA Q&A sessions. Space is limited.

    • Thursday, March 7, 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time

    • Tuesday, March 14, 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time

    • Wednesday, March 15, 11 a.m.-12 noon, Eastern Time


  • February 16, 2023 8:32 AM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    https://www.research.net/r/Impacts-Marijuana-Carrier

    Use the above link to participate in a confidential survey of Motor Carriers and those involved in the recruitment of commercial vehicle drivers.  This survey will enhance the study already in progress at ATRI.


    The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, is seeking motor carrier input on the impact of marijuana legalization on the trucking industry’s workforce. This research was identified as a top priority in 2022 by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee. 

    Motor carrier staff and executives familiar with driver recruiting, retention and drug testing practices and trends are asked to share their input below. This timely research will provide insight into the specific challenges motor carriers face as the use of recreational marijuana grows in the U.S. The findings should also provide insight into approaches the industry can take to address these challenges.

     

    The data collected will be kept completely confidential.  Personal and organizational information will never be released for public use under any circumstance, and it will only be used internally for research analyses.  The final report will only be presented in an aggregated, non-identifying format. As needed, ATRI will sign a confidentiality


  • February 14, 2023 3:36 PM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    Some of the proposed changes include reorganizing the SMS’s safety categories (currently known as “BASICs”); organizing roadside violations into violation groups for prioritization purposes; simplifying violation severity weights; adjusting some of the Intervention Thresholds that identify companies for possible intervention; and more changes aimed at comparing similar motor carriers to each other.

    A new website, the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) Prioritization Preview, which is now live, is the first phase of planned updates to the Agency’s SMS. Motor carriers can visit the website to preview how their data would appear under the proposed changes. Companies are encouraged to preview these results and submit feedback on the proposed changes to FMCSA at the Federal Register website. Other users will be able to view sample pages. 

    The preview site is https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/prioritizationpreview

    FMCSA strongly encourages stakeholders to participate in the preview and submit their comments to the public docket.

    The proposed changes to the Agency’s SMS are explained in a Federal Register notice (2023-02947). Feedback on the proposed changes must be submitted to the Federal Docket Management System (https://www.regulations.gov/), Docket ID Number: FMCSA-2022-0066

  • February 10, 2023 8:19 AM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania DUI Association, and AAA Mid-Atlantic held an event today at Chickie's & Pete's in South Philadelphia to remind football fans everywhere that if you're heading out to a Super Bowl party, make sure you plan a designated driver to get you home safely.

    "Safety is PennDOT's most important priority," said Acting PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula. "We want Eagles fans to enjoy their festivities this weekend, but we also want responsible drivers on our roads. If your celebration includes alcohol, plan ahead by designating a sober driver or arranging for alternate transportation."

    As part of the event, police discussed the increased use of roving patrols on Super Bowl Sunday to target impaired drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Participants also provided Super Bowl party-hosting tips and non-alcoholic drink options to prevent partygoers from drinking and driving.

    "Our highway safety mission includes a zero-tolerance approach with drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs," said Pennsylvania State Police Communications Director Lieutenant Adam Reed. "Troopers are trained to identify impaired drivers and remove them from our roadways. Please be responsible this Sunday, as it's not only a Philly thing, it's a PA thing."


  • February 08, 2023 10:54 AM | John Rigney (Administrator)

    FMCSA has removed ONE PLUS ELD’s ORS device (n/k/a 1 PL Logs) from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). 

    Motor carriers and drivers using ONE PLUS ELDs (n/k/a 1 PL Logs) have 60 days to replace the revoked devices with compliant ELDs.

    On February 8, 2023, FMCSA removed the following device from the list of registered ELDs due to the company’s failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A.

    ELD Name: ONE PLUS ELD (n/k/a 1 PL Logs) ELD Model number: ORS ELD Identifier: ORS160 ELD Provider: ONE PLUS ELD (n/k/a 1 PL LOGS) ELD Registration ID: 8J3V

    This device now appears on FMCSA’s Revoked Devices list.

    Motor carriers and drivers who use the device listed above must take the following actions:

    1. Discontinue using the revoked device(s) and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
    2. Replace the revoked device(s) with compliant ELD(s) from the Registered Devices list before April 10, 2023.


John's Safety Minute

My name is John Rigney and I am a retired Pennsylvania State Trooper. I retired in July of 2011 as a Sergeant in charge of Staff Services at Troop J, Lancaster. While there I received extensive training in emergency response with PEMA and FEMA. I was heavily involved in Motor Carrier safety and was certified by PADOT and FMCSA as an instructor for the roadside inspection processes. I hold a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Forest Products from the Pennsylvania State University. I also hold a Certified Safety Supervisor accreditation from the National Transportation Management Institute (NATMI) which is administered by the University of Central Florida. 

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