In December 2019, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule took effect, requiring that most motor carriers use electronic devices that synchronize with the vehicle engine to track driver hours of service (HOS) instead of paper logbooks. The rule is intended to help create a safer work environment for drivers, making it easier and faster to … Continue reading “Controlling Driver Log Falsification”
Thousands of people are killed, and hundreds of thousands more are seriously injured in distracted driving crashes every year, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). On average, nine people daily are killed in distracted driving crashes. To help combat distracted driving, the NCS designated April as “Distracted Driving Awareness” month, during which free resources … Continue reading “Safety on the Road: Focusing on Preventing Distracted Driving”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOT), oversees nearly 600,000 motor carriers and millions of commercial drivers across the U.S. The agency is responsible for ensuring carriers comply with regulations. DOT regulations cover driver qualifications, hours of service (HOS), vehicle maintenance requirements, drug and alcohol testing, cargo … Continue reading “What You Need to Know About DOT Audits”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced plans to revamp its registration system to improve security, combat fraud, and streamline customer experience for motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders. “Obviously, we’ve had our registration system in its current form for many years,” said Tom Keane, associate administrator of the Office of Research & … Continue reading “FMCSA Announces Plans to Revamp Its Registration System”
Two years ago, New Jersey introduced legislation to raise its minimum Trucking Liability insurance limits to $1.5 million, double the current FMCSA requirement of $750,000. The state law was approved and signed by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2024. The increased minimum trucking liability insurance requirements will take effect July 1, 2024, and apply to … Continue reading “The Garden State Increases Minimum Trucking Liability Insurance Limits to $1.5 Million”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently issued an alert for motor carriers where cybercriminals are posing as agency auditors via email to obtain information and gain unauthorized access to their FMCSA accounts. Once the bad actors gain access, they can change the information and impersonate carriers and other entities to engage in fraudulent … Continue reading “FMCSA Alerts Motor Carriers to Fake Safety Audit Scam by Cybercriminals”
With the sun setting comes additional risks for truckers driving at night. Visibility is reduced, making it more challenging to see the road, other vehicles, and obstacles. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision can all be compromised in the dark. The glare of headlights from an oncoming vehicle can also temporarily blind a driver. … Continue reading “On the Road After Dark: Safe-Driving Tips for Truckers”
Commercial truckers should be ready for inspections when approaching a weigh station or scales to guarantee compliance with weight limits and various safety standards. If a vehicle is found to have violated or violates any roadside inspection conducted by an officer, the vehicle will be put out of service (OOS). Certain critical vehicle inspection items … Continue reading “What to Check for Before Moving Through Scales”
Earlier this month, an appeals court upheld a lower court ruling involving carrier CRST that truck drivers working in teams must be compensated under federal minimum wage laws for time spent in the sleeper cab even if they aren’t sleeping. The question posed in the lower court and on appeal was whether “the time long-haul … Continue reading “Under the FLSA Truckers Are Entitled to Sleeper Berth Compensation”
There are more than 168,000 truck accidents every year, with about 32% involving an injury and around 3% resulting in a fatality, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Texas had the most truck accidents in 2022, with California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Illinois rounding out the top five states. The Centers for Disease … Continue reading “Driver Safety Tips to Help Mitigate Trucking Accidents”
