Weather researchers are predicting an explosive Atlantic hurricane season this year. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an 85% chance of an above-normal season, with 17 to 25 total named storms. Of those, eight to 13 are forecasted to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including four to seven … Continue reading “Hurricane Preparedness for Trucking Operations”
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”
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”
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”
Truck inspections are expected to change as federal trucking regulators and commercial vehicle enforcement agencies push for wireless roadside inspections. Motor carriers will have to equip their trucks with devices to transmit the identity and condition of trucks and drivers to roadside enforcement. However, according to the North American Transportation Association (NTA), how motor carriers … Continue reading “Down the Road: Electronic Truck Inspections”
Workers’ Compensation insurance provides coverage for employee on-the-job injuries and illnesses. A business pays an estimated premium at the beginning of the year that is based on a number of factors, including payroll; industry classification (different industries have varying levels of risk with regard to workplace injuries and illnesses); employee classification (a driver is at … Continue reading “Ensure Smooth Workers’ Compensation Premium Audits “
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) in February announced proposed changes to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to reduce and prevent crashes. Public comments on the proposed changes are due this month. The FMCSA’s goal is to ensure greater consistency in results by holding similar carriers to the same standard, regardless of how … Continue reading “FMCSA Proposes Changes to Its Safety Measurement System”
In a previous article, we discussed the requirement for daily vehicle inspections by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In this article, we will look at the requirements for 90-day inspections, as required by the state of California. If your truck has a GVW (gross vehicle weight) rating of … Continue reading “90-Day Truck Inspections: Part II”
Over the next few articles, we will review vehicle inspection requirements for commercial trucks as required and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In this article, we will review daily vehicle inspections. Drivers must conduct inspections at the beginning and end of each shift and on each … Continue reading “DOT-Compliant Vehicle Inspections: Part I”
