Last week, Driving Ambition hosted and sponsored its 2nd CSA 2010 / FMCSA Seminar featuring former FMCSA Administrator John Hill.
The seminar was held in Cincinnati, OH on May 20. The first such seminar took place in March in Indianapolis, IN. For both seminars, John Hill spoke to a full house of approximately 100 people about CSA 2010, and a handful of other FMCSA initiatives that we can expect to see this year.
Former FMCSA Administrator Hill stressed the importance for carriers, as well as CDL drivers, to become extremely familiar with CSA 2010 - especially in light of a recent survey stating that barely 50% of carriers are remotely familiar with CSA 2010.
To view a .pdf of the PowerPoint used during John Hill's presentation, click here.
Driving Ambition will be sponsoring at least two more CSA 2010 / FMCSA Seminars this year - both in July - in Nashville, TN and again in Indianapolis, IN. Click here for more information.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
At the first ever Sleep Apnea & Trucking Conference, held in Baltimore, MD, a sold out crowd of trucking industry leaders, sleep medicine professionals, regulators and vendors gathered to discuss solutions for the serious problem of sleep apnea in trucking. The two-day event was hosted by the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) and co-sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the FMCSA.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing, is a condition where airways become obstructed while sleeping, typically resulting in "hypoxia" or low blood oxygen levels at night. The obstruction leads to interruptions in breathing lasting several seconds at a time, loud snoring, and non-restful sleep. OSA has been demonstrated to significantly increase safety and health risks, leading to extreme daytime sleepiness.
Medical research has shown that OSA is a significant cause of motor vehicle crashes (resulting in a two- to seven-fold increased risk). Studies also suggest that commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators have a higher prevalence of OSA than the general population. According to FMCSA research, around 30 percent of drivers suffer from mild to severe sleep apnea.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) renewed its campaign to broaden the use of sleep disorder screening across all modes of transportation - air, rail, marine, and trucking - as part of a long-term effort to significantly reduce the negative effects of fatigue. According to NTSB Vice Chairman Christopher Hart, fatigue and sleep apnea are major problems of the trucking industry and regulators need better awareness and better treatments to address the problem properly.
Hart proposed that the FMCSA incorporate new sleep disorder suggestions in an online medical examiner book. He also said he believes FMCSA will complete a revised examination report form by September to include the assessment of sleep disorders and publish a best practices guide for examiners.
Currently, there are few rules in transportation addressing OSA. In trucking, FMCSA asks about sleep disorders, OSA, daytime sleepiness, and snoring on the questionnaire completed by commercial truck drivers undergoing examination for medical certification. Further, the FMCSA Medical Review Board in 2008 recommended that the adminstration require OSA screening for all drivers with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, but the FMCSA has yet to act on that recommendation.
Regulators say that sleep disorders are big problems of the trucking industry. FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, who spoke at the Conference, said that fatigue-related crashes need to be reduced in the trucking industry, and that more research, programs, events, and targeted outreach and intervention will reduce drowsy driving accidents. "We consider fatigue to be a high risk behavior, something we're addressing as part of our core mission to reduce severe and fatal crashes involving commercial motor vehicles," said Ferro. "We know sleep apnea contributes to fatigue, that it interferes with safe driving. Thus sleep apnea is a threat to safety."
Over twenty speakers spoke at the two-day conference. Among them was R. Clay Porter, partner, Dennis, Corry, Porter & Smith, LLP. Mr. Porter examined the potential legal ramifications of drivers with sleep apnea on the road. While sleep apnea has not become a major player in the realm of truck litigation, it is "going to be part of this legal landscape sooner rather than later." Recommendations have already been made placing drivers, employers, and physicians on notice about this problem, along with proposed specific steps that should be taken to reduce preventable accidents attributed to OSA. In addition, existing case law exists to frame an argument for punitive damages for employers, and criminal convictions for employees and employers if OSA problems are ignored or hidden. The word to the wise is "deficio gero vestrum periclitatus", which roughly translates to "fail to act at your peril."
Those unable to attend the sold-out conference can purchase the Resource Toolkit, a comprehensive manual with materials on sleep apnea and trucking, which will be available after the conference at http://www.satc2010.org/. You can also click here for a variety of sleep apnea treatment options from the ASAA.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
CSA 2010 is one of a handful of significant safety initiatives being rolled out by the FMCSA this year. Described as a "game changer", it will have a lasting effect on every carrier and truck driver in the industry.
To keep our friends in the transportation industry informed, Driving Ambition will be hosting a special CSA 2010 / FMCSA Seminar on Thursday, May 20th, in Cincinnati, OH featuring former FMCSA Admininistrator John Hill. The cost to attend the Seminar is only $25.00 and includes buffet breakfast. Registration and breakfast is from 8am-9am, followed by Mr. Hill's presentation from 9am-Noon.
What can we expect from the FMCSA in 2010?
In addition to covering CSA 2010, Mr. Hill will offer his unique perspective on a variety of other FMCSA safety and regulatory measures that will have a lasting impact on the industry.
We hope you can join us for the most important seminar of the year. Deadline to register is Tuesday, May 18th.
Click here to register now (credit cards are accepted).
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will hold this year's annual Roadcheck from June 8-10.
Operation Roadcheck is a 72-hour roadside inspection and enforcement blitz in which an estimated 10,000 inspectors set up more than 1,000 checkpoints on highways across North America to monitor truck safety compliance. Since its inception in 1988, Operation Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world with an estimated 14 trucks or buses being inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during the 72-hour period.
The inspections are held in cooperation with the FMCSA, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico.
As in past events, this year's Roadcheck will focus on commercial vehicle and driver safety and security. However, this year's version has the added bonus of being the first safety blitz that will affect your CSA 2010 score. Drivers should make sure their logbooks are current and their equipment properly maintained with no violations as CVSA inspectors will be checking both. Keep in mind that all inspection violations will become part of your CSA 2010 record. What inspectors find, or don't find, can affect your CSA 2010 ratings. Even violations not resulting in an out-of-service order will be tabulated into the CSA 2010 safety measurement system (SMS).
Under CSA 2010, vehicle-maintenance, load-securement violations, driver history, driver fitness (driver appropriately licensed), carrier crash history, and the use of controlled substances are among the criteria used to calculate a carrier's BASIC rating. Such data from roadside inspections is then measured to determine whether a carrier qualifies for an intervention by the FMCSA. For more information on CSA 2010, check http://csa2010.fmcsa.dot.gov/.
For more information on Operation Roadcheck, visit http://www.cvsa.org/.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
On Tuesday, May 11, the FMCSA launched its
Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), which allows commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records.
The program provides real-time data, in the form of access to up to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data regardless of the state or jurisdiction, to help motor carriers review the crash and serious safety violation histories of prospective employees as part of the hiring process.
PSP is populated monthly by FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). MCMIS is comprised of driver performance data including inspection and compliance review results, enforcement data, state-reported crashes, and motor carrier census data - the same information that is used by agency staff and state police for enforcement.
The FMCSA has contracted with NIC Technologies to provide data electronically to carriers with the drivers' written consent. The carrier must enroll to participate in this program. Although participation in the program is voluntary, it's predicted that it will become standard practice in the hiring process. "It will become the standard of care in pretty short order...pretty soon it will become the de facto driver qualification verification", said former FMCSA Administrator John Hill.
Some key points to PSP:
*Registration is free but there will be a charge to use the system. Carriers with fewer than 100 power units must pay a $25 annual subscription fee and $10 for each record retrieved. Companies with more than 100 power units must pay a $100 subscription fee, plus the $10 per-record fee. Both are limited to 10 users. The agency will not charge a carrier that comes into the system through a third-party provider, although presumably the provider will charge its own fee. Individual drivers will not have to pay a subscription fee but will have to pay the $10 charge to retrieve their record.
*The data is protected by a number of federal laws, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. FMCSA will audit the program to confirm driver and company identity, and the accuracy of driver permission forms.
*The agency encourages drivers to look at their records. Incorrect information can be challenged through the agency's DataQs system: https://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.asp.
To register for the program, go to www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. The site includes a list of frequently asked questions. For specific questions about enrolling in the PSP program, please e-mail PSPenrollment@nicusa.com.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Business owners are being warned of another new round of fraudulent US DOT letters that are starting to circulate among motor carriers. Faxed letters appearing on U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) letterhead are adeptly hidden as an identity theft maneuver, asking for "authorization to release financial information." The DOT would never ask this type of question or send this sort of fax.
The letters appear to be from the "U.S. Department of Transportation Procurement Office" and signed by a fictitious name of "Julie P. Weynel - Senior Procurement Officer". Letters like this have surfaced many times over the past five years.
Following is a list of fraudulent letters which have been faxed out to current or potential contractors:
- December 29, 2005, signed by "Frank M. Orell"
- February 8, 2006, signed by "Randy Cohen"
- April 27, 2006, signed by "Dan Jacobs"
- July 28, 2006, signed by "Dan Jacobs"
- November 8, 2006, signed by "Lisa Johnson"
- February 26, 2007, signed by "Lisa Johnson"
- March 26, 2007, signed by "Jason Scarlett"
- May 10, 2007, signed by "Jason Scarlett"
- July 11, 12, and 20, 2007, signed by "George Mason"
- August 27 and 28, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
- September 10, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
- October 12, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
- October 21, 2007, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
- January 28, 2008, signed by "Julie P. Weynel"
- February 7, March 3, March 31, 2008, signed by "Bradley K. Wash"
- April 1, 2008, signed by "Bradley K. Wash"
- April 28, 2008, signed by "Bradley K. Wash"
- June 3, 2008, signed by "Robert Dal"
- June 4, 2008, signed by "James Buchanan"
- September 5, 2008, signed by "David Jacobson"
- October 20, 2008, signed by "Jennifer Donaldson"
- December 8, 2008, signed by "Jennifer Stewart"
- December 19, 2008, signed by "Jeffrey Steinberg"
- January 27, 2009, signed by "John Steinberg"
- February 17, 2009, signed by "Joshua Greenberg"
- April 1, 2009, signed by "Jason Wallace"
- April 20, 2010, signed by "Julie P. Wenzel"
All letters were signed as the Senior Procurement Officer.
Please DO NOT complete the release form which is attached to the letter and DO NOT release any information to the facsimile number cited in the letter.
If you received a scam fax of this nature, report it to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by submitting a complaint online at or call (800) 382-5516. You can also contact the Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General Hotline at (800) 424-9071.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
The long-awaited final rule defining the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fees for the 2010 registration year was published in the April 27, 2010 Federal Register. The rule announced a new fee schedule, effective as of January 1, 2010, that significantly increases fees for motor carriers under the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA). Although the new fee schedule equates to a 95% increase across the board, the fee levels are slightly lower than what FMCSA proposed last year.
Effective with the 2010 registration year, trailers were removed from the definition of a vehicle subject to UCR - only power units will be counted for purposes of determining a fleet size. Also, leasing companies will only pay one annual fee regardless of fleet size.
As published by the FMCSA, the fees are:
|
Bracket
|
Number of commercial motor vehicles owned or operated by exempt or nonexempt motor carrier, motor private carrier, or freight forwarder
|
Fee per entity for exempt or non-exempt motor carrier, motor private carrier, or freight forwarder
|
Fee per entity for broker or leasing
company
|
|
B1
|
0-2
|
$76
|
$76
|
|
B2
|
3-5
|
$227
|
|
|
B3
|
6-20
|
$452
|
|
|
B4
|
21-100
|
$1,576
|
|
|
B5
|
101-1,000
|
$7,511
|
|
|
B6
|
1,001 and above
|
$73,346
|
|
Acceptance of registrations began on May 5, 2010. An enforcement date will be announced, ending the current moratorium on enforcement of 2010 UCR payment. More information is posted on the national UCR website at http://www.ucr.in.gov/. The National Conference of State Transportation Specialists (NCSTS) recommended that states not begin hard enforcement of the 2010 UCRA fees until July 15. States are not bound by these dates, but are not expected to begin enforcement prior to July 15. Carriers and entities subject to the UCR are still subject to registration, whether or not they receive notification from their state.
Who must register with UCR?
The following entities engaged in interstate commerce are subject to annual UCR registration:
- Private property carriers;
- For-hire property carriers;
- For-hire passenger carriers;
- For-hire exempt (non-regulated) commodity carriers;
- Freight forwarders;
- Leasing companies; and
- Brokers.
Entities based in and/or operating in non-participating states are required to register with UCR; the UCR application form provides guidelines for selecting a base state. All entities domiciled in Canada or Mexico operating in the United States are also subject to UCR registration.
Who is not required to register with UCR?
These entities are not subject to UCR fees:
- Entities that receive USDOT numbers under the PRISM program as "registrants" but have no interstate operating authority;
- Purely intrastate carriers, that is, those that do not handle interstate freight or make interstate movements, (unless the State has elected to apply the provisions of the UCR Agreement to such intrastate carriers); and
- Motor private carriers transporting passengers in interstate commerce (e.g. church buses).
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.
Ohio is gearing up for an all out effort focusing on raising the awareness of seat belt usage among drivers during the 2010 Click It or Ticket mobilization. The campaign will run from May 24 to June 6.
Law enforcement, safe communities, and many other partners across the state of Ohio are getting their strategies put together to make this one of the most successful mobilizations in recent history. Ohio currently stands at 84% seat belt usage. Although their goal is to reach a seat belt rate of 85%, saving lives and reducing injuries is most important. The number one goal is to save lives by making sure Ohio motorists "Click It or Ticket."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has made available a 2010 Click It or Ticket planner by visiting: http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/ciot/planner10/.
Driving Ambition is a premier CDL truck driver staffing company serving Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Since 2001, we have specialized in matching safe, experienced CDL drivers for our customers and great job opportunities for our professional truck drivers.
Our commitment to safety and building solid working relationships with both customers and CDL drivers has allowed us to earn an unparalleled reputation with our Proven Drivers and Exceptional Service.