Drivers Three Years Latter Still Don't Understand CSA or CSA2010

The American Transportation Research Institute has released a new white paper showing a majority of the nation’s truck drivers do not have an understanding of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance Safety and Accountability program. CSA was rolled out nationally just over three years ago after it was a pilot program in several states.


On average, drivers responded to the CSA knowledge test with 42.4% accuracy, suggesting that after three years of implementation drivers do not have a clear understanding of CSA, according to ATRI. However, it says, on a more positive note, carrier-provided CSA training has increased steadily since 2011, while driver job security concerns due to CSA have decreased by almost 10% over the three-year period.

It is so important for drivers to understand this. All trucking companies should have a training program that would help them understand this, because it has a direct effect on the companies safety rating.

Drivers need to be made aware it effects their ability to find a job.

We have all this information online in our Learning Management System and so much more located here.

CSA Driver Reminder Series More to come

Vertical Alliance Group is pleased to announce our video releases for December 2013.

 

The titles are:

 

In CSA Minutes - 

• Improper Flag Placement: This short CSA reminder is about the vehicle maintenance violation of improper placement of flags on a permitted load. 
• Inoperative Headlamps: This short CSA reminder is about the Vehicle Maintenance violation of inoperative headlamps. 
• Inoperative Tail Lights: This short CSA reminder is about the Vehicle Maintenance violation of inoperative tail lights.
• Leaking Fluid: This short CSA reminder is about the Vehicle Maintenance violation of leaking fluids.
• Leaking, Spilling, or Blowing Cargo: This is a short CSA reminder about the Vehicle Maintenance/Cargo Securement violation of unsecured cargo that is leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling.

 

Call  877-792-3866 ext 108 today to learn more about the Infinit-i Learning Management System and our extensive library of safety training videos.

Freight Brokering The Game Has Changed

Freight Brokers the Supreme Court has upheld the new regulations, and from some sources about 10% of the current fright brokers are unqualified and will lose their licence to broker freight.

I wonder what this will do to some companies freight?

 Drivers and OO's this might be a good time to look at a change and get into Brokering Freight. There are new laws associated with this and I think you have to have 3 years experience under a bonded broker before you can apply to be a Bonded Broker.

For those that want to get into this but can't afford to take a week off to attend a 3-5k class we have added an online training to become a Journeyman Certified Broker.

This means you can work under a Bonded Broker to begin the 3 years necessary to move out on your own.
http://www.freightbrokeronlinetraining.com/
Worth looking into.

CSA Violations And Your Rights To Refuse to Drive an Unsafe Vehicle

Judge Romero ordered Cargo Express to reinstate Mr. Graff, and pay him back pay of
$65,767.24 and his attorney fees. He also awarded Graff punitive damages of $25,000.00 because Cargo Express’s “actions rose to the level of reckless or callous disregard” for Mr. Graff’s rights.

Graff brought his claim under Section 405 of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act which prohibits retaliation against commercial drivers because they made complaints about violations of commercial vehicle safety regulations or refused to drive in violation of a commercial vehicle safety regulation.

U.S. Department of Labor ruling.

Jury awards $58.5 million to family, says truck driver not adequately trained

The jury in a wrongful death lawsuit in Santa Fe, NM, has awarded the family of a crash victim $58.5 million, saying the driver of a tanker truck that made a left turn in the path of the victim’s oncoming vehicle did not have adequate training. The bulk of the responsibility for the crash lies with the management company that contracted with the trucking company, the jury said.
Full story.

www.lmstrucking.com Learning Management System was built for the purpose of training your drivers. All companies should read this and commit to a comprehensive driver/employee training program today.

We offer a free demo to show how our LMS can be used to prevent this from happening to your company.
Call today 1-877-792-3866
 

Drivers Make Sure You Choose a GPS for Commercial Trucks

Choosing the Right Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation Device is important to understand that not all navigation systems are the same. That is why it is critical for truck and bus drivers to use the right navigation system when operating a commercial truck or bus.

By using a navigation system that does not provide important route restrictions, such as low bridge overpasses, the shortcut you thought would save you time and fuel may end up costing you more than you bargained for.

A typical system that a consumer might buy at an electronics or auto parts store may not have software programming to show low bridges, hazmat routes and other information relevant to commercial motor vehicle operators.

The FMCSA created a visor card specifically for truck and bus drivers on how to choose the right navigation system intended for them. The visor card gives tips for safe use of navigation systems, and can be downloaded free-of-charge.

The visor card provides tips on selecting the proper navigation system designed for trucks and buses, and the correct use of the navigation systems. For example, in order for the navigation system to provide you with the appropriate route, truck and bus drivers should enter all relevant information such as:
vehicle's length,
width and height;
 axle weight;
and any hazardous materials being hauled.

By following the recommended route, obeying traffic signs and not driving while using a cell phone or texting, tragedies can be prevented and lives saved on our roads and highways.

Tips for Commercial Drivers on Selecting a GPS

FMCSA drawing attention Hazmat Compliance BASIC

This week, February 7th through the 14th, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is drawing attention to the Safety Management Cycle (SMC) that helps identify and address safety and compliance issues related to the Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC).

The SMC for the HM BASIC suggests actions that carriers can take to identify the root cause of safety issues, establish and improve their safety management controls, and reduce or eliminate violations. For instance, new hire and refresher trainings are effective ways to communicate company policy and expectations about how to safely transport HM cargo. Also, implementing a disciplinary policy where high-consequence incidents result in stringent disciplinary action can help provide incentive to make every effort to follow company policy.

We are in the process of launching two training videos on Security Awareness Training this month.

Did you know your company policy can be uploaded to our LMS platform and assigned to each driver that can be tested on their retention and understanding.

Are you interested in how we can help your company improve your safety management controls? Just give us a call at 877-792-3866 ext 102.

Joe