Monday, December 3, 2012

FMCSA Implements Improvements to its Safety Measurement System 

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today implemented 11 new improvements to its Safety Measurement System (SMS). The changes, developed over several months with feedback from the public and stakeholders throughout the industry, will enhance the agency’s ability to identify and take action against trucks and buses with safety and compliance concerns. More here.
The Violation Severity by Numeric Weight Chart has been updated to reflect the new changes in the CSA BASIC's.
Joe

Monday, November 19, 2012

Survey: Seven in 10 Truckers Using Mobile More Often for Business


11/19/2012
Survey: Seven in 10 Truckers Using Mobile More Often for Business
Truckers are increasingly doing business via mobile devices, according to UShip.com's third annual mobile usage survey. It also shows significant shifts in use of smartphone GPS navigation over traditional GPS units and a greater appetite for social media and apps via mobile.... More >

Thursday, November 15, 2012

FMCSA Defends Hours Rule


The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defended its hours-of-service rule in a court filing, arguing that limits on the 34-hour restart are reasonable.

The agency also told a federal appeals court that the risks of the 11-hour limit on driving are outweighed by the productivity savings, and the 30-minute rest break improves safety.... More >

FMCSA Proposes Tough Sanctions for Carriers That Repeatedly Disregard Safety Rules

Safety regulators want to impose the ultimate penalty, loss of registration, on truck and bus operations that show egregious disregard for the rules.  Click Here for the complete story.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012


FMCSA Proposed Rule Targets Officials of Unsafe Carriers 
Federal officials are seeking authority to shut down motor carriers that employ officials who have shown “egregious disregard” for safety regulations.  Click Here for the complete story

New FMCSA Initiative - Driver Medical Card Validation


The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its State partners will be conducting random verification's of driver Medical Examiner's Certificates (MEC) during enforcement activities.

The purpose of these validations is to obtain verbal confirmation that the medical examination was conducted and the information on the Medical Examination Certificate is accurate. It is not to evaluate the driver's medical fitness to operate a CMV.

We will take the following steps to validate the authenticity of MECs:
1. Contact the Medical Examiner's (ME) office at the telephone number indicated on the certificate;
2. Explain the inquiry's purpose and indicate that it is intended solely to confirm that the document presented by the driver matches the records maintained by the ME. Direct contact with the actual ME is not required - an authorized staff member may provide the requested information; and
3. Provide the driver's name and date of birth, the date of issuance of the MEC and any restrictions indicated thereon and request verbal confirmation of the information provided.
The FMCSA appreciates the MEs' cooperation in our effort to eliminate the use of fraudulent MECs and to keep medically unqualified drivers off our nation's highways.

Be prepared for this new enforcement of the coming changes in driver medical qualifications.

Monday, November 12, 2012


Target Defendants:"Protecting Trucking Companies in Litigation"
Click here to view a webinar presented by Vertical Alliance Group, Inc and Scott Carey, Attorney and managing partner of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.  Learn what you must do to protect your company from lawsuits and crippling punitive damages.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Getting The Younger Generation Into Trucking

Driver shortage is a growing issue, and with the aging workforce getting younger drivers into trucking has become a major challenge. Vertical Alliance Group is hosting a webinar November 8, 2012 that addresses this issue. Dan Baker will be the speaking on "Trucking's Generational Challenge".

Join us on Thursday, November 8th at 3:00 pm CST for the special "Best Practices" Webinar. Register today:  

Monday, October 22, 2012

President Signs Military CDL Act 10/22/12

Barack Obama on Friday 10/19/12 signed the Military Commercial Drivers' License Act of 2012, which will make it easier for veterans and service men and women to obtain Commercial Drivers' Licenses, making them more employable once they leave active-duty. Full article.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Driver Retention Today's Trucking Companies

Increasing freight tonnage, an aging workforce, and the new FMCSA safety regulations are focusing the industry’s attention once again on driver recruitment and retention.

Vertical Alliance (VAG) has for a long while had training for a trucking companies most important asset the driver. Our addition of Dan Baker Dispatcher and Driver Relations targets retention keep your people happy, show the driver is an important part of your company, and get them home. Dan's favorite quote "Gett’m Rolling’, Gett’m Paid, Gett’m Home – It’s All About The Driver" deals with how we connect the realities of trucking with the people issues that control those realities.

Increase your companies driver retention with Dan today.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Mr. Lamm with FMCSA Covers Roaside Inspections

Mr. Lamm's presentation covered the areas where most violations occurred during a Roadside Inspection in the last 12 months.

To watch the full presentation please fill out the information here.

Topics Covered:
  • What is the violation?
  • What Safety Process is broken/ missing?
  • Why is the Process breaking down?
  • How to best address these process breakdowns?
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Friday, October 12, 2012

The CSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) Updated.

The CSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) website has been updated with the September 28, 2012 snapshot.  Check your safety assessment now at: http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms. Also available is FMCSA’s SMS Preview website.  Carriers can log in to the site to preview the first package of proposed changes to the SMS through two websites:

1. Visit the CSA Website (http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/smspreview/) and log in with an FMCSA-issued U.S. DOT number and a personal identification number (PIN), or

2. Log in to the FMCSA Portal (https://portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login) and select the “CSA Outreach” link.

FMCSA encourages motor carriers to view the SMS Preview to see how methodology changes will affect their SMS results.

Has your driving career been effected by CSA 2010

I am interested in hearing from drivers if their career has been impacted by CSA 2010. I know it has been some time since we have posted on this blog, but I want to bring it back to get some feedback from drivers.

Let us know your thoughts.
Joe

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