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

Cargo Tank Rollovers

What Percentage of Cargo Tank Rollovers Occur On Exit Ramps?

 

A. 25% B. 53% C. 7% D. 73%

YOU might be surprised to learn that according to a recent study conducted for the U. S. Department of Transportation, only about 7% of cargo tank rollovers occur on exit ramps. Eight times as many rollovers occur on straight roadways, often when a driver “over-corrects” after dropping a wheel off the road surface, or becoming distracted. Online Tanker Rollover Driver training. Training is an important part of any safety program. Train your tanker drivers online with our content or you can upload your companies content for your specific training requirements.

Four Months to go DOT Enforces the Hours of Service Rule

If the value of a government regulation is measured by how much its stakeholders hate it, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) rule governing a truck driver's hours of service—known simply as "HOS"—is giving U.S. taxpayers maximum bang for their buck.
Carriers loathe the regulations because they cut into their productivity and require more resources to move the same amount of freight they handle now. Shippers fear them because they could be forced to reconfigure their manufacturing and distribution networks if they want to get their goods to market in a timely fashion. Drivers claim the rules curtail their ability to earn a living and force rest upon them when they don't need it. State regulators worry that carriers will put more trucks on the road to offset the productivity losses, straining their enforcement capabilities. Some in Congress argue the rule creates a safety hazard by forcing commercial drivers onto the highways at the same time as millions of morning rush-hour commuters...Read More

ATA Asks Delay of HOS Changes

ATA Asks Delay of HOS Changes Until Court Appeal Is Resolved

By Timothy Cama, Staff Reporter This story appears in the Feb. 4 print edition of Transport Topics. American Trucking Associations has asked the federal government to delay implementing changes to the hours-of-service regulations until three months after the group’s pending legal challenge ends. A delay, ATA said, would avoid confusion and potentially unnecessary law enforcement training should the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturn or change the rule. Full Story

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

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 >

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.

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.

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.

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:  

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.

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.