Ultimately, the FMCSA determined that the registrant-only USDOT numbers were having an adverse affect on its ability to track motor carriers' safety violations. In too many cases, law enforcement personnel were being presented with registrant-only USDOT numbers during inspections and crash investigations. As a result, the data that should have been assigned to the record of the offending motor carrier operating the CMV was being erroneously assigned to the registrant-only USDOT number - a number that should have no safety events assigned to it.
Ultimately, the FMCSA determined that the registrant-only USDOT numbers were having an adverse affect on its ability to track motor carriers' safety violations. In too many cases, law enforcement personnel were being presented with registrant-only USDOT numbers during inspections and crash investigations. As a result, the data that should have been assigned to the record of the offending motor carrier operating the CMV was being erroneously assigned to the registrant-only USDOT number - a number that should have no safety events assigned to it.
ATA's Continued Focus on CSA 2010 Crash Accountability
Vermont Becomes Newest State to Ban Texting-While-Driving
Vermont has become the 27th state to pass a texting while driving ban. Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas recently signed an anti-texting bill and the law took effect June 1st. The new law is primary (meaning that a law enforcement officer can stop a motorist based solely on the suspicion of texting) and prohibits an operator of a motor vehicle on a public road from texting - imposing a $100 penalty for the first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense within a two year timeframe.
In April we reported that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to toughen the punishment under its current texting ban that was established in January. In addition to the steep fines now in place (up to $2,750 for each texting offense), the proposal would temporarily suspend commercial drivers caught texting while driving – at least 60 days for the second offense within three years and at least 120 days for three or more offenses within three years. In addition, part of the proposal seeks to add state or local anti-texting laws to the list of serious traffic violations that can lead to disqualification for CDL drivers so motor carriers operating through Vermont should keep this in mind.
Kansas Becomes Newest State to Impose Texting Ban
Yesterday Kansas become the 26th state to pass a texting while driving ban, as Gov. Mark Parkinson signed an anti-texting bill into law. The new law prohibits an operator of a motor vehicle on a public road from texting. In the bill, “texting” is defined as using a wireless communication device to write, send, or read a written communication. The bill includes exceptions for law enforcement and emergency service personnel; receiving emergency, traffic, or weather related messages; reporting illegal activity to law enforcement; and using a wireless communications device to make or receive a phone call.
Note that law enforcement will be required to issue a warning citation for violations until January 1, 2011 and the subsequent fine for unlawful texting will be $60 per incident.
In April we reported that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to toughen the punishment under its current texting ban that was established in January. In addition to the steep fines now in place (up to $2,750 for each texting offense), the proposal seeks to suspend commercial drivers caught texting while driving. In addition, part of the proposal seeks to add state or local anti-texting laws to the list of serious traffic violations that can lead to disqualification for CDL drivers so motor carriers operating through Kansas should keep this in mind.
FMCSA Proposal to Toughen Punishment on Texting Ban Established in January
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to toughen the punishment under the current texting ban that was established in January. In addition to the steep fines now in place (up to $2,750 for each texting offense), the proposal seeks to disqualify commercial drivers caught texting while driving. This will affect approximately 7 million commercial interstate drivers of trucks and other vehicles. In addition, part of the proposal seeks to add state or local anti-texting laws to the list of serious traffic violations that can lead to disqualification for CDL drivers. For example, if a driver commits a second offense within three years, he would be disqualified for at least 60 days. A 120-day disqualification results from three offenses within a three year period.
Notice of the proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register today with a request for comments due by May 3, 2010.
Motor Carrier Safety Rules Will Apply to Small Short-Distance Commercial Passenger Vehicles
The FMCSA stated this action is required by the SAFETEA-LU legislation enacted in 2005. Its announcement appeared at 75 Fed. Reg. 4996 (Feb. 1, 2010).
DOT Bans Texting While Driving Effective January 27, 2010
Canadian Provinces Begin Enforcement of Speed Limiter Regulations
Effective January 1, 2009, both Ontario and Quebec began requiring that commercial motor vehicles operating within those provinces be equipped with speed limiters set at 105 km/h, which equates to 65 mph. The regulations were subject to an educational period of soft enforcement, but are now being enforced in both provinces. Importantly, the rules are not limited to vehicles based in either province. Thus, for instance, a U.S. based vehicle operating in either province pursuant to Canadian authority is subject to the commercial vehicle safety measure. Fines vary in each province. The regulations will be enforced by enforcement officers that will plug a portable testing device into the vehicle's Electronic Control Module.