Truckers and Travelers
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Trucking Authority – UCR Fees For 2010 Not Finalized; Enforcement Delayed
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 7:34 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, I found an interesting article from Land Line Magazine, February 2010. For those of you with trucking authority, or want to get trucking authority, this article will be of interest to you. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there.
By Jami Jones
senior editor
With the start of a new year, truckers wanting to clear out their fee obligations are left without a clear answer on what they owe in Unified Carrier Registration fees for 2010.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration posted a notice to the Federal Register in September 2009 outlining new proposed fees. The extended comment period closed later that month.
FMCSA officials reported during the rulemaking process that states have been unable to effectively collect the UCR revenue they are entitled to by law during the 2007-2009 registration years. They believe the proposed new fee levels will both encourage states to aggressively enforce the UCR fees rule and generate the necessary revenue to execute state motor carrier safety programs.
The fee structure proposed in the rulemaking for 2010 is:
0-1 trucks………………………. $83
2-5 trucks…………………….. $166
6-20 trucks…………………… $497
21-100 trucks……………… $1,741
101-1,000 trucks…………. $8,373
1,001 or more trucks….. $82,983
Brokers and leasing companies will still be subject to the same fee paid by truckers in the 0-1 truck category.
However, as of mid-December 2009, the agency still had not published a final determination on the fees.
“There is an enforcement memo going out telling roadside law enforcement after the first of the year to not write tickets for not having your credentials in place in the cab because there simply isn’t going to be anything in place yet,” OOIDA Director of Regulatory Affairs Joe Rajkovacz told Land Line.
“That is not to say they will not be enforcing the payment of previous years’ UCR fees,” he added.Rajkovacz said truckers really need to make sure they have their proof of payment on
2009 UCR fees.
“Some jurisdictions are writing $1,000 tickets,” he said.
Rajkovacz said he expects the 2010 UCR fees to be settled sometime in the first quarter of 2010. LL
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Hello Fellow Drivers,
Let’s talk about the changes that the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) is putting into place for those in the trucking business. If you have trucking authority or want to get trucking authority, then this article is a MUST read. The article came from a quarterly supplement from J.J. Keller & Associates. Remember to be safe out there.
WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT CSA 2010?
If you have not yet heard about CSA 2010, it’s time to lend an ear to the buzz! This is a new enforcement initiative planned for rollout in mid-2010. CSA – Comprehensive Safety Analysis – is about the FMCSA taking a closer look at more motor carrier data and bringing a problem area to the carrier’s attention sooner than under the old system. If the carrier doesn’t respond to initial interventions, more serious interventions will result.
KEY PHRASES TO PAY ATTENTION TO IN THE ABOVE PARAGRAPH ARE closer look…more data…carrier’s attention sooner. FMCSA’s objective with this approach is to become more proactive with lowering crash risk.
A CLOSER LOOK
The closer look phrase means carrier and driver data will be categorized more narrowly – into seven Behavioral Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) instead of the four broad Safety Evaluation Areas (SEAs) under the current system. More of the data will come to the surface under seven categories than under four categories.
MORE DATE
A big difference between the current data measuring system (SafeStat) and the new Safety Measurement System, or SMS, is that ALL safety-based violations will be entered into the system – not just out-of-service violations. This, of course, results in more data becoming subject to review. All safety violations listed on a Roadside Inspection Report will become part of the carrier’s data, and be weighted according to the seventy of the violation and the currency of the inspection (violations from more recent inspections will be weighted more heavily).
Carriers’ data will stay in the SMS for 24 months and drivers’ date will stay for 36 months.
CARRIER’S ATTENTION SOON
Under the new initiative, enforcement will have more methods than just the compliance review for dealing with a motor carrier. Poor performance in any one of the BASIC areas could result in an intervention from law enforcement – ranging from a warning letter to a rquest for documents, to getting an appointment to discuss the problem area at a DOT office, to getting a compliance visit froom the DOT. More intervention options will allow enforcement to bring a problem area to a carrier’s attention sooner.
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR CSA 2010?
There are some things you can do now to help assure a good outcome for your company under CSA 2010.
* Review your Carrier Profile information,(MCS-150 on the FMCSA website), monitor crash and inspection report data that get attributed to your company. Keep your profile information up to date and challenge crash and inspection data that is incorrect. Us the FMCSA’s “DataQ’s” tool to have incorrect data fixed so it doesn;t negatively affect you.
* Educate your drivers on the CSA 2010 initiative. Emphasize the greater impact that roadside inspection results will have, not only on your record, but on your drivers’ records too. Driver violations and crash data will also be scored in a driver database.
* Develop radside inpsection and corrective action policies. Put procedures in place for drivers to report roadside inspection results to you immediatly and for transmitting the Roadside Inspection Report. Set up procedures for correcting problem areas discovered during roadside inspections. Do the same for any kind of accident, no matter how minor.
The bottom line is that, under the new system, enforcement agencies will tract more data, have more contact with motor carrers, and will have more intervention tools available to use.
Trucking Industry News – Current Federal Legislation – Part 3 of 3
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 9:33 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, This is the last part of the this three part series on trucking industry news. I got this news from the Land Line Magazine online. These are important issues that affect your trucking business. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
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Trucking Industry News – Current Federal Legislation – Part 2 of 3
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 9:51 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, Today we’ll discuss part 2 of the new current fed legislation. Put this in with your other trucking industry news as a reminder to stay current on changes in the trucking business. Enjoy the read and remember to stay safe out there!
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Trucking Industry News – Current Federal Legislation – Part 1 of 3
Thursday, January 7, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 5:24 PM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, It’s always good to keep up with what the Feds are doing. In this bit of trucking industry news, you will read about the highway bill that is before Congress. If the bill passes, the trucking business will have to face the changes. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there. I found this in this issues of OOIDA’s Land Line Mag.
Legislative issues on the federal level can heat up and flame out in the blink of an eye. However, there are several bills – some with several different versions in both chambers, others as stand-alone bills – of interest to truckers.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association keeps close tabs on these issues on a daily basis. The following is a snapshot of some of the biggest pieces of legislation that could affect your lives on the road.
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Hello, Fellow Drivers, As if the trucking business had enough to keep up with, now the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is adding to the pile! I found this bit of trucking industry news in the OOIDA magazine, Land Line. Read on to keep abreast of the latest ways to keep you from stretchin’ your log books and other things. Remember to be safe out there!
CSA 2010: Your new company, driver safety ‘credit report’
With technology morphing the way we live our lives at warp speed, it’s no big surprise that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has decided to go high-tech with its compliance enforcement.
Currently, the odds of being hit with any substantive on-site compliance review are somewhere between slim and none. Because of lack of staffing and the cumbersome nature of plowing through mountains of paperwork, each year FMCSA officials are only able to conduct compliance reviews on less than 2 percent of the motor carriers in the U.S.
Enter the technology knight on a white horse – CSA 2010. Back in 2004, FMCSA officials started developing a data-driven system of analyzing all inspection reports on motor carriers and drivers to identify trends of noncompliance.
The mega database system, with all of its algorithms and programs, will spit out monthly safety ratings for companies and drivers. Those who crop up with numerous violations – ranging from the not-so-serious to out-of-service – will pop up on FMCSA’s compliance radar.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a full-blown on-site compliance review. Depending on the severity of the rating, you could get anything from a letter telling you to straighten up your act to that dreaded on-site review that likens to an IRS audit.
Companies will have a chance to get their act together and report back to FMCSA to keep a good safety fitness rating. There will be three fitness rating in the 2010 program: “unfit,” “marginal” and “continue to operate.”
The overall concept is simple enough but, as with anything, the devil is in the details – and with CSA 2010, there are a ton of details.
The program can be broken down into the data, the math behind the number, enforcement, safety fitness determinations and the possible hiccups motor carriers and truckers could encounter along the way.
The following is the first in a series of articles that will explain the ins and outs of the new enforcement program bearing down on the trucking industry.
– By Jami Jones, senior editor
jami_jones@landlinemag.com
Trucking Industry News – Resolutions Next Exit! Part 3 of 3
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:10 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers! This is the last part of a three-part article on New Year’s Resolutions and trucking resources. I hope you have been able to gain something useful from this article and remember to be safe out there!
DRIVER HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Quit smoking. Easier said than done! You’ll live longer, feel better and have less chance of developing heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer. Do it for yourself, but get the help and support you need to quit, whether it be from a family member, friend or doctor. It’s a matter of making a gut decision to do it like you made the decision to drive a truck. Success won’t come until you REALLY make up your mind that you want this.
Don’t abuse alcohol and drugs. Assistance is readily available to help people break an addiction and turn their lives around. Stay out of “party row”. Don’t trash around too much.
See a doctor. It’s cheaper to prevent a serious medical issue than to treat one. Regular doctor visits can keep you healthy and on the road. Many health plans provide benefits intended for preventative checkups. Another good way to prevent health issues is to seek out a nutritionist or a doctor that uses natural means to prevent health issues. Supplements and such things help promote good health and vitality.
Well, Drivers, this is the finish of this article. Surely there is at least one thing you can incorporate into your new year’s routine to help with your trucking business success. Happy New Year!
Trucking Industry News – Resolutions Next Exit! Part 2 of 3
Monday, January 4, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:05 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers! Well, the holidays are over! It’s back to the old grind! Although without the grind, there would no living! Because it’s the start of a new year, I wanted to get you some trucking resources that will start your year off right! Here is Part 2 of a three-part article. I hope you enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
Driver Health And Wellness
Cut back on junk food. It may be an easy choice to grab a donut or high-fat burger on the run, but leaner and greener foods give you the nutrients to maintain vital energy and strong muscles. Keep healthy snack foods, like whole grain, high fiber bars, apples or lower sodium nuts close by to tide you over until you can get to your next meal.
Learn proper lifting techniques, such as bending your knees and lifting from your legs rather than bending at the waist. Get help if you need it, or use mechanical aids to lift heavy loads. Take breaks from repetitive motions that can result in soreness of your hands, arms, neck and back to avoid long-term injuries.
Rest and relaxation. Make days off and vacations a mandatory part of your personal health plan. Take time off to participate in the things you and those around you enjoy. Take some time to simple relax, you deserve it.
This is part two of this informative article. Stay tuned for part three! Happy New Year!
Trucking Industry News – Resolutions Next Exit! Part 1 of 3
Friday, January 1, 2010
posted by 18 Wheeler 10:28 PM
Happy New Year, Fellow Drivers!
I recently read this article in a trucking magazine called The Long Haul from 2008. I will copy it because it seems fit for the first day of the new year! This is the first of three parts. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
The most common resolutions made each year include losing weight, getting fit, quitting smoking and reducing stress. As an over-the-road driver, the challenges you face differ from those borne by someone working in an office environment. for you, improving your health isn’t as easy as simply getting up from a desk and taking a walk. Some health risk factors that commonly affect professional drivers today are smoking, obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure) and stress.
Driver Health And Wellness
Tips to get you started on the path toward better health include:
Get enough sleep. Most adults need 7-9 hours to maintain proper alertness. Adequate rest keeps your mind alert and your immune system strong. (We all know that most of the truckers don’t get enough sleep. Most of the time you’re stretching your log book to make the next drop. When you can’t get this amount of sleep, try to get naps along the way. If you get sleepy, pull over and take a power nap of 15 to 20 minutes. It will wake you up and help you get to the next stop.) Parenthesis added.
Find ways to relax or reduce stress. Basic deep breathing techniques and taking yourself out of the moment can go a long way toward relieving stress. If you feel you don’t have the control over your stress level, talk to a doctor about options available to you. (You can always make a list of areas in your life that are causing worry and anxiety and think of solutions to reduce those feelings so you can put your energy in making your trucking business a success.)
Stay fit and get regular exercisesuch as walking. Even three 15-minute walks a day can help take the pounds off and make you healthier. Studies also show that building muscle will help increase your metabolism and significantly increase your weight loss efforts. Include basic stretches to help relieve stressed muscles to further enhance stress relief.
Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 to get the REST of the story! Happy New Year!
Trucking Authority – The FMCSA Goes High Tech – Part 3 of 3
Friday, December 11, 2009
posted by 18 Wheeler 12:05 AM
Hello, Fellow Drivers, Today is the conclusion of this 3-part series on the FMCSA. I trust that you have gained knowledge to help to get trucking authority or to stay compliant if you start a trucking business just are trying to stay successful. Enjoy the read and remember to be safe out there!
December 2009/January 2010
Cover Story: FMCSA takes enforcement to the digital age in 2010
By Jami Jones
Senior editor
The labels
Motor carriers know the value of the current “satisfactory” safety rating. Customers get itchy when they see a “conditional” or “unsatisfactory” rating.
While the names will change, the meaning will pretty much remain the same. Under CSA 2010, motor carriers will be ranked by “continue to operate,” “marginal” and “unfit.”
The big change on this from the current enforcement scheme is that right now safety fitness determination is assigned following compliance reviews. FMCSA is planning to issue a rulemaking that will change all of that.
Where the current method relies heavily on critical and acute violations and required deficiencies in multiple areas, the new method will arrive at a safety fitness determination using all the data collected – including from roadside inspections.
It’s FMCSA’s intent for the new process to be a reflection of the motor carrier’s current compliance, and not how the motor carrier fared in compliance reviews months or even years before. LL
The rub
The new compliance enforcement program put together by FMCSA is clever in its concept that enforcement will be triggered by performance.
The way data is handled and considered, it weights behaviors that pose the greatest risks to truckers and highway safety. Ultimately, it’s about reducing the number of big truck-related injuries and fatalities even more.
The linchpin of the entire system is the data. And that is the one area raising the most concern at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
The data is going to include all violations noted on inspection reports and crash reports.
The information entered is not limited to just convictions. Citations, warnings and inspection violations will all be included in the database and calculated to figure your safety rating.
“The fact that all violations, rather than convictions, are being entered into this system sets drivers up to be accused, tried and convicted on the roadside by enforcement personnel,” said OOIDA Director of Regulatory Affairs Rick Craig.
Craig said FMCSA officials have repeatedly been questioned about their insistence on including citations that have not been proven through some sort of legal process.
“The lack of due process for drivers to challenge the legitimacy of violations is completely irrational,” Craig said. “It flies in the face of the premise of innocent until proven guilty.”
In addition to the presumption of guilt, OOIDA is concerned about the quality of the data being entered into the system. And rightfully so.
It is a lot of data. The carrier portion of the database will carry 24 months of inspections and crash reports. The driver profiles will contain 36 months of data.
By FMCSA’s math, the two databases contain 690,000 motor carrier profiles and 3.6 million driver profiles with data from approximately 26.2 million inspections and 730,000 crash records.
Factor in the fact that all of that data is coming in from law enforcement agencies from all around the country in states with different reporting procedures and one can’t help but wonder how accurate all of that data can be.
FMCSA has been working closely with states since 2004 to shore up reporting of violations. In 2004, less than half of the states and DC were classified as being “good” or a “green” state. A total of 14 states were rated “poor” or “red” states.
In five years, 32 states are now classified as good. But 14 remain in the fair category with five still languishing in the poor category.
Drawing from an old computer adage – garbage in, garbage out. If the data is not entered properly or not at all, it seems inevitable that motor carrier and driver compliance records may not be completely accurate.
Currently, motor carriers can challenge information contained in their safety profiles through a system called Data Qs. Craig said that most of the time, carriers find that challenging data rarely results in the error being corrected.
“FMCSA will reach out to the state that entered the information, and all it takes is for the state to reject the claim of inaccuracy. Case closed,” Craig said.
It also seems, without easy logic, that motor carriers and drivers are being treated significantly different. For starters, motor carriers only have to worry about two years worth of data. Drivers will lug around three years of inspection violations and crash reports in their records.
The enforcement and intervention process has multiple options for motor carriers. Drivers, it appears, will be limited to a notice of violation or a notice of claim (i.e., a fine).
“There has to be a simple, effective process for drivers and motor carriers to challenge erroneous information,” Craig said. “We know from years of experience that law enforcement doesn’t always get it right. Without accurate data and due process, it sets up the system to fail miserably.” LL