News Tagged ‘Department of Transportation’
New medical certification requirements go in effect for commercial drivers
As of January 30, 2012, a new federal mandate requires all commercial driver’s license holders to provide information to their state driver licensing agency regarding the type of commercial vehicle operations they work for or expect to work for. The new federal requirement is intended to make U.S. highways and roads safer by restricting certain drivers who may be considered medically unsafe.
Unsafe motor carriers can slide through loopholes, re-open under a new name
A report in Monday’s Baltimore Sun exposes how easy it is for some motor carriers with a long history of safety violations and crashes to reincarnate under a new name and business license after authorities shut them down. These are the companies that repeatedly demonstrate a blaring disregard for the law, take advantage of regulatory loopholes, and give the trucking industry an undeservedly bad reputation.
Farm trucks often exempted from commercial regulations, but not from liability
Throughout the Midwest, farmers are harvesting their final crops of the season, which means more large farm trucks laden with grain are out on the roads, hauling their produce to suppliers. Here in the Deep South, the story is much the same; big rigs carrying tons of cotton and other harvests to market share the roads with other motorists.
Fuel tanker explodes near Houston
The driver of a fuel tanker told police that he heard a loud pop as he traveled along U.S. 59 in Sugar Land, Texas, Thursday night. He exited the freeway about 11:30 p.m. to investigate and found that the back wheels of his truck, which was laden with 9,000 gallons of diesel, were on fire. The flames quickly engulfed the truck and the vehicle exploded, creating a fire so intense that it burned nearby utility poles and knocked out power to homes and businesses in the area. No injuries were reported.
Secretary LaHood warns Republican senator not to obstruct proposed hours-of-service changes
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood sent a letter last week to Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire asking her not to obstruct his agency’s proposed hours-of-service rule changes. Secretary LaHood, himself a Republican, has been a strong advocate for better motor carrier safety and strongly endorses the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed HOS changes, which are aimed at further reducing the number of fatigue-related commercial vehicle crashes and deaths on U.S. roads and highways.
Mexican truck makes first long-haul U.S. delivery
U.S. government-approved Mexican truck drivers and carriers begin making long-haul deliveries across the border into the United States today under the recommencement of a program mandated by the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The cross-border program has resumed despite heated opposition by opponents who claim it will lead to a loss of American jobs, more pollution, and less safe highways.
Operation Safe Driver aims to improve commercial driving safety across three countries
Law enforcement authorities and regulators throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico launched a comprehensive truck safety program on Sunday in an effort to boost traffic safety on highways throughout North America. Sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and a number of private associations and government agencies, Operation Safe Driver will step up surveillance and inspections on North American roads, with a special focus on distracted and aggressive commercial drivers.
Study finds CSA safety rating system works well, but still has flaws
An independent analysis of the CSA safety enforcement system, which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gradually phased in to replace the old SafeStat model, has found the new system to be a highly effective system overall, but says it still needs improvements in some parts.
Reducing fatigued driving: six tips to help you stay awake and alert behind the wheel
A commercial truck driver lost control of his five-axle dump truck on a U.S. highway in North Carolina Wednesday and crashed into a ditch. Authorities responding to the scene told Eastern North Carolina’s ENCToday.com that the 53-year-old driver, who received some minor injuries in the crash, dozed off behind the wheel and drove off the right shoulder of U.S. 70 in La Grange, NC. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved, but the driver was cited for reckless driving.