News Archives:
Aug 13, 2010
Jun 29, 2010
May 21, 2010
Apr 09, 2010
New Mexico
Trucking Association
4809 Jefferson St. N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505 884-5575
505 884-3661 (fax)
J.J. Keller Offers
Program to Help
CSA 2010 Education
The new FMCSA carrier analysis system will change the way carrier's do business because it changes they way they are ranked and targeted for safety review.
This J. J. Keller program explains the new system and the key fundamentals that drivers need to know, including their obligations as to unsafe driving, fatigue, HOS, controlled substances and alcohol, truck and trailer maintenance, and load securement. It also covers the driver's role in improving, maintaining, or degrading their company's -- and their own -- safety fitness evaluation, explaining what they can do to prevent violations and have "good" inspections go into the Safety Measurement System (SMS).
The program includes several ready-to-use training tools: a closed-captioned video on DVD; a 24-page discussion guide; driver handbooks; and a CSA 2010 overview poster to hang in a training room or drivers' lounge. It will be available in February but can be reserved now. Keller says that if a rulemaking regarding CSA 2010 is published prior to July 1, 2011 and requires changes to this product, your copy will be updated at no charge. Talk to NMTA for details.
May 21, 2010
Hours-of-Service Analysis Shows Safety Improvements
The American Transportation Research Institute released the results of its analysis of motor carrier safety performance under the current Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules. As part of ATRI’s ongoing analysis of HOS-related safety impacts, this latest research included data from nearly 260 motor carriers, representing over 127,000 commercial drivers. ATRI’s analysis compared 2009 safety data to 2004 data collected as part of a previous HOS study. Using 2009 data, the analysis found that the majority (87 percent) of commercial motor vehicle crashes occurred within the first 8 hours of driving, with just 12 percent occurring in the 9th to 11th hours of driving. ATRI also examined driver use of the 34-hour restart provision, finding that in general it is used an average of three or fewer times per month. From 2004 to 2009, the total collision rate decreased 11.7 percent and preventable collisions decreased 30.6 percent. A full copy of the report is available from ATRI at www.atri-online.org
FMCSA Launches Pre- Employment Sreening Program
On May 11, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched its Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP), which allows commercial motor carrier companies to electronically access driver inspection and crash records as a part of the hiring process. "Starting today, commercial carriers will have an essential tool for making informed hiring decisions that will lead to safer drivers on our roads," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "The Pre-Employment Screening Program raises the safety bar for the motor carrier industry and helps to make our roads safer for everyone."
The Pre-Employment Screening Program offers access to up to five years of driver crash data and three years of inspection data regardless of the state or jurisdiction. By using driver safety information during pre-employment screening, commercial carriers will be able to better assess the potential safety risks of prospective driver-employees. PSP also gives drivers additional opportunities to verify the data in their driving history and correct discrepancies. Drivers' records will be protected in accordance with federal privacy laws.
The Pre-Employment Screening Program is populated monthly by FMCSA's Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). The MCMIS is composed of driver performance data including inspection and compliance review results, enforcement data, state-reported crashes, and motor carrier census data. For complete details on the Pre-Employment Screening Program's fees for driver safety records and how carriers and drivers can participate, go here.
DOT Delays Use of Revised Alcohol Testing Forms (ATF)
Citing industry concerns that there would be huge stocks of old, unusable ATFs, the Department of Transportation announced in the May 11, 2010 Federal Register a proposed rule delaying the implementation date for the new ATFs from August 1, 2010 to January 1, 2011. The DOT issued this statement, on May 11, explaining the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM):
In a recent Federal Register, the Department published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) proposing to extend the date for mandatory use of our recently updated Alcohol Testing Form (ATF) to January 1, 2011.
On February 25, 2010, the Department published a final rule revising the ATF. The mandatory use date for the new form is August 1, 2010. After publishing the February 25 revisions, we learned that vendors and users of the ATF will not be able to deplete their current supply of ATFs by August. Therefore, we propose only to extend the date for mandatory use.
New Mexico Releases Preliminary Draft Rule For Cap & Trade.
A few days ago, the New Mexico Environment Department released a preliminary draft rule for a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The draft rule defines the conditions that would allow New Mexico to implement the program as part of the WCI regional program. As described in the draft rule, the program would initially apply only to sources that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide per year.
NMED has not yet filed the draft rule with the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board. The department requests public comments on the draft rule. Comments maybe submitted through the Department's Web site at any time, though preferably no later than May 28 at . The draft rules are also available at the same web address. NMED will meet with stakeholders about the proposed rule at the Santa Fe Community College from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25.
For more information contact Marissa Stone Bardino, NMED Communications Director, at (505) 827-0314
Roadcheck Scheduled for June 8-10
Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world, with approximately 14 trucks or buses being inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during a 72-hour period. Each year, approximately 10,000 local, state, provincial and federal inspectors at 1,500 locations across North America perform the truck and bus inspections. And this
year, something new has been added: CSA scoring impact. Because the new federal safety measurement system, Comprehensive Safety Analysis or CSA 2010, will roll out in November, every violation an inspector finds will affect your CSA rating.
I-40 Closures in Arizona Possible For High Winds
A combination of high winds and dry conditions are again predicted for northeastern Arizona this week, posing a threat to drivers on Interstate 40 where similar conditions have prompted multiple closures of the critical highway this season due to near-zero visibility. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) said on May 18 that drivers should again be prepared for the highway to close several times through early next week.
The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of north central and northeast Arizona, due to an unseasonably deep, low-pressure system moving into the region. Strong winds, sustained at 30 mph with gusts over 60 mph, are expected through Sunday.
Closures of I-40, perhaps lasting hours, are possible from Flagstaff to Winslow. In the past, similar conditions have been strong enough to cause high-profile vehicles to tumble. Blowing dust has reduced visibility to near zero. Winds began kicking up Tuesday and are expected to build, becoming stronger and potentially dangerous Friday through Monday.
If required, closures are most likely over the weekend, and may last up to 12 hours.ADOT crews are closely monitoring conditions. For updates, call 5-1-1 within Arizona and 1-888-411-ROAD outside the state, or visit the website.
