FMCSA ADMINISTRATOR TO SHIPPERS, “STOP WASTING DRIVERS' TIME.”
Posted on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 @ 09:37 AM
In what can only be heralded as a historic address, FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro spoke to the National Industrial Transportation League at their Washington Freight Transportation Policy Forum in Arlington VA June 10th.
In her remarks, Administrator Ferro told attendees that wasted “down time” at loading docks was a constant complaint that drivers said negatively impacted safety at numerous public listening sessions this past winter and spring.
Ferro went on to say, “I ask you to increase your stake in motor carrier safety. Practices that leave truckers waiting at the port or terminal for hours at a time do not take account of how long drivers may drive. I ask each of you today to take responsibility in your businesses to increase your stake in motor carrier safety. Between now and the end of the year, take the time to re-examine practices that short change the driver's ability to drive safely.” (The full text of her remarks can be found here.)
Clearly, time spent waiting at shippers and consignees to get loaded or unloaded is putting severe pressure on carriers' and drivers' ability to meet customer expectations while complying with federal hours of service regulations.
Shippers who do not respect drivers' regulated hours will likely find it more difficult to attract carriers to haul their product. (Drivers are limited to 14 hours of on-duty time once they start their day. Hours spent waiting to get loaded or unloaded reduce drivers' remaining work and driving time.)
Shippers and consignees must examine their operations and procedures and work with their trucking partners to find ways to expedite loading and unloading. Failure to do so may very well result in carriers diverting their trucks to more carrier-friendly customers leaving less carrier-friendly shippers with product on their dock or in their warehouse and no trucks to haul it.
Carriers must be able to get their trucks loaded and underway in reasonable time if they are to get maximum use of the equipment and driver. This is just good business practice and necessary for any kind of reasonable return on investment (ROI) on the $100,000+ they have tied up in a tractor and trailer.
Article posted by Kevin Mullen: Director, Safety- ADS Logistics