Trucking Industry Compliance Landscape Changing
Posted on Wed, Nov 10, 2010 @ 09:56 AM
Within a few short weeks two major compliance initiatives will occur. We are awaiting some new Hours of Service (logging) regulations from the White House Office of Management and Budget, which is expected to be released by the end of the month. While we don’t know for certain what changes the new regulations will contain, there are a couple of things most insiders universally believe will change:
First, we expect to return to a maximum of ten (10) hours of driving time before taking a 10-hour break. Secondly, we expect a change to the 34-hour reset provision. Exactly what that change will be is less clear. It could be 40- or 48-hours or it could be eliminated completely. There are also rumors that a mandatory rest to break up the 10-hours of driving may be in the new regulations.
The other compliance initiative occurring this month is the public release of CSA (2010) carrier scores. We’ve been able to look at our scores for a few months now and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been tweaking the program, but this will be the first time the public will be able to see carrier scores. It will also be the first time carriers will be able to see the scores of their competitors.
We’ve been sharing the driver Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) reports with new driver applicants and redacted examples with all drivers at safety meetings this fall. Drivers can obtain their individual reports by visiting the FMCSA's website.
Both initiatives represent a new reality in trucking. If we are to remain a premier player in the metals hauling industry, if you are to remain a professional truck driver we must adapt to this new reality. All violations on roadside inspections are factored into CSA and not just for carriers. Drivers now shoulder some of the compliance burden for defects and violations under their control.
New Hours of Service regulations will require companies and drivers to be even smarter in order to maximize their capacity. Shippers will need to address their shortcomings in the logistics supply chain or face a new reality of increased shipping costs or worse, no trucks to move their freight.
As with all change, the smart will survive and flourish. The smart will adapt and find ways to use the new reality to their advantage.
At ADS LOGISTICS and Area Transportation we believe we are that carrier and we have those drivers and employees.