The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues out-of-service notices to drivers and trucking companies that commit egregious or numerous safety violations. However, not every company takes the message to heart and tries to flout the transportation agency’s orders. Ekam Truck Line, LLC, a Georgia-based trucking company, attempted just such a maneuver after the FMCSA [...]
The hours of service (HOS) regulations have been under intense scrutiny as of late. While they remain unchanged, enforcement reached peak levels with the arrival of the electronic logging device (ELD). HOS regulations pose a challenge for all players in the transportation industry, but drives have a bone of contention when it comes to shippers. [...]
Fleet managers can only do so much to prevent dangerous driving. While they can hold training, outline rules in a company handbook, and establish clear disciplinary procedures, this is not always enough. Fleet managers cannot be in the vehicle with all of their drivers at all times. When drivers violate too many rules or perform [...]
Tackling seat belt usage among commercial drivers is a long-term goal for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Their plan of attack has included providing encouragement, issuing stern warnings, and enforcing mandates. While the numbers fall short of the 100% compliance goal, the data is encouraging. In 2007, a meager 65% of commercial drivers reported [...]
Cargo theft is a multi-billion dollar problem for the trucking industry. However, as technology and safety equipment improve so to do would-be thieves. They continue to hone their skills to adapt to increased security. While cargo theft will likely never stop, it is much easier to prevent theft than it is to get stolen cargo [...]
Safety is not just a goal for the transportation industry; it is a measure of success and sustainability. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) measures how safe carriers and drivers are with the Safety Measurement System (SMS) as part of their Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) initiative. The program helps identify unsafe drivers and determines [...]
Sometimes businesses need commercial vehicles even when they are not in the transportation industry. Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC specialists all may require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to transport their equipment from customer to customer. However, when driving is a secondary function of an individual’s job, they may focus less on their performance behind the [...]
The need for driver safety is always present, but the challenges and risks skyrocket during the school year and holiday seasons. No community is exempt, either. From dense inner cities to sprawling suburbs, school buses and holiday travelers increase transportation risk. With more buses and more pedestrians comes increased congestion and chaos. Commercial drivers must [...]
Safety problems seem to plague some motor carriers while others always have smooth sailing. So what separates these struggling fleets from successful ones? The answer is simple: prosperous fleets make safety a top priority. Implementing a culture of safety, however, isn't always fast or simple. Here are some of the ways that top fleets are [...]
Fleet owners need reliable methods to reduce risk and improve safety, but that can be hard to accomplish without the proper data. For example, fleet owners may suspect some of their drivers are habitual speeders. However, they cannot prove it without technology or until law enforcement pulls over the driver. By that point, the damage [...]