Mileage Matters | November 15, 2022

The Trucker- The possibility of an economically devastating railroad strike has been pushed back into early December to allow time for engineers and conductors to vote on their agreements with the freight railroads and give more opportunity for the industry to renegotiate with two unions that rejected their deals last month.

Federal & State Regulations

CVSA.org- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a notice and request for comments on the agency’s intent to renew its information collection request (ICR) titled, “Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.” 

The agency is seeking comments on any aspect of this information collection, including:

  • Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the performance of FMCSA’s functions
  • The accuracy of the estimated burden
  • Ways for FMCSA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information
  • Ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of the collected information.

Land Line- In a notice published to the Federal Register, the Transportation Security Administration announced slight changes to the current fee structures to obtain or renew a hazardous material endorsement or the Transportation Worker Identification Credential.

The changes will not impact the cost of new enrollment or in-person renewal to either of the programs for applicants without a current security threat assessment. However, it will impact those choosing to renew their TWIC card online.

CVSA.org- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a notice denying an exemption request from the Small Business in Transportation Coalition seeking an exemption from the requirement that CMV drivers be capable of reading and speaking the English language sufficiently to communicate with the public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.
  
Operations

Transport Dive- Daimler Trucks North America is recalling over 218,000 vehicles because brakes can pull to one side during adaptive cruise control.

The problem involves certain Freightliner and Western Star models. The defect means full system pressure could be applied to one front wheel end, causing a brake pull and increasing the risk of a crash, according to a safety report.

FleetOwner-The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative (HTAI) has increased from three to five days, scheduled for Jan. 9-13, 2023.

It's working with Truckers Against Trafficking -- an MTA endorsed partner -- to distribute wallet cards and window decals.

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Other Matters

Michigan Safety Conference Executive Director Denise McGinn, CAE (left) and Michigan Trucking Association's President & CEO Jill Skutar, CAE (right) signed a reciprocal marketing agreement to help promote workplace safety and health. The Conference will be held April 18-19, 2023 at DeVos Place, Grand Rapids and will feature transportation safety classes across a variety of topics. MTA will keep you informed in the coming months.

Need a place to hold your next meeting or training?

MTA's "smart" conference room is available to member companies free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Seating up to 30 people, the room is also equipped to accommodate virtual attendees.

Contact MTA at 517-321-1951 or info@mitrucking.org for more information or to book.