OSHA urges greater flexibility in truck driver coercion definition

OSHA urges greater flexibility in truck driver coercion definition

Congress directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prohibit carriers, shippers, receivers and transportation intermediaries from coercing drivers to violate certain federal safety and hazardous materials regulations. FMCSA published a proposed rule regarding the subject in May and earlier this month the deadline for comments on the proposed rule passed. During the comment…

CNBC airs series on truck safety

CNBC airs series on truck safety

Cable business station CNBC aired a four-part investigative series, “Collision Course,” about trucking accidents on the nation’s highways in early August. CNBC cites statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA), which said nearly 4,000 people died in trucking accidents in 2012—up 18 percent from 2009. The station said it is setting out to determine…

Actor Tracy Morgan “still struggling” with health after crash

Actor Tracy Morgan “still struggling” with health after crash

Tracy Morgan’s attorney said the comedian is “still struggling” with his health two months after breaking several bones in a deadly New Jersey highway crash that has renewed public attention to safety in the U.S. trucking industry. “He’s still struggling, but he’s a fighter,” attorney Benedict Morelli recently told NBC’s “Today” show. “He’s had issues…

Members appointed to bridge authority for Detroit-Windsor span

Members appointed to bridge authority for Detroit-Windsor span

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Canada Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt recently announced appointments to the International Authority that will oversee construction of a new publicly-owned bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. The span will compete with the existing Ambassador Bridge. Its private owners are opposed to the building of the new span and…

OOIDA says data doesn’t justify open border

OOIDA says data doesn’t justify open border

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) says the U.S. Department of Transportation’s three-year cross-border trucking pilot program does not appear to have generated enough relevant data to conclude that the border should be opened to Mexico-based motor carriers. “What little participation the program has had is riddled with failures in compliance with U.S. safety regulations,”…

Military skills test waiver program now available in all 50 states

Military skills test waiver program now available in all 50 states

U.S. DOT’s waiver program that helps experienced veterans and active duty personnel transition into civilian jobs as commercial truck and bus drivers has been expanded to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. “Our nation’s veterans deserve good-paying jobs when they return home from serving overseas and we are proud to help,” said U.S….

Anne Ferro to step down from FMCSA, lead AAMVA

Anne Ferro to step down from FMCSA, lead AAMVA

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Anne Ferro will step down from the federal agency to become president and CEO of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). Ferro will assume her new position on Aug. 25. “Anne Ferro’s extensive leadership experience, stellar record of advancing motor vehicle safety and enthusiasm for public…

Canadians balking at U.S. proposed agricultural inspection fee hike

Canadians balking at U.S. proposed agricultural inspection fee hike

An American proposal to hike the fees Canadian truckers pay for agricultural inspections when they cross the U.S. border violates the North American Free Trade Agreement, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) as reported by the Canadian Business News Network. The industry group says the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed fee increases, which would…