Heavy Duty Trucking, April 2018

SAFETY COMPLIANCE HDT APRIL 2018 42 WWW TRUCKINGINFO COMis that a roadside inspector should be able to check a drivers HOS record on the screen of the device With some AOBRDs that might require a file upload Thats another thing some inspectors may not understand Again as much help as the driver can provide is key Wirachowsky noted that there are some exemptions for ELDs Fleets are advised to make sure a copy of any exemption they have is kept in the truck at all times Along with proof of any applicable ELD exemption according to CVSA this is what federal state and local law enforcement officials need to check for when conducting roadside inspections when an ELD is being used Verify the device is integrally synchronized with the commercial motor vehicle Ensure the device can display the drivers Records of Duty Status for the last seven days plus the current day Each CMV with an ELD installed must have onboard an information packet containing an instruction sheet describing in detail how data may be stored and retrieved from the recording system The on board information may be on any electronic device including the ELD or hard copies Each CMV must also have enough blank drivers RODS graph grids paper logbooks to record the drivers duty status and other related information for a minimum of eight days That the driver can demonstrate the use of the electronic logging device That the ELD can display or print a copy of the drivers RODS at the time of the inspection During a March 13 media call Joe DeLorenzo FMCSAs director of compliance and enforcement stated that drivers cited for non compliance with the ELD rule will be placed out of service for 10 hours Thats the same action taken pre mandate when a driver did not have a paper log Once that 10 hour period is up assuming the driver has at least a paper log well be flexible so that driver can proceed to their final destination and deliver their load However he added that the driver must then become compliant with the ELD rule before heading out on his or her next trip Some of the key differences between an ELD and AOBRD are shown in the comparison chart on the previous page Make sure your drivers have a DOT Reference card in the cab Wirachowsky advised The regulation requires the following information to be available in the cab a user manual describing how to use the ELD an instruction sheet for producing and transferring data an instruction sheet for reporting malfunctions and record keeping procedures during malfunctions and a supply of blank records of duty status logbooks for recording hours of service for at least eight days There are slightly different requirements for what an AOBRD user must have in the cab Be aware that as of the first of this month a driver can be placed out of service if he or she is Using an unauthorized logging device not registered with FMCSA Unable to produce and transfer data electronically from an ELD to an authorized law enforcement officer or to produce the data via the display or print it out A driver with an AOBRD can be placed out of service if unable to display or produce records of duty status Has an ELD indicating a special driving category when not involved in that category considered a false log Required to have an ELD and the vehicle is not equipped with one or an AOBRD until Dec 17 2019 While AOBRDs are allowed until late next year again only for those who had them installed prior to last Decembers deadline there are some key differences from ELDs Wirachowsky said Its not the hardware its the software Among these differences SAFETY SHORTS NTSB Collision avoidance system could have mitigated crash A collision avoidance system might have prevented or lessened the severity of a 2016 crash between a tractor trailer and an SUV that killed six people and injured five according to a new report from the National Transportation Safety Board A seven passenger SUV overloaded with 11 occupants was struck from behind by a tractor trailer on I 70 near Goodland Kansas June 29 2016 at about 2 15 a m Survivors of the crash said they believed the SUV was traveling near the posted minimum speed limit of 40 mph Engine data on the tractor trailer showed it was on cruise control traveling near the posted maximum speed limit of 75 mph NTSB said its report on the crash illustrates the need to implement safety recommendations associated with the NTSBs Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements for fatigue occupant protection and collision avoidance DOT faults FMCSA on driver detention data A Department of Transportation audit report found that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations plan to collect data on driver detention is insufficient to the point that any such data collected may not accurately describe how the diverse trucking industry experiences driver detention which would limit any further analysis of impacts FMCSA must collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop and implement a plan to collect and analyze reliable accurate and representative data on the frequency and severity of driver detention times Alabama chiropractor charged in medical card scheme An Alabama chiropractor and two of his employees were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly scheming to submit false commercial driver medical card documents to the federal government After performing driver medical examinations that were not up to U S DOT standards Kenneth G Edwards and his staff allegedly sent forms to the DOT that falsely certified drivers had passed all the physical exam requirements Once that 10 hour period is up assuming the driver has at least a paper log well be flexible so that driver can proceed to their final destination and deliver their load