Welcome to the November edition of the Transportation News roundup! In this issue, we’re highlighting key regulatory updates, industry concerns, and best practices. Here’s a look at some of the top stories impacting the transportation sector recently:
DOT PUBLISHES FINAL RULE TO AMEND ORAL FLUID DRUG TESTING PROCEDURES
Published: November 5, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released a final rule that amends its oral fluid drug testing regulations. The new rule addresses temporary qualification requirements for mock oral fluid monitors, outlines consistent protocols for who may be present during a collection, and clarifies documentation requirements for collectors to ensure the sufficient volume of fluid is collected. These changes aim to streamline the testing process and improve safety across the transportation sector.
For full details, read the rule in the Federal Register.
FMCSA CDL DOWNGRADES BEGIN – SECOND CLEARINGHOUSE RULE TAKES EFFECT
Effective Date: November 18, 2024
The compliance date for the second Clearinghouse final rule (Clearinghouse-II) is fast approaching. Beginning November 18, 2024, SDLAs (State Driver’s License Agencies) will be required to remove the commercial driving privileges of drivers in a “prohibited” status in FMCSA’s CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which would result in a downgrade of the driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) until the driver completes the return-to-duty process. Some States have already begun downgrading CDLs for drivers in a “prohibited” status. The Clearinghouse-II rule supports FMCSA’s goal of ensuring that only qualified drivers are eligible to obtain and retain a CDL. FMCSA has created a Return-to-Duty Quick Reference Guide outlining the return-to-duty process that drivers with a “prohibited” Clearinghouse status must complete so they can get their status back to “not prohibited.” For more information about the return-to-duty process, visit the Clearinghouse Learning Center or frequently asked questions.
ECONOMY TOPS TRUCKING INDUSTRY’S CONCERNS – ATRI 2024 SURVEY
Published: October 12, 2024
The Economy Once Again is Identified as Trucking’s Top Concern
This year saw the state of the Economy and the lack of available Truck Parking retain their #1 and #2 rankings on the overall list, respectively. However, growing concern over the proliferation of nuclear verdicts led to Lawsuit Abuse Reform rising to the #3 spot this year. The largest climb in ranking this year came in Insurance Cost and Availability, which rose 8 spots to be the industry’s #4 concern overall. Rounding out the top five this year was Driver Compensation.
The complete results of the annual survey were released as part of 2024 American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition. The full report can be found at ATRI’s website here.
TRUCKSAFE: COMBATTING DISTRACTED DRIVING IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY
Published: October 2024
Distracted driving is a critical issue in the trucking industry. A momentary lapse in attention by a commercial driver can lead to catastrophic accidents. For fleet managers, the stakes are high: distracted driving results in higher insurance premiums, potential legal action, and the tragic loss of life. This article from Trucksafe explores effective policies to combat distracted driving and offers practical steps fleet managers can take to protect their drivers, their businesses, and the public.
Read more about creating an effective policy on Trucksafe’s website.
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