FMCSA’s Top Five Priorities for the rest of 2015
posted in Alerts, Blog, Uncategorized by Brian Gray
The FMCSA discusses safety, inspection, the URS, CSA phase III, and e-logs as top priorities for the remainder of 2015
With only three full months left in 2015, the FMCSA has made public a list of their top five priorities for the rest of the year in a letter outlined by Acting Administrator Scott Darling.
- Safety Fitness Determination:
FMCSA is in the final stages of publishing a Proposed Rule that would increase the use of inspection data in making Safety Fitness Determinations for motor carriers. This rule will focus on incorporating current on-road safety performance data (i.e., roadside inspection and crash data, as is used for CSA scores) and evaluating carriers based on their own performance.
- Inspection Modernization:
FMCSA launched a new version of its inspection software program. It features a new look and feel and enhanced capabilities. Law enforcement personnel are able to obtain direct access to out-of-service notices, making roadside inspections quicker and easier for law enforcement officers.
- Unified Registration System:
The FMCSA will use an electronic “smart form” to improve the accuracy and timeliness of their motor carrier database. URS will streamline manual processes and combine several forms that regulated entities are required to submit into one unified registration – i.e. the “smart form.”
“It is important that we get this right,” Darling noted. “As such, we will move forward with a new phased implementation that will ensure a successful launch.” A Federal Register Notice will be published in October that will provide details on the updated implementation timeline.
- Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) Phase III:
The FMCSA will begin training Federal and State investigators on the new crash BASIC investigation that focuses on identifying trends in carrier crash behavior.
FMCSA also will be fine-tuning the SMS algorithm to better identify carriers for investigation so it can intervene more quickly with those found to be at greatest risk. A second Federal Register notice announcing the preview of the changes will be published in the coming months.
- Electronic Logging Devices:
The FMCSA will work toward completing a final rule on ELDs that will help to protect drivers from harassment and reduce traffic fatalities.
“Although we cannot discuss the provisions of a Final Rule before it is made public, I can say that the rule is designed to benefit everyone by improving hours of service (HOS) compliance, which we estimate will prevent about 20 fatalities and over 400 injuries each year; helping businesses cut paperwork and save money; protecting drivers from harassment; and making it easier for law enforcement and safety inspectors to review driver HOS records.”
