Welcome to summer.  Hope you are all enjoying some summer action.  We have had an interesting month as we moved to larger quarters.  We are at the same address but in a different building with a nicer view and more room for our growing operation.  More importantly Shuie now has even more room for his candy horde.

This month we report:

HOURS OF SERVICE – The fight for changes to HOS continues.  This month the arena was the U.S. Senate. An amendment was presented and added to The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill. Pending a study, the amendment sought to suspend the newest changes to the voluntary 34-hour restart provision and the requirement that any voluntary restart provision include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. overnight periods and the restriction on using a restart only once every seven days. A counter amendment was presented during the floor debate that would remove the suspensions of the overnight provisions and the one restart every seven days but keep the mandate for a study. Consideration of the bill was pulled from the Senate floor after disagreements over procedural rules prevented the bill from moving forward for debate.

TRUCKING TRENDS – The ATA released the latest edition of American Trucking Trends. Among the findings in American Trucking Trends:

In 2013, trucks moved 69.1% of all domestic freight tonnage, up from 68.5% the previous year.

The industry also collected 81.2% of all freight revenue, up from 80.7% in 2012.

Trucks move the majority of all NAFTA trade, hauling 55.4% of all trade with Canada and 65.4% of all trade with Mexico.

Trucking employed more than 7 million people in 2013.

The industry paid $37.8 billion in state and federal highway user fees. Read More

As we head into the summer months we stop to remember all those who have unselfishly sacrificed and served our country.  We applaud you and thank you, one and all, for your service.  Words cannot express the importance of your service to our country.

A good time was had by all at the annual IMUA meeting in Austin Texas.  It was great to see old friends, and wonderful to see so many new participants interested in learning about this industry.  We strongly urge the cargo underwriters and claims personnel to get involved in industry events like those offered by the IMUA. Through knowledge comes power – and that applies whether it means understanding your book of business or the industry you are working in!

This month we report:

NATIONAL MEDICAL REGISTRY – It is now in place.  Commercial drivers needing to renew their medical cards, or obtain a new medical certificate, must now have that examination performed by a certified examiner. Certified examiners can be located by city, state or ZIP code on FMCSA’s website.  A last minute effort by the OOIDA to delay implementation was rejected.

ELECTRONIC ONBOARD RECORDERS – The FMCSA has extended the time for comments on its newest proposal on EOBR.  Interested parties now have until June 26 to file comments.  The proposal, which is a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, would amend the federal regulations to establish minimum performance standards for electronic logging devices, require the devices for all drivers who are required to log their record-of-duty status (RODS), and take measures to ensure the devices are not used by carriers or others to harass drivers.

DRIVER COERCION REGULATIONS – The FMCSA has issued a proposed rulemaking to help protect drivers from undue pressure to provide services. The proposed rulemaking will allow for the imposition of fines and license revocation on those who compel a driver to operate outside of legal hours, or require the driver to operation unsafe equipment. Read More