CVSA Conference 2024: Safety Professionals Meet in Montana
ICSA was privileged to attend CVSA’s 2024 Conference in Montana. Many of the things that we learned are in this article.
Warning: Watch Out for “Prohibited” Truck Drivers!
DMVs Downgrading CDLs for Failure to Implement Return-to-Duty Process
The last thing your good safety record needs is a truck driver with a history of violations. That’s why, with any driver applicant, a motor carrier should check the motor vehicle record (MVR), look at the FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (https://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov/psp/home), and, especially now, examine the driver’s status in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/).
To avoid disruption to your business on November 18, there are other steps that should be taken.
As of November 18, FMCSA requires each state DMV to downgrade any CDL and CLP drivers listed In the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse “prohibited” status because of past drug and alcohol violations. “Prohibited” drivers are those who have not enrolled and completed the “return to duty” (RTD) process and, thus, cannot legally operate a truck.
Over 175,000 truck drivers, listed as “prohibited,” have not taken that step. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years to complete the RTD process.
For fleet owners, some of those “prohibited” drivers may seek employment before their license is officially gone. But unless they are in the RTD program, they are prohibited from driving.
2024 RoadCheck Inspects Nearly 50,000 Trucks
Commercial enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. conducted 48,761 inspections during this year’s International Roadcheck, which took place May 14-16. The good news is that 77% of commercial trucks and 95.2% of commercial drivers had no out-of-service violations.
Study Shows True Cost and Safety Impacts of Driver Detention
A new American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) study documents what many of us in trucking already know: that truck drivers unreasonably detained for hours at customer facilities take a hit on their productivity and safety. ATRI has quantified the direct costs for fleets, truck drivers and supply chains in general.