Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/187653
Logbook ADVERTISEMENT FMCSA takes steps on electronic logs, driver coercion The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has taken another step on an electronic logging device rulemaking and has made a separate proposal to protect drivers from pressure to work in violation of safety regulations. The White House Office of Management and Budget received FMCSA's ELD Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Aug. 7. The agency forecasts OMB will clear the notice by Nov. 6, allowing FMCSA to publish the proposal Nov. 18 and accept public comment until Jan. 20. Meanwhile, the Office of Transportation Secretary has had the NPRM on driver coercion since Aug. 28 and had expected to send it to OMB by Oct. 1. FMCSA expects OMB to clear the coercion plan by Dec. 31 for the agency to publish the NPRM by Jan. 9 and take public feedback through March 13. The 2012 highway reauthorization act included the ELD mandate and directed the agency to address coercion. The statutory requirement regarding coercion, which took effect last October, stipulates regulations to prevent carriers and any transportation intermediaries from coercing drivers to work in violation of any safety regulation. "This rulemaking must be fasttracked because it affects any new FMCSA rulemaking," the agency wrote. "Future rulemakings would need to consider whether coercion of drivers is a concern. However, in rules where coercion would need to be considered, the Agency would cross-reference its regulation on coercion." – Jill Dunn Sandi Talbott, owner/operator from Avery, Texas For Sandi Talbott, retirement is a dirty word How'd you get started in trucking? Really all my life I've wanted to drive a truck. I started driving with my husband and for 20 years we hauled hazardous, radioactive, and classified loads across the country. When he died 13 years ago I decided I'd keep going on my own. I'm 72 now and I still love it. It helps keep my engine running clean, plain and simple. When I switched to Mobil Delvac, I expected my engine to use some oil. I had that experience in the past—the first service stop your engine would use some oil. But mine didn't use any, so I was really happy. It's proven itself to be a great choice. What are some of the challenges of being a female truck driver? When I started driving 34 years ago, there were very few amenities for female truck drivers. There were no showers for women. It was not uncommon to sit down to get something to eat and the waitresses would just look at you. They just weren't used to seeing women in truck stops. But thankfully now it's much better—you see more and more women on the road these days. Any plans to retire soon? I always say that I'll stop driving when they pry my cold dead fingers off the wheel. Read about more lessons learned from the road at OverdriveOnline.com/SharingKnowledge. ExxonMobil_OVD1013_PG000.indd 1 Logbook_1013.indd 17 Text INFO to 205-289-3555 or visit www.ovdinfo.com October 2013 | Overdrive | 17 © 2013 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil and Mobil Delvac are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. How does Mobil Delvac™ heavy-duty diesel engine oil help you succeed? 9/18/13 1:55 PM 9/30/13 8:28 PM