Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/989498
20 | Overdrive | June 2018 Logbook The California Trucking Associ- ation and state General Assembly legislators in late April put forward a bill that would establish new civil penalties aimed specifically at glider kit trucks operating within the state and judged noncompliant with the California Air Resources Board's strict regulation of in-use diesel vehicles. The bill would establish a mini- mum $25,000 civil penalty for oper- ating a noncompliant glider. CARB bans trucks powered by 2006 and older engines that are not retrofitted with diesel particulate filters. "While the $25,000 penalty for violation of this bill seems high," the committee considering the bill commented in notes about its background, CTA argued the high penalty was reasonable. The group says it's a deterrent to operators who would consider "implementing glider vehicles in the state" that contravene air-quality rules. Nationally, however, the glider industry is eyeing repreive from Obama-era emissions regulations. A rule from the Environmental Protection Agency to repeal restric- tions enacted in 2016 was, at press time, nearing its final stages before publication. A bi-cameral group of lawmakers also wrote to the White House's Office of Management and Budget in late May urging quick enactment of the rule. – Todd Dills & James Jaillet $25,000 penalty proposed for CARB-noncompliant glider CARB regulations ban trucks powered by 2006 and older engines that are not retrofitted with diesel particulate filters. FMCSA boss: ELDs could speed hours reforms The head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Ray Martinez, last month told congres- sional lawmakers that the electronic logging device mandate could be a catalyst for hours of service reforms, saying the ELD mandate could shine a light on areas where greater hours flexibility is needed. The mandate puts "everybody on a level playing field," given that in many cases, "paper logs were fudged in the past," he said. "Now let's look at hours of service and see about some modifications — not extend- ing the hours, but providing some flexibility in the current rules. We are engaging with our stakeholders in the regulated community and safety advocates to see what would be acceptable." Martinez, who assumed the FMCSA administrator's job in February, testified before the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee May 22. Other topics he discussed include: DETENTION. He told the panel that excessive detention is "an abuse of the driver," but it has been difficult to regulate. If carriers would share with the agency ELD data tracking time spent waiting at docks, "we would be happy to review it," he said. CSA REFORM. FMCSA is evaluating recommendations made last year by the National Academies of Science as to how the agency can better score carriers on their safety performance and better target carri- ers at risk of crashes. SLEEP APNEA. The agency has no plans to alter the guidelines for screening drivers. Currently, the issue is in the hands of medical examiners, who determine whether to refer a driver for an in-lab apnea test and diagnosis based on risk factors for ob- structive sleep apnea, such as a high Body Mass Index. – James Jaillet THE ROADPRO Family of Brands' Road King Me Sweepstakes is awarding new RoadKing Bluetooth Headsets and an opportunity to enter a grand prize drawing for $2,500 in RoadPro Rewards points. Entry also includes membership in the RoadPro Rewards program. The sweepstakes runs through June 30. To enter, go to Road- ProBrands.com/RoadKingMe. COMDATA, a fuel card and payment provider, now enables instant pay functionality on its Comchek Mobile app, available via iOS and Android. The new feature allows brokers and fleets to pay drivers instantly for loads, fuel advances, repairs and other on-road needs. Once transferred, funds are used via debit card for point-of-sale purchases, ATM withdrawals, bank transfers and discounted fuel and ho- tels at Comdata Proprietary Network locations. OPERATION SAFE DRIVER WEEK, an annual enforcement spree organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, is set for July 15-21. Enforcers will focus on traffic violations, seatbelt use, driver roadside inspections and other driver regulatory compliance.