Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/14162
Hours rule proposal advanced The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sent its proposed hours- of-service rule to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking expect- ed to be published Nov. 4. FMCSA was scheduled to issue its proposed rulemaking to the Office of Management and Budget by July 26, and the OMB is scheduled to clear it by Oct. 26. The public can comment until Jan. 4 and a final rule is expected by July 26, 2011. The creation of new rule is the result of an Oct. 26, 2009, legal settlement between Public Citizen and other orga- nizations and the agency. The July DOT report noted other rulemaking publication deadlines, including: • Nov. 23 for CDL testing and OVERDRIVE This rule includes establishing minimum federal standards for states to issue permits, setting maximum issuance and renewal periods and a minimum age limit. • March 4, 2011, for minimum train- ing requirements for entry level commer- cial motor vehicle operations. This rule- making would require behind-the-wheel and classroom training for CDL holders to operate commercial motor vehicles. • April 4, 2011, for CMV driver posi- tive controlled substances and alcohol test results database. This would create a central database for verified positive controlled substances and alcohol test results for CDL holders and refusals by drivers to submit to testing. • Dec. 17 for revisions to expand the Commercial Driver Permit standards. SHORT HAULS SPOT MARKET FREIGHT availabil- ity increased by 216 percent in May compared with the same month in 2009, according to TransCore’s North American Freight Index. This was the strongest volume for May in at least 10 years, the company said. Freight avail- ability increased in May for dry vans and refrigerated vans in advance of the peak summer season, but declined 15 percent for flatbeds. TRUCK TONNAGE ROSE 7.2 percent in May from a year earlier, but tonnage dipped 0.6 percent from April, the American Trucking Associations said. May’s year-over-year increase was the sixth consecutive annual gain. TRIM: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.00˝ X 4.50˝ number of motor carriers required to have electronic onboard recorders. — Jill Dunn (Continued on Page 68) THE CALIFORNIA Air Resources Board awarded $200 million in Proposition 1B funds to cut emissions from heavy-duty trucks and other sources in the state’s four busiest trade corridors. The Los Angeles/ Inland Empire, Central Valley, Bay Area and San Diego/Border regions received the funds, approved by voters in 2006. Helping Truckers save money, no matter what they drive. No matter what kind of truck you drive, you could save with Progressive Insurance. To learn more about Progressive, and see why we are the #1 Truck Insurer in America, please visit ProgressiveCommercial.com. Call for a Free Quote 1-888-375-7905 Find an Agent ProgressiveCommercial.com United Financial Casualty Company and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, Ohio. Available in most states. No. 1 truck from Highline Data’s 2007 written premium data. 09P00560.T (12/09) Visit www.overdrive.hotims.com and enter 202 Client: Progressive Job No: 09P00560.T AUGUST 2010 OVERDRIVE 15 M TRIM M TRIM