Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/255292
Logbook 14 | Overdrive | February 2014 A proposed rule mandating the use of electronic logging devices was expected to be published in the Federal Register Jan. 29, according to a monthly U.S. Department of Transportation report, which said the rule was projected to clear the White House's Office of Management and Budget Jan. 17. The report also said the rule would have a 60-day comment period that would last until April 1. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule also was set to clear OMB Jan. 17, and DOT's report had projected the rule would be published Jan. 31. OMB eventually approved the rule Jan. 27, and it now awaits final publication in the Federal Register, where it likely will be published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking this month. The drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule will establish a database of drivers who have failed or refused drug or alcohol tests, and carriers will be required to submit failed or refused tests to the database. Carriers also can query the database, with an applicant's written permission, when hiring drivers. When Overdrive went to press, OMB still had not cleared the e-log rule that not only will mandate their use but also will set device standards and address driver harassment. That rule, however, has been delayed several times, includ- ing in both December and January, when DOT, at about the 10th of each of those months, said the rule would come by the end of that month; neither happened. Also in DOT's January report was an update on the agency's Safety Fitness Determination rule, which now is projected for OMB clearance July 24 and publication Aug. 4. That rule will change the data set and methodology FMCSA uses to produce a carrier's overall safety score. Now, the agency uses only data from compliance reviews, whereas the rule would allow it to use data from the BASIC scores in its Compliance, Safety, Accountability system; roadside inspections; and crash data. A rule complementing the e-log mandate – designed to prevent carriers, shippers, receivers or other intermediaries from coercing drivers to violate the hours rule – is project- ed to clear OMB April 14 and be published April 23. – James Jaillet Driver database rule coming, e-log rule delayed The electronic logging device rule not only will mandate e-log use but also will set device standards and address driver harassment. REPORTED CARGO THEFTS totaled 222 between September and November, an 8 percent jump from the June-August quarter, Freightwatch reported. The average value loss per load rose to $244,604. CLASS 8 ORDERS in December 2013 totaled 31,800, marking a 50 percent improvement over the same month in 2012 and from November 2013, ACT Research reported. ACT also said Class 5-7 orders had their best quarter since 2008. The U.S. Supreme Court has refused the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association's request to hear its case against the federal cross-border trucking pilot program with Mexico. The justices decided not to review OOIDA's appeal at their Jan. 10 conference. In July, a federal appeals court rejected the association's request for a rehearing of its ruling that allowed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to continue the program. Meanwhile, agency officials have admitted Road Machinery as the 15th carrier in the program. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety had voiced concern over the two-truck, two-driver carrier's safety record. In a Dec. 16 response, Associate Administrator William Quade stated Road Machinery had corrected its shortcomings sufficient- ly for admission. A decision was pending on Transmex Inc. – Jill Dunn OOIDA loses bid to review border program Logbook_0214.indd 14 1/28/14 10:44 PM