About a year and a half ago, a fatal accident caused the death of six people and sparked the beginning of an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into the impact of pre-employment screening for commercial truck drivers. It was argued that had a more thorough review of the driver’s work history had been conducted, he would not have been hired, and would therefore not have caused the accident that took six lives, including his own.
The study has resulted in the NTSB making recommendations to several departments including the FMCSA. In the letter from the NTSB to the FMCSA, they outline four changes that they would like to see. They are as follows:
H-12-55
Using the mechanism developed in Safety Recommendation H-12-54, require
motor carriers to conduct and document investigations into the employment
records of prospective drivers for the 10 years that precede the application date.
H-12-56
Require motor carriers to retrieve records from the Commercial Driver’s License
Information System (CDLIS) and the National Driver Register (NDR) for all
driver applicants so that they can obtain a complete driving and license history of
prospective drivers.
H-12-57
Inform commercial vehicle inspectors of (1) the importance of taking pushrod
stroke measurements within the specified pressure range, (2) the relationship
between pushrod stroke and specific air pressure, and (3) the consequence of
taking measurements outside of this range.
This is a huge request that, if implemented, could have a massive effect on our industry.
First of all, it calls for the creation of a database that would hold all of the driving-related employment history for all CDL holders. The creation of this would require every single current CDL holder to fill out new paperwork and then for this newly created program to put all of that information into a database – the creation of something this large would take years. During those years, more new CDL holders will need to be added, and all previously added CDL holders will need to have their files updated at least once a year. This seems like an almost impossible task with an unimaginable price tag.
However, let us assume that somehow they are able to accomplish the creation of the database. The second recommendation would require every employer to get that information on every single person they want to hire, making it even harder for new drivers to find a job. Not only that, but as OOIDA executive Vice President Todd Spencer points out, “most of the drivers being entered into the database would not have anything like 10 years of experience. A driver without experience is not likely to have any blemishes on their records, but that is not an assurance that they would be safe drivers.”
Spencer also points out that the FMCSA is already getting data from a multitude of sources including roadside inspections and crash reports, but that the current agencies that manage those databases don’t do a wonderful job of keeping the information correct. He says that from what he hears from OOIDA members, “the data in that system is not even close to accurate.”
So in order for these suggestions to make any difference, we must assume that 1) the database can be created and maintained effectively without taking years and costing us hundreds of millions of dollars, 2) that somehow having more information will magically make inexperienced drivers more experienced, and 3) that these new agencies will do a better job of keeping their records correct than any other similar agency has done in the past.
The NTSB has requested that the FMCSA respond within 90 days. If it were me, I’d just send back a letter saying “Thanks for the recommendations, guys, we’ll get right on that.”
Next Story: Truckers Lose $27 Billion To Traffic Delays
Source: fleetowner, overdriveonline, landline, ntsb
Obama and his from of government want to control everything in america. All i can say we ask for a change and he didnt say it was going to be a good change. So all the People who voted for the jerk you ask for it you got it OBEANER is taking over and we will have to pay for it.
Well now, the purpose of the database is so the government can have better control over drivers. And of course, keep better records of accidents. This would all be in the glorified category of SAFETY. LOL.
It’s also a good way to eliminate drivers who get into an accident. You got it right on who’s going to pay for it. The government is just starting with their control. Going back 50 years, the government has always wanted to take over trucking. Good profits or revenue to be made off from truckers. A database going back ten years can give truck carriers a quick detail account of any driver. Who wants to hire a driver with one or two accidents? It makes for a good way to black ball many drivers. Those poor rookie drivers who completed truck school will quickly learn with all their accidents.
DAC has a similar record program, but you have to understand the government is not going to share the money with DAC when they can just take over again. The problem with DAC, the carriers have DAC in their pocket. The fun part is watching the money hungry carriers jump to any made up rules. Wow, I’m glad I got out of trucking. LOL.
Why don’t we start looking at the other end of the spectrum, and that is the role that non-CDL holders play in the safety game? Let’s put more stringent requirements on experience, training and driving history of non-CDL holders for a few years and see how that affects the safety and crash statistics where CDL holders are involved.
We need to get a hold of this industry again….shut down and see how long it takes to get some attention…
More goverment just what is that suppose to get done. We need less goverment and if the agenceys that are in place not just for D.O.T but all govement cant do the job right drop the people or the agencies like a bad habit it would cost us let to put these people on wellfare than to have these jobs It will be cheaper and we cant afford any more goverment programs the goverment already piggybacks enough on the trucking industry. And another program like this data base will not fix the probelmes that we have. Obama’s got a go he’s wastin are dough?
What you all forget is that shit happens wether yu have 1 year or 40 years it all happens in a blink of an eye . Evan OIDA does’nt have good companys to get reports from,Or the ATA . these companys will also you join as long as you pay them money just like goverment agencys .Its all about the money .not the truck driver
“OMG!! OMG!! Ban Doom and all video games everywhere because some kid killed some of his schoolmates at his school!!!”
Sure, push for more proactive screening. But while you’re at it, understand that truck drivers responsible for killing 4-wheelers make up only a very small percentage of the accidents between cars and big trucks. Most of the accidents between cars and trucks are caused by the cars.
How about better driver education for the 4-wheeling public? How about making the 4-wheeling public meet higher standards of qualification before they’re given a license to drive?
The math is arbitrary, guys! The figures don’t lie! One guy with a messed up record kills 6 people. Yeah, that really sucks, I get that! But what about all of the GROSSLY under-qualified people out there getting into THOUSANDS of wrecks per year with their cars?! They’re killing each other by the HUNDREDS! Why then are we not seeing special studies and politicians looking into new laws concerning them?!
Leave truckers alone and just let them do their d*mn jobs! When comparing apples to oranges, for miles driven, truck drivers are HUNDREDS of times safer than people driving cars!
Hittman…this isn’t Fox News. Take your political bs elsewhere, this is a trucking site.
It looks as tho those in government and insurance who have jobs want to keep them by adding more rules and regs to prove that they are doing something.
Now with better computers and software, cameras and microphones in cabs and dashboards, parking lots, hotel lobby’s, stores and .. Well everywhere. Every thing you do on the road and off can and will be recorded and used in a data base just because it can be done. Every wrong turn, every U turn at an intersection, and anything else can be used to eliminate senior drivers for the new driver who through lack of experience is willing to drive for lower pay.
How squeeky clean must a person be just to haul the crap we all need?
The answer is not make others go through it as well, but to get dead wood stooges to quit making these good cents suggestions to morons who will enact them.
Maybe everyone who drives and supporters that dispatch and repair trucks should take 3 or 4 days off to think of a workable solution to the extra burdens constantly be thrown onto the shoulders of the already overburdened. While we are at it we should get a 24 hr. day back instead of a 14 hr. day.
The us information systems dept has a thing called DAC Driver Accountabillity Certification .
while up to this point only subscribed companies and their drivers have been participating;
Maybe, it’s time that FMCSA : 1) BUY A SUBSCRIPTION 2) UPDATE WITH RECORDS FROM ALL
TRANS COMPANIES And 3) Ask for voluntary info from drivers to a)be allowed to represent
their own voice (what a novel concept give we the people a voice) b) give their updated info
about history with companies that no longer exist. This could easily be cross checked with
Records from soc sec administration and obsolete company data could be limited
To time of employment. In addition… with the exception of driver felonies the ticket info should
Still be restricted to previous 3 years because older then that is irrrelevant… older is a snapshot
Of then; not now.
Also accident history could still be 10 years an accident is rellavent.
No matter if it was 1 or 10 years ago.
I think when lawyers get involved the fine print goes on forever. That’s where trucking is. Under a lawyers microscope where there are never ending solutions. I do credit the positeers (mickey mouse) for thinking that a new herd of drivers to enter this field is just over the next hill. Trucking is rewarding to those that don’t expect too much and prefer trees to people. But many were lied to and the undesired results fairly represent the problems. Politics has also entered this field and desire to control every aspect of it, goes on through mindless and endless regulations. I do wish once again to bid my farewell to LaHood and good riddance.
until they make it so that companies invest in their current drivers with pay raises, hometime and generally caring about retention rather than rehiring the equivelant of their entire driver base every year. they need to get rid of tax benefits and incentives for hiring to companies that are driver mills or transportation companies in general.
Ok,so you get falsely accused of a traffic crime (and you have a CDL )by a dishonest police officer whos job is getting paid to screw over truck driver ? For the next 10 years the truck driver has to suffer for the Police officers dishonesty? I had that happen to me by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2005. The police wrote up a “false” accident report to cover up for the state vehicle driven by an Ohio state employee that ran a red light into the right rear of my truck,as I was making a turn on green. The Ohio State Police cost me my CDL just by the lies they spread. The Police,FMCSA,and the NTSB are all government employees,and are on the opposite side of the truck driver.They WILL work together to get their own agenda…which don’t include the truck driver,or his family. My family has suffered for the dishonesty of the state of Ohio,and I live in Michigan.
I’m happy to report I will be revoking my CDL and getting a regular license. The life, or more accurately, lack thereof, one has by being an OTR driver is not worth the peanuts you make, the lack of public concern or the complete lack of respect you have for one of the most important industries in the United States. Until government gets real about the vast problems associated with the trucking industry, which won’t happen any time soon, things will never change.
Cops hate truck drivers, period. Why is this? Who knows.
I farm during the summer and truck during the winter, I have 3 trucks right now and all I get is raped by the state and federal government!! There are taxes and regulations on top of taxes and regulations. How many of you have ever tried to call the FMCSA to ask about a question on one of these regulations?? What a joke!!! Most of the time they can`t even answer your questions about their own freakin laws!! I think it’s a crying shame all the bull truckers deal with and then after the government comes, the slip and fall lawyers are there looking for their handout, which then forces us to carry $1,000,000 liability insurance incase some moron out there looking to get rich wants to hit you with a lawsuit!! Then we get told by our great president that we need taxed more??? Maybe I’m over looking something here but it seems like truck drivers have to put up with more junk than any other industry in the nation!! We all need to stand together and say that’s enough!!
gee i had 2 seatbelt tickets in the same year.Those 2 seatbelt tickets haunted me for 3 years i can only imagine how 10 years would be like.I didnt just wake up one morning and decided i wasnt going to drive without a seatbelt had no intention at all.Regulations are very important and keeping this economy and country in good shape but its the over regulating thats the problem.Without much regulations we would be like a 3rd world country such as mexico.
I have been saying that for years bro. I totally agree.
now i have to agree with this. non CDL holders have no idea what it is like to drive a truck if they did they would not do the stupid things they do around big trucks. and there would be less accidents and all you truckers know what i mean!!!