quotSafe trucking moves out economy you39re going to hear me say that a lotquot T F Scott Darling III head of the FMCSA Photo by Sean KilcarrFleet Owner

FMCSA: Two driver-related rulemakings now at OMB

Oct. 4, 2016
Scott Darling expects entry-level driver training and drug and alcohol test result database regulations to be issued by year’s end.

LAS VEGAS. Long-awaited final rules regarding entry level driver training standards and the establishment of a drug & alcohol test results “clearinghouse” should be issued by the end of 2016, according to a presentation given by T. F. Scott Darling, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), here at the American Trucking Associations (ATA) annual convention.

He said both of those rules “are currently at OMB [the Office of Management and Budget] under review and should be published by year’s end” as OMB review “is the last step” before they become active regulations.

Darling stressed that those and other regulations – particularly the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, which he called a “landmark rule” that FMCSA is currently “working to implement” – is part of his agency’s overall goal of working towards zero highway deaths as well as creating a “safer” trucking industry.

“Safe trucking moves our economy,” Darling emphasized. “Whether you are a [motor] carrier, [truck] OEM, ELD provider, broker, or shipper, you have a direct role to play in highway safety. We need all of you to be partners as we work towards zero deaths on our highways.”

Darling in silhouette while an FMCSA video plays behind him.

He went on to point out that 2015 crash fatality numbers “disturbing to say the least” with the rise in commercial truck and bus crash fatalities particularly worrisome.

“These are not numbers; each represents a human life,” Darling stressed. “We want to do better. That’s why we must band together [as] collaboration is the only to move towards zero deaths.”

A few other issues he touched on in his remarks include:

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.

 

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