Headlines and alerts. Our lives get so busy taking care of the day-to-day that oftentimes we do not read beyond the newspaper and social media headlines. What about those trucking industry alerts? Let someone else handle the details, especially when they appear to be good news. My life as a fleet manager is full enough.
And therein lies the problem. Complacency can easily snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
The system our federal government uses to adopt or change regulations requires public support for approval. It’s not enough that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed 18 regulatory changes to simplify and streamline the rules motor carriers live under. Unless the proposals receive industry support as they appear in the Federal Register, the improvements may not occur.
It’s not enough that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced a “Pro-Trucker Package” of Department of Transportation projects. Without active industry support and participation, political interest may wane.
It’s not enough that the FMCSA listened to past industry comments about the DataQs system and has now proposed true improvements that bring clarity and impartiality to the review of traffic citations. Past industry comments are no longer enough; trucking must support the current FMCSA proposal.
See also: DOT announces Pro-Trucker Package, aims to improve truckers' lives
Yes, the life of a fleet manager is busy—too busy to file comments on each and every regulatory proposal. And you know what? You shouldn’t even try. But you should respond where you have experience. The most impactful comments come from carriers who have stories to share. All 18 of the regulatory changes proposed by the FMCSA may not apply to your operation, but maybe one or two do. Send in your comments on those.
You may feel that DataQs has allowed you to correct mistakes on the few citations you have contested. Good. That is what it is intended to do. But I bet you wish the system had worked faster and that the officer who issued the citation wasn’t the judge and jury on your complaint. Your comments are needed.
Just because headlines and alerts talk about good news, it is no time to relax. Your active involvement is needed to see these improvements through.
