As has been reflected in many early year reports across the transport sector, there is recognition of the weaknesses that highlighted the end of 2020 and a renewed determination to put the lessons learned from the experience to good use as we continue the long recovery into this new year.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has played a central role by working to improve the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) on the nation's highways. The agency maintains and enforces related rules and regulations, conducts inspections, licenses hazardous material carriers, conducts studies, issues advisory notices, and provides educational resources to assist in the safe movement of commercial motor vehicles.
While CHEMTREC was created by manufacturers within the chemical industry to assist investor database emergency response personnel with chemical incidents while in transit, the first “responders” we typically hear from are carrier personnel. By helping carriers meet the increased demands on their resources and time, it ultimately supports organizations up and down the supply chain. CHEMTREC, through our Carrier Information Network and other services focused on supporting carrier operations, is here to help you provide ways to capture and manage data so your business can be as agile and responsive to change as possible in these challenging times.
To that end, let's discuss the areas that have gained particular traction or have received more attention recently.
Upcoming Rule
The FMCSA is increasingly busy responding to ideas and demands for greater efficiencies and stricter, or more supportive, regulations to help the sector recover while improving safety.
FMCSA has published a final rule that prohibits State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) from issuing CDLs to individuals who are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions due to drug and alcohol violations, as reported to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH).
The final rule also requires SDLAs to remove CDL privileges from the licenses of individuals who are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions.
States must achieve substantial compliance as soon as possible, but no later than 18 November 2024.
