OOIDA: Human Trafficking Bill Unfairly Singles Out Truckers

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has come out against the No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act, recently introduced in Congress by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), because it believes the bill unfairly singles out truckers.

OOIDA said it supports efforts to combat human trafficking and is a supporter of Truckers Against Trafficking, a group dedicated to fighting human trafficking through the trucking community, but took issue with the bill becaus it only targets truckers.

The bill (S.1532) would disqualify individuals from operating a commercial vehicle for their lifetime if they used a CMV to commit a felony involving human trafficking.

“Human trafficking must be fought on many fronts,” said Sen. Thune, chairman of the Commerce Committee, said in a press release. "Our legislaton is a starting point for prevention and enforcement againstthe use of a commercial driver's license in human trafficking."

“We are exasperated that at a hearing where truckers were applauded for their critical role in combatting human trafficking that any lawmaker would single out that same profession for a crime that happens everywhere,” said Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president.

“Truckers are on the front lines of defense in the battle against this horrendous, global crime by way of identifying, reporting and ultimately preventing it,” he added.

Related: CNN Highlights Trucking's Role in Fighting Human Trafficking

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Celadon names new chairman, CEO

FMCSA Posts ELD File-Checker Tool Online

One of the bugaboos to the quick adoption by fleets of electronic logging devices compliant to the new rule that takes effect on December 18 has been the question of how—or when— users can be certain that the mandated devices will be able to electronically transfer data files of records of duty status for review by law enforcement officials who use portable computers.

The rule requires that ELDs must be able to transmit hours-of-service information to portable computers via several methods (wireless web/email, USB2.0, and/or Bluetooth). ELBs must also provide either an on-screen display of the driver's sequence of duty status entries or a printout of the same.

John Seidl, transportation consultant with Integrated Risk Solutions and a former Wisconsin state trooper and FMCSA investigator, told HDT that FMSCA has “just come out with an ‘ELD File Validator'” on its ELD-specific website

The agency states online that ELD suppliers can use the new tool to “ensure their ELD output file conforms to the technical specifications in the ELD rule.” However, FMCSA notes that using the File Validator is “not a mandatory step of the self-certification process [for suppliers]” but it will make the process “go as smoothly as possible.”

Seidl, though, sees another use for the tool: “When selecting a device, motor carriers should request a data file now from their ELD supplier and do their own test to ensure ELD compliance. It's a great way to verify if a vendor that has already self-certified has a compliant data file to transfer, per the ELD rule. If the data file does not work, do you really have an ELD?”

He adds that those vendors that still have not self-certified may be able to provide the data file at this point— but “you, the customer, have to ask them.”

Also of interest is ...Read the rest of this story

Enterprise Fleet Management launches new mobile app

Enterprise Fleet Management has launched a new mobile app that is said makes it easier for fleet managers and drivers identify maintenance and other critical issues.

As an example, the company said it offers mobile appointment booking, allowing drivers to spend less time dealing with administrative tasks.

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DAT spot index show strong June for loads, rates

The number of available loads on the spot truckload market rose to a record in June, while rates hit the highest point in almost two years, according to the DAT North American Freight Index.

The index rose 24 percent in Jue from May and 57 percent from the same month in 2016, DAT said.
June van rates rose 11 cents to $1.80 a mile from May, while reefer rates were up 10 cents to $2.12 and flatbed rates were $2.16, a gain of 6 cents.

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DAT index show strong June for spot loads, rates

The number of available loads on the spot truckload market rose to a record in June, while rates hit the highest point in almost two years, according to the DAT North American Freight Index.

The index rose 24 percent in Jue from May and 57 percent from the same month in 2016, DAT said.
June van rates rose 11 cents to $1.80 a mile from May, while reefer rates were up 10 cents to $2.12 and flatbed rates were $2.16, a gain of 6 cents.

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CVSA Releases Results from Unannounced Brake Safety Day

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration has revealed that results from its unannounced Brake Safety Day inspection event showi that the majority of vehicles (79%) inspected did not have any critical item vehicle violations.

The results showed that in 9,524 inspections conducted, the 79% of fleets did not have any critical item vehicle violations. Of those inspections, 8,140 were conducted in the U.S., and 1,384 took place in Canada.

The goal of Brake Safety Day was to conduct roadside inspections and identify and remove vehicles with critical brake violations from the road in an effort to reduce the number of crashes caused or made more severe by poorly maintained braking systems on commercial vehicles.

During the event, 21% of all inspections resulted in a vehicle being placed out of service for violations with 12% of all inspections resulting in a brake-related violation that put a vehicle out of service.

The event also sought to evaluate how well ABS are maintained in accordance with federal regulations. Many participating jurisdictions surveyed ABS compliance finding:

CVSA's Operation Airbrake Program is holding one more brake safety enforcement event this year. The next Brake Safety Day event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, at participating jurisdictions throughout Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

Brake Safety Day is part of the Operation Airbrake Program sponsored by CVSA in partnership with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Related: CVSA Brake Safety Day Scheduled for September

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