Good day,
The Alliance for Driver Safety & Security, aka the Trucking Alliance, has adopted four technologies that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says is critical to reducing large truck crashes.
AAA found that lane departure warning systems, video-based onboard safety monitoring, automatic emergency braking systems and air disc brakes.
Alliance membership standards now include:
1. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) – Install certified ELDs or have Automatic On-Board Recording Devices (AOBRDs) in all interstate trucks, to verify hour-of-service compliance. (Effective December 18, 2017, the federal government will require all carriers to have AOBRDs or install ELDs in interstate commercial trucks)
2. Truck Speed Limiters – Utilize truck speed limiters, set at a maximum speed of no greater than 65 mph.
3. Hair Testing – Transition to hair testing to identify lifestyle drug users and opioid addicts, since hair tests are more reliable than the current federal pre-employment drug testing protocol for commercial drivers.
4. Public Liability Insurance – Maintain liability insurance coverage that is significantly higher than the minimum federal requirement, to sufficiently cover the costs associated with injuries, fatalities and loss of property in large truck accidents, as Congress directed 37 years ago.
5. Truck Safety Technologies – Install collision mitigation systems in all newly purchased Class 8 trucks, including 1) Lane Departure Warning Systems, 2) Onboard Video Monitoring, 3) Automatic Emergency Braking, and 4) Air Disc Brakes.
6. Driver Hiring and Training Programs – Utilize extensive pre-employment screening processes and conduct on-going driver training, which is not required by current federal regulation.
“These technologies can make the highways safer for our drivers and the public and why the Trucking Alliance carriers are installing them on new trucks,” said Steve Williams, president of the Trucking Alliance and Chairman/CEO of Maverick USA in Little Rock, AR. “The AAA Foundation report shows how these automated technologies can help commercial drivers and motorists avoid accidents and return home safely to their families.”
The AAA Foundation report found that by installing automatic braking systems and air disc brakes on all new trucks, 7,705 accidents, 92 deaths and 4,200 injuries could be avoided. The report also projected that if onboard cameras and lane departure warning systems were installed on all new and existing commercial trucks, another 69,372 large truck accidents could be avoided, saving 408 lives and 24,105 injuries.
Did you know?
Stay Metrics says that companies using its Driver Rewards platform saw driver turnover of just 60% in the second quarter, compared to 90% overall in the industry, according to ATA data.
Quotable:
“AAA applauds the Trucking Alliance for taking such an important step toward improving safety on US roads. Adding key safety technologies to fleets is critical if we are to reverse the growing rate of crash deaths on our roadways and we are glad to see the Trucking Alliance is making such a strong commitment to safety.”
– Marshall Doney, president and CEO of AAA, on the Trucking Alliance adding additional safety technologies to its membership standards
In other news:
Fed leaves short-term rates unchanged
The Federal Reserve did not change the short-term interest rates when it met yesterday, but indicated it may still increase the rate at its December meeting. (Wall Street Journal)
Private sector posts strong October job growth
Private sector companies hired 235,000 workers in October, more than expected, according to payroll firm ADP. (Wall Street Journal)
XPO expecting strong holiday season
After posting 300% growth in profits for the third quarter, XPO Logistics is preparing for a busy holiday shipping season. (Journal of Commerce)
Truck makers see an improving market
Even as they reported mixed third-quarter results, several truck makers see continued improvement in the market. (Transport Topics)
Navistar CEO talks Volkswagen, market strategy
Navistar CEO Troy Clarke spoke with Trucks.com on his company’s market strategy, and the ever closer relationship with Volkswagen. (Trucks.com)
Final Thoughts
It’s been interesting to watch third-quarter results of carriers being reported. Some have posted good results, others have been mixed, and then XPO reported a 300% growth in profit for the quarter. Clearly times are good, but not everyone is making out as well as others.
Hammer down everyone!
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