Well, it appears that one particular Pennsylvaniatrucking company is not following the law. InLancasterCounty,PA, D.A. Landis Trucking, Inc. has been caught cooking the books. The company is being charged with having their drivers keep false records in their logbooks from January 2007 through November 2009. They also have additional charges from the U.S. Department of Transportation for making false statements.

The owner, D.A. Landis, continually disregarded safe driving procedures by encouraging his commercial truck drivers to operate on their own preferred shifts, rather than ones within the legal confines of the USDOT. And to cover this crime, drivers were told to prepare two sets of logbooks, one for personal compensation and one to present to the USDOT to conceal the wrongdoings.

If found guilty, the maximum penalty for the company is up to 5 years probation and fines up to $5.5 million, while Landis himself could wind up serving 5 years in prison.

In my Opinion Piece, I mentioned that drivers were upset that the changes to the laws forced them to sometimes maintain strange hours to stay in compliance. But the goal is road safety, for truckers and other drivers, so the government will strictly enforce these laws and penalize them appropriately.

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Let me begin with a disclaimer: safety is always a priority when it comes to trucking. Being in the commercial truck insurance industry, I have seen my fair share of life-ending accidents and any measures that could be used to reduce those are valuable.

The first alteration in the law was to shorten the work week from 82 hours to 70 hours. The idea is that this reduction will give workers more time to rest and relieve the burden of being overworked. The downside is that it also reduces the potential earnings of hourly truck drivers who relied on those additional 12 per week to pay their expenses. The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association (FMCSA) appears to have accounted for this objection with the “34-hour restart.”

As its name implies, the “34-hour restart” lets drivers restart their work weeks if they spend 34 consecutive hours resting. This provision allows drivers to still get their required 82 hours in a week, while also forcing them to take a break in the middle.

We think that this is a good compromise; it doesn’t hurt truck driver earnings and increases road safety by mandating a break.

Another change is the required 30 minute break after an eight-hour shift of unimpeded driving. This seems like a fair compromise, because thirty minutes is not too long to throw drivers off schedule, but long enough to recharge the mind.

One safety concern regards the continued use of the 11-hour work day. It was believed that this number would be reduced to 10-hours, a more manageable maximum time to be driving, but the 30 minute rest seems to be the compromise to maintain the 11-hour max. There is enough evidence from sleep studies to suggest that 11 hours is too long to work and a change should be made.

So what are the overall opinions about the DOT’s changes to trucker laws? They are better at reducing fatigue to drivers, but ignore the bigger issues. Truck drivers still do not get paid overtime for exceeding 40 hours per week, forcing them to push themselves beyond their limits. These changes just add more regulation to an already over-regulated industry. They also require the use of additional drivers to make up lost hours from the reduced work week, putting more inexperienced truck drivers onto the road.

While the intentions behind the changes may have been for driver safety, the results hurt the wallets of truckers and don’t make a big enough impact. Hopefully new regulation will replace the old laws to decrease accidents.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the DOT, accumulated information and statisitcs from sources in the trucking community, like commercial truck insurance companies, trucking businesses, and law enforcement. In addition, they hosted public forums around the country to get direct input from truck drivers.

In the end, the new rule from the FMCSA reduces a truck driver’s maximum weekly work hours by 12. The previous maximum was 82 hours; the new HOS rule changes that to 70 hours.

Also, commercial truck drivers are required to take a thirty minute break after a shift of 8 hours. This is designed to reduce the tension caused by long shifts.

There will be a “34-hour restart” provision implemented as well, which allows the driver to restart his or her work week by taking a consecutive 34-hour break.

Finally, one aspect of the old rules was maintained: the 11-hour driving limit in a day. Further research is being done to determine if this time limit is appropriate.

One reason behind the rules changes is that they force truck drivers to get at least two-nights of rest to restore their bodies. Drivers who maximize their work week still need sleep during the body’s key resting hours from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Fines for these offenses will be high, with some exceeding $10,000. The purpose is to keep the roads safer for truckers and pedestrians and hopefully the rule changes help in that regard.

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Among many significant changes, the proposal will reduce the number of hours per day and per week that a truck driver can operate. Additionally, the time it takes to load and unload the truck would now be considered as part of a driver’s limited driving hours, potential limiting productivity.

The American Trucking Association has launched a full-blown counter campaign to stop the new hours-of-service rules from taking effect, calling the proposed changes, “just plain dumb”  and will “make our economy  less competitive”.

Obviously a lot of big administrations and associations, such as the American Trucking Association and trucking insurance companies, have great interest in how these proposals turn out. More important than these large interest groups are the truck drivers. How do our truck drivers feel about the potential impact, and are they for or against these proposed changes in hours-of-service?

Many drivers are wondering if they have any say in this matter. Thankfully Royalty Truck Insurance is informing truck drives about a free method to offer feedback to the Department of Transportation. If you want your voice and opinion to be heard just stop by any Flying J, Love’s, or Pilot truck stop to fill out the appropriate form.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be holding an open public meeting in Arlington, Va. on February 17^th to discuss concerns about the hours-of-service proposal.

With a similar reverence, Overdrive Magazine is reporting that truckers surveyed across the country have voted Petro Truck Stops their “favorite truck stop” of 2010.

The magazine has run their independent study of truck drivers across the U.S. for the past four years and Petro has been ringing up top rankings for the entire span.

The survey includes 17 different categories ranging from “quickest fueling” to “best buffets.” Petro incinerated the competition by taking the No. 1 spot in 15 of the 17 categories.

Petro, owned by parent company TravelCenters of America LLC, is headquartered in Westlake, OH—a town also famous for hosting the 2006 USA Broomball National Championships.

Petro hosts Iron Skillet diners, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Blimpie Subs, DOT screening services, clean restrooms and showers, an assortment of cheesy bumper stickers and beer koozies and a legendary assortment of generic cell phone chargers on revolving racks.

Just about the only things they don’t provide for truckers are licensing and commercial truck insurance.

Some of the categories Petro cleaned up in throughout Overdrive Magazine’s survey included “best food, best breakfast, best buffets, healthiest menu, best travel stores, cleanest restrooms, best parking, easy to maneuver fueling lanes, best employees, best restaurant coffee and best truck stop experience.

Let us Know What You Think in the Comments Below:

Do you agree with the Overdrive Magazine survey? Would you vote Royalty Truck Insurance the best truck insurance provider of 2010?  Tell us below in the comments field!

As a commercial truck insurance company, we know better than anyone just how regulated the industry is. In the midst of a recession where paying truck insurance premiums are the least of most truckers problems, a lot of drivers are worried these new ratings regulations couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 is a new federal program that’s being rolled out by the FMCSA.  The program assigns a score to motor carriers that aims to demonstrate their risk to shipping agencies based on their past safety violations.

Things like driver fatigue, behavioral analysis, driver fitness, alcohol or controlled substance violations and accidents caused are all measured to formulate a final score—kind of like a quarterback rating in the NFL

Some drivers are concerned many shippers will read too much into the numbers, choosing to avoid carriers with lower scores that are still above acceptable standards.  They’re worried this could cost smaller business jobs based on unfair comparisons.

Trucking companies with excellent track records and safety advocates for the FMCSA think otherwise, calling the ratings system a “new nationwide system that will make the roads safer for motor carriers and the public alike.”

Stories have surfaced of freight companies that have suffered lower scores because of violations taken into consideration from the distant past—sometimes even before the violations were even considered safety related at all.  In some cases, these companies have lost major accounts.

Let us Know What You Think in the Comments Below:

Is the new CSA rating system really a bonus for the safest drivers, sort of like lower commercial truck insurance premiums are offered to the safest companies? Or is this an unfair system that divulges too much unnecessary information for shippers to discriminate against the trucking industry?

Should a license in good standing, a qualified driver and proof of commercial truck insurance be all a company should need to be hired?  Will these safety regulations really cost truckers more jobs in the end?

Royalty Truck Insurance knows that the truck driving industry represents one of the largest work forces in the United States. There are over 3.2 million truck driving jobs in the country according to the US Department of Labor statistics and the industry is projected to grow steadily in the coming years higher than the rate of new drivers are developing.

With over three million drivers that need commercial truck insurance out there, we at Royalty have come to understand the business pretty well.  Unfortunately the trucking industry was no exception to layoffs and job closures at the dawn of our current recession—the biggest in this country since the Great Depression.  Shipping needs dropped by about 20% almost immediately with the recession, but recent statistics and quarterly business earning published by the big shipping conglomerates seem to suggest that the industry is picking back up, so much so that they are suggesting a current shortage of truck drivers.

While it’s no cause to throw a parade yet or call the recession over by any means, this is a great sign, as the earnings of trucking companies tend to go hand in hand with the fluctuation of transportation needs, and increased transportation needs tend to go hand in hand with a spiking economy.

According to an article published by Reuters this past month, UPS, CSX Corp, JB Hunt Transport and Landstar System all reported higher than expected earnings for the first quarter of 2010 that reflect improved shipping demands.
Additionally, the logistics firm FTR Associates seemed to hint at a shortage of truck drivers at a trade forum earlier this year.
“As the marketplace expands, even slowly as we are forecasting, there will be a driver shortage,” said FTR Associates representative Noel Perry. He went on to forecast a driver shortage of 180,000 truckers in 2010 and upwards of 500,000 in 2011 if the economy rebounds as expected.

A spokesman for JB Hunt alluded to experienced driver competition increasing between companies, as all major trucking companies seem to be hiring at a much higher rate than they have in the past year and a half.
“While masked by a poor economy in recent years,” JB Hunt rep Greg Smith told Reuters, “these factors, combined with fewer new entrants coming through driving school and carrier training programs during the recession, will limit the ability of the industry to add capacity.”

New safety regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will take effect in 2010 as well and also affect the pool of capable truckers.  Programs are in place to monitor trucker’s driving records and history, threatening fleet suspension if the company’s drivers aren’t up to par with new standards.  The plus side is that safe drivers will definitely have an impact on commercial truck insurance rates and of course, overall highway safety.

Additionally, UPS is projecting some 25,000 drivers will retire in the coming five years.  So make sure your truck insurance policy is up to date and keep your driving record safe, because all signs are pointing to increased available opportunity for a slew of qualified truck drivers in the coming months.  With an unemployment rate of about 10% still in the US, the news for truck drivers couldn’t come at a better time.

At Royalty Truck Insurance, we do our best to make sure that all of our carriers are covered in the event of an accident.  But accidents involving large trucks can be extremely serious, and though covering you and your trucks with liability insurance is essential, your insurance should only be your second line of defense against accidents; prevention and safety should be the first.  Truck safety is of the utmost importance in avoiding serious injury or fatalities associated with commercial accidents, and it is imperative for all companies and drivers to ensure they are not putting themselves in compromising positions that can increase the risk of crashes.

If you check out some of the statistics posted by the US Department of Transportation, you’ll notice that it’s shocking how many commercial truck accidents that have occurred in recent years could have been prevented. In 2005 there were over 5,000 deaths and over 90,000 injuries reported as a result of commercial truck-related accidents. In recent years with similar statistics, it has been estimated that over 20% of these accidents occurred while excessive speeding was involved.  It is important for truck drivers to obey traffic laws at all times, but probably more important for them to recognize that many drivers on the road will not.  Always be attentive to the other drivers on the road around you, and if you notice reckless drivers or speeders, drive defensively and avoid them rather than reacting toward them aggressively.

To add to the speeding statistic, roughly 5% of drivers involved in large truck accidents were excessively fatigued, and another 2% were using alcohol or controlled substances.  We always have pressure to hit deadlines and meet demand, but using substances to stay awake or trying to push through fatigue is extremely dangerous to driver awareness.
While you may think you need to make a quick delivery to get another job or handle another account, recognize that safety is much better business than risking accidents.  Of all the accidents in 2005 that resulted in a fatality, the average cost of the truck crash was $3.6 million.  The accidents that resulted in injuries averaged a cost of almost $200,000 per crash. The average cost per crash for all accidents combined was about $90,000. No amount of business able to be gained from rushing or pushing the limits of drivers outweighs the financial risks of a crash—not to mention the priceless loss of life that occurs far too many times per year.

So being up to date with a quality truck insurance policy that covers liability is essential, but don’t let the peace of mind it grants detract from your usual safety measures.  Follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines and standards for safe driving, and always make sure that you’re staying alert and defensive while on the road.  For a truck insurance qute please contact us to visit us online for a quick truck insurance quote.

Motor carriers operating motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials, hazardous substances or hazardous wastes. For-hire motor carriers operating motor vehicles transporting property in interstate or foreign commerce. For-Hire motor carriers transporting passengers in interstate or foreign commerce. Private motor carriers domiciled in Mexico transporting property in interstate or foreign commerce.
Financial Responsibility: Having insurance policies or surety bonds sufficient to satisfy the minimum public liability requirements   { Royalty Truck Insurance can provide you with both.  You can receive a quote online http://royaltytruckinsurance.com/?id=truck-insurance-quote or call us at Toll Free: 1-866-989-8998 }
Public Liability:  Public Liability means liability for bodily injury, property damage and environmental restoration.
Environmental Restoration:  Environmental Restoration means restitution for the loss, damage, or destruction of natural resources arising out of an accidental discharge of toxic or other environmentally harmful materials or liquids
Definitions of terms relating to FMCSA financial responsibility regulations can be seen at:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.5.htm
and/or
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.29.htm
Requirements: Motor carriers must have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law. A list of the minimum requirements can be seen at:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.9.htm
and/or
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.33.htm
Proof:  Proof of financial responsibility shall be maintained at the motor carrier’s principle place of business. All vehicles operating in the U.S. must have a legible copy of the proof of the required financial responsibility.  All motor vehicle in which there is no evidence of financial responsibility shall be denied entry into the U.S.
Examples of Proof:
Form MCS-90
Form MCS-82
Form MCS-90B
Form MCS- 82B
For more information or clarification please call Royalty Truck Insurance 1-866-989-8998

These tips coming from the US Department of Transportation.Reference:   Part 387 Minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor carriers

Overview: The training module is designed to educate the executive staff of motor carrier companies on the FMCSA regulation on the minimum levels of necessary financial responsibility

Purpose:  The purpose of these regulations is to create incentives for motor carriers to maintain and operate their vehicles in a safe manner and to maintain an appropriate level of financial responsibility.

Applicability:

Motor carriers operating motor vehicles transporting hazardous materials, hazardous substances or hazardous wastes. For-hire motor carriers operating motor vehicles transporting property in interstate or foreign commerce. For-Hire motor carriers transporting passengers in interstate or foreign commerce. Private motor carriers domiciled in Mexico transporting property in interstate or foreign commerce.

Financial Responsibility: Having insurance policies or surety bonds sufficient to satisfy the minimum public liability requirements   { Royalty Truck Insurance can provide you with both.  You can receive a quote online http://royaltytruckinsurance.com/?id=truck-insurance-quote or call us at Toll Free: 1-866-989-8998

Public Liability:  Public Liability means liability for bodily injury, property damage and environmental restoration.

Environmental Restoration:  Environmental Restoration means restitution for the loss, damage, or destruction of natural resources arising out of an accidental discharge of toxic or other environmentally harmful materials or liquids

Definitions of terms relating to FMCSA financial responsibility regulations can be seen at:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.5.htm

and/or

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.29.htm

Requirements: Motor carriers must have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by law. A list of the minimum requirements can be seen at:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.9.htm

and/or

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/387.33.htm

Proof:  Proof of financial responsibility shall be maintained at the motor carrier’s principle place of business. All vehicles operating in the U.S. must have a legible copy of the proof of the required financial responsibility.  All motor vehicle in which there is no evidence of financial responsibility shall be denied entry into the U.S.

Examples of Proof:

Form MCS-90

Form MCS-82

Form MCS-90B

Form MCS- 82B

For more information or clarification please call Royalty Truck Insurance 1-866-989-8998