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Thursday, April 14, 2016
Volume 7 --- Issue 11
FMCSA Dismisses Concerns about Safety Fitness Rule and
CSA Reform
Roadside inspections and violation data would be much larger factors in determining a carriers' fitness to operate, rather than the current system's heavy use of on-site compliance reviews.
 
A proposed rule issued in January by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will, if implemented, allow the agency to issue about 150 times more carrier safety assessments a year than it does now, said FMCSA reps in a media update held about its proposed Safety Fitness Determination rule.
 
The rule will in short do away with the three-tier Satisfactory, Conditional and Unsatisfactory carrier rating system and replace it with a two-tier system, Fit and Unfit. It will also change the way the agency determines those ratings, concentrating more on roadside inspection and violation data rather than on-site compliance reviews.

The agency will also take into account feedback from industry stakeholders about the rule when crafting the final draft, and encouraged those in the industry like carriers and owner-operators to offer feedback. The comment period is open until May 23, and comments can be made at this link.  


Read more about this article at www.iowamotortruck.com

SOURCE:  CCJ
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FDA Issues Food Safety Rule --- Regulation Aims to Prevent Spoilage in Transit
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its final rule establishing new requirements for the sanitary transportation of human and animal food by truck and rail, to guard against food contamination.
 
The rule obligates shippers, loaders, rail and motor carriers and receivers engaged in food transportation and freight brokers when they initiate food shipments.
 
It also addresses requirements for training, records and waivers.

The agency said the rule, which is the result of congressional mandates, was written in response to a number of incidents of unsanitary transportation practices over the past few decades.
 
Read more about this article at www.iowamotortruck.com
Comments by Bill Graves:  One Country, One Nationwide Rest-Break Rule
In 1994, Congress wrote a bill authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration. In addition to keeping our skies safe, that bill laid down an important principle for our industry: that the federal government - not individual states - should write rules for interstate trucking.
 
A single set of rules is tremendously important for an industry that can see its drivers pass through several states in a day. So, it is of critical importance that the rules they use to plan their schedules and outline their trips are consistent as they cross those borders.
 
That consistency, however, is under attack in states such as California and elsewhere that want to force drivers into a confusing patchwork of work and rest rules outside of the uniform federal hours-of-service rules.
 
Read more about this article at www.iowamotortruck.com

SOURCE:  Transport Topics
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Increase in Restricted & Prohibited Roadways in Midwest
In the past few weeks IMTA members have seen an increase in restricted and prohibited roadways in the state of Wisconsin.
In an effort to assist our members in making sure that you don't get caught off-guard on one of these roadways we reached out to Don Jerrell, of HNI, and he provided us with an article that explains the difference in the roadways and how to ensure that you and your drivers are prepared when you encounter these roadways in Wisconsin. Read more about this article at www.iowamotortruck.com

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CVSA
IRS Proposes Permanent Excise Tax Regs
The Federal Register recently carried a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the federal Internal Revenue Service proposing permanent rules for the 12 percent excise tax on the sale of trucks, trailers, and parts and for the federal tax on heavy tires.  

The proposal also reworks the definition of "highway vehicle" for purposes of those two taxes and for the federal excises on fuel and for the heavy vehicle use tax.  Since soon after the current set of highway user taxes was imposed by Congress in the early 1980s, IRS has administered these taxes under temporary regulations, most of which have now been in effect for more than 30 years.  

If you see something new and unpleasant, please let us know!  There is a 90-day period for public comments on the IRS proposal. 

Read more about this article at www.iowamotortruck.com

SOURCE:  ATA
Tire Safety to Be Emphasis of Annual 72-Hour Inspection Blitz in June
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced its annual International Roadcheck, which will take place June 7-9, will have a special emphasis on tire safety this year.
 
Inspectors will be measuring tire tread depth, checking tire pressure, checking to make sure no items are lodged between dual tires and examining the overall condition of the tires to ensure no deep cuts or bulges exist in the sidewalls. Checking tires is part of a normal inspection, but CVSA is highlighting tire safety during the blitz as a reminder to drivers and carriers, the organization said.

During the inspection blitz, inspectors will primarily conduct full 37-step Level I inspections, which is the most thorough inspection.

Read more about this article at www.iowamotortruck.com

SOURCE:  CCJ
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IMTA Safety Professionals Conference Next Week!

Staying current on the safety trends of the industry is a continual, uphill challenge.  Because of this, the Iowa Council of Safety Management has created the Safety Professionals Conference as an opportunity for attendees to network and learn valuable information and ideas about how to stay current and improve safety in your company.  This two-day conference will provide the education and a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among attendees.

For more information, including a schedule of events, please visit www.iowamotortruck.com --- and while you're there you may also register online to attend!
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IMTA Platinum Sponsors
  
Boyer Petroleum Logo     Midwest Wheel Companies Logo 
 
    Truck Country Logo
  
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Brenda Neville, President � [email protected]
Jon Dill, Membership Manager � [email protected]
Don Egli, Director of Safety � [email protected]
DeAnn Moody, Office Manager � [email protected]
Janelle Stevens, Director of Communications, Education & Events � [email protected]
Whitney Tapia, Marketing & Public Relations Manager � [email protected]