CUMBERLAND NEWS

The annual DOT Inspection is required of all CMV’s that have a GVWR of 10,001 lbs or more, as defined in the definition of a CMV in CFR 390.5 for interstate carriers with US DOT operating authority. For INTRAstate operators check with your state carrier enforcement...

The FMCSA defines an inspector in CFR 396.17 as a person who understands the inspection criteria set forth in 49 CFR Part 393 and Appendix G of this subchapter and can identify defective components. That person is knowledgeable of and has mastered the methods,...

Speeding was selected as the emphasis for this year's Operation Safe Driver week, scheduled for July 14-20 throughout North America. During the annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) event, law enforcement personnel are on the lookout for commercial motor...

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 32nd annual International Roadcheck will take place June 4-6, 2019. Over a 72-hour period, CVSA-certified commercial motor vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout North America will conduct inspections of...

Do: Pull to the nearest edge of the roadway and come to a complete stop until all emergency vehicles have passed. Be alert to the approach of more than one emergency vehicle.  Be sure to check your rearview mirror before pulling back on the travel lane. Keep the...

The state of IL has had three state troopers killed in the last two months while they had a vehicle pulled over to the side of the road and another vehicle did not move over and struck the trooper. All 50 States have "Move Over" laws to protect law enforcement...

The flashing lights of a police car in a rear-view mirror fill many drivers with dread. “Am I really being pulled over?” you might wonder. Although no one likes being pulled over, it’s essential to show a law enforcement officer that you’re cooperating. From the...

Guilty Plea: You could just pay it which is a guilty plea and go on down the road unless the judge demands you show up in court. Not-Guilty Plea: You could plead not guilty and get a court date, where you could return to the court and defend yourself. Ignore the...

Part 382 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is in place to help prevent accidents and injuries resulting from the misuse of controlled substances or alcohol by drivers of commercial motor vehicles. One of the ways this regulation pushes the enforcement of...

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) published a tip sheet for carriers and drivers in preparation for this year’s Roadcheck that you can print off as a handout for your drivers.

Use the roadside inspection information, such as date, time and locations to cross reference with the drivers hours of service documentation for falsification violations.Train drivers how to successfully pass a roadside inspection and how to conduct themselves.Keep your vehicles clean and well maintained as not to be targeted for inspection.

Question of the Week: My driver has gone through a roadside inspection; how long do I have to keep this documentation on file? Answer: Copies of all roadside inspections are to be kept by the motor carrier for 12 months. The driver is required to turn in the...

Roadside inspections are a way of life for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. They take on special emphasis during the annual Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration (CVSA) International Roadcheck, set for June 4-6 this year in North America. This year’s...

Safety belt use remains one of the cheapest, easiest, and most important means to protect commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Safety belts also help prevent serious damage and injury to others, because buckled drivers are better able control their vehicles in...

Seat belt violations are high and unnecessary.  This violation carries a point weighting of 7 and is detrimental to the carriers “Unsafe Driving” basic score in the CSA SMS.  By drivers operating your trucks and NOT wearing a seat belt they are providing an...

MYTH 1: Safety belts are uncomfortable and restrict movement. FACT: A 2005 Transportation Research Board study on commercial drivers' safety belt usage found many drivers do not find wearing safety belts to be uncomfortable or too restrictive of their movements. Once...

Is there a day coming when we will not have any motor vehicle fatalities? With the fast pace of technology coming into our industry I often think of this possibility.  I hope that someday in my 7-year-old grandson’s life he will look back on this time period and...

Legislation that would establish a program to allow 18-21-year olds to drive commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce after an apprenticeship and under limited conditions has been reintroduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The DRIVE Safe...

REGISTRATION IS OPEN Register for the 2019 Safety & Compliance Seminar in Nashville, Tn. Attendance, Materials and Meals for free. Satisfies required federal training. [button link="https://www.idealease.com/safety-seminar-registration" type="big" color="orange"...

Spring arrived on Wednesday March 20th in the U.S., bringing along a slew of seasonal allergies. Experts suggest that the 2019 allergy season could be more severe in comparison to previous years. With allergy season officially starting, you should be aware that some...

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month Did you know your brain can miss seeing up to 50% of your driving environment when you talk on a cell phone? And, that according to research, drivers talking on cell phones had slower reaction times than drivers with a .08...

Bills were reintroduced in Congress on February 26, 2019, to address driver shortage in the trucking industry and enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truckers. The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act seeks to...