States begin implementing new inspection systems

Many states are helping roadside inspectors by providing them with carrier-specific information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Transport Topic reports.

Under the FMCSA's new Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, roadside inspectors will be armed with specific carrier information, which can lead to a more targeted inspecting approach.

Furthermore, the new scoring system has prompted many states to update their safety databases to help inspectors apprehend carriers that have demonstrated deficiencies.

For example, the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police recently announced that it has implemented an e-screening program that includes additional data fields that were made possible by the CSA. Furthermore, driver data can be shared across jurisdictions and examined in the Commerical Vehicle Information Exchange Window system.

"The officer decides [where] to focus his or her efforts," said Stephen Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Administration. "If that carrier was deficient in the fatigued driving - hours of service - but not deficient in any other category, the officer would focus his or her efforts on the driver."

Online truck driver training courses could help these professionals stay current on emerging trends in their industry, and determine how specific state laws will affect them.

By Mark Priest

States begin implementing new inspection systems

Monday, February 28th, 2011