There are many issues plaguing the trucking industry. The fact of the matter is that the FMCSA doesn't get the big picture on the issues. They look at one issue at a time when it is a slew of issues combined that may adversely impact safety on America's roads.

Constitutional Rights

At no time should truck drivers be expected to sacrifice any rights recognized by the U.S. Constitution, State Constitutions, or any other right recognized by law. Rights shall not be waived!

Transportation Policy

Broker Transparency

Detention Time

Coercion = Service failure/Late pick up and delivery fees

Working conditions

Rates

Antitrust issues - Unfair and deceptive practices, including predator truck leasing programs

Loading/Unloading - Shippers and receivers should be required to post 49 U S Code §14103. Loading and unloading motor

vehicles in clear view of at the check in window or office. This will ensure that drivers know their rights regarding the loading

and unloading of freight 

Hours of Service

Hours of service rules are not uniform among the three North American countries and cause conflict for drivers crossing

international borders. All truck drivers require hours of service flexibility to be adequately safe, productive, and efficient.

The NATA wishes to abolish the Hours of Service rules

49 CFR § 392.3 Ill or fatigued operator, is adequate to prevent hours of service abuses

Speed Limiters

The FMCSA has no statutory authority to mandate a national speed limit in the United States. For safety, a speed limit should not

be mandated for large commercial trucks.

Electronic Logging Device

Back door violation to our 4th amendment right to privacy 

The federal regulation violates the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act

A cost of 16.8 billion dollars to the trucking industry in 2023 and an projected cost of 38.4 billion dollars by the end of 2036. 

Cybersecurity - March 2024 Colorado State University published a paper on vulnerabilities with the Electronic Logging Devices.

July 2020 the FBI released a report on the issue of cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

November 2020 Rand McNally suffered a cyber attack

Parking

The FHWA performed a study titled "Study of Adequacy of Commercial Truck Parking Facilities -Technical Report" with a due date in March 2002.  The U.S. DOT knew about parking concerns and failed to address this critical issue in 22 years. 

Eliminating the Hours of Service rules will help to accommodate the parking issue. 

Grant money to municipalities for industrial complexes to provide parking will help the parking issue

Large municipalities, such as New York City, Chicago, and many more, require staging areas to allow adequate parking while waiting to load, unload or rest breaks.

Rates and Wages

Low rates/pay cause drivers to work harder

Creates a deleterious effect on maintenance programs

Causes a high driver turnover rate

Training

Uniform and better training standards will create more skilled truck drivers.

A Tier Level program may be instituted to create a stronger interest for driver safety.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration looks at issues on an individual basis and fail to understand how the primary issues are well connected. These issues impact each other and have adverse Affects when rules are made without regarding the negative impacts to other issues. We have seen how the passing of the Electronic logging device has impacted the trucking industry regarding parking issues. Also, the Electronic Logging Devices have impacted the business of truck stop restaurants. We understand that the Hours of Service rules are a required regulation but that has it's issues too.