Waynes World - June 2007

VARYING WEIGH STATION REQUIREMENTS,
ACTUAL TRUCK CRASH COSTS, AND...

EXPECT MORE ROADSIDE
INSPECTIONS IN 2008
By Wayne Schooling

MORE ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS
John Hill, Administrator of the FMCSA, recently identified the goals of the agency for 2008, which included continuing the focus on driver safety and more roadside inspections. This action is a necessary undertaking in an attempt to improve driver safety, partly because of the recently released Large Truck Crash Study. In the study, driver action (or inaction) was found to be a major contributing factor in 87% of crashes where the truck driver was responsible for the crash.

While the increase of roadside inspections may concern some carriers, training drivers on roadside inspections can reduce the risk of poor outcomes. Drivers first and foremost need to be trained on what will happen during a roadside inspection and what the objective is. When drivers are inspected on the roadside or at a weigh station, the inspector is trying to determine if the driver is safe and qualified.

The inspector will first introduce himself to the driver and begin by asking the driver some basic questions. At this point, the inspector has already begun a cursory inspection, checking the driver for any signs of impairment. Next, the inspector will ask for the driver’s credentials, including the driver’s license and medical card. The inspector will check the license to make sure it is not suspended or revoked, and verify the date on the medical card. If either the license or medical card has any restrictions attached (glasses required, etc.), he/she will verify that the driver is complying with the restrictions. The inspector will also ask to see the driver’s record of duty status (logbook). The driver’s logbook is expected to be true and correct, and current to the last duty change.

If violations are discovered, the inspector will note them on the inspection form. The inspector will then determine if any of the violations are serious enough to warrant placing the driver out-of-service. If a violation is serious enough, the inspector may also write the driver a citation. The inspector will also ask the driver for documentation on any cargo being carried and the vehicle credentials. The minimum vehicle credential the inspector will need to see is the vehicle registration.

The first step in training drivers is to train them to make sure they have their credentials with them at all times and the importance of keeping these credentials current. Allowing a CDL or medical card to expire could be a costly error for a driver. Drivers should also be trained to keep their logbooks correct and current, and ready for inspection at any time. Inspectors usually do not allow drivers time to “catch the log up” before asking for it. Close out the driver training by explaining that a friendly driver who can quickly and efficiently locate documents that are current and correct will generally get through an inspection much faster than a driver who argues with the inspector, cannot locate documents or has a violation.

The U.S. DOT/TSI (Transportation Safety Institute) wants to remind carriers, as well as drivers, that they can find all the proper training at the NTA Online Institute (www.ntassoc.com). The website offers driver classes, management classes, hazmat classes and more. Each and every person, upon completion of the course, will receive a Certificate of Completion from the U.S. DOT’s Transportation Safety Institute.

WEIGH STATIONS
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “Do our vehicles need to stop at weigh stations?” Perhaps the reason why the answer to this question is so evasive is that there really is no clear-cut answer. The requirements for vehicles to stop at weigh stations are handled at the state level. States must certify that they are enforcing the size and weight limits in order to receive federal highway funds. As you can imagine, the states need the funds and will do whatever it takes to keep them coming.

Because there is no federal regulation, the states can decide how exactly they want to enforce the weigh station requirements. Some states require that “all trucks” stop at weigh stations, but sometimes “all trucks” refers only to commercial motor vehicles (but not always). For example, if you are hauling firewood in your pickup and attached trailer, and the firewood is for your own personal use, you may still be required to stop at a weigh station. Other states will require only those vehicles above a certain weight to stop. In some cases, counties may even have their own requirements.

What can you do to ensure that you are meeting the requirements? You can contact the state(s) in which your vehicles will be traveling and ask about the requirements. If you know your exact route, you can even call the stations you will be passing ahead of time to see if you must stop. Many states will also post signage before the weigh station so you know well in advance. Signs and arrows will direct you through the station.

THE ACTUAL COST OF A TRUCK CRASH
Since I mentioned the Large Truck Crash Study earlier, I thought this would be the right time to educate drivers on crash costs. This study, called the “Unit Costs of Medium/Heavy Truck Crashes,” provides the latest estimates of costs for highway crashes involving medium and heavy trucks. Based on the latest data available, the estimated cost of police-reported crashes involving trucks with a gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds averaged a whopping $91,112. Now you can understand why your truck insurance is so high.

Other notable findings from the study showed that crashes in which truck-tractors with two or more trailers were involved were the rarest but their cost was the highest at $289,490 per crash. Crashes in which straight trucks with no trailers were involved had the lowest cost at $56,296 per crash. The average cost of property damage only crashes was $15,114. The costs per non-fatal injury crash averaged $195,258. As expected, fatal truck crashes cost more than any other crashes. The average cost of a fatal crash was $3,604,518. The costs stated here do not include mental health care costs for victims, roadside repair costs, cargo delays, earnings lost by family and friends caring for the injured, and work lost. Until next month, “Drive Safe – Drive Smart!”