

Dealing with DOT-recordable accidents is stressful for all involved and can be a significant regulatory challenge for motor carriers. These incidents, regardless of fault, often lead to higher CSA scores, increased insurance premiums, and potential reputational damage. For many years (and even to this day), frustration has lied for carriers in being penalized for crashes that their drivers could not have prevented. Recognizing these concerns, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCS

Commercial driving can be a challenging profession with significant responsibilities, especially when it comes to understanding and complying with the multitude of safety regulations that govern these operations. With so many rules to follow, even seasoned drivers can make mistakes that lead to roadside violations. On a recent episode of the Drive podcast by HandledNow, I had the privilege of addressing some of the top regulatory violations incurred by drivers and, more important, how they can a

In 2024, compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) remained a critical challenge for fleets across the industry. During a webinar sponsored by National Interstate and Vanliner Insurance, industry experts Brandon Wiseman from Trucksafe Consulting and Timothy Henry from Haul Compliance shared their insights on the most common violations and offered practical strategies for addressing them. This article includes a summary of the key takeaways, or catch the full replay below.

As 2024 winds down, the trucking industry finds itself reflecting on a transformative year while preparing for potential regulatory shifts in 2025. Episode 44 of Trucksafe LIVE! tackled key regulatory milestones, upcoming challenges, and industry-shaping court cases. Here's a comprehensive look back at 2024’s top trucking regulations and a forward-looking perspective on what fleets might expect in 2025. Catch the replay of the episode below! Trucksafe LIVE! | Ep. 44 - Year-in-review & 2025 outlo

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has finalized significant updates to its Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP), a key tool for fleets looking to improve their fleet compliance metrics including CSA scores. As forecasted in an earlier article, the CPDP, which allows motor carriers to challenge the classification of certain crashes as "non-preventable," is now being expanded to include new crash types and streamline the determination process. Here’s an in-depth

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released its latest plans to update the Safety Measurement System (SMS) as part of its ongoing efforts to refine how motor carriers are prioritized for safety interventions. Following its latest public comment period after releasing its original February 2023 proposal, the agency's updates reflect significant enhancements and stakeholder contributions. This article summarizes the changes and their implications for motor carriers going f

In Episode 43 of the Trucksafe LIVE! podcast, host Brandon Wiseman discussed major FMCSA updates, the agency's operational focus, and regulatory outlook with special guest Jack Van Steenburg, former Chief Safety Officer for the FMCSA and an expert in commercial motor vehicle safety compliance. This episode provided a deep dive into upcoming changes impacting fleet operations and the trucking industry as a whole, especially in light of the 2024 U.S. election, which may lead to significant shifts

2023 was a big year for trucking and a fairly busy one for regulators. We saw a lot of new proposed rule changes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration (FMCSA), particularly around their various enforcement mechanisms like safety ratings and CSA scores. With 2023 coming to a close, we're taking a look back at the most significant DOT-related regulatory initiaves from the past year and looking forward to what's in store for next year. 2023 Year In ReviewAs noted, the FMCSA was fairly

In addition to operational concerns, regulated trucking companies are tasked with navigating a complex web of responsibilities, with the safety of their drivers, cargo, and the motoring public firmly at the core. And it's no secret that fleets have a big target on their back when things go sideways. The consequences of non-compliance and unsafe operations are severe, with fleet-wide shutdowns and multi-million dollar jury verdicts becoming increasingly common. Fortunately, there are ways to sign
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