TRUCKER'S GET READY FOR CSA 2010

PLEASE GO TO CSA2010.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
THESE NEW LAWS GO INTO EFFECT JULY 2010. TO START THE DRIVERS SAFETY RATING THEY WILL BE GOING BACK ON YOUR RECORDS THREE YEARS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 175,000 DRIVERS WILL LOSE THEIR CAREERS DUE TO CSA 2010. GET YOUR EDUCATED NOW!

CSA 2010 BASICs:

Unsafe Driving — Dangerous or careless operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Data includes driver traffic violations and convictions for speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, inattention, and other unsafe driving behavior. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 397)

Fatigued Driving — Driving a CMV when fatigued. This is distinguished from incidents where unconsciousness or an inability to react is brought about by the use of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances. Data includes (1) hours-of-service violations discovered during an off-site investigation, on-site investigation, roadside inspection, or post-crash inspection, and (2) crash reports with driver fatigue as a contributing factor. (FMCSR Parts 392 and 395)

Driver Fitness — Operation of a CMV by drivers who are unfit to operate a CMV due to lack of training, experience, or medical qualification. Data includes (1) inspection violations for failure to have a valid and appropriate commercial driver's license or medical or training documentation, (2) crash reports citing a lack of experience or medical reason as a cause or contributory factor, and (3) violations from an off-site investigation or an on-site investigation for failure to maintain proper driver qualification files, or use of unqualified drivers. (FMCSR Parts 383 and 391)

Controlled Substances and Alcohol — Operation of a CMV while impaired due to alcohol, illegal drugs, and misuse of prescription medications or over-the-counter medications. Data includes (1) roadside violations involving controlled substances or alcohol, (2) crash reports citing driver impairment or intoxication as a cause, (3) positive drug or alcohol test results on drivers, and (4) lack of appropriate testing or other deficiencies in motor carrier controlled substances and alcohol testing programs. (FMCSR Part 392)

Vehicle Maintenance — CMV failure due to improper or inadequate maintenance. Data includes (1) roadside violations for brakes, lights, and other mechanical defects, (2) crash reports citing a mechanical failure as a contributing factor, and (3) violations from an off-site investigation or an on-site investigation associated with pre-trip inspections, maintenance records, and repair records. (FMCSR Parts 393 and 396)

Improper Loading/Cargo Securement — Shifting loads, spilled or dropped cargo, and unsafe handling of hazardous materials. Data includes (1) roadside inspection violations pertaining to load securement, cargo retention, and hazardous material handling, and (2) crash reports citing shifting loads, or spilled/dropped cargo as a cause or contributing factor. (FMCSR Parts 392, 393, 397 and HM Violations)

Crash Indicator— Histories or patterns of high crash involvement, including frequency and severity. Data includes law enforcement crash reports and crashes reported by the carrier and discovered during on-site investigations.
Recent roadside violations and violations that correlate most with crashes will be weighted more heavily than other violations. SMS will then rank carrier scores relative to their peers to determine which entities have specific safety problems.

NO SNOW DAYS FOR A TRUCKER!

Truckers work 24/7. Most do not get much time off. Most people receive about 104 days off a year, this is just the regular two days off a week, not counting any of the paid holiday's most get, drivers don't get paid holidays. Last year my husband received a total of 15 days off all year long. Most of those days he slept, and got the truck ready for the next trips.

Many people are under the impression that truckers make BIG MONEY! I put a calculator to all his hours of service and what he actually brought home after taxes, it was less than minimum wage. They say if drivers were paid by the hour and paid what they are really worth, prices of goods would have to go up, because freight cost would sky rocket. The sacrifice these drivers make, and their families, is more than our military men and women make, because it is year after year, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. They live out on the road, under enormous stress.

Today, with some companies going electronic logging, it has cut down on fatigued drivers. The single drivers that is. The team drivers are some of the most fatigued drivers out on our roads, and single drivers that still us paper logs. They present a real danger to themselves and the public. Companies don't seem to care about this fact, you see it really is all about the bottom line, Money.

I myself have only been a driver with my husband a total of about six and a half years. We have only been driving together again the last three years. It is the hardest thing I have ever done, and it has taken a real toll on my health this last three years. Why do I do it you ask? Unfortunately, we feel at our age it is all we can do to survive. My husband left trucking once before, and took a job paying $9.00 a hr. He loved the company and his job, and his co-workers, alas the company went belly up, due to mismanagement and lots of in company theft. It hurt more than just us, many people lost their home and dreams.

At first just my husband went back to driving truck, but he really missed me, and did not want to see me only 15 days a year, so I left my home and job to be with him. It has been very hard! I hoped it would not be forever, but three years later here we are tonight in a snowstorm, wishing we had our home back up in our mountain and a $9.00 and hr. job. All we ever wanted was just enough to make a living, have a small home of our own, pay our way, and help anyone where we could.

You might want to say thank you to the next trucker you see. Without the truckers the lifestyle most of you have, well let's just say, it would not be what it is today. Without them, many would not have their jobs. Don't take for granted those precious days off from work you have to be with your family, especially at holiday times. Don't take for granted that hot shower you can take every night, don't take for granted being able to watch your children grow up, or being able to kiss your wife every night, or being able to take care of yourself comfortably when you are ill, like with the flu Don't take for granted having a home, any home. Out on the road, a driver suffers more than you will ever know. So PLEASE, THANK A TRUCKER TODAY. THEY DESERVE OUR RESPECT IN EVERY WAY.