2009 Press Releases
2009
OPERATION SAFE DRIVER CAMPAIGN HAS MIXED RESULTS
CVSA Seeks to Change High-Risk Driving Behaviors That Cause Highway Deaths
WASHINGTON, DC (December 28, 2009) – Improvements were seen in both drivers and vehicles regarding the number of out-of-service (OOS) violations and citations issued per roadside commercial vehicle safety inspection during the annual Operation Safe Driver education and enforcement blitz. However, the results also showed an increase in moving traffic warnings and citations for all drivers, which shows more work is needed to educate both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers about operating their vehicles more safely.
Data collected during the third annual Operation Safe Driver campaign, October 18-24, 2009, reveals that while some aspects of driver and vehicle violations were down from 2008 with respect to safety inspections, there was an increase in 2009 in traffic enforcement warnings and citations issued for truck, bus and passenger vehicle violations. This year’s event included 5,231 law enforcement personnel at 1,177 locations across the United States and Canada.
The campaign, created in 2007 by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), addresses the problem of improving the behavior of all drivers operating in an unsafe manner — either in or around commercial vehicles — and to take aggressive enforcement action on those exhibiting high-risk behaviors. “Every day inspectors and law enforcement personnel strive to remove those ‘bad actors,’ whether they are truck, bus, or car drivers, from our roads,” said Steve Keppler, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s interim executive director. “And while we are making progress in some areas, the data show that we still have some work to do. Law enforcement officers also are acutely aware that education is a core component of enhancing highway safety, and in this regard are being more proactive in their efforts,” said Keppler.
“The Operation Safe Driver Campaign reminds us that while we have seen steady progress in the areas of commercial vehicle and highway safety, there is still more we must do to promote safe driving practices,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “To achieve this goal, the safety enforcement, safety advocacy and motor carrier communities must continue to work together to raise awareness and enhance enforcement so that we can ensure a high standard of road safety, reduce crashes and save lives.”
This year, CVSA and FMCSA expanded the campaign to incorporate many new educational outreach efforts including a kick-off campaign held at Walt Whitman, a Washington D.C. area high school; a training course called “Teens & Trucks” focusing on the unsafe and distracted driving practices around large trucks by young car drivers was given to more than 2,000 students across the U.S. and developed by the Arizona Trucking Association, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, CVSA, FMCSA and the American Trucking Associations; a two-part podcast series on distracted driving for CVSA’s In the Safety Lane; and, a public service announcement that was developed and aired nationwide. Program and event partners include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, American Trucking Associations, Governors Highway Safety Association, United Motorcoach Association, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, National District Attorneys Association and Arizona Trucking Association.
Many jurisdictions conducted a series of educational activities focused on driver-related issues. For example, in California the Highway Patrol conducted safety training for individual companies, a truck rodeo, and presentations at several large truck shows in addition to media events they held in association with the California Trucking Association, and the Insurance Information Network of California. During a news conference live vehicle demonstrations were conducted and included expert drivers to point out the dangers of blind spots and the stopping distance of large commercial vehicles verses that of passenger cars. On the enforcement front, a number of jurisdictions conducted TACT (Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks) operations during the week.
Details on the 2009 Operation Safe Driver enforcement results include:
- 30,294 CMV Roadside Inspections (5.4% resulted in the driver being placed out-of-service; 26.1% of the Level I Inspections resulted in the vehicle(s) being placed out of service. In 2008, there were 32,708 inspections conducted and a driver OOS rate of 5.3%
- For Drivers: 0.44 violations per roadside inspection (0.43 in 2008); 0.08 OOS violations per roadside inspection (0.14 in 2008); 0.04 citations per roadside inspection (0.08 in 2008)
- For Vehicles:1.12 violations per roadside inspection (0.74 in 2008); 0.19 OOS violations per roadside inspection (0.38 in 2008); 0.05 citations per roadside inspection (0.11 in 2008)
- 20,198 CMV Driver Traffic Enforcement Contacts: 6,887 warnings were issued (0.34 per contact); 8,067 citations were issued (0.40 per contact); In 2008, there were 16,784 contacts, which resulted in 3,247 warnings (0.19 per contact) and 6,143 citations (0.37 per contact)
- 10,928 Non-CMV Driver Traffic Enforcement Contacts: 3,818 warnings were issued (0.35 per contact); 10,365 citations were issued (0.95 per contact); In 2008, there were 11,151 contacts, which resulted in 1,808 warnings (0.16 per contact) and 8,405 citations (0.75 per contact)
- 27,903 CMV Driver License checks and 8,577 Non-CMV Driver License checks
- 102 targeted Compliance Reviews were conducted on truck and motorcoach operations that employ the “worst of the worst” commercial drivers. Of the reviews resulting in a safety rating (74), eighteen carriers (or 24.3%) received a Conditional Safety Rating. (compared to the national average of carriers rated Conditional in 2009 was 27.3%); and, nine carriers (or 12.2%) received an Unsatisfactory Safety Rating. (compared to the national average of carriers rated unsatisfactory in 2009 was 3.3%)
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA COMMENDS DOT COMMITMENT TO MOTORCOACH SAFETY
WASHINGTON, DC (November 19, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s commitment to improving bus and motorcoach safety is evident in its Motorcoach Safety Action Plan released this week. The plan was developed with input from safety groups and others, including the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), to enhance bus and motorcoach safety, and addresses the eight priority action areas resulting from the Bus Safety Summit CVSA held in March 2009.
Stakeholders from all sides of the bus and motorcoach safety community convened during the summit and outlined eight priority areas for enhancing the safety of passenger carrier transportation to include: an increased focus on new entrants that would require them to receive training and pass minimum standards; requiring state annual bus inspection programs; and requiring electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) to monitor driver hours of service, among others. DOT’s plan also includes actions to address 11 of CVSA’s 17 recommendations on bus and motorcoach safety with respect to the Surface Transportation Authorization Bill.
“We are pleased that government leaders have taken these recommendations to heart and are taking a hard look at what can be done to enhance bus and motorcoach safety,” said Stephen A. Keppler, CVSA's Interim Executive Director. “The key to these actions will be putting the necessary resources behind it, both at the federal and state levels. In this regard, we are hopeful that the Administration and Congress will ensure that the states’ needs are adequately addressed” said Keppler.
As part of its ongoing efforts, CVSA has several committees already working on items mentioned in the DOT plan that were launched as a follow up to the bus safety summit. These committees are working to address driver distraction issues, EOBRs, evaluate bus broker registration requirements, training for bus drivers involving technologies as well as training for the enforcement community to identify potential fire hazards at roadside, to name a few. As a part of these efforts the bus and motorcoach industries continue to play a key role in sharing their knowledge to help in providing solutions.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The organization’s mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security through a coalition of enforcement, industry and policy makers. Alliance members, as well as several hundred associate members, are dedicated to achieving the shared goals of uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections and enforcement activities throughout North America. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF FERRO, QUARTERMAN TO TOP DOT POSTS
Naming of Administration Heads Critical to Lead Country, Ensure Safety
WASHINGTON, DC (November 6, 2009) – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is pleased that the Senate has confirmed the long-awaited appointments of two key Department of Transportation administration positions: Anne Ferro as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator; and, Cynthia Quarterman, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator.
“I have personal experience in working with Ms. Ferro in both positions she has held in the State of Maryland,” said Buzzy France, CVSA President. “She has an excellent understanding of how government, law enforcement and industry need to work together to solve problems, and will be a great advocate for safety.”
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s mandate requires a strong leader who can meet the challenges that come from a diverse industry and that person is rightly Ms. Ferro,” said Stephen Keppler, CVSA’s Interim Executive Director. “Ms. Ferro has proven that she is committed to working with a wide range of stakeholders including CVSA and understands the important role that states and roadside inspectors play in ensuring highway safety, including our friends to the north and south in Canada and Mexico.”
“Ms. Quarterman has more than 20 years of experience in the transportation of hazardous materials by pipeline and we are looking forward to working with her in helping address this critically important sector of our transportation system,” said Keppler.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA PUTS THE BRAKES ON AGGRESSIVE, DISTRACTED DRIVING
National Awareness Campaign “Operation Safe Driver” Seeks
to Educate All Drivers on Risks
WASHINGTON, DC (October 13, 2009) – When commercial vehicles and passenger cars collide, the result is a deadly and costly mix of injuries, property damage, and death. In an effort to reduce crashes involving trucks, buses and passenger vehicles the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and other organizations, are joining together to educate all drivers on the toll their behavior takes on society. The message: “Cutting it close can cut your life short.”
"Driving is a privilege and all drivers need to share the road responsibly. Operation Safe Driver shines a spotlight on this responsibility and is implementing strategies to improve driver behavior and performance,” said Stephen Keppler, CVSA’s Interim Executive Director.
Operation Safe Driver is a national awareness and enforcement campaign that targets improving both commercial and non-commercial driver behavior and performance through effective enforcement, education and awareness strategies. The program runs from October 18-24, 2009 across North America and is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Governors Highway Safety Association, American Trucking Associations, United Motorcoach Association, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the National District Attorneys Association, among others.
“Operation Safe Driver helps convey the message that every driver behind the wheel of a vehicle has a personal responsibility to make our highways as safe as they can be. Drivers of commercial vehicles have an especially important obligation because of the time they spend on the road,” said Rose A. McMurray, FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator.
“This year’s campaign takes the importance of highway safety directly to our young people so they can adopt safe driving habits for a lifetime of safe driving practices. FMCSA is pleased to once again join with CVSA to sponsor this national awareness campaign that educates all drivers on how their actions can improve road safety and save lives.”
A new component of the Operation Safe Driver program this year takes the issue of aggressive and distracted driving by car drivers around large truck and buses directly to teens across the country. Schools will be teaching teens about the risks of dangerous driving behavior during this week and concentrate on the unsafe driving practices of drivers who share the road with larger, commercial vehicles. The “Teens and Trucks” training course was developed by the Arizona Trucking Association, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, CVSA, FMCSA and the American Trucking Associations.
The campaign kick-off event will be held at Walt Whitman High School, in Bethesda, Maryland on October 20, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. to draw attention to these efforts. On the same day, the Dr. Harry Wise High School in Prince George’s County will be conducting an educational component strictly targeted to teens and safe driving around commercial motor vehicles.
In addition, the campaign is launching a new public service announcement to educate all drivers about the risks of driving aggressively. The PSA can be viewed on the website www.operationsafedriver.com as well as on Washington D.C.’s WTOP’s traffic page www.wtop.com.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA RECOGNIZES EIGHT DRIVERS WITH SAVED BY THE BELT AWARD
Program Demonstrates How Safety Belt Usage Saves Lives
WASHINGTON, DC (September 29, 2009) – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) recognized eight individuals last week during its Annual Conference in Baltimore with its "Saved by the Belt" Award Program. The program recognizes those commercial motor vehicle drivers who have buckled up and whose lives were saved or injuries significantly reduced as a result of wearing a safety belt. CVSA created the program in 2007 to underscore the importance of safety belt use by commercial motor vehicle drivers and to use these drivers as role models for safety belt use for their peers and their families.
The recipients include Ricky Groft, Republic Services; Perry Conley, United Petroleum Transports; Samuel Moore, ABF Freight System, Inc.; Don Lester, Graber Trucking, Inc.; Tammy Hubbard, FedEx Express; Tony McKnight, FedEx Express; Juan Rivera, W.W. Rowland Trucking Co. Inc.; and, Mark Piontek, Michels Corp.
The Saved by the Belt Award Program is sponsored in part by YRC Worldwide Inc. For more information on the program, please visit www.cvsa.org.
CVSA also supports and is an active participant in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Partnership to combat low safety belt use among the nation's commercial vehicle drivers. For more information on the partnership, please visit FMCSA’s web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
NEW CVSA PRESIDENT COMMENDS GROUP, OUTLINES CHALLENGES AHEAD
Alliance Also Elects New Secretary/Treasurer, Appoints an Interim Executive Director
WASHINGTON, DC (September 25, 2009) – Addressing Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) members at their Annual Conference in Baltimore last week, CVSA President Francis “Buzzy” France commended the group for its contributions to transportation safety, but warned that they face challenges ahead.
“The next few years will bring challenges that are difficult,” said France. “The resources available to us are not growing to keep pace with the need but with the data and information at our fingertips we have a much better sense of what and where our problems are and what we need to do to address them.”
France, a member of the Maryland State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, commented that despite the challenges, CVSA members continue to develop solutions for safety and that the organization is committed to providing them with the tools necessary to foster a culture of innovation and to continue to achieve positive results.
In addition, the CVSA membership elected David Palmer, a major with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the post of Secretary/Treasurer. His duties as the statewide commercial vehicle safety coordinator include managing all aspects of the Texas Highway Patrol Division’s Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, Border Enforcement, New Entrant, and High Priority federal grants.
CVSA also announced that Stephen Keppler will serve as Interim Executive Director. Keppler had most recently served as CVSA’s Director of Policy and Programs.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR BRAKES TODAY?
CVSA to Emphasize Enforcement and Education Strategies to Improve Safety
WASHINGTON, DC (September 11, 2009) – Beginning September 13 and continuing through September 19, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will conduct Brake Safety Week across North America. Throughout the week, CVSA-Certified Inspectors and industry partners will be conducting a variety of enforcement and educational activities emphasizing the importance of proper commercial vehicle brake inspection, maintenance and operation.
“We continue to see brakes as the most significant problem in the enforcement data, representing more than half of all out-of-service violations,” said CVSA’s Executive Director Stephen F. Campbell. “Brake Safety Week — part of CVSA’s Operation Air Brake Campaign — puts a spotlight on this issue and emphasizes both enforcement and education activities that attempt to improve knowledge and regulatory compliance, and ultimately to reduce crashes.”
Since its inception, the Operation Air Brake Campaign has resulted in more than 2.2 commercial vehicle million brakes inspected. The program continues to have a strong focus on brake adjustment. Of the brakes inspected, 8.9 percent of those equipped with manual brake adjusters were placed out-of-service and 3.9 percent of self-adjusting brake adjusters were placed out-of-service. 17.1 percent of all vehicles inspected were placed out-of-service for a brake-related defect.
During Brake Safety Week drivers, technicians and others will receive educational and other helpful information, such as the CVSA brochure “Air Brake Adjustment—Why is it so Important?” as well as CVSA’s “Spot Check” brake adjustment indicators drivers can install to help measure if their brakes are in proper adjustment.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA STRENGTHENS CMV UNIFORMITY, SAFETY AT NAIC
Commercial Vehicle Inspectors Who Compete are Leaders in Highway Safety
WASHINGTON, DC (August 24, 2009) – Forty-four inspectors representing nearly every jurisdiction across North America convened this year in a city known for its champions -- Pittsburgh -- August 17-23, 2009 to compete in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC).
Pictured left to right: CVSA President Darren E. Christle and NAIC 2009 Grand Champion
Alex Bugeya - Ontario
This year, Alex Bugeya, a CVSA-certified North American Standard Level I inspector from Ontario was awarded the Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award for his combined performances in seven competition elements including North American Standard Level I Inspection and North American Standard HAZMAT/Transportation of Dangerous Goods Inspection.
“I am so very proud of the men and women who put on a uniform and badge every day and dedicate their lives to commercial motor vehicle safety,” said Stephen F. Campbell, CVSA’s Executive Director. “They are the ones making highways safer for everyone who drives alongside commercial motor vehicles and this championship recognizes them for their contribution to highway safety.”
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to commercial vehicle safety inspectors. These dedicated men and women vigilantly enforce safety regulations that help protect the lives and well being of every traveler,” said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Acting Deputy Administrator Rose A. McMurray. “It is through the NAIC competition that we honor these law enforcement officers for their expertise, courage and commitment to highway safety.”
NAIC is managed by CVSA; funded in part by FMCSA and is successful due to strong industry participation and sponsorship.
Award presenters included Rose A. McMurray, Stephen F. Campbell, and CVSA President Darren E. Christle. NAIC also has been recognized by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as an event that “Advances America.”
Of the 44 CVSA-certified North American Standard Level I roadside inspectors that competed in the 17th annual Championship, five inspectors represented Canada; three inspectors represented Mexico-SCT; and 36 representing the U.S.
In addition to the Jimmy K. Ammons Grand Champion Award, the following were also presented:
- High Points United States: Robert Keeney – Massachusetts
- High Points Canada: Alex Bugeya – Ontario
- High Points Mexico: Noe Mauricio Ley Jimenez – Mexico
- North American Standard Level I Inspection: 1. Alex Bugeya – Ontario; 2. Rick Smith – Alberta; 3. Frederick Heggestad – Arizona.
- North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection: 1. Darrin Rose – Oklahoma; 2. Katrina Robson – Florida; 3. Rick Smith – Alberta.
- North American Standard Hazardous Materials/Transportation of Dangerous Goods and Cargo Tank/Bulk Packagings Inspection: 1. Alex Bugeya – Ontario; 2. Robert Keeney – Massachusetts; 3. Pierre Grimard – Quebec.
- John Youngblood Award of Excellence: Charles Granger – Maine
- Team Award: Red Team: Team Leader – Timothy Cotter; James Canard – Arkansas; Jeffrey Boller – Michigan; Alex Bugeya – Ontario; Ronald Longolucco – Rhode Island; Jean-Paul Abel – South Carolina; John McFarland – Tennessee; Scott Theobald – Utah; Kenneth Clark – Virginia.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
NAIC RAISES THE SAFETY BAR FOR ALL WHO COMPETE
Contest Is An Opportunity to Share Knowledge, Increase Highway Safety
WASHINGTON, DC (August 11, 2009) – Identifying a faulty brake system or coupling device, finding a driver operating beyond the hours of service, or spotting an improperly secured load are all items commercial vehicle inspectors look for every day. But what these dedicated individuals are really looking for are opportunities to enhance safety on our highways and ultimately save lives. This year, forty-four of the best of the best roadside inspectors from across North America will compete in Pittsburgh to earn the title champion during the annual North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC), August 17-23, 2009. The theme of NAIC 2009 is ‘Education, Performance, Uniformity, and Partnerships.’
“Each and every year we hold the competition, we are strengthening the quality of inspections across North America and developing leaders in highway safety,” said Stephen F. Campbell, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Executive Director. “Commercial motor vehicle safety continues to be a challenge and we need the involvement of all affected parties to help us better understand these issues and put into place practical solutions. CVSA’s goal is to build on the success of the North American Standard Inspection Program,” said Campbell.
CVSA works closely to monitor, evaluate, and identify potentially unsafe transportation processes and procedures as well as to help facilitate and implement best practices for enhancing safety on our highways. NAIC is an international event that is used as a snapshot or barometer of the current inspection environment to evaluate what is going well and what needs to be improved upon within the roadside inspection program, strengthens the industry and enforcement partnerships, and promotes camaraderie between inspectors, jurisdictions, and countries. This in turn, helps ensure the quality, uniformity, and reciprocity of the more than four-million roadside inspections conducted annually in North America. The event, sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and CVSA, is held in conjunction with the American Trucking Associations National Truck Driving Championship.
“Commercial vehicle safety inspectors play a critical role toward reducing crashes and saving lives,” said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Rose A. McMurray. “These dedicated law enforcement professionals are our ‘front line’ defense when it comes to maximizing highway safety. Their hard work is making a real difference, as evidenced by the substantial decline in large truck-related fatalities over the past several years. FMCSA is pleased to join CVSA in honoring our nation’s CMV inspectors. They are all champions!”
NAIC’s purpose is to recognize the inspector for demonstrating inspector excellence. NAIC contestants are evaluated in the following seven categories: 1. North American Standard Level I Inspection; 2. North American Standard Level I Inspection Procedures; 3. North American Standard HAZMAT/Transportation of Dangerous Goods Inspection; 4. North American Standard Cargo Tank/Other Bulk Packagings Inspection; 5. North American Standard Level V Passenger Vehicle (Motorcoach) Inspection; 6. North American Standard Personal Interview; and, 7. North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria Exam.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA’s ROADCHECK REINFORCES THE ADAGE IT PAYS TO BE SAFE
As Violations Decrease, Safety Improves
WASHINGTON, DC (June 25, 2009) – The long-term forecast for commercial motor vehicle safety may be a sunny one, as long as out-of-service (OOS) rates continue to be one of the principal barometers to measure safety performance. According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), Roadcheck 2009’s record total of overall inspections and Level I inspections showed significant declines in vehicle and driver OOS rates, as well as a significant drop in safety belt violations.
Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial vehicles in the world. This year approximately 17 trucks or buses were inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during the 72-hour period from June 2-4, 2009.
This year roadside inspectors focused on the North American Standard (NAS) Level I Inspection; Safety Belt enforcement; Motorcoach and bus safety compliance; and, Unified Carrier Registration compliance. 9,700 CVSA and FMCSA certified inspectors at 2,148 locations across North America performed a record 72,782 truck and bus inspections. Of that total, there were 57,013 NAS Level I inspections, the most comprehensive roadside inspection. Both of these outputs are significant increases over previous records for the 22-year event. The total inspection output is a 7.1 percent increase over the previous record (2008), and the NAS Level I output is an 8.9 percent increase (2008).
Data show the highest overall vehicle compliance rate — 80.4 percent — since 1996, and the highest overall driver compliance rate — 95.7 percent — ever. For NAS Level I inspections, the compliance rates of 77.8 percent (vehicles) and 96.1 percent (drivers) were both records for Roadcheck, and represented 7.1 and 20.4 percent improvements respectively over last year’s totals. In addition, safety belt violations were reduced in 2009 by 276 (1,246 to 970), a 22.2 percent improvement over last year. Inspections of passenger carrying vehicles resulted in a vehicle compliance rate of 88.5 percent and a driver compliance rate of 96.4 percent, both improvements (5.7 percent for vehicles and 20 percent for drivers) over last year’s totals. There were 29,972 CVSA Decals issued to vehicles that passed the inspection.
“The commercial motor vehicle industry is proving the old adage that it pays to be safe,” said Darren Christle, CVSA’s President. “If you look at the data it clearly shows when carriers prepare for safety they will benefit not only by avoiding fines but by saving lives. It can be said that Roadcheck 2009 saved 17 lives and helped to avoid 307 injuries. Over the course of an entire year that equals 2,068 lives saved and 37,352 injuries avoided. By any measure those are big numbers, and the enforcement community should be proud of its accomplishments in this regard.”
"The positive results of this year's Roadcheck program reinforce the importance of federal, state and local enforcement partners working together to keep our roads safe and save lives," said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Rose McMurray. "The data shows that on key measures of safety performance, such as driver and vehicle compliance with safety requirements and seat belt usage, the commercial motor carrier industry is demonstrating record improvements. FMCSA regards the annual CVSA Roadcheck invaluable as we together strive to ensure our highways and roads are safer for every traveler."
CVSA sponsors Roadcheck each year with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
ROADCHECK 2009 FACT SHEET
Driver results for the vehicle types were as follows:
- All inspections: 95.6 percent of drivers passed, and 4.4 percent were placed out of service (5.3 percent were out of service in 2008).
- All Level I inspections: 96.1 percent of drivers passed, and 3.9 percent were placed out of service (4.9 percent were out of service in 2008).
- Hazmat: 97.0 percent of drivers passed, and 3.0 percent were placed out of service (2.4 percent were out of service in 2008).
- Passenger carrying vehicles: 96.4 percent of drivers passed, and 3.6 percent were placed out of service (4.5 percent were out of service in 2008).
Vehicle results were as follows:
- All inspections: 80.4 percent of vehicles passed, and 19.6 percent were placed out of service (20.8 percent were out of service in 2008).
- All Level 1 inspections: 77.8 percent of drivers passed, and 22.2 percent were placed out of service (23.9 percent were out of service in 2008).
- Hazmat: 83.0 percent of vehicles passed the inspection, and 17.0 percent were placed out of service (17.6 percent were out of service in 2008).
- Passenger carrying vehicles: 88.5 percent of vehicles passed the inspection, and 11.5 percent were placed out of service (12.2 percent were out of service in 2008).
The specific violation percentage distributions from 2007-09 are shown below:
2009
CVSA BACKS PRESIDENT’S PICK OF FERRO AS FMCSA CHIEF
WASHINGTON, DC (June 10, 2009) – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) supports President Barack Obama’s nomination of Anne S. Ferro as Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
“Ms. Ferro has extensive experience as both a regulator and an industry representative. This should serve our country well in helping to maintain the delicate balance between truck and bus safety and economics,” said Stephen F. Campbell, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. “In particular, her experience as administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and as a member of the CDL Task Force established by SAFETEA-LU will help her focus in on driver issues which represent a large portion of our safety problem.”
“She’s very professional and knowledgeable. We have worked with her in the past and believe we can continue to work with her,” said Campbell. “She has an unquestioned skill level that we believe can benefit everyone.”
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA’S ROADCHECK DRIVES HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF CMV SAFETY
Across North America, Law Enforcement Ensure CMV, Motorcoach Safety
WASHINGTON, DC (May 18, 2009) – Roadside inspectors patrolling North America’s highways June 2-4, 2009 will be driving home a clear message to commercial truck and bus operators: “Operate safely alongside passenger vehicles or we will stop you.” For 72 continuous hours inspectors and law enforcement officers will be conducting their annual “Roadcheck,” an event sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) which mobilizes federal, state, provincial and local inspectors to more than 1,000 locations across the continent to conduct comprehensive North American Standard Level I Inspections and other related roadside enforcement activities.
“Every year thousands of dedicated inspectors perform roadside inspections which save countless lives and make the highways we all travel on safer,” said Stephen F. Campbell, CVSA’s executive director. “We see great results because of the cooperation among a large group including industry, state and federal government agencies. In addition to enforcement, there are many educational events with government and industry happening all over the continent to drive home the safety message.”
Last year, 9,148 CVSA and FMCSA certified inspectors at 1,683 locations across North America performed 67,931 truck and bus inspections. 52,345 of the total were North American Standard Level I inspections, the most comprehensive roadside inspection. Both the total number of inspections and Level I inspections were records for the annual Roadcheck event. 2008 saw significant positive gains in out of service rates for most vehicle and driver types.
CVSA sponsors Roadcheck each year with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (Mexico).
"The Roadcheck campaign highlights the important work that commercial vehicle inspectors perform everyday to keep our roads safe and save lives," said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Rose McMurray. "The number and the severity of crashes each year involving large trucks and buses is declining. We must not lessen our resolve to work together to make our highways and roads safer for every traveler."
This year, roadside inspectors will be focusing on: The NAS Level I Inspection which examines all of the following: driver's license, medical examiner's certificate and waiver, alcohol and drugs (if applicable), driver's record of duty status (as required), hours of service, seat belt, vehicle inspection report, as well as the brake system, coupling devices, exhaust system, frame, fuel system, turn signals, brake lamps, tail lamps, head lamps, lamps on projecting loads, safe loading, steering mechanism, suspension, tires, van and open-top trailer bodies, wheels and rims, windshield wipers, emergency exits on buses and HM requirements, as applicable; Safety Belt enforcement; Motorcoach and bus safety compliance; and, Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) compliance. In 2005 SAFETEA-LU codified UCR into federal law. It replaced the Single State Registration System (SSRS). All motor carriers (for-hire, private and exempt) – as well as brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies operating in interstate or international commerce are subject to the new UCR.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA, ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY & AUTO SAFETY JOIN FORCES URGING REPEAL OF AGRICULTURE, UTILITY DRIVER HOURS-OF-SERVICE EXEMPTIONS
Groups Send Letter to Leaders of House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
WASHINGTON, DC (May 7, 2009) – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) yesterday released a strongly-worded letter to leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee formally urging them to repeal the driver hours-of-service exemptions for agriculture and utility drivers and adopt a proposal that any segment of the trucking industry that has previously received a safety exemption, whether by regulation or statute, be required to re-apply for such exemption through the regulatory process.
SAFETEA-LU, the multi-year, omnibus transportation authorization adopted in 2005, exempted agricultural carriers from the hours-of-service regulations if they operated only within a 100-mile radius from their central base of operation. It also exempted utility service vehicle drivers from all hours-of-service regulations. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center found that crash rates, violations and out of service rates for these two industry segments have increased substantially since the exemptions became effective after the passage of SAFETEA-LU.
“It is clear from the Volpe Center safety performance data that the safety record of these industry segments is increasingly poor and, therefore, they should not be exempted from the hours-of-service regulations,” said Stephen F. Campbell, Executive Director of CVSA. Jacqueline S. Gillan, Vice President of Advocates, emphasized, “These industries are operating vehicles on the roads and streets that all of us and our families travel every day. Many operations of these industry segments occur disproportionately on lower-class rural roads, and data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate more crashes occur on these roads than on urban roads or interstate highways.”
The letter also emphasizes an allied concern that the increased number and variety of exemptions granted through federal legislation in recent authorization bills has increased the difficulty of law enforcement officials to properly enforce commercial motor vehicle safety regulations so that they can ensure the highest level of truck, bus, and motorcoach safety on our roads and streets.
In addition to repealing these exemptions based on the data in the Volpe study, CVSA and Advocates are proposing that all motor carrier safety exemptions, whether provided in statute or by regulation, should be sunsetted on a date certain in the future with the requirement that groups must apply to renew the exemptions, following the process specifically outlined in Title 49 U.S.C. § 31315. This process would be administered by the appropriate federal regulatory agency, FMCSA. Section 31315 requires that in order for a safety exemption to be granted, the group seeking such an exemption must demonstrate to the Secretary of Transportation that “such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.” There are several specific requirements that an exemption applicant must meet to be considered for the exemption that are specified in FMCSA’s implementing regulations. This effort would also require FMCSA to review their 1988 tolerance guidelines on intrastate exemptions and withdraw those no longer justified.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is a coalition of consumer, medical, public health and safety groups, and insurance companies and organizations, working together to advance improved highway and auto safety public policies on the nation’s roadways. For more information, visit www.saferoads.org.
2009
CVSA: CMV TECHNOLOGY TAX CREDIT BILL WILL SAVE LIVES
Congress’ Move to Reintroduce Bill Will Make Safety Equipment More Affordable
WASHINGTON, DC (April 28, 2009) – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) applauds and actively supports Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Geoff Davis (R-KY) for reintroducing the Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act of 2009 (H.R. 2024). The Bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit against income tax to help accelerate the adoption of advanced safety systems for commercial vehicles, school and transit buses.
"Reintroducing this bill is the right thing to do. It is about encouraging investment in safety through the purchase and installation of technologies on trucks and buses that have been tested and proven to work," said Stephen F. Campbell, CVSA's Executive Director. "It will reduce the deaths occurring from the most prevalent truck and bus crash types on our highways, which have been hovering around 5000 per year for the last decade," Campbell said.
Those systems included in the Bill are: brake stroke monitoring systems; vehicle stability systems; lane departure warning systems; and, collision warning systems.
The legislation will encompass both the original equipment (OE) and aftermarket installation of these safety systems. It also would:
- Create a tax credit for fleet owners valued at 50 percent of the retail cost of the system with a maximum of $1,500 per technology;
- Allow fleets to purchase multiple technologies, but limit the total amount of credit permissible to $3,500 per vehicle; and,
- Allow the overall tax credit for each truck owner or trucking company of up to $350,000 per year for all covered technology purchases.
Thompson and Davis were joined by 10 other original co-sponsors. H.R. 2024 will make a wider range of safety equipment more affordable to heavy duty vehicle owners and commercial fleets. It is expected that Sens. Stabenow (D-MI) and Voinovich (R-OH) will soon re-introduce the legislation in the Senate.
The approach to the legislation has received support from the FMCSA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In testimony last year before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker said the quickest way to promote widespread use of motor vehicle safety technologies was through the tax incentive approach. Previous FMCSA Administrator John H. Hill indicated in a variety of public forums that he was a proponent of tax incentives as an effective way to accelerate the widespread use of new safety technologies.
"CVSA has been working diligently with industry and government to gain as much support as possible for this legislation to ensure it was a high priority for consideration in the Department of Transportation’s Reauthorization bill," said Campbell. “We are pleased to see progress is being made that will help save lives on our nation’s highways.”
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
TRUCK CRASH, OUT-OF-SERVICE RATES INCREASE FOR AGRICULTURAL AND UTILITY INDUSTRIES THAT RECEIVED EXEMPTIONS IN 2005 HIGHWAY ACT
CVSA Seeks Repeal of Exemptions, Strict Application of Statutory Requirements
WASHINGTON, DC (April 22, 2009) – A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center found that agricultural carriers operating exclusively within a 100-mile radius had a 19 percent higher crash rate than agricultural carriers operating outside a 100-mile radius during the period of 2005-2007. The study also saw utility service motor carrier crash rates jump by 40 percent during this same period.
“Since driver related factors are such a large contributor to crashes, it stands to reason that the hours-of-service exemptions provided in the last Highway Act (SAFETEA-LU) are largely responsible for the increased rates,” said Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Executive Director, Stephen F. Campbell, who called the Volpe study a compelling reason to repeal these hours-of-service exemptions. “Safety is clearly compromised by these exemptions and they should be repealed in the upcoming Transportation Reauthorization Act,” he said.
SAFETEA-LU exempted agricultural carriers from the hours-of-service regulations if they operated only within a 100-mile radius from their central base of operation. It also exempted utility service vehicle drivers from all hours-of-service regulations.
The study also showed that in 2007 agricultural carriers as a whole had higher violation and out-of-service rates than the rest of the trucking industry in the categories of unsafe driver, driver fitness, vehicle maintenance, and improper loading. The overall average increase was 32 percent. Agricultural carriers operating solely within a 100-mile radius had higher violations and out-of-service rates than those operating outside of a 100-mile radius in the categories of unsafe driving, driver fitness, vehicle maintenance, and improper loading. The overall average increase in this case was 24 percent.
In addition to repealing these exemptions based on the data in the Volpe study, CVSA is proposing that all motor carrier safety exemptions, whether provided in statue or by regulation, should be sunsetted on a date certain in the future with the requirement that they be re-applied for following the process specifically outlined in Section 31315 of the U. S. Code, Title 49. This process would be administered by the appropriate federal regulatory agency, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Section 31315 requires that in order for a safety exemption to be granted, the group seeking such an exemption must demonstrate to the Secretary of Transportation that “such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.” This effort would also require FMCSA to review their 1988 tolerance guidelines on intrastate exemptions and withdraw those no longer justified.
"If an exemption is not justified based on performance data, or pursued in a uniform and systematic manner, it not only compromises safety it also violates the basic principle of uniformity which CVSA advocates,” said Campbell. “This lack of uniformity creates confusion among roadside officers which leads to less than optimal oversight and enforcement.”
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA IDENTIFIES EIGHT AREAS TO FOCUS BUS SAFETY EFFORTS
Industry, Government Proactively Point to New Entrant Standards, Hours of Service
WASHINGTON, DC (March 16, 2009) – Stakeholders from all sides of the bus safety community convened March 5-6, during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) first-ever “Bus Safety Summit” and outlined eight priority areas for enhancing passenger carrier transportation which included an increased focus on new entrants that would require them to receive training and pass minimum standards; State-mandated annual bus inspection programs; and, possibly requiring electronic on-board recorders to monitor bus driver hours of service.
“While the industry is generally safe, we still need to focus on reducing risk and this clearly confirms there are a number of things we need to work on,” said CVSA Executive Director Stephen F. Campbell. “This provides all stakeholders more focus and direction on where we need to put our efforts. We can never be complacent about safety”
During the two-day work session, held in Arlington, VA, representatives from CVSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and transportation operators, manufacturers, provincial, state and local government, brokers and insurers participated in the dialogue. The latest passenger carrier research, statistics and updates on relevant programs, projects, crash investigations, regulatory, legislative, research and policy activities were provided, and recommendations were debated as to where the focus should lie.
"I commend CVSA for their leadership in the area of improving bus safety," said NTSB Board Member Debbie Hersman. "With the number of fatalities in bus accidents reaching unprecedented levels last year, we need commitment and follow-through from all involved in the Summit to make progress."
The information below is the result of a breakout session at the end of the CVSA Bus Safety Summit where the attendees were asked to identify and prioritize issues/concerns regarding Bus/Motorcoach Safety. They include, in order of priority:
- Having new bus entrants pass minimum standards and receive training;
- Mandating State Annual Bus Inspection Programs;
- Requiring EOBRs to monitor Bus Driver Hours of Service;
- Providing training for drivers and enforcement and install technology to prevent bus fires;
- Providing Driver Training;
- Identifying and Interdicting bus companies that are flying under the radar;
- Making Medical Certification requirements more stringent (i.e. cardiovascular, diabetes, sleep issues, etc.); and,
- Holding Passenger Carriers to higher standards.
The outcomes from the Summit are being used to formulate an action plan for CVSA to work with its partners in putting into place practical and real solutions to address the most pressing needs for enhancing bus safety.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA ‘BUS SAFETY SUMMIT’ SEEKS TO ADVANCE MOTORCOACH SAFETY
Two-Day Session Will Identify Problems, Solutions for the Bus Transportation Community
WASHINGTON, DC (February 12, 2009) – A tour bus driver struggling with a door runs off the road, overturning the vehicle, killing seven tourists in Nevada; A bus traveling from New York to Montreal crashes through a guardrail, rolls down an embankment killing five, including the bus driver. These types of high profile bus crashes have prompted government leaders and the industry to take a hard look at what might be done to enhance bus and motorcoach safety. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Bus Safety Summit, being held March 5-6, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, VA will share best practices and successes, as well as to discuss proactive measures for preventing avoidable crashes and unnecessary deaths.
“While interstate bus travel continues to be one of the safest forms of public transportation, it is true it only takes one unspeakable crash to bring intense scrutiny to the entire industry,” said CVSA Executive Director Stephen F. Campbell. “We recently had thousands of charter buses come to Washington, DC, from all over North America for President Obama’s inauguration without incident. We need to share and build upon these lessons-learned as well.”
“Representative Bill Shuster, (R-PA) is working on a new bus safety bill that will very likely include key principles of bills that were introduced in last year’s Congress” said Richard Henderson, CVSA’s Legislative Director. “There is a possibility that this new bill could be introduced on or around the time of our Bus Safety Summit.”
During the two day Summit, speakers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Insurers, Operators, Manufacturers, Health Professionals and Brokers will provide participants with updates on relevant programs, projects, crash investigations, regulatory, legislative, research and policy activities, as well as best practices for both industry and government regarding passenger carrier safety. In addition, the summit will provide breakout sessions for participants designed to identify problems and to promote discussion of relevant issues and best practices.
A plenary session will include a collaborative working activity for all attendees. This plenary session will allow attendees to work together in an effort to answer key questions and help to identify next steps necessary needed to advance bus and motorcoach safety.
The principal objective of the summit is to bring together a diverse group of government and industry professionals in the bus and motorcoach industries to share knowledge and information and to help provide up-to-date information and solutions for enhancing passenger carrier transportation, as well as to address the challenges that exist in this industry.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
2009
CVSA ‘BUS SAFETY SUMMIT’ SEEKS TO ADVANCE MOTORCOACH SAFETY
Two-Day Session Will Identify Problems, Solutions for the Bus Transportation Community
WASHINGTON, DC (January 13, 2009) – While bus and motorcoach safety has traditionally been one of the safest modes of transportation, a number of recent events, including several high-profile crashes, has resulted in increased scrutiny of operators that move passengers. To address these issues, and to share best practices as well as to identify areas where most focus is needed, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is holding a Bus Safety Summit, March 5-6, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, VA.
During the two days, speakers from CVSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and transportation operators, manufacturers, states, brokers and insurers will provide participants with updates on relevant programs, projects, crash investigations, regulatory, legislative, research and policy activities regarding passenger carrier safety. In addition, the summit will provide breakout sessions for participants designed to identify problems and to promote discussion of relevant issues and best practices. A plenary session will include a collaborative working activity for all attendees. This plenary session will allow attendees to work together in an effort to answer key questions and help to identify next steps necessary needed to advance motorcoach safety.
The principal objective of the summit is to bring together a diverse group of government and industry professionals in the bus and motorcoach industries to share knowledge and information and to help provide up-to-date information and solutions for enhancing passenger carrier transportation, as well as to address the challenges that exist in this industry.
CVSA is an international not-for-profit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal motor carrier safety officials and industry representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our mission is to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers. In addition, CVSA has several hundred associate members who are committed to helping the Alliance achieve its goals; uniformity, compatibility and reciprocity of commercial vehicle inspections, and enforcement activities throughout North America by individuals dedicated to highway safety and security. For more on CVSA visit www.cvsa.org.
