The Biden Administration’s choice to run the country’s leading trucking safety agency wants to expand investigations of truck drivers.
Meera Joshi, who has wide-reaching support to lead the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), went on the record indicating she wants to probe more truckers during a Senate confirmation hearing.
“Motor carriers that have risky behavior need to be investigated. And when they come into the industry, we need to have a closer eye on them,” Joshi reportedly said.
Democrat lawmakers used the recent hearing to level criticism at the previous Republican administration. Critics say the Trump Administration demonstrated a mixed bag of policy positions regarding truckers. For example, it sidelined speed-limiting proposals and relaxed rest stop regulations mandated by the FMCSA. Those seemingly commonsense positions came under fire during Joshi’s recent hearing.
“I think it’s clear that this entire industry fell into a regulatory black hole, where it escaped the level of scrutiny which it absolutely has to have if public safety is going to be protected,” Sen. Markey told Joshi during the hearing. “Unfortunately, the response I received back from the Trump administration was woefully insufficient. It failed to commit to the major reforms we need, and showed how our truck safety regulators have been asleep at the wheel.”
The Senator reportedly derived much of his supporting information about commercial motor vehicle accidents from the mainstream media rather than government compiled data. The statistics cited during the Q&A included measuring a 2009 low-water mark of accidents against 2019 reporting. Truck-involved fatalities declined slightly from 2018 to 2019.
But does the changing of White House politics warrant truckers coming under heightened scrutiny? The Clearinghouse has been updated to rapidly transfer information and testing results through the system. Employers and government agencies have the data to follow a trucker’s drug and alcohol violations. Joshi’s response to this line of questioning raises concerns of whether she is merely navigating Washington, D.C., confirmation politics or remains serious about opening case files on hard-working truckers.
“It’s an interstate industry, and the licensing data around those that drive large trucks must also function in an interstate manner. That means there needs to be swift transfer of current data between states around CDL licensing,” Joshi reportedly said.
Given that employers are now tasked with requiring a test of any driver who exhibits “risky behavior,” how does investigating more truckers improve the industry?
One of the areas freight carriers and consumers may see as a concern are her remarks about targeting new entrants to the trucking industry. American Trucking Associations CEO Chris Spear indicated the sector needs an additional 80,000 truckers to resolve bottlenecks and resulting inflation. The notion that Big Brother will be watching newly-minted CDL holders is not exactly rolling out a red carpet.
There isn’t anything wrong that out legislators can fix since they deregulated it in 1980 plus they lack intelligence. I see accident reports every time there is one and very seldom is the truck driver at fault. If they want to look and review something start with the automobile drivers
There isn’t anything wrong that out legislators can fix since they deregulated it in 1980 plus they lack intelligence. I see accident reports every time there is one and very seldom is the truck driver at fault. If they want to look and review something start with the automobile drivers
Maybe if they started treating four-wheelers with the same level of scrutiny and enforcement as they do truckers, they might actually see some real improvement in public safety. Dash cams don’t lie.
Such government incompetence…
I see. It’s that evil President Trump’s fault – like everything else the current administration doesn’t like. And if the administration doesn’t like it, neither does the mainstream media.
Spoken like a true MAGAt
It’s all about money. Truckers are easy targets to levy ‘fees’, fine for violations and otherwise just plain shake down. But the biggest targets are the mega carriers. Deep pockets mean big fines.
It’s all about money, not safety.
It’s never been about safety. During the pandemic, the accidents involving trucks went down significantly. The only thing that changed was the lack of 4 wheelers. Truck numbers didn’t change. That is why I put a 4 camera surveillance system in my truck that records 24/7.
Risky behavior? I swear that’s the most unintelligent placement of words I’ve heard from any individual in the fmcsa, not to mention the potential chief! The lady was put there for reasons other than standard fmcsa chief’s duties. She or her counterparts have absolutely no idea what’s going on in Trucking! If the concern was seriously about Trucking, then why not appoint someone with experience in the profession? Their agenda is bigger than the mind can wonder! Safety is definitely not a concern….
The definition of “risky behavior” according to Joshi, all. Working class Americans, while migrat workers do what they do.
Best job in the country. Guard rail repair.
$35 per hour long days plenty of work.
10 man crews. Keep bringing in the rookies.
Just makes good hard working guys like me with all endorsements and no points seem that much better allowing me to ask and get more money better longer runs.
I just watched several good companies go down hill fast relying on numbers over quality. Some have closed their doors thinking like this but it’s not a numbers game. It’s safe pickup safe transportation and safe delivery. No points no issues.
Keep it up guys. I’m making more money now.
we need protection from the stupid government