News
Get Ready for Brake Safety Week: Steps for Fleets and Drivers
Mark your calendars! The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is hosting Brake Safety Week from August 20-26. This week-long event will focus on brake lining and pad violations, with commercial motor vehicle inspectors conducting full vehicle inspections and removing any trucks with brake-related out-of-service violations until they are fixed.
To prepare for Brake Safety Week, fleets and drivers can take action now to ensure their vehicles are in top shape. And during the event, CVSA-certified inspectors will be collecting brake-related inspection and violation data, which will be shared in a press release later this year.
Keep your commercial vehicles safe and compliant by preparing before Brake Safety Week begins.
About the Brake System Inspections
“The focus of this year’s Brake Safety Week is on the condition of the brake lining and pad,” said CVSA President Maj. Chris Nordloh, of the Texas Department of Public Safety. “Brake lining and pad issues may result in vehicle violations and could affect a motor carrier’s safety rating.”
When conducting the brake portion of a Level I or Level V Inspection, inspectors will do the following.
- Check for missing, non-functioning, loose, or cracked parts
- Check for contaminated, worn, cracked, and missing linings or pads
- Check for S-cam flipover
- Listen for audible air leaks around brake components and lines
- Check that slack adjusters are the same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size
- Ensure the brake system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa) and measure pushrod travel
- Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake
- Inspect required brake system warning devices, such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) malfunction lamp(s) and low air-pressure warning devices
- Inspect the tractor protection system, including the bleedback system on the trailer
- Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer
Preparing for Brake Safety Week
Brake Safety Week campaign puts a heavy emphasis on spreading awareness, educating, and conducting outreach programs. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has laid out the brake-system inspection procedure, providing drivers and motor carriers with a clear understanding of what inspectors will be checking during roadside inspections.
The aim of this transparency is to remind everyone to take a proactive approach to keep their commercial motor vehicles safe and compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Improperly installed or poorly maintained brake systems can significantly reduce the braking capacity and stopping distance of large vehicles, thereby creating significant safety risks.
Here are a few things you can do now to be ready for successful Brake Week inspections.
- Check CVSA’s vehicle inspection checklist for details on the brake portion of a Level I and Level V Inspection
- Download the 2023 Brake Safety Week flyer for 10 tips on keeping your brake lining/pad healthy
- View the inspection procedures
- View previous brake-safety campaign results
- Check the latest inspection bulletins. Currently, there are eight in the brakes category. Inspection bulletins provide important information to augment the existing inspection program
About Operation Airbrake
Brake Safety Week is a crucial aspect of the CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program, aimed at curbing highway accidents through proper brake maintenance and operation. This effort involves roadside checks, educating drivers, mechanics, owner-operators, and others on how to keep their commercial motor vehicles safe.
Source: Trucking Info
Business
Key Strategies for Effective Remote Worker Time Management
Key Strategies for Effective Remote Worker Time Management
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to technological advancements and changing attitudes towards work-life balance.
The article discusses various strategies and tools to enhance time management for remote workers. It covers setting expectations, choosing appropriate time tracking tools, and maintaining accountability to improve productivity in a remote work environment.
What This Means for Your Wallet and Your Miles
For drivers who also manage remote workers or work remotely themselves, the right time tracking tools can streamline operations and improve productivity. This could potentially reduce overhead costs and increase efficiency.
Setting clear expectations regarding availability and communication can help avoid misunderstandings and reduce downtime, ensuring you stay on top of your tasks and deadlines.
Establishing a routine can help you make the most of your work hours, allowing more time for driving or managing logistics without affecting performance.
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your time management practices can help identify inefficiencies, allowing you to make changes that enhance productivity and ensure a steady flow of income.
How can I improve time management for my remote workers?
Set clear expectations for work hours and communication, use effective time tracking tools, and establish routines to optimize productivity.
What are some recommended time tracking tools?
Popular options include Toggl, BuddyPunch, RescueTime, and Harvest, each offering different features suited to various needs.
How often should I review my time tracking practices?
Regular reviews, ideally monthly, can help identify areas for improvement and ensure your practices remain effective and aligned with goals.
Why is accountability important in remote work?
Accountability helps maintain productivity and motivation, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and on time.
What should I do if my current routine isn’t working?
Be flexible and willing to adjust your routine or try new tools and strategies to find a setup that maximizes productivity and fits your work style.
CDL Training
Ohio Pursues Legal Action Against Trucker for Alleged Toll Skipping
An Illinois-based trucker, Moath Musamih, from Orland Park, has been formally indicted in Ohio on grand theft charges for allegedly avoiding nearly $22,000 in turnpike tolls. The indictment, filed on April 21 by a Williams County grand jury, accuses Musamih of a fourth-degree felony relating to unpaid tolls, with potential penalties including up to 18 months imprisonment, a $5,000 fine, and restitution.
Prosecutors assert that Musamih’s truck was monitored with open-road tolling technology for close to two years. Despite receiving multiple payment notifications, the tolls remained unpaid. The indictment also includes a clause to confiscate the 2012 Freightliner Cascadia allegedly used in these offenses.
County Chief Investigator Andrew Skiles noted that the Ohio State Highway Patrol had been keeping tabs on Musamih for some time due to the unpaid tolls. According to Skiles, Musamih is an owner-operator whose vehicle, reportedly registered under his wife’s name, was regularly tracked traveling extensive distances on the Ohio Turnpike using an E-ZPass transponder.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol officer encountered Musamih at a service plaza on eastbound Interstate 80, where an incident report was filed for “Theft by Deception.” The report included accusations of theft without consent and engaging in corrupt activities.
Williams County Prosecutor Katherine Zartman opted for criminal proceedings against Musamih due to the significant total of approximately $21,991 in unpaid tolls over an extensive period from April 2024 to April 2026. The decision to pursue a fourth-degree felony charge was influenced by Musamih’s alleged repeated offenses and the proposed forfeiture of his semi-truck as it was deemed contraband linked to the criminal activity.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, through its advanced open-road tolling system launched in April 2024, identified Musamih. Executive Director Ferzan Ahmed emphasized the aim to maintain optimal conditions on the turnpike while highlighting the challenges posed by companies that fail to settle their toll liabilities, despite numerous reminders and collection attempts.
In a broader context, the commission recently disclosed a list of 315 trucking companies accused of evading $5.2 million in tolls over the past two years, indicating a widespread issue with rogue operators.
News
Can you legally carry in your Truck?
Summary:
Truck drivers often face safety concerns on the road, leading many to consider carrying a firearm for protection. However, rules about carrying guns in trucks vary by federal and state laws, and there are even more restrictions when crossing borders into Canada or Mexico. This article breaks down these rules to help drivers understand what is and isn’t allowed.
News for You
Carrying a firearm in your truck might seem like a good way to stay safe, but there are important laws you need to know about before bringing a gun on the road. The rules can be confusing because they differ between federal and state laws, and if you’re driving into Canada or Mexico, things get even more complicated.
Federal vs. State Laws
There isn’t a specific federal law that stops you from having a gun in your truck, but federal regulations do come into play when you’re transporting goods between states. If you have a firearm, it needs to be stored correctly — usually unloaded and in a locked case separate from ammunition. Some states have their own rules about carrying guns in vehicles, so it’s important to know the laws of each state you’re traveling through. For example, states like California and New York have stricter gun laws compared to others like Texas or Arizona.
Crossing Borders into Canada or Mexico
Taking a firearm into Canada or Mexico is a whole different story. Canada has very strict gun laws, and you need special permits that are hard to get, especially if you have a criminal record. If you try to bring a gun into Canada without the right paperwork, you could be arrested and face serious penalties. In Mexico, the laws are even stricter — bringing a firearm can lead to arrest, heavy fines, and even imprisonment.
Driving Professionally
For professional truck drivers, carrying a gun could also affect your job. Many companies have their own policies that ban firearms in their vehicles, regardless of state or federal laws. If you’re caught breaking these rules, you could lose your job or face other penalties. It’s best to check with your employer’s policy before deciding to carry a firearm in your truck.
How This Affects You
For truck drivers, knowing the rules about carrying a firearm can help you avoid legal trouble and keep your job secure. If you’re considering carrying a gun for protection, it’s crucial to understand the differences in state and federal laws, as well as the specific rules for crossing into Canada or Mexico. Always check with your employer’s policy on firearms, as company rules may be stricter than the law. Staying informed will help you make the best decision for your safety and your career.
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#TruckDriverSafety #FirearmLaws #Truckers #CrossingBorders #StateVsFederalLaw #GunSafety #TruckingRegulations #CanadaMexicoLaws #ProfessionalDrivers #TruckingJobs
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