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And, as always, carrier data needs “When you see these crashes that are tion times, Collins said. “We’re very
to be reviewed for accuracy. the result of a heart problem or a loss of mindful it plays a role in the hours-of-
Sleep apnea is a growing concern, consciousness, a known medical condi- service. Nobody ever has enough hours,
with as many as 1 in 4 Americans at tion — that’s the type of risk I know you and if you’re burning time at the ship-
risk of daytime drowsiness. all want to be managing. Not just for per, what’s the proper classification of
“These are fatigue factors that have the bottom line, but because you care that?”
to be self-policed. It comes down to about the people you’re working with.” Driver pay and incentives is the
the choices people are making and the The first step is to approve the focus of other research. “What’s the
concern you have for those drivers as medical companies who will certify correlation between whether a driver is
employees,” she said, referring again to the providers, ultimately transitioning paid by the mile or by the hour to safety
the carrot-and-stick approach. “The rule all drivers to a “paperless med card” outcomes?”
is out there, but it’s much more about designed to be all-inclusive, more con- And Administrator Anne Ferro is
making the good choices that are going venient and less subject to fraud. “very clearly focused” on crash account-
to make your business a better busi- “There is a lot of work to be done ability and crash weighting.
ness.” on the part of the states, on the part “When the crash is clearly not
Distracted driving is “another clas- of the DMVs,” she said. “It’s certainly the carrier’s fault or the driver’s fault,
sic case” of rules (no texting while driv- something that will go a long way should that have an impact on their
ing, no hand-held phones) that are hard towards improving safety and protect- Safety Management System scores?”
to enforce. ing our loved ones who are both behind Collins said. “The bottom line to mak-
“It’s about being responsible and the wheel and on the road. ing that determination is to have more
changing the hearts and minds of information: looking at the quality
people who think they can text and comINg SooN and consistency of police reports, the
drive, or that they can hold on to a cell Research is underway with an eye opportunity for the public to weigh in
phone and have their brain engaged in toward future rulemakings, Collins on the determination, and whether or
something other than driving. It can’t explained. not accountability or weighting has any
be done,” she said. “The real change has The agency’s medical review board impact on crash prevention and safety
to come from the influence you have on has made its sleep apnea recommenda- overall.”
your employees, from the behavior you tions, and an official notice is pend-
demonstrate.” ing. FMCSA also “is mindful” of the HoS q&a
Collins concluded by inviting
Darrell Ruban, FMCSA field administra-
tor for the Southern Service Center in
“the bottom liNe is we doN’t waNt to make Atlanta, and Kevin Breedlove, Arkansas
decisioNs iN isolatioN. it Needs to be a division administrator, to answer ques-
tions submitted by the audience.
dyNamic process where you’re at the table.” Among those, many dealt with
—aNNe colliNs hours-of-service, including a follow-
associate admiNistrator for field operatioNs up question on “the logic” behind the
federal motor carrier safety admiNistratioN change to the 34-hour restart.
“It’s based on the studies that talk
about the circadian rhythms and the
ability of people to function during
The national registry for medical need to educate and inform the Equal periods of prolonged work exposure,
providers rule has been published, and Employment Opportunity Commission and what time period their performance
is “a hot topic” at FMCSA. The rule is to as to possible conflicts with labor law, drops off,” she said.
be in full effect by January 2014. “to provide a rational basis for our More importantly, Breedlove
“Again, this is about the focus on health standards,” Collins noted. recalled recent presentations he’s given
driver health: making sure that the A drug and alcohol clearinghouse to association members and the expect-
medical exam is a true indicator. It’s rule is also in the works, designed to ed impact of the changes.
making sure the medical provider — make sure the truck drivers who have “I think we realized the main issue
whether it’s doctor, a nurse practitio- tested positive for drugs or alcohol can- is going to be with the long haul carri-
ner, a physician’s assistant — has been not “shop” for other jobs without get- ers, the ones that have operators that
schooled in what the factors they need ting proper treatment.
to worry about,” Collins explained. And FMCSA is “looking at” deten- 

22 aRkansas TRucking RePoRT | issue 3 2012