Trump Cars Rollback is a Dangerous Mess
NRDC Expert Blog: Luke Tonachel, Director for Clean Vehicles and Fuels, Natural Resources Defense Council
When the Trump administration proposed its ridiculous rollback of clean car standards in 2018, it pretended that the increased costs for drivers at the pump, the loss of jobs and devastating pollution impacts were worth it because of some safety benefits.
It was clear from day one that analysis was done in bad faith and just plain wrong. Now, as it moves to finalize that regulation, the administration is bowing to reality. In a strange plot twist, the administration is now acknowledging that its reworked rule (one that some continue to pretend is “dialed back”) won’t save lives, will increase costs for drivers at the pump and may lead to even more carbon pollution than its original plan.
But, in its unstoppable ineptitude, the administration is still working on issuing the rule.
Read the NRDC blog
Pedestrians, Vehicles and Shopping Carts — Oh My! Avoiding Parking Lot Perils
The unique hazards that parking lots create for drivers can be avoided if the appropriate safety measures are taken. By maintaining awareness, avoiding congested spots, and using safe parking techniques, drivers can safely navigate parking lots, avoid collisions and prevent damage to their vehicles.
By Art Liggio, President and CEO, Driving Dynamics
Driving in parking lots may seem non-threatening with low speed limits and neatly organized rows and spaces, but according to the National Safety Council, tens of thousands of crashes occur in lots and garage structures annually. And, further analysis of data indicates that 9 percent of pedestrian deaths in parking lots result from backing incidents. (National Safety Council, 2016)
While new vehicle advancements such as rear cross-traffic warning systems and rear-view cameras may lessen these risks by alerting drivers of potential hazards, drivers can’t solely rely on technology to prevent collisions. Drivers must always take responsibility to remain attentive and employ safe driving skills while driving through lots and parking and backing their vehicles in these environments.
The Benefits of Managing Driver Qualifications and Road Behavior, and How to Do It
Driver qualifications (DQ) and monitoring road behavior are cornerstones of driver management programs and, when properly implemented, can significantly increase safety, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce costs
By Bradley Kelley, Senior Vice President, Mercury Associates
By Bradley Kelly, Senior Vice President/CIO, Mercury Associates, Inc.
For those readers unfamiliar with DQ, it is the perpetual documentation and screening of driver credentials, motor vehicle records, and physical health to ensure they are “qualified” to get behind the wheel and drive. As an example, commercial motor carriers (CMC), under 49 CFR part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, are required to maintain records that reflect current information on their drivers, including licensing and permits held, completed certified road tests, drug and alcohol test results, health exams and medical waivers, and motor vehicle records (MVR).
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audits these records to ensure that CMCs are playing an active role in screening drivers and prohibiting those not qualified from operating equipment. CMCs that fail to comply with these regulations can be hit with penalties ranging from fines to probation, and even termination of their motor carrier license. Although not required by law, the DQ standards established within 49 CFR part 391 can be adopted by any organization and provide several tangible benefits – here are just a few.
https://www.fleetmanagementweekly.com/the-benefits-of-managing-driver-qualifications-and-road-behavior-and-how-to-do-it/
Three Local Communities Partner with Enterprise Fleet Management to Upgrade Fleets and Reduce Costs
Three municipalities across the United States have entered into agreements with Enterprise Fleet Management to enhance their vehicle management programs.
The partnerships with the cities of Bunnell, Florida; Hearne, Texas; and Mexia, Texas, will enable them to improve fleet performance, upgrade aging fleets and reduce ownership costs.
As part of its agreement with the City of Bunnell, Enterprise will supply 18 new vehicles – from police cruisers and medium-duty crane trucks to SUVs and half-ton pickup trucks. The partnership, which is projected to save the City of Bunnell more than $90,000 over the next eight years, has the potential to increase to 34 vehicles.
The Cost and Prevention of Non-Driving Injuries
By Mark Boada, Executive Editor
While it’s true that some of the most significant fleet costs are the result of highway accidents – especially when fatalities are involved – a very substantial amount are the result of injuries that work truck fleet drivers suffer aren’t collision-related.
We’re talking here about non-fatal musculoskeletal injuries suffered by drivers of every truck class, from light through heavy-duty. The injuries include sprains, strains and neck, shoulder, back and knee injuries resulting from overextension or repetitive motion. They come from a variety of non-driving tasks that work truck drivers are required to perform, like lifting heavy objects while making deliveries or climbing utility poles, but others merely from getting into and out of a truck cab improperly, multiple times a day, day after day.
Billions of dollars lost per year
No figures are available for just work truck drivers alone, but the 2019 Liberty Mutual Safety Index says that soft-tissue injuries cost businesses across all industries $16.8 billion a year in worker’s compensation claims and more than 100 million days lost from work.
