US DOT regulations mandate English proficiency for anyone driving a commercial vehicle in the US other than Mexicans within the 20-mile border zone. Violations since 1970 involved only a citation. Police now required by FMCSA to place the truck out-of-service which has been prescribed since 2005 but only now being enforced.
NHTSA says 80% of accidents involve some form of driver distraction within 3 seconds of the crash. Officials are especially concerned with the high rate of teenage distraction like cell phones and text messaging.
Cars.com has published its list of used cars with the greatest change in web searches for the month of July. When gas prices were at an all time high, hybrids topped the list. Now that fuel prices are declining, so are searches for hybrids. Crossover vehicles are seeing greater search activity.
The NAAA membership is backing a plan to develop an online search portal that would give dealers access to all auction inventory. The idea has been tossed around since 2006, and officials are now hoping for a 2008 release.
Drug and alcohol abuse among truck drivers has remained at 2 - 2.5% since testing began. Only 5 states have databases to track violations. The ATA is asking Congress to fund creation of a national database aimed at getting problem drug and/or alcohol users off the road permanently by making it easier for carriers to check status.