Many factors influence trucking regulations, and politics most certainly play a huge role. Commercial truck drivers cannot afford to ignore the political issues that could affect their way of life and means of earning an income.
At the forefront of trucking issues today are the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the supply chain crisis that is still affecting our country. Both of these hot topics have a huge influence on trucking regulations across the US and will affect how trucking compliance can affect the trucking community.
New Updates and Changes Possible
Although it is impossible to predict all changes and updates, the following items are predicted to be big issues regarding new legislation affecting trucking regulations as set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Electronic logging device regulations
- Safety fitness evaluations
- Requirement of universal identification devices – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has enacted a petition that all trucks be required to keep a UID.
As always, the input of the trucking community will have a huge influence on how these items evolve.
Updates and Changes Expected
Below are some changes to regulations that are highly expected in the wake of the new Infrastructure Bill. If this bill does in fact become law, the following new regulations could come into effect.
- Automatic emergency braking
- 150-air-mile exemption for livestock haulers
- Improved standards and/or mandatory inspections of rear underride guards
- New rules and regulations for the Apprenticeship Pilot Program
Changes and Updates Under Discussion
Although the following items are not part of the new Infrastructure Bill, these are topics that are being discussed in-depth, and some believe could make their way into rulemakings for 2022.
- Speed limiters for commercial vehicles
- Increased insurance minimums
- Time/mileage limits on personal conveyance use for CMVs
- Required sleep apnea screening
- Studies proposed by Congress
- Electronic logging device studies
- Side underride guard studies
- Studies on increasing the female presence in the trucking
- Studies on human trafficking and how it relates to commercial motor vehicles
- Highway Cost Allocation Study – This study will delve into whether cars and trucks are paying proper highway taxes
- Mileage tax study
- Commercial Motor Vehicle Crash Causation study
As these studies gain momentum, the trucking community will have the opportunity to comment and input helpful information. These studies are intended to help the trucking community learn more about how to make safety accountability a priority.
National Roadway Safety Strategy
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will head up a nationwide plan to address ways to increase highway safety. Among the topics this strategy will explore will be speed enforcement, seat belt use, and issues contributing to distracted driving.
Along with speed enforcement, the trucking community could see more installation of speed detection devices and cameras that can help authorities track speeds.
It is vitally important for members of the trucking community to stay up to date on the changes that could be affecting the trucking industry in the future. When truckers stay up to date and actively participate in the legislative process, new laws and regulations can be enacted that help rather than hurt America’s truck drivers.