Trucking industry concerned about new safety rules

A proposed federal rule change intended to cull unsafe truck drivers from trucking companies has mixed support from the trucking industry and the two publicly held trucking companies based in the Fort Smith area.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) — a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation — began in April to phase in the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) with the goal of “reducing large truck and bus crashes, injuries and fatalities on our nation’s highways.” The effort, which began in May 2005, will use a new safety measurement system to monitor the more than 500,000 active commercial motor carriers — trucking companies, bus companies, etc. — and the about 7 million commercial drivers in the U.S.

Anne Ferro, administrator for FMCSA, said in June 23 testimony before Congress that the new system would “raise the bar” for companies and drivers wanting to enter the trucking sector by measuring seven safety categories. The existing system uses four broad measures. Full Story......