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In this Issue:

While 2020 has gotten underway, it's shaping up to be one of the busiest years in quite a while when it comes to new trucking regulations. Listen to this new episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, present by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with former FMCSA Deputy Administrator Warren Hoemann about what's headed your way. They discuss changes taking place with regulations covering truk driver hours of service, the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program, truck driver training, the drug and alcohol clearninghouse, REAL ID and more.

Listen Now

No matter the size of your trucking operation, the benefits of having a weigh station bypass service provider are clear. Carriers maximize on-duty-driving time, increasing driver retention to reduce fuel cost and vehicle wear. Read the "Weigh Station Bypass Comparison Guide" from PrePass and discover just how much money you can save. You'll also learn how bypass technology differs - either a transponder or a mobile device application - and which is best for you.

Download

PrePass Safety Alliance, the provider of PrePass weigh station bypassing, electronic toll payment and other trucking industry services, announced the appointment of Mark Doughty as President & CEO effective January 1, 2020. Doughty succeeds Karen Rasmussen, who retired as CEO at the end of 2019 after seven years at the helm of the organization.

Read More

Watch this one-hour webinar, "Economic Factors and Trucking Regulations to Watch in 2020" presented by PrePass, and learn as two leading experts explain how your trucking business could be affected. In this presentation, economist Donald Broughton provides an overview of where the economy is now, where it's headed in 2020 and what it means for truck companies. Also, former Deputy Administrator Warren Hoemann details the status of trucking rules in the pipeline, how they may turn out and what new rules the federal government has in store for trucking in 2020.

Watch Now

Over 93 million Americans live where the recreational use of marijuana is legal; this includes 11 states and the District of Columbia. While safety experts grapple with society's use of marijuana, at the federal level, steps are being taken to improve the drug testing of truck drivers. Recently, the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse began compiling records of violations of drug and alcohol prohibitions, including positive drug or alcohol test results and test refusals.

Read More

PrePass-approved trucks are receiving green lights to bypass more weigh stations in a number of new locations. Over the past year, PrePass Safety Alliance's Board of Directors has approved 47 new bypassing sites in Illinois, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin, plus Canadian province British Columbia.

Read More

New analysis of federal records shows the number of truckers driving above the speed limit has increased dramatically over the past three years and it's showing no signs of letting up. In this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, host Evan Lockridge talks with William Cassidy, senior editor at the Journal of Commerce, who discovered this alarming trend. In addition to discussing how much speeding has increased they talk about what kinds of trucking operations are speeding the most, the causes of this, and what can be done to stop it.

Listen Now

The year 2019 was anticipated to finally sort out the future of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program and provide a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration safety assessment system. It was also viewed as the possible beginning of revised hours of service regulations that would offer more flexibility for 2020. We recap regulatory developments in 2019 about these issues, as well as about entry-level driver training, REAL ID and many more changes.

Read More Part 1

Mother Nature is somewhat predictable, we have these things called "seasons," after all. But the exact time, location and amounts of temperature change, precipitation, high winds and road closures is not. And yet trucking companies and professional drivers are expected to complete their tasks on time and safely, amid this sea of unpredictability. How? Planning and emergency preparedness.

Read More

VISIT PREPASS AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Geotab Connect
January 13-16
San Diego, CA
Booth D3

Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show
February 7-8
Peoria, IL
Booth 406

Truckload Carriers Association
March 1-3
Kissimmee, FL
Booth 813

Mid-America Trucking Show
March 26-28
Louisville, KY
Booth 16081

Visit the PrePass Current Events web page for more details, including for links to each event.

In this Issue:

Electronic logging devices have changed hours of service compliance but they've also changed the way the FMCSA audits driver and trucking fleet records. Register for this PrePass webinar as Dave Osiecki, president and CEO of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, will cover the ins and outs of the FMCSA compliance review and audit process. He also discusses how investigators are auditing ELD records for compliance with driving limits and records falsification. You'll learn details about FMCSA's Electronic Record of Duty Status (eRODS) software, how they use it, what other records and ELD supporting documents they request during audits, and ELD auditing techniques you may not have thought of before this webinar.

Register now.

It's been a little more than a month since the final federal mandate took effect requiring most truck drivers to use electronic logging devices to track their hours behind the wheel. However, figures show a good number of drivers are being cited by law enforcement for improper use of the devices. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge looks at what truckers and fleets need to know so they don't make these increasingly common mistakes and face the consequences of ELD violations.

Listen now.

All federal regulations rise from the political environment of Washington, DC. Our form of government puts a premium on what is acceptable to Congress and the Administration - particularly in an election year. So any regulatory prognosticator should be apprehensive as to the outcome. However, everyone can agree that the regulatory plate is full for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2020.

Read more.

Read why the trucking company Empire Warehouse has been a PrePass customer for more than 25 years even though it's gotten offers from other weigh station bypass service providers to switch. You'll also read how PrePass saves Empire as much as 45 minutes per trip, how it keeps drivers on schedule and better rested, and why it's satisfied with PrePass customer service.

Read more.

No matter the size of your trucking operation, the benefits of having a weigh station bypass service provider are clear - from maximizing on-duty driving time, increasing driver retention to reducing fuel cost and vehicle wear. Download the "Weigh Station Bypass Technology Guide" from PrePass and discover just how much money you can save. You'll also learn how bypass technology differs - either a transponder or a mobile device application - and which is best for you.

Download now.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently announced that the rate for truck driver random drug testing has increased from 25% of a carrier's average number of drivers to 50%. The same rate increase applies to random tests conducted within a drug testing consortium's driver pool, which are used by some owner-operator truckers. The increase in the random drug testing rate is not just a figure pulled out of thin air. So what's behind the decision?

Read more.

While we're just into the second month of 2020, it's shaping up to be one of the busiest years in quite a while when it comes to new trucking regulations. Listen to this new episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with former FMCSA Deputy Administrator Warren Hoemann about what's headed your way. They discuss changes taking place with regulations covering truck driver hours of service, the "Compliance, Safety, Accountability" program, truck driver training, the drug and alcohol clearinghouse, REAL ID and more.

Listen now.

Advertising and entertainment often show us people living on the edge. It's attention-getting and an escape from everyday routine. The very fact that dangerous stunts so commonly appear on our TV and movie screens suggests, fine print aside, that just maybe a little living on the edge is societally acceptable. In the world of highway safety, however, going out to the edge can lead to injury and death.

Read more.

VISIT PREPASS AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show
February 7-8
Peoria, IL
Booth #406

Truckload Carriers Association
March 1-3
Kissimmee, FL
Booth #813

Mid-America Trucking Show
March 26-28
Louisville, KY
Booth #16081

Visit the PrePass Current Events web page for more details, including for links to each event.

In this Issue:

While motor carriers and professional drivers continue to respond to our nation''s needs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, financial assistance may be available to many small- and mid-sized carriers and independent contractors, if you act quickly. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act offers an opportunity for qualified businesses to help maintain payrolls and to cover eligible business expenses. It creates a new Small Business Administration (SBA) program, the Payroll Protection Program (PPP).

Read more.

While the coronavirus is having a massive impact on trucking, the industry continues moving along, delivering needed supplies. This means there are still big issues that drivers and fleets face. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Kelly Frey with PrePass about five trends that will shape trucking in 2020 and beyond. They discuss the effects of marijuana legalization, changing driver demographics, trucking autonomy, data security and the internet of things.

Listen now.

As many trucking fleets struggle to find qualified drivers, and as driver turnover increases, a recent survey provides new insight into what may help solve these problems. The survey, conducted by PrePass, shows how both truck drivers and fleet executives rate the value of benefits offered by their companies. Out of the 375 PrePass customers and non-customers surveyed, the top driver benefit response was "driver pay/compensation." So, what other benefits ranked high?

Read about the rest of the survey results.

Maximizing on-duty driving time is always important. Couple that with increased driver retention, reduced fuel costs, and vehicle wear, and it''s easy to justify PrePass weigh station bypass. A U.S. DOT study estimates an average savings of $8.68 per bypass. You can determine your own cost savings with a quick return-on-investment calculation. Try the PrePass ROI calculator to find out how PrePass can save you time and money!

Go to the calculator.

Both owner-operator truckers and fleets of all sizes are contending with ever escalating insurance rates. This cuts into profits and even forces some carriers to shut down. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge finds out what''s behind this trend. In his talk with Rich Bren of PFA Transportation Insurance, they discuss the impact of so-called "nuclear verdicts" on insurance rates and how truckers can influence their rates. Bren also discusses how FMCSA safety scores can be used against trucking fleets, resulting in higher insurance rates and less coverage, and how truckers can reverse this with better safety practices. 

Listen now.

Read about why the carrier Bestway Express left PrePass after being a customer for more than 20 years and why it came back. Spoiler alert: the other bypass provider failed the fleet 20% of the time their trucks approached weigh stations. In this case study, you''ll also read how the change to another provider affected Bestway''s relations with its some 250 company drivers and why returning to PrePass helps it make the most of driving time. 

Read more.

COVID-19 has moved the government agencies to issue emergency declarations, as well as change and delay government programs and regulations that impact the trucking industry. In addition to the expanded FMCSA waiver on driver hours of service and increased weight allowances by states for vehicles delivering essential supplies, here are some other related updates and links to other PrePass blogs regarding trucking and COVID-19.

Read more.

The Transportation Security Administration announced that holders of Transportation Worker Identification Credentials are no longer required to submit duplicative biographic and biometric information - and fees - to TSA when drivers are applying for state-administered hazmat endorsement.The agency also announced that states may grant CDL drivers who already have a hazardous materials endorsement, an extension of up to 180 days to obtain a renewal when those endorsements expired or would expire between March 1 and August of this year.

Read more.

In this Issue:

When 2020 started, the outlook for trucking looked good, especially on the regulatory front. But no one anticipated the issue that dominated federal actions, the trucking industry, and everyone's daily life - the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration alone issued at least six national emergency declarations in 2020 related to COVID-19. Despite the pandemic, some federal trucking regulations advanced in 2020 while others experienced delayed implementation. Learn about key trucking regulations from the year.

Read More.

Whether you're talking about race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identification, or religion, a growing number of people in the trucking industry feel that having a diverse workforce is not only the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Listen to this new episode of the "Eyes on the Road" trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge talks about diversity with John Esparza, head of the Texas Trucking Association. As a member of the Hispanic community, Esparza discusses why everyone in trucking should care about diversity and how different parts of the industry can work to improve it.

Listen Now.

COVID-19, civil unrest and a divisive election all made 2020 a challenging year. These events affected traffic patterns and enforcement activity, having serious consequences for the unprepared. With carrier CSA scores on the line, learn how these trends may affect your scores and actions you can take now to maintain favorable safety scores into 2021. Register for this PrePass webinar, hosted by Transport Topics, scheduled for Thursday at 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific.

Register Now.

The pandemic triggered many federal and state emergency declarations, and temporary waivers of certain regulations. However, federal authorities kept one deadline in place and it could sneak up on motor carriers. Motor carriers or drug testing consortia/third party administrators must check the clearinghouse no later than Jan. 5, 2021 for drivers hired as of Jan. 6, 2020. There are three steps to completing the annual Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query. Learn about these steps.

Read More.

The second in a series of new PrePass whitepapers on strategies motor carriers can use to improve their safety records tackles the technical and complex world of hazardous materials regulations. Download "BASICs - Improving Hazardous Materials Compliance" and learn how the different safety categories work in the FMCSA's Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program. Learn how to improve your Inspection Selection System (ISS) scores, including why haz-mat compliance is more than just displaying the right placards and having shipping papers handy.

Read Now.

When the FMCSA sees a negative safety trend from a motor carrier particularly when crash investigations suggest poor management controls, the agency may launch a compliance review. This review results in a safety rating for the carrier: satisfactory, conditional or unsatisfactory. Do you know the top reasons for a motor carrier to earn an unsatisfactory rating? FMCSA records show that it's not just one thing. it's usually a bundle of violations that could have been prevented.

Read More.

Costs for insurance and availability of coverage are significantly affecting the trucking industry. Rising premiums, increasing deductibles and insurance coverage are becoming more restrictive and at times even unavailable. Worst of all, the problem does not appear to be improving. Watch the PrePass webinar, "Why Truck Insurance Costs Are Increasing and What Fleets Can Do to Save Money." Learn from an insurance industry expert who explores the problem and presents solutions you can apply with your trucking business.

Watch Now.

An increasing number of fleets and owner operators are equipping their trucks with onboard video cameras. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" trucking podcast on the use of cameras on trucks, including for liability protection and driver coaching. You'll also learn about privacy issues for drivers when it comes to inward facing cameras, if the government will make cameras mandatory equipment, and the increasing integration of cameras with truck telematics systems.

Listen Now.

In between each issue of the Insider Newsletter, you can keep up with PrePass and the trucking industry by following us online. Get access to new blogs, podcasts, whitepapers, webinars, videos and other industry developments.

Follow PrePass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

You can also subscribe to the PrePass podcast "Eyes on the Road" and receive notifications as soon as a new episode is released. Just Subscribe Here.

Also, don't forget to visit PrePass at these upcoming virtual events:

California Trucking Association - Virtual Membership Conference
January 20-22, 2021

Minnesota Trucking Association - Virtual Safety Conference
January 26-28, 2021

Missouri Trucking Association - Safety Conference & Awards Banquet
February 10-12, 2021

In this Issue:

PrePass Safety Alliance recently completed work on more than 1,000 new PrePass ALERTST. PrePass ALERTS warn truck drivers of steep grades, gusty winds, runaway truck ramps, work zones, truck parking availability, rest areas, no commercial roads, and brake check/chain-up areas. ALERTS is offered as a no-cost, added benefit of the PrePass MOTION weigh station bypass app, available on Android and iOS powered deices and select in-cab telematics systems.

Read more in the PrePass Newsroom.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration just proposed a pilot program to evaluate the safety effects of allowing truck drivers to pause their daily driving window. The "Split Duty Period Pilot Program" would allow participating drivers to pause their regular 14 hour on-duty period. During that pause, drivers wold be completely off-duty. This plan comes as revised hours of service rules are set to take effect later this month.

Read more about both of these developments.

A recent study shows the amount of tolls collected in the U.S. increased more than four times the cost of living over the last ten years. Sometimes you have no choice but to take a toll route, however, there are ways you can keep your toll costs down. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge talks with Drew Anderson of PrePass. They discuss how you can spend less money and truck tolls, ways trucks can be incorrectly charged and how to avoid expensive fees for toll violations.

Listen to this "Eyes on the Road" podcast now.

There are many ways safety is measured in trucking, but one is particularly important. It is called an Inspection Selection System score, or ISS score for short. It directly effects whether a truck driver will be inspected by enforcement officers and whether you receive a green light from your weigh station bypass service provider. Download this PrePass whitepaper, "What''s an ISS Score and Why It''s Important" and learn about the factors that make up your ISS score and what carriers need to know about it. You''ll also discover how carrier ratings in the FMCSA''s Compliance Safety and Accountability program effect an ISS score and what tools motor carriers can use to monitor and improve their ISS score.

Download this whitepaper.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration currently only considers carrier safety mistakes when evaluating a fleet''s safety performance. This may change as the FMCSA is proposing to study whether to also consider other factors including carrier efforts to improve safety. That''s because, over the years, many safety-conscious motor carriers have asked whether FMCSA should also tally the extra safety steps taken by fleets over and above the minimum federal safety requirements. They argue that carriers who do more than merely comply, help improve highway safety.

Read more about this possible study. 

Carriers have a number of available resources to help choose drivers wisely. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration''s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, for example, reveals reported substance abuse violations. FMCSA''s Pre-Employment Screening Program provides a commercial driver''s five-year crash history, and three-year inspection history. But how do hiring experts at motor carriers rate best practices for truck driver pre-employment screening? The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute asked that question in an online survey of 40 safety-conscious managers from various types of commercial motor vehicle operations.

Read about the survey results.

The subject of whether it''s permissible for truck drivers to possess a firearm in the cab or sleeper of their rig is far from cut and dry. Some say it is one of the most complicated trucking legal issues there is. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" trucking podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with truck driver defense attorney Brad Klepper. They discuss current laws and how one court case changed the way fleets can set policies about guns. They also cover carrier policies for both of company drivers and owner-operators possessing firearms on the road.

Listen to this "Eyes on the Road" podcast now.

Have you ever watched episodes of the old TV series "Highway Patrol"? The show featured fast cars and fast action. When it came to on-road enforcement scenes, "Highway Patrol" often degenerated into the standard saying, "I don''t write the laws. I just enforce them." When it comes to commercial trucking, laws and regulations as written may not provide the best safety outcome in every situation. And so they may not seem "fair" to the honest trucker who wants a safe highway but whose operation is specialized or outside the norm. At times it can require true safety specialists - motor carriers and commercial vehicle law enforcement - to work together on alternative solutions.

Read more.

In between each issue of the PrePass Insider Newsletter, you can keep up with what''s going on with PrePass by following us online. Get details about new blogs, podcasts, whitepapers, webinars, videos and other industry developments.

Follow PrePass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

Visit PrePass at the upcoming events

McLeod User Conference
Virtual Event
September 29 - October 1, 2020

ATA Management Conference & Exhibition
Virtual Event
October 19 - 23 and 26 - 28, 2020

In this Issue:

PrePass announced that its MOTION^T app now integrates with Geotab, a global leader in connected transportation. This integration gives qualified motor carriers an additional option to expand bypass opportunities and help improve fleet safety and efficiency. The PrePass MOTION app uses a cellular connection to provide carriers with weigh station bypassing and in-vehicle driver safety ALERTS^T. Driver ALERTS include work zones ahead, gusty wind areas, steep grades and no commercial vehicle roads, among others.

Read more about this integration.

Learn how one trucking company came back from the brink after losing its business following the outbreak of the coronavirus. In this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, we talk with Chip Warterfield of the trucking company Upstaging Lighting and Transport. Upstaging is a 200-truck fleet that hauls lighting, rigging, staging and other items for concerts, plays and tradeshows. Warterfield talks about what Upstaging, its drivers and other employees are doing to survive this crisis. They also discuss how its drivers, whose jobs are usually anything but typical for trucking, have been affected and how other fleets may want to follow what Upstaging has done.

Listen now. 

Three years ago, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began a demonstration project to identify whether certain commercial motor vehicle-involved crashes could be determined as not preventable. FMCSA started with eight categories of crashes, expanding to 15 categories in 2019 when it solicited public comments on making the program permanent. Now, FMCSA has announced the completion of the Crash Preventability Demonstration Project and the beginning of the Crash Preventability Determination Program. Motor carriers and drivers should welcome the potential to improve their SMS scores and to receive public recognition that they could not have prevented certain crashes.

Read more.

In trucking, there are many factors you can''t control, such as the weather, driver detention and accidents. Weigh station bypassing can help provide greater control of your time, saving you money and increasing productivity. Register for this PrePass webinar and learn what''s new in the world of weigh station bypass technology. Discover how to leverage RFID transponders for additional services; new technology that expands bypass opportunities to more locations; use bypass and safety data for improved operational safety; calculate weigh station bypass ROI; and more!

Register now.

Emergencies, such as the coronavirus pandemic, sometimes call for extraordinary or unusual trucking operations. However, a truck involved in a crash or experiencing other problems on the road cannot deliver essential supplies, delaying relief in an emergency. Read this blog to learn what steps drivers and fleets can take to be safe during an emergency.

Read more.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported nearly 17,000 drug and alcohol violations since the new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse went live in January 2020. This suggests that the clearinghouse is meeting its intended purpose to helping to protect highway safety. Every motor carrier and professional driver should welcome the safer driving environment. At the same time, carriers and drivers should ask themselves, "Am I up to speed on drug and alcohol testing now that the Clearinghouse is up and running?" The Clearinghouse represents just the start of changes and upcoming developments in the FMCSA drug and alcohol testing program.

Read more by reviewing what the clearinghouse requires.

Despite the massive impact on trucking caused by the coronavirus, the industry continues moving along, delivering needed supplies. Even when the current crisis subsides, drivers and fleets will continue to face other challenges. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Kelly Frey of PrePass about five trends that will shape trucking in 2020 and beyond. They discuss the effects of marijuana legalization, changing driver demographics, trucking autonomy, data security and the internet of things.

Listen now.

A major tolling authority has provided evidence that cashless tolling - possible for commercial motor vehicles through PrePass Plus - also improves safety at toll facilities. Recently, the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey announced that the implementation of cashless tolling, along with the construction of wider lanes and shoulders, has reduced crashes on the Goethals Bridge dramatically. Learn how the number of crashes dropped and how you can benefit from PrePass Plus electronic toll payment.

Read now.

Electronic tolling devices have changed hours-of-service compliance for truck drivers and fleets. They''ve also changed how the FMCSA audits driver and trucking fleet records. Watch this PrePass webinar as Dave Osiecki, president and CEO of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, covers the ins and outs of the FMCSA compliance review/audit process. He focuses on how FMCSA and state investigators audit electronic logging device records for compliance with work limits and for ELD record falsification. You''ll also learn details about: FMCSA''s eRODS software; how the agency uses it; what other records and ELD supporting documents they request during audits; and some ELD auditing techniques you may not be aware of.

Watch now.

In this Issue:

While mandatory truck driver drug testing relies only on urinalysis, that may soon change to include testing of oral fluids (saliva) or hair clippings. Adding those new testing methods could make it much harder for even occasional users to hide their habit from trucking fleets. Since federal drug testing of truck drivers began in 1991, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services set the technical protocols for drug tests. Recently, this agency completed technical standards for the use of oral fluids and hair samples in DOT drug testing.

Read what this could mean for truck drivers and fleets.

Freight rates and demand for trucking services continue to struggle due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To make up the gap in earnings, truck operators must find ways to improve efficiency and save money on fuel. Two recent real-world demonstrations reveal how to start saving time and money at once, which can lead to a number of other benefits. Listen to this latest installment of the trucking podcast "Eyes on the Road," presented by PrePass as host Evan Lockridge talks with Mike Roeth of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. They discuss how current technology, as well as driving techniques, can result in increased truck fuel economy by more than 30%

Listen Now.

Take advantage of two special opportunities in July to learn how to improve your trucking operation and save money!

Register for the Transport Topics webinar "6 Ways to Maximize Weigh Station Bypass Service." On July 16, you will learn why now is a great time to consider the extended value that weigh station bypass service offers. With depressed freight levels and rates due to COVID-19, plus the usual delays truckers face every day, you''ll learn more ways to maximize driver hours.

Also, register for the Heavy Duty Trucking magazine webinar "How to Take Control of Fleet Toll Costs" on July 23. You will learn how toll agencies work, ways to reduce the impact to your bottom line and how recent trends in the U.S. tolling environment may affect you. You''ll also discover how to use cutting-edge technology to identify toll discrepancies and misuse.

Register now for Transport Topics webinar

Register now for the Heavy Duty Trucking webinar

Drivers with expiring commercial driver''s licenses and commercial learner''s permits now have nearly three more months to renew their credentials. As states diverted attention to the COVID-19 pandemic, many closed driver licensing agency offices. That left some truck drivers unable to renew their licenses or permits. Others couldn''t get appointments with medical providers for physical examinations. In response, FMCSA extended the temporary waiver of certain licensing and medical certification regulations.

Read about this in the PrePass blog.

The aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic will unveil a new world of trucking. Sanitizing equipment and work areas will receive new attention. Social distancing will likely continue at terminals and weigh stations. It''s possible that the public will even continue saying "thank you" to truckers. As the new future for trucking comes into focus, expect changes in the very composition of the industry. Read the first two installments of this special three-part PrePass blog series, "COVID-19 and Trucking" and learn how COVID-19 is reshaping the industry.

Read now.

Following two year of planning, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced significant changes to truck driver hours of service regulations. Listen to this episode of the trucking podcast "Eyes on the Road," presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Warren Hoemann, former FMCSA deputy administrator, about how these changes will effect both truck drivers and fleets. They also look at whether this plan could be delayed and who the winners and losers are in trucking.

Listen now.

As tolls continue to increase, so do your operating costs. You also must work with multiple toll authorities across the country requiring different technology and multiple toll invoices. This makes the job of reconciling bills, and identifying and disputing incorrect toll charges almost impossible. The PrePass Plus toll management platform simplifies the payment process and helps you reduce costs.

Learn about the benefits of PrePass Plus

Thanks to the recent start of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration''s Crash Preventability Determination Program, it is now possible to remove crashes from a motor carrier''s safety record calculations that were not preventable by the fleet or truck driver. Download this whitepaper, "Improve Your Safety Scores by Removing Not Preventable Crashes from Federal Calculations" and learn how you can use this tool to improve your safety scores.

Download whitepaper.

In between each issue of the PrePass Newsletter, you can keep up with what''s going on with PrePass by following us online. Get details about new blogs, podcasts, whitepapers, webinars, video and other industry developments.

Follow PrePass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

In this Issue:

Following two years of planning, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced significant changes to truck driver hours of service regulations set to take effect in late September. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Warren Hoemann, former FMCSA deputy administrator, about how these changes will effect both truck drivers and fleets. They look at the four major changes and who wins and loses in trucking.

Listen Now.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will extend an Emergency Declaration giving motor carriers and drivers relief from specific federal safety regulations related to the hauling of COVID-19 relief supplies. Starting June 15, this will replace and narrow in scope the current Emergency Declaration. Separately, the agency is also granting a three-month waiver from certain pre-employment and drug and alcohol testing requirements. This latter move by FMCSA is in response to an Executive Order that federal agencies waive or provide exemptions to regulations that might inhibit economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about this.

Whether you benefit from weigh station bypass service or not, now is a great time to consider all the extended value bypassing offers. Some delays, such as weather and traffic, you can''t control, but some delays you can. With depressed freight levels and rates due to COVID-19, it is important to find additional ways to maximize your hours. Watch this webinar, "6 Ways to Maximize Weigh Station Bypass Service," and you''ll learn: why shippers prefer carriers using bypass service and how to leverage that information, how to use bypass and carrier safety data to improve operational safety, and which weigh station bypass technology is best for your operation.

Watch now.

These are uncertain times. And while uncertainty and change can challenge your company''s business model, they also require an enhanced focus on safety. After all, some drivers face new routes, destinations and working conditions plus a new threat to their health. Any one of these can lead to errors and distraction. Especially today, when your operation may be directly tied to the delivery of essential goods, the public depends on the safe arrival of your trucks and drivers. Fortunately, there are lessons from history.

Read more.

While the trucking industry deals with the most adverse business conditions in decades, there may be some reasons for optimism. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with William Cassidy, senior trucking editor at the Journal of Commerce. Cassidy has interviewed people across the industry, including, fleets, analysts and shippers. In addition to discussing how severely coronavirus has affected trucking, they also talk about what the future may hold for the industry and the economy, the controversy involving lower spot market rates and brokers, and more.

Listen now.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently announced the launch of the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP). The new program builds upon a pilot program in which motor carriers can request removal of specific, non-preventable accidents from their federal safety calculations. Fleets and drivers may submit crashes that occurred on or after August 1, 2019 through the CPDP for review. But what kinds of crashes are eligible to be removed under this new program?

Download this new PrePass whitepaper for all of the details.

PrePass Safety Alliance announced that the PrePass MOTIONT bypass app is now available on Geotab Drive. This dynamic partnership gives qualified motor carriers access to expanded bypass opportunities and helps improve fleet safety and efficiency. The PrePass MOTION app uses a cellular connection to provide carriers with weigh station bypassing and in-vehicle driver safety ALERTST. PrePass safety ALERTS include upcoming work zones, gusty wind areas, steep grades and non-commercial vehicle roads, among others.

Get more information.

In an effort to keep drivers with active drug and alcohol violations off the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a proposed new rule to close a loophole in Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse data. The plan calls for changing a technicality in existing law that allows drivers with an unresolved drug or alcohol violation to continue operating a commercial motor vehicle. FMCSA is asking for public comments through June 29th. 

Read more about this proposal and how to file your comments with the FMCSA.

In between each issue of the PrePass Newsletter, you can keep up with what''s going on with PrePass by following us online. Get details about new blogs, podcasts, whitepapers, webinars, video and other industry developments.

Follow PrePass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

In this Issue:

Both owner-operator truckers and trucking fleets of all sizes are contending with ever escalating insurance rates. This cuts into profits and even forces some carriers to shut down. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, as host Evan Lockridge finds out what''s behind this trend. In his talk with Rich Bren of PFA Transportation Insurance, they discuss the impact of so-called "nuclear verdicts" on insurance rates and how truckers can influence their rates. A member of the Motor Carrier Insurance Industry Foundation, Bren also discusses how FMCSA safety scores can be used against trucking fleets, resulting in higher insurance rates and less coverage and how truckers can reverse this with better safety practices.

Listen Now.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance has strongly cautioned drivers and other safety-sensitive employees subject to federal drug testing regulations about the use of CBD oil and other cannabis infused products. Even though a recently enacted law removed hemp from the definition of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana itself remains a Schedule I drug and its use can trigger a positive drug test result, with disqualifying penalties for the user.

Read More.

A number of factors can make an impact on how much your fleet spends each month on tolls and related costs. As the largest provider of weigh station bypass and toll payment services in the U.S., PrePass has a vast amount of experience processing tolls on behalf of customers. In this whitepaper, read about: the most common ways carriers overpay for tolls; actions you can take to avoid spending more than necessary; and how to guard against toll fraud and abuse. A must read for any trucking company concerned about ever-increasing toll costs!

Download Whitepaper.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is calling for public input on the design of a new truck crash causation study. FMCSA last conducted a Large Truck Crash Causation Study more than 15 years ago, providing guidance to the agency on policies and regulations to prevent future crashes. However, in more recent years truck crashes have been increasing, plus truck technology is changing. It''s important because this new study will be the basis for future truck regulations.

Read More.

In this recorded webinar, watch as Dave Osiecki, president and CEO of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, covers the ins and outs of the FMCSA compliance review/audit process. This follows the final electronic logging device mandate taking effect late last year. Learn the details about the FMCSA''s Electronic Record of Duty Status (eRODS) software, how they use it and what other records and ELD supporting documents they request during audits. You will also learn some ELD auditing techniques you may not have thought of or be aware of.

Watch Now.

If you ever wondered what roadside inspectors frequently find when they look at drivers and trucks, the answers are conveniently tracked on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website in its Analysis & Information Online section. The FMCSA tracks these numbers because they display what is actually taking place out on the road and how effective federal regulations may be at uncovering safety problems. There, FMCSA lists current fiscal year roadside inspection summaries. So what are the most frequent violations? The results may surprise you.

Read More.

It''s been about three months since the final federal mandate took effect requiring most truck drivers to use electronic logging devices to track their hours behind the wheel. However, figures show a good number of drivers are being cited by law enforcement for improper use of devices. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" podcast, as host Evan Lockridge discusses what truckers need to know so they don''t make these increasingly common and costly mistakes. He also examines common mistakes made by carriers when it comes to ELDs and the consequences of ELD violations for both drivers and fleets.

Listen Now.

The start of many days in the trucking industry may have you wondering exactly what the government will do next. Federal regulations, legislation and executive actions are pervasive in highway transportation. They impact what motor carriers and drivers can legally do, how law enforcement may interact with vehicles and vehicle operators, and what federal resources are available to advance highway safety and efficiency. It''s enough to keep you up at night worrying what''s next. Fortunately, when it comes to regulatory matters, you know what''s coming well in advance thanks to two public resources.

Read More.

VISIT PREPASS AT THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Mid-America Trucking Show
March 26-28
Kentucky Exposition Center
Louisville, KY
Booth #16081

ATA SSHRNCE
April 4-6
Indianapolis Convention Center
Indianapolis, IN
Booth #305

NPTC 2020
April 26-28
Duke Energy Convention Center
Cincinnati, OH
Booth #923

Visit the PrePass Current Events web page for more details, including for links to each event.

In this Issue:

The FMCSA recently published a three-year study of nearly 21,000 truck drivers. In the study, researchers looked at drivers'' medical conditions, age groups, personal attitudes and behavioral history and compared those factors to their driving records - specifically, crashes and moving violations. The study shows that drivers who exhibit risky behavior in one aspect of their lives tend to also take risks when driving a truck. This includes the impact of truck driver medical conditions and treatment on highway safety.

Read more.

The subject of whether it''s permissible for truck drivers to possess a firearm in the cab or sleeper of their rig is far from cut and dry. Some say it is one of the most complicated trucking legal issues there is. Listen to this episode of the "Eyes on the Road" trucking podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with truck driver defense attorney Brad Klepper. They discuss current laws and how one court case changed the way fleets can set policies about guns. They also cover carrier policies for both company drivers and owner-operators possessing firearms on the road.

Listen to this "Eyes on the Road" podcast now.

More than 340 toll facilities operate in the U.S., generating billions of dollars every year. Much of this toll revenue comes from truck fleets, which have seen toll rates jump dramatically over the past decade. At the same time, motor carriers often enjoy less traffic, convenient truck parking, no stop signs and improved productivity by using toll roads. The newly released PrePass whitepaper, "A Guide to Trucking Toll Costs in America," describes how toll facilities operate and why rates continue to climb. The paper also reveals how fleets can avoid tolling pitfalls and actually save money.

Download this whitepaper.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance''s Brake Safety Week is just around the corner, Aug. 23-29. Enforcement officials will inspect commercial motor vehicles throughout the week. Those found to have out-of-service brake violations, or other critical vehicle out-of-service inspection item violations, will be restricted from traveling until those violations are corrected. Vehicles that pass eligible inspections may receive a passed-inspection CVSA decal. While some truckers think events like these delay drivers who are already late and running out of hours, there are also many benefits.

Read more.

PrePass-approved carriers now enjoy even more opportunities to save time, money and fuel. In the past six months, PrePass Safety Alliance equipped an additional 30 agriculture inspections sites and six weigh stations in Texas, Louisiana and Montana that are now eligible for pre-clearance and bypass services. PrePass Safety Alliance partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to offer PrePass Ag. This service allows commercial carriers that to not haul dedicated agriculture cargo to bypass select agricultural inspection stations in Florida in the same way they can bypass PrePass equipped weigh stations.

Read more about this in the PrePass Newsroom.

In March of this year, a small family-owned trucking company in Arkansas went out of business. The reason? A "nuclear verdict" and the resulting hike in its insurance rates. No matter that the carrier owned only the trailer involved in the crash and had brokered the load to another trucking company. No matter that the insurer of the truck driver, who perished in the crash, also paid a million-dollar verdict in the incident. And because of a rapidly increasing number of large verdicts like these, you pay more for your insurance no matter your safety record. Still don''t think "nuclear verdicts" will affect you?

Read more in the PrePass blog.

Freight rates and demand for trucking services continue to struggle due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To make up the gap in earnings, truck operators must find ways to improve efficiency and save money on fuel. Two recent real-world demonstrations reveal how to start saving time and money immediately, which can lead to a number of other benefits. Listen to this latest installment of the trucking podcast "Eyes on the Road," presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Mike Roeth of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. They discuss how current technology, as well as driving techniques, can result in increased truck fuel economy by more than 30%.

Listen to this "Eyes on the Road" podcast episode.

The post-COVID-19 world of trucking could result in new drivers and new management. It could also bring new customers. However, adaptation, already the mantra of the pandemic, will be the guiding force for motor carrier survival and ultimate success. Adaptation will also extend in another direction, technology. Here are four trucking processes where the post COVID-19 environment calls for a technological response.

Read more about this. 

As a PrePass Insider Newsletter reader, chances are you already know about the benefits and savings of using PrePass transponders for bypassing weigh stations. But did you know the PrePass MOTION app also offers driver alerts? MOTION offers safety alerts for steep grades, high winds, construction zones, traffic congestion and more. When paired with a PrePass transponder, truckers expand weigh station bypass opportunities to more locations while adding even more value through integrated toll payment services.

Watch this video to learn more.

In between each issue of the PrePass Insider Newsletter, you can keep up with what''s going on with PrePass by following us online. Get details about new blogs, podcasts, whitepapers, webinars, videos and other industry developments.

Follow PrePass on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube.

EVENTS:

In.Sight Trimble User Conference & Expo
Virtual Event
August 24-26, 2020

McLeod User Conference
Virtual Event
September 27-29, 2020

ATA Managment Conference & Exhibition
Virtual Event
October 24-27, 2020