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FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation

• Headquarters in Washington, DC

• Offices in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories

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POPULATION REGULATED BY FMCSA

• 685,000 Interstate Motor Carriers

• 8 Million Large Trucks

• 34,000 Buses

• 7 Million Drivers

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FMCSA’S MISSION

FMCSA’s primary mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

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FIVE-POINT STRATEGY

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REGULATIONS

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Hazardous Materials Regulations are designed to ensure the safe operation of motor carriers. Regulations are enforced by Federal, State, and local personnel. Regulations apply to:

• Motor Carriers

• Vehicles

• Drivers

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ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS

• Compliance Reviews

On-site reviews of a company’s records and operations to assess safety fitness in the following areas:Controlled Substances/Alcohol Use and TestingCommercial Driver’s License (CDL) StandardsInsurance RequirementsGeneral RequirementsQualification of DriversDriving of Motor VehiclesVehicle Inspection, Repair & MaintenanceHours of Service of DriversTransportation of Hazardous Materials

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ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS (cont’d.)

• Roadside Inspections

Performed by qualified and certified safety inspectors following the guidelines of the North American Standard

• Traffic Enforcement

State or local violations noted in conjunction with a Roadside Inspection

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PENALTIES

Violations can lead to written warnings, fines, and other civil penalties.

CARRIERS MAY BE PLACED OUT OF SERVICE

FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS

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SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

• Initiative mandated by Congress

• Promotes the benefits of operating safely

• Includes efforts to identify and educate carriers that are not properly registered (prospective entrants)

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THE REGISTRATION PROBLEM

• Many carriers who should be registered are not.

• Some carriers are registered but don’t need to be.

• Some carriers are not aware of the registration requirements.

• Some carriers are receiving misinformation about the registration requirements.

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HOW CARRIERS RECEIVE INFORMATION

To help understand how prospective entrants get their information, 749 newly-registered carriers were asked how they received information on registering for a USDOT Number during April 2006.

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HOW CARRIERS RECEIVE INFORMATION (cont’d.)

Results: 23% of carriers receive their information by word of mouth – this may be part of the problem

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EDUCATING PROSPECTIVE ENTRANTS

As part of the Safety Is Good Business campaign, FMCSA seeks to identify and educate carriers that are not properly registered. Working with its industry partners, FMCSA’s goals include:

• Increase in motor carriers’ understanding of FMCSA regulations

• Decrease in motor carriers operating without a USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority

• Decrease in motor carriers registering erroneously

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PARTNERSHIP APPROACH

Establishing effective partnerships is key to the success of the program:

• Government (Federal, State, and Local)

• Industry Associations

• Carriers

• Drivers

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CAMPAIGN MESSAGE

Whether you are a new motor carrier just starting out or an established company with years of experience, safety is good for your business. Good safety practices can save lives, reduce injuries, and improve your bottom line.

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WHY SAFETY IS GOOD BUSINESS

Crashes are devastating in terms of:

• Fatalities and injuries

• Financial costs

• Damaged reputations

• Inability to attract and retain good drivers

• Damaged goodwill in the industry and community

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CRASH STATISTICS

• In 2005, there were 5,212 fatalities and 91,993 injuries from large truck crashes, and 335 fatalities and 14,283 injuries from bus crashes.

• Large truck crashes that involve fatalities cost, on average, a staggering $3.6 million per crash; those that cause injuries cost almost $200,000 per crash.

• The average cost of all large truck crashes is about $91,000 per crash.

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ACCIDENTS ARE PREVENTABLE

• In 1997, 22% of large truck fatal crashes involving more than one vehicle were speeding-related.

• In 2003, about 2% of drivers with a commercial driver's license (CDL) used controlled substances, and 0.2% used alcohol (0.04 or higher blood alcohol content) while performing their duties.

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ACCIDENTS ARE PREVENTABLE (cont’d.)

• 5.5% of fatal truck crashes are caused by driver fatigue.

• A 2006 study found that only 59% of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers wear safety belts. In 2005, of the 696 CMV drivers who died in truck crashes, 344 were not wearing safety belts.

• Research has shown that there is a significant relationship between driver job change rate (turnover) and crash involvement.

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GETTING STARTED

• The first step to safe operations is operating legally.

• Before a motor carrier of property or passengers begins interstate operations, it must register with FMCSA and receive a USDOT Number.

• In addition, most for-hire motor carriers must obtain Operating Authority from FMCSA.

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THE BASICS – USDOT NUMBER

Carriers need to register for a USDOT Number if they operate a motor vehicle in interstate commerce (across State lines):

• That has a combined gross vehicle weight or weight rating of 10,001 lbs. or more

OR

• That is designed or used to transport 9-15 passengers (including the driver) for compensation

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• That is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) whether for compensation or not

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• That transports hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding under the hazardous materials regulations, regardless of size and weight of vehicle

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THE BASICS – OPERATING AUTHORITY

Carriers generally also need to register for Operating Authority if they:

• Transport passengers or property owned by others for compensation in interstate commerce

OR

• Arrange for the transportation of property owned by others for compensation in interstate commerce (e.g., as a broker or freight forwarder)

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SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS

• The Safety Is Good Business campaign provides an overview of the registration requirements.

• There are many specific requirements and exceptions to the regulations.

• FMCSA’s Web site features an online guide to help carriers determine if they need a USDOT Number and/or Operating Authority.

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ONLINE REGISTRATION & ASSISTANCE

Go to FMCSA’s home page and click on “Registration & Assistance: USDOT Number/Operating Authority”

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

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ONLINE REGISTRATION & ASSISTANCE (cont’d.)

Click on “Step-by-Step Registration Guide”

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/online-registration/onlineregdescription.htm

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NEW ENTRANT PROGRAM

After a carrier registers, it will be considered a “New Entrant” and subject to an 18-month monitoring period. During this time, an on-site safety audit of its operations will be performed.* The carrier’s safety management system will be reviewed, including:

• Driver Qualifications

• Driver Duty Status

• Vehicle Maintenance

• Accident Register

• Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing Requirements

*Non-business private motor carriers of passengers are exempt from the safety audit requirement (FMCSR 385.1(d))

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WEB SITE

The Safety is Good Business Web site features:

• Program Overview

• Why Safety is Good Business - Reasons Carriers Should Operate Safely

• Initiatives that Support Safety Is Good Business

• Getting Started - Registration Guidance

• Commercial Driver’s License Requirements

• Information on Enforcement and Penalties

• Industry Best Practices

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OUTREACH MATERIALS

The Safety Is Good Business Tool Kit contains the following outreach materials to help spread the word:

• Brochure

• Advertisement

• Poster

• Fingertip Card

• Newsletter/Web Site Article

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INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT SAFETY

• Bus/Passenger Carrier Safety

• CMV Driver Safety Belt Program (Increasing CMV Driver Safety Belt Use)

• Defensive Driving Tips (Accident Countermeasures)

• Driver Wellness Programs

• Drug and Alcohol Program

• Education and Technical Assistance (ETA)

• Fatigue Management

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INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT SAFETY (cont’d.)

• FMCSA Medical Program

• Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety

• Large Truck Crash Causation Study

• North American Inspection Program

• Research and Publications

• Share The Road Safely

• Training Materials

• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Procedures

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HELP IS AVAILABLE

FMCSA has offices in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions? For more information, contact:

FMCSA

1-800-832-5660

www.fmcsa.dot.gov