CVSA Annual Conference Overview
A Valuable Experience
Recently, I attended the CVSA annual conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was incredible to be in the same room as Deputy Administrator Alan Hanson from the FMCSA, Canadian officials from the CCMTA, and General Salomon Elnecave from the Mexican Motor Carrier Enforcement. Not to mention enforcement officials from almost every state and over 300 industry representatives. If you cannot see the value in a conference like that, I suggest you reassess your perspective.
Conference Highlights
I want to give everyone a quick overview of what we covered throughout the week and encourage you to consider joining the CVSA as an associate member. This is one conference that I gladly leave early Sunday morning for and return late Thursday night. The value it provides and the networking opportunities are endless; you are only limited by your own fear.
Personal Conversations and Insights
I had personal conversations with several notable individuals:
- PHMSA Director Bill Quade: Discussed his recent transition from FMCSA to PHMSA, his trip to Dubai, and new regulations PHMSA is developing.
- FMCSA Director of IT: Shared insights along with his wife, Major Chris Nordlow, who are both slight cowboy fans.
- Nicole: Works in the motion picture industry, helping major media studios understand CMV drivers and their regulations.
- Dan and Abigail from the American Trucking Association: Abigail, an expert in OSHA and HOS, loves hiking and has traveled to several countries.
- Mike from the Arkansas Trucking Association: A knowledgeable individual on all DOT-related topics.
Networking wasn’t just about making connections; it was about having open, honest conversations with enforcement agencies and gaining their perspective on highway safety issues with commercial vehicles.
Key Discussions and Industry Impact
One significant topic was addressing citations for not having spare fuses when trucks are equipped with circuit breakers. We are working towards requiring officers to note the specific “critical” item powered by a fuse and if there was no spare fuse for that component. This small change could prevent over 5,000 no-spare fuse violations annually, significantly helping the industry. Additionally, we help shape the Out of Service Criteria that officers use during roadside inspections.
Major Resolutions and Decisions
The CVSA voted to support and draft a letter to the FMCSA advocating for a certification process for ELD providers in the United States. This would help ensure that the units function properly and according to the law. Currently, several ELD providers are non-compliant but are still sold as ELDs. The certification process would ensure compliance before the units are installed and used.
Canadian Regulations Update
Canada has introduced an ELD law that will take effect in 2021, with the law being published at the beginning of 2020. ELD providers will need to go through a third-party certification before being authorized to sell their product in Canada. US trucking companies operating in Canada will also need to comply with this new regulation. Additionally, Canada will publish a study on the use of cannabis since its legalization.
FMCSA’s Common-Sense Approach
It’s refreshing to know that FMCSA regulators are common-sense-driven individuals committed to deregulating the industry while maintaining safety. They take feedback from the industry back to headquarters to see what improvements can be made. If you ever have a question, I now have contacts in every aspect of FMCSA, including passenger, IT, weights and measures, load securement, and vehicle.
Working Groups and Voting Responsibilities
Currently, we have approximately eight working groups, with the industry holding three voting spaces in each committee. I am one of the 24 people with a voting responsibility.
Call to Action
If you would like to have a representative at the CVSA, please reach out to me. There is a small fee to be a member of the CVSA, but the ROI will come in the first 6 months of membership. If your company would like to have a voice, please do not hesitate to contact me. Additionally, if you have any concerns that need to be brought up to FMCSA, PHMSA, or the enforcement industry, please let me know. I can either connect you with the right people from your region or reach out to them myself to find an answer for you.
If you would like to know about the conference, reach out to me today. I will be more than happy to give you all of the information that I have. Click here to dive deeper at eclipsedot.com/articles and drive your knowledge to new heights!
