USDOT Agency Nixes Upgraded Rear Impact Guards
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last month rejected that the agency mandate stricter upgrades to rear impact guards on semi-trailers.
Rear Impact Guards Now Part of Annual Inspection
Beginning December 9, enforcement officers will begin inspecting rear underguards on trailers as part of a new federal requirement. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said examples of the type of rear impact guard damage that would result in the vehicle failing to pass the annual inspection would include visible cracks in the welds or missing bolts at the attachment point to the trailer.
While trucks that fail to pass will not be placed out of service (OOS) FMCSA says each violation could result in a maximum fine of $15,876 for carriers and $3,969 for drivers. We strongly advise ICSA members to be aware of and take action to avoid being penalized for damaged or faulty real impact guards.
What We Have Learned About Trucking After Hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and now Hurricane Helene in 2024, with Milton bearing down on the Gulf Coast! Major storms, with major disaster areas and the need for emergency supplies, most of which come by truck.
FMCSA Proposing New Online Registration System
FMCSA is hard at work on a new online registration system, to “improve the transparency and efficiency of FMCSA’s registration procedures”.