The bi-partisan proposal, or Bill H.R. 4321, was introduced in Congress this month by Reps. Jim Gerlach, a Pennsylvania Republican, and Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon Democrat. In their proposal, the lawmakers are advocating for replacing the excise tax on large trucks with a 6.3-cent increase in the federal diesel fuel tax.

In announcing the ATA’s support of the bill, ATA CEO Bill Graves said the proposal would “not only reinforce the ailing Highway Trust Fund, but would provide a boost to U.S. manufacturing and speed adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.”

The CEO went on to say that the proposal provides, “…the kind of pro-growth, deficit-trimming legislation that lawmakers should be looking at as they seek to address our nation’s economic woes.”

The ATA CEO also noted that by cutting the excise tax, the total purchase price for a new truck would decline by about $15,000, helping boost truck sales and truck manufacturing.

The government’s proposed plan to make good on how highway projects are delivered, and refocusing the federal highway program on issues of national interest – including freight movement – earned praise in February from the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The surface transportation bill, put forth by U.S. House of Representative leaders and Chairman John Mica, includes safety provisions such as the creation of a drug and alcohol testing clearinghouse, and stricter driver training requirements.  It also begins the move toward establishing the first-ever crashworthiness standards for large trucks, something the ATA has always championed, said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. 

According to the ATA, the bill is beneficial for truckers and other highway users alike.  If implemented, he said, it will bring about significant improvements in how Americans travel. 

Other issues addressed by the bill include truck productivity and hours of service rules, as well as federal truck size-and-weight reforms.  

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says if you pay the fine, you’re admitting guilt.

Earlier this month, the FMCSA amended its rules of practice regarding proceedings in three ways. The first was clarifying that those who pay the full proposed civil penalty in an enforcement proceeding – either in response to a Notice of Claim (NOC) or later in the proceeding, is an admission of guilt.  Previously, respondents have attempted to avoid an admission of liability for the violations charged by entering a written objection when paying the fine.

“Payment waives respondent's opportunity to further contest the claim, and will result in the Notice of Claim becoming the Final Agency Order,” according to the FMCSA notice.

In other actions, the FMCSA says it is going to better monitor companies that go out of business and then pop up under a different name.  The FMCSA said it proposes to establish procedures for issuing out-of-service orders to motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers, brokers and freight forwarders it determines are simply “reincarnations of other entities with a history of failing to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements.” Companies in this category would be entitled to an administrative review before being shut down.

As part of the second rule change, the agency also would consolidate the records of reincarnated companies with their predecessor entities in its files and archives.

 A bi-partisan pair of legislators is working together,  trying to restore power the Department of Transportation once had to prevent unreasonable toll increases. 

Rep. Michael Grimm of New York and Sen. Frank Lautenberg of N.J. created the legislation to help stave the negative impacts of allowing toll agencies to raise tolls however – and by however much – they see fit. The legislation gives the DOT control once again to override outrageous increases.

The Department of Transportation has issued a press release outlining new rules regarding the use of handheld cell phone by interstate truckers and bus drivers.

In September, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) made a recommendation that using handheld or hands-free cell phones be banned for all U.S. commercial drivers.  The ruling would impact nearly 4 million drivers nationwide and was widely opposed by the trucking industry.

The NTSB lacks regulatory authority, so it can only make recommendations based on advice and investigations into safety issues. According to the NTSB, the restrictions on cell phones would help reduce the number of crashes caused by distracted driving. Today's announcement was made by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.  The agencies, both units of the U.S. Department of Transportation, said drivers who are reaching for or dialing a hand-held device poses safety risks.

In the DOT press release, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said, “When drivers of large trucks, buses and hazardous materials take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly. I hope that this rule will save lives by helping commercial drivers stay laser-focused on safety at all times while behind the wheel."

The final rule prohibits commercial drivers from using a hand-held mobile telephone while operating a commercial truck or bus. Drivers who violate the restriction will face federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver's commercial driver's license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations. Commercial truck and bus companies that allow their drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000.

"This final rule represents a giant leap for safety," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "It's just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake."

Many large companies, including Wal-Mart and Peter Pan bus lines already prohibit drivers from using hand-held phones.