In The News
NTSB wants mandatory EOBRs
The National Transportation Safety Board this week issued its 2009
Federal Most Wanted List of safety improvements. Newly added to the
list is one to require Electronic On-Board Recorders by all motor
carriers.
"Our Most Wanted List, which was created in 1990, was designed to raise
the public's awareness and support for transportation safety issues,"
said NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "The safety issues on this list
are critical to improving transportation safety. When acted upon, these
recommendations will reduce accidents and save lives."
New on the list: "Require Electronic On-Board Data Recorders to
Maintain Accurate Carrier Records on Driver Hours of Service and
Accident Conditions." For more than three decades, the NTSB notes, it
has advocated the use of on-board recorders for all motor carriers to
increase hours of service compliance by commercial drivers.
The board
added this issue to the Most Wanted List because the current proposal
from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration "is not applicable
to all operators subject to hours of service regulations, does not
establish the proper incentives, and does not create a level playing
field for compliance with the rules." Electronic On-Board Recorders
would also result in more accurate data collected on accident
conditions, says the NTSB.
NTSB also added a wish to restrict the use of cellular telephones by
motorcoach drivers. Research shows that using a cellular telephone
while driving degrades driving performance, resulting in slower
reaction times, slower driving speeds, and increased instances of
attention lapses. While this wish only applies to motorcoach drivers,
as evidence mounts of the distracting nature of using cell phones while
driving, it's possible they could eventually start pushing for
restrictions on cell phone use by all CDL holders.
Remaining on the list in the highway mode:
* Improve the Safety of Motor Carrier Operations
* Prevent Medically Unqualified Drivers from Operating Commercial Vehicles
* Prevent Collisions by Using Enhanced Vehicle Safety Technology (such
as collision warning and electronic stability control.)