Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020:
FMCSA launches new hours tool for carriers, drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new Educational Tool for Hours of Service (ETHOS) module allows drivers to input daily logs or series of logs to improve knowledge of the hours of service, including the changes that went into effect for their first full day Tuesday.
The page also contains prepopulated daily examples for the change to the 30-minute break allowing for use of the break in both off-duty and on-duty not-driving statuses tied to elapsed drive time (rather than duty time) and the new split sleeper flexibilities. Examples where a violation is present, and where no violation is present, are available for for both of the changes.
The tool, the agency said, can help “motor carriers and drivers better understand the HOS regulations” that went into effect earlier this week.
When drivers and carriers enter their duty statuses into the web-based log, ETHOS will identify potential violations of these rules:
- 11-hour daily driving limit (property) or 10-hour driving limit (passenger)
- 14-hour driving window (property) or 15-hour on-duty limit (passenger)
- 30-minute break (property)
- Sleeper berth provision
Violations of the 60/70-hour cumulative duty limitations are not covered by the program.
Former FMCSA boss joins self-driving firm TuSimple
Jim Mullen, the former Acting Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has joined self-driving technology company TuSimple to serve as its Chief Legal and Risk Officer, effective immediately.
Jim MullenIn this role, Mullen will oversee legal affairs, risk management strategy and help continue to develop TuSimple’s approach to safety.
Mullen resigned from his post as interim boss at FMCSA at the end of August. He had served in that role since October 2019.
Before joining the Department of Transportation, Mullen ran a consulting firm specializing in transportation and cross-border trade. He was also the executive vice president and general counsel of Werner Enterprises.
TuSimple currently operates a fleet of 50 autonomous trucks in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
