Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Sept. 16, 2024:
FMCSA denies owner-operator’s request for ELD waiver
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied a request from a truck driver seeking an exemption from the electronic logging device mandate.
Albert Ibraimi requested a one-year exemption from the ELD requirements, stating that he was a new, single-truck owner-operator and had limited funds to support the purchase of an ELD. He told FMCSA that he would use the funds saved from not purchasing and installing an ELD, to monitor the safety of operations and to incorporate safety management controls into its operation.
FMCSA said it received 122 comments on Ibraimi’s request -- 62 in support, 32 in opposition, and 28 taking no position.
“Commenters who supported granting the exemption expressed general opposition to ELDs,” FMCSA said. “They stated that ELDs are too expensive, and they create a stressful environment for drivers who feel pressured to arrive at their destinations before running out of hours.”
Commenters opposed to granting the request “emphasized placing safety first,” the agency noted.
Ultimately, FMCSA sided with those opposed to granting the request, noting that Ibraimi “failed to establish that it would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level achieved without the exemption.”
The agency said ELDs “help drivers more accurately track driving time to ensure compliance with HOS regulations, which are designed to help drivers maintain alertness while operating CMVs. Additionally, ELDs decrease the likelihood that the RODS could be altered after the date the records were generated, without leaving an electronic trail.”
[Related: Fatal crash investigation prompts call for stricter ELD regs]
Kriska announces leadership changes
Prescott, Ontario, Canada-based Kriska Transportation Group (CCJ Top 250, No. 245) has announced fundamental leadership changes that took effect earlier this month, marking an important milestone in the company's growth.
On Sept. 3, Mark Seymour, who has served as both CEO and President since 2014, stepped down from the president role and will remain CEO. He will continue to guide the leadership team and provide strategic guidance, the company said.
David TumberKriska Transportation Group
Additionally, as of Sept. 9, long-time CFO Pierre Carrier has begun transitioning from his active role as CFO to become a Board Advisor. Carrier has been with the company since 2002 and has played a critical role in the company's financial leadership over the past 20-plus years.
KTG also welcomed Craig Sifton as CFO starting Sept. 9. The company said he brings a wealth of experience and energy to the executive team and will play an integral role in driving KTG's growth and continuous improvement.
KTG’s Sylvane Fournier Lacroix, Director of Financial Reporting and Financial Systems, will retire this fall, and Reena Bienko assumed the role as of Sept. 3.
