Penske Trucks being targeted?

bubblehead · Nov 24, 2013

According to NTSB; "The NTSB undertook this study because of concerns about the safety record of single-unit trucks and an interest in identifying countermeasures to address the risks posed by these vehicles. One of the concerns is that single-unit trucks are excluded from some safety rules applicable to tractor-trailers. This study used a variety of data sources, including state records of police and hospital reports, federal databases, and case reviews of selected single-unit truck crashes. Risks were compared between single-unit trucks and tractor-trailers.
The study found that the adverse effects of single-unit truck crashes have been underestimated in the past because these trucks are frequently misclassified and thus undercounted in federal and state databases (approximately 20 percent in the case of fatalities). There are substantial societal impacts resulting from single-unit truck crashes, including deaths, non-fatal injuries, hospitalizations, and hospital costs."
Safety Study SS-13-01: Reaching Zero: Actions to Eliminate Alcohol-Impaired Driving

The full study. http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/safetystudies/SS1301.pdf

I like to credit EO members for bringing this to the attention of NTSB...but i think they were already looking into it.

wvcourier · Nov 24, 2013

Sounds like all Cargo Vans will be targeted. Be careful what you wish for.

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highway star · Nov 24, 2013

Straight trucks as well...

Turtle · Nov 24, 2013

wvcourier said:
Sounds like all Cargo Vans will be targeted. Be careful what you wish for.

How does it sound like that? The PDF clearly outlines the different classes of trucks, from Class One through Class Eight, and eliminated Class One (6,000 pounds or less) and Class Two (6,001 to 10,000 pounds) from both the definition of single-unit truck and from the study.

They state very specifically that, "The US Department of Transportation (DOT) defines large trucks as trucks with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds."

They then state: "Single-unit trucks are a type of large truck that has a typically non-detachable, cargo-carrying unit (all axles are attached to a single frame). GVWRs for large trucks fall into classes 3–8, with truck-tractors typically falling into class 8 and single-unit trucks falling into classes 3–8."

Then they flatly state, "Single-unit trucks are defined as a truck with a typically non-detachable cargo-carrying unit and a GVWR over 10,000 pounds."

To further clarify the types of trucks they are looking at and talking about, they have pictures of those trucks. There's an actual Penske truck in there. You can see it if you look really, really close.

They don't mention less-than 10,001 pound cargo vans once. So how it sounds like they're targeting all cargo vans, I'm stumped.

If you read the PDF of the study, you'll see they are looking closely at the relationship between drivers licenses, CDLs, and single-unit trucks weighing between 10,001 pounds and 26,000 pounds. They are looking at expanding the definitions of the requirements for having a CDL to include CMVs which do not currently require a CDL.

Since 1992, the US Department of Transportation has required interstate tractor-trailer drivers to obtain a CDL. This requirement aimed to prevent such drivers from possessing more than one license and mandated that states administer tests of knowledge and road skills to ensure that affected drivers met minimum classifications. ... Commercial driver licensure for single-unit truck drivers is required only if the single-unit trucks are carrying hazardous materials or have a GVWR over 26,000 pounds; a CDL is not required for drivers of single-unit trucks with GVWRs below 26,001 pounds. However, single-unit trucks with a GVWR below 26,001 pounds weigh more, have higher bumpers, and may have different driving characteristics than passenger vehicles, and therefore may require a higher degree of licensure.

The NTSB concludes that requiring commercial driver’s licenses for drivers to operate single-unit trucks with GVWRs less than 26,001 pounds may be an effective means of reducing the frequency and severity of single-unit truck crashes, but further data are needed to determine whether the requirements for commercial driver licensure should be expanded to some types of single-unit trucks. The NTSB recommends that the FMCSA evaluate the potential benefits of extending commercial driver licensure requirements to the operation of single-unit trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings below 26,001 pounds. If the evaluation in H-13-22 indicates a benefit from extending commercial driver’s licensure, the NTSB recommends that FMCSA require CDLs for drivers of single-unit trucks in gross vehicle weight rating classes for which benefits have been shown.

letzrockexpress · Nov 24, 2013

wvcourier said:
Sounds like all Cargo Vans will be targeted. Be careful what you wish for.

what are you, an instigator?

zorry · Nov 24, 2013

wvcourier said:
Sounds like all Cargo Vans will be targeted. Be careful what you wish for.

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wvcourier · Nov 24, 2013

Well, if thats the Penske truck that everyones concerned about...im stumped. I thought those were already regulated. I must have mis read post. Carry on Penske expeditors, nothing to see here, unless you drive a 26, 000lb truck.

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aristotle · Nov 24, 2013

I was pulled over in Eastern Kentucky this past Thursday around 1:00am for a Level II inspection. For the past 10 months, I have been driving a leased Penske truck. Yellow in color with a 26 foot box. GVWR of 26,000 lbs.

The young KY Vehicle Enforcement officer was exceedingly polite and professional. He did a walk-around inspection, asking the usual questions. Asked to see bills of lading, truck registration, insurance. In 20 minutes I was on my way to finish another uneventful night of deliveries in the Appalachian coalfields. Uneventful, except for the bull elk I dodged on US 23 in front of the Pikeville Walmart.

wvcourier · Nov 24, 2013

...............

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WanderngFool · Nov 24, 2013

If they start requiring CDLs for < 26,000 lb trucks then there won't be many people wanting to buy one.

wvcourier · Nov 25, 2013

letzrockexpress said:
what are you, an instigator?

No im looking into the future. Speculating. So, Speculator would more accurate.

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Turtle · Nov 25, 2013

WanderngFool said:
If they start requiring CDLs for < 26,000 lb trucks then there won't be many people wanting to buy one.

That may be true for some expediters, but drivers of dump trucks, city delivery trucks, cement trucks, and trucks for air cargo delivery will still buy those trucks. If you drive a CMV which requires logging and scaling and inspections and the whole bit, the difference between all that and the addition of an actual CDL is really very minimal.

There are carriers who require a CDL for all drivers, including less-than 26,001 trucks and even cargo vans.

What is the big aversion, for those who have such an aversion, to getting a CDL? It's just another section on the written test, and the road test in the vehicle type you'll be driving, correct?

letzrockexpress · Nov 25, 2013

Turtle said:
That may be true for some expediters, but drivers of dump trucks, city delivery trucks, cement trucks, and trucks for air cargo delivery will still buy those trucks. If you drive a CMV which requires logging and scaling and inspections and the whole bit, the difference between all that and the addition of an actual CDL is really very minimal.

There are carriers who require a CDL for all drivers, including less-than 26,001 trucks and even cargo vans.

What is the big aversion, for those who have such an aversion, to getting a CDL? It's just another section on the written test, and the road test in the vehicle type you'll be driving, correct?

It would thin the herd, that's for sure. Require a minimum CDL-B for vans and the corresponding rates will increase also...

sirgregory46 · Nov 25, 2013

You folks can dream. They're not going to require a cdl on vehicles less than 10000lbs. It would be a nightmare for every plumber or such. They would complain loudly. That's a whole lot more people to complain. Then what next Rv's then they would have to deal with the AARP. It's a nice dream.

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sirgregory46 · Nov 25, 2013

The one that makes me laugh. Is you have to log when transporting a rv but once it's bought you don't have to. Even though they use the same equipment to pull it. I guess they use fairy dust at the dealership.

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zorry · Nov 25, 2013

My brother drives a F450 bucket truck for AT&T. As a repairman. CDL required.
I'll check. He may be required to be able to drive 26,000+ if needed.

dwd58 · Nov 25, 2013

Eastern KY is a nightmare now for D.O.T. inspections even down to step vans less than 10,000 lb. There arent many coal trucks on the road now, and they are still having to make the numbers

sirgregory46 · Nov 25, 2013

Dot says you don't need a cdl for anything 26000 or below but that doesn't mean that the company might require it.

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Turtle · Nov 25, 2013

letzrockexpress said:
It would thin the herd, that's for sure. Require a minimum CDL-B for vans and the corresponding rates will increase also...

Not sure what the reason would be for requiring a CDL B for vans. That's the same as requiring a CDL A for a straight truck. Class A, B and C is for the class of vehicle you drive. Seems a little much to require someone to take the road test in a straight truck in order to drive a cargo van.

True enough, that would certainly thin the herd.

highway star · Nov 25, 2013

In the almost 7 years I've run this straight truck, the vast majority of my DOT inspections have been in KY. I think they really like the ease of inspecting a truck with 2 axles, as opposed to 5 or more.