Life on the Road – Trucking News Blog

It is if people such as Todd Spencer of OOIDA have their way about it.

At a meeting of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee on Monday, these were two items on the long term agenda.

Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President of OOIDA is a member of this working group.

Under their LONG TERM GOALS

Add “Distracted Driving” to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
Documented research shows that there are cognitive distractions and increases in
crashes from cellular phone use and text messaging. Therefore, the committee
recommends that FMCSA initiate rulemaking to ban the use of hand-held and hands-
free cellular phones and text messaging.

Takes you back to the days when they banned radar detectors doesn’t it?

Another interesting development is they intend to shove sleep apnea studies down our throats.

Sleep Disorders. The committee recommends that the Agency partner with appropriate
organizations to develop a sleep disorder screening process for incorporation into
49 CFR part 391 and develop feasible strategies by which more drivers can be screened
and treated.

Is it safe to assume that these “appropriate organizations” will be companies and clinics who specialize in sleep studies and manufacture the C-PAP machines that will be required in more than 90% of the cases?

In regards to CB Radios, GPS Devices and other driver aids, the MCSAC suggested the following research.

Study on distracted driving, focusing on what causes distracted driving, including but not
limited to factors such as Citizen’s Band (CB) radio use, navigation device use, and
cruise control on commercial motor vehicles.

It all begins with a silly little study and ends with an outright ban.

Apparently your friend Todd Spencer agrees with all of these suggestions as it appears he signed off on most all of the recommendations of the committee.

The second of these meetings is today and I’ll report back on that as soon as it is over or when I have time.

Remember also, this group was also tasked with making recommendations to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in order to bring forward a new Cross Border Truck Program.

But I’m wondering if there is a conflict of interest here with Spencer’s participation in this committee. According to an article in The Trucker OOIDA has the audacity to threaten another frivolous lawsuit in the matter.

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has sent a letter to the FMCSA saying that a lawsuit might be filed if a replacement for the pilot project is even discussed

Cheeky bastard to say the least.

And since I have been sitting in Troutdale Oregon since Monday, waiting on freight to Laredo, which is normally immediately available to us before the tariff’s, I now have a dog in this fight.