91��Ƶ

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Monday that, effective immediately, it has activated previously announced changes to its Safety Measurement System ratings program, including adoption of its controversial proposal to step up hazardous materials compliance and elimination of a perceived enforcement bias against flatbed carriers.

With the dust settling from last month’s elections — and the voters returning to Washington a still-divided government — it is going to be incumbent upon our leaders to find areas of broad agreement to build upon if we are going to move forward as a nation.

Federal officials have shut down C&D Transportation Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., calling it an “imminent hazard to public safety” and saying the carrier ignored a previous shutdown order.

I just heard about the impending pilot shortage and the new regulatory requirement for 1,500 hours to qualify — five times the existing requirement.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has taken a good step in its drive to control “reincarnated carriers,” troubled companies that essentially seek to shed their safety and compliance woes by repainting the company name on their vehicles.

Federal officials are seeking authority to shut down motor carriers that employ officials who have shown “egregious disregard” for safety regulations.

The people have spoken. And the answer to the question, “Who will lead us in Washington?” is — depending on your point of view — “all of the above” or “none of the above.”

Severely obese truck drivers are significantly more likely than their peers to be involved in preventable crashes in their first two years on the job, University of Minnesota  researchers said in a study published this month.