FMCSA to mandate seat belts for large-truck passengers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would require passengers riding in property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to use safety belts. CMV drivers must use seat belts as rquired by 49 CFR 392.16. The agency's proposal would hold both the motor carrier operating the vehicle and the CMV driver responsible for ensuring passengers use seat belts.

The proposal responds to an October 2013 petition submitted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) requesting that FMCSA require all occupants in a property-carrying CMV restrain themselves when it is being driven. According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 275 occupants of large trucks killed in crashes in 2013 were not wearing their safety belts.

Comments are due Jan. 25. For a copy of the NPRM, click here.

Solutions

Compliance/New Entrant

Business/Claims Issues

Avoid legal pitfalls

Rules of the Road offers practical help on avoiding legal pitfalls in working with customers, independent contractors, insurers, factoring companies, etc.

Many serious legal risks will go unnoticed unless you are watching for them. Don't take chances.

MORE >

Although successful food haulers already employ the common sense steps required in FDA's new transportation rule, declaring your compliance can help you stay competitive for spot-market freight.