The Federal Highway Administration has doubled its compliance reviews, added new inspectors at the Southern border, increased penalties and reduced its backlog of enforcement cases. States would be prohibited from issuing special licenses or permits to commercial drivers convicted of traffic violations. The proposal also provides additional funding for incentive grants to states to increase compliance reviews and vehicle inspections and to improve the CDL program. The proposal would require the issuance of regulations providing for some carriers to use on-board recorders or other technologies that manage drivers' work and rest time. Another provision would initiate a study to examine how driver compensation affects safety.
Greater funding is provided for research to improve the braking and stability of heavy vehicles.
The proposal also contains funding support for public information and education programs to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes. The bill would require carriers to refile certain identifying information periodically to better target high-risk carriers. The legislation would extend motor carrier penalties to any person who knowingly contributes to a violation of federal motor carrier safety regulations. It also would require the Secretary to develop model state legislation for enforcement for drivers who violate grade-crossing warning signals. Finally, the bill would require states and railroads to provide current information regarding highway-rail grade crossings to DOT to enable effective planning of upgrading and improvement programs.