On December 22, 2011, the FMCSA publicly announced the final changes to the Hours of Service rule. These changes have been coming on for a while, and now that they are published the FMCSA is discovering that they are causing quite a stir in the trucking industry. Some associations, such as the American Trucking Association (ATA), are even going so far as to call the changes unreasonable and unnecessary. In fact, the ATA claims that the new rule completely disregards data that proves the old rule was successful.

“For the first time in the agency’s history,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said. “FMCSA has chosen to circumvent a stream of positive safety data and cave in to a vocal anti-truck minority and issue a rule that will have no positive impact on safety. From the beginning of this process in October 2009, the agency set itself on a course to fix a rule that’s not only not broken, but by all objective accounts is working to improve highway safety. Unfortunately, along the way, FMCSA twisted data and, as part of this final rule, is using unjustified causal estimates to justify unnecessary changes.”

Since the possibility of changing the HOS rule came about the ATA has been outspoken against it,continually making the claim that that there is no reason to fix what isn’t broken.Joining the ATA in their views is ToddSpencer, executive VP for the Owner-OperatorIndependent Drivers Association (OOIDA). “The changes are unnecessary andunwelcome and will result in no significant safety gains.” Spencer claimed.

There are many changes that make the new rule “unnecessary and unwelcome.” One of the more significant changes, causing most of the controversy, is the “restart rule.” This rule states that “rest periods must include two consecutive nighttime periods (from 1a.m. to 5 a.m.), and must be at least 34 consecutive hours long.”

Many claim this change alone will cause potentially hazardous congestion on the highways and increase the risk of truck-involved crashes.“The largest percentage of truck-involved crashes occurs between 6a.m. and noon,” Bill Graves of the ATA claimed. “This change not only effectively destroys the provision of the current rule most cited by professional drivers as beneficial, but it will put more trucks on the road during the statistically riskiest time of the day.”

The changes to the HOS rule are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2013. Until then, it is expected that the changes will be greatly scrutinized, as many in the trucking industry will do what they can to better the rule. Some associations are already planning on taking legal actions against the FMCSA.

“If there is a positive in this rule, it is the lengthy period of time before it becomes effective,” Bill Graves said concerning the 18-monthdelay. “This will give ATA time to consider legal options.”

For a complete look at the changes to the HOS rule, visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos-final/hos-final-rule.aspx.

To hear more about the ATA and their opinions and actions on the changes, visit http://www.truckline.com/pages/article.aspx?id=972%2F8e1c7279-ed27-4c03-b189-ceeee26bbb12

For another great post about trucking companies click here.

On Monday, on March 28, 2011, C.R. England, Inc. was honored with the premier presentation of the Economic Legacy Award by Utah’s Governor Gary R. Herbert. Being presented at the Fifth Annual Utah Economic Summit, over 1,000 of Utah’s most influential business people were in attendance. Governor Herbert has been quoted stating, “We congratulate Fred Adams and C.R. England and will, at this year’s Summit, express our sincere thanks for their contributions and dedicated efforts over many years to the state and the people of Utah.” Fred Adams will be receiving the Economic Visionary Award.

This is a highly prestigious award that C.R. England Inc. is receiving and given to those companies “who represents the highest standards of community involvement and contributions that have been given toward economic development in their community, region or the state.”

Dan England, chairman of the board of C.R. England, Inc., is accepting the reward in proxy for their nations corporation of truck drivers and employees. Mr. England appreciates the fact that this no global company was started over 90 years old with an entrepreneurial spirit and the aspirations to offer their services to the communities around the founder, Chester England.

About C.R. England, Inc.

CR England was created in 1920, more than 90 years ago. With a reputation as one of the nation’s leading refrigerated trucking companies, their focus is on integrity, quality of product as well as customer service. CR England has services in Intermodal, Dedicated, Long Haul and Regional freight. CR England is currently hiring Experienced Truck Drivers as well as taking students to drive for CR England. If you or someone you know is looking to become a truck driver, go to www.CREngland.com and apply now.

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20110322/NEWS01/103220314

http://www.crengland.com//

Brian Grab is 47 years old and has been with C.R. England, Inc. for over a year as an Independent Contractor. He loves motorcycles, ATV’s and slot cars. Why? Because they are fun in the fresh air, that’s why. The most important things to him are his children. He loves his children very much.

His personal pride also comes from buying his own truck. He did this by making early payments and by staying focused on getting that truck paid off. He now makes more money than ever and he’s a 24 year military USAF. He also received support from his DM at CR England . This helped him succeed as well. Support by those that lead you help more people succeed.

Because of his achievement of buying his own truck, he feels he can retire while he is still young. This is a big achievement for most people. This way he can have more time with his family and do the things he enjoys like motorcycle riding and driving ATV’s.

One of the biggest achievements he has ever had over the road is that of working with the new students. He feels great when they succeed and he also feels gratification that he has had such great students. Brian is a very humble man that appreciates those that want to succeed themselves. They inspire him as much as he inspires them.

When teaching these great students he always gives very wise advice. His advice is to gain as much knowledge as possible and apply what works. Brian says, “Without application, knowledge is wasted.” A very wise man he is.

David Allred quotes the President of England North America, Chad England, as saying: “We are incredibly honored to receive this award for our efforts to create sustainable transportation solutions.We continually strive to be a leader and innovator in our determination to provide cleaner transportation and more efficient and cost effective means for our customers.”

How did they do it? In the article, Mitch England, the Director of Fuel, is quoted as saying:

“When we want to test a device, product or truck, we use the SAE type IV guidelines, the testing has allowed us to make better fuel related decisions and to become more sophisticated in our understanding of all variables that may impact the performance of a truck and trailer.”

Mr. Allred explains how the testing is in house under CR England’s own roof. It’s a department that tests in a controlled environment as well as out in the real world. They test tires for best productivity as well as trailer skirt aerodynamics, motor selections and idle levels. Due to this testing environment, CR England has saved “64,542,578 pounds of CO2 and 3,326,937 gallons of fuel saved during the 2008 to 2009 year compared to the previous year.”

This great information was first published here: http://www.mmdnewswire.com/greener-transportation-11278.html

There is a man named William Ford who has been with CR England Trucking for over three years. He is a successful truck driver through hard work, sacrifice, and most of all, perseverance. The most important things in his life are his family and children, and that is what pushes him. He only gets to see his family every 6 weeks, but he is driven for his children. He won’t let anything defeat him and has the ultimate goal of being successful, which he has reached.

He wants to retire, so he tries to learn from others to reach his goal. He does exactly what his CR England Truck Driving School trainer taught him and works hard hours. (William runs the night shift from midnight to 5:00 or 6:00 am in the morning.) He takes seriously information learned and uses it to his advantage.

The most annoying thing that William feels non-truck drivers feel about truck drivers is that they feel the truck drivers are “stupid”. That they don’t know how to drive a truck when in all actuality, driving a truck is totally different than driving a car. William Ford knows how to drive and drives well. He has the safety record to show for it.

As for advice for new drivers out on the road, he has one main focus: Safety. “Being safe is number one! Do everything legally and safely.” A well stated piece of advice for all drivers. William understands what a responsibility a driver has when behind the wheel. He gets it and understands it. Especially with the fact that he drives nights, when safety includes driving fatigue concerns. He gets plenty of sleep during the day and keeps focused on the road when he drives at night.

I had a lot of fun here and made friends with a lot of people, this school is one of the best learning institutions I have ever attended.

Thanks, C.R. England for giving me this chance!

Ryan

In Octobber I talked to you for the first time. In early November I attended school in Salt Lake City, I then did 30 days of phase one training, then completed my phase two training in 30 days. 76 days after arriving in Salt Lake City I leased a truck.

I am now into my second week on the road as a phase two trainer having drove 6000 miles my first week.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Yes I missed being home for the holidays.  But my wife now has money to take care of things and I am going home the last of February to a happy home.

Thank you C.

Thank you

- Kyle

Probably one of the most positive attributes of this whole experience was the up-beat family atmosphere that was pervasive among all instructors and other personnel around the school.

Great patience; including going the extra mile made it the right place for my new profession to begin! Without and doubt, I made the right decision.

Bradley