FBINAA Associate Magazine Oct/Dec 2021

Continued from "Trucking", on page 23

Unfortunately, this means that hair testing does not meet DoT drug testing requirements, and trucking organizations must re- sort to urine sample testing. We need to combat the rise of drug- impaired driving with quicker, more reliable testing methods. We also need to continue to enforce driving under the influence and keep ineligible drivers off the road, particularly as marijuana continues to get legalized nationwide. • ISSUE: REGULATIONS FOR STAGED ACCIDENTS The ATA is partnering with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud to combine resources to pursue legislation to tackle staged ac- cidents. This is a high priority for LEAB as well. Staged accident scammers do their due diligence with research to take advantage of the trucking industry. They know how/ where to crash into a truck, without serious injury and they know which carriers have higher insurance policies or are more willing to settle. LEGISLATION NEEDED: More training is needed for law enforce- ment and city, state, and national governments to understand how to combat this type of fraud. This is a conversation that needs to happen on national and local levels to ensure jurisdic- tions and federal law can enforce standardized policies. During the pandemic, truck drivers and law enforcement of- ficers were on the frontlines to deliver essential goods as citizens followed stay-at-home orders. There has been great progress to support the trucking industry during this time, but more legisla- tion is needed to help make the roads safer for truck drivers and citizens. Every citizen and organization can do their part to stay informed on changing legislation and operate safely on the road. The continued collaboration between law enforcement and the trucking industry will be critical to make the necessary changes needed to keep our roads safe. Share your thoughts or concerns about these topics with the LEAB at LEAB@trucking.org .

considering the larger issues at hand. While we work to ensure the safety and compliance of every American fleet and support- ing the trucking industry’s day-to-day operations, we are also concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the pedestrian vehicles around us. We hope to further educate drivers on priority safety issues, such as combatting human trafficking, increasing truck parking capacity and driver safety at rest stops, improving commercial motor vehicle safety and security, and enhancing access to train- ing for drivers and company safety personnel. We are actively monitoring, supporting legislation, and working to solve the following: • ISSUE: DISTRACTED DRIVING Every day we see drivers trying to multi-task with texting, phone calls, eating, drinking, putting on makeup, etc. while driving. While some states have enacted hands-free laws, making it il- legal to hold a cellphone or handheld device while driving, this is still a big concern across the nation. LEGISLATION: The SAFE TO DRIVE Act (H.R. 762 / S. 195) , would address these issues and increase awareness about distracted driving concerns. If passed, the U.S. Department of Transporta- tion (DoT) would allocate up to 25% of its available funds for na- tional priority safety program grants for states that have enacted distracted driving statutes that prohibit texting and all non-navi- gational viewing of wireless communication devices, etc. • ISSUE: SAFE TRUCK PARKING Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see truckers park rigs on highway off-ramps, shoulder freeways, or even store parking lots. Why? While this is not a safe choice, it is sometimes the only choice for drivers due to the shortage of available parking for commercial trucks. Drivers need regular parking rest stops along our highways. Not only does this create a hazard and add risk on the road, but it also interferes with operators’ ability to take necessary breaks on long trips to avoid driver fatigue. Studies show there are over 11 truck drivers for every one park- ing space, and 98% of drivers report problems finding safe truck parking, leading to an average of 56 minutes that a driver spends searching for adequate parking. This wastes time and money, which could amount to a $5,500 loss in annual compensation. LEGISLATION : The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act (H.R. 2187) , introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2021, would establish a competitive grant program and autho- rize $755 million to encourage the creation of more parking spots across the country. • ISSUE: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE States are beginning to legalize marijuana, but the term “driving under the influence” includes any drug or alcohol that would render a driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safety – including marijuana. LEGISLATION: In 2015, a Congressional statute passed legislation that requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop guidelines for hair sample drug tests for the trucking industry. However, while hair tests provide more accurate and complete information of past drug use, the government has yet to enforce this as a federally accepted drug testing alternative.

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About the Author: Fred Fakkema , Vice President, Safety & Compliance, Zonar and Vice Chair of LEAB, FBINA 215. Fred joined Zonar in 2010 after a 25 year career with the Washington State Patrol (WSP). During his career, he commanded the WSP Academy, Government and Relations Division and the Commercial Vehicle Division. He is the Past President for the Washington Chapter, FBI National Academy Associates. Fred is a member of the American Trucking Association (ATA) Safety Policy Committee, Association of Equipment Management Professionals Safety Committee, Truck Renting and Leasing Association's Government Relations Committee

and Equipment Technology Advisory Council. And he's the current Vice Chair of ATA’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board. Fred earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington. In 2021, Fred was named a Gold Globee® winner in the Executive of the Year, automotive, transportation, storage and logistics category of the 6th Annual 2021 American Best in Business Awards. In this current role as Vice President of Compliance, he leads Zonar's product devel- opment to meet the needs of customers today and tomorrow. Over the last twenty- four months, Fred has been deeply involved in the ELD (electronic logging devices) mandate, from the policy level down to the compliance level for Zonar’s tablet.

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