Some Statistics Regarding Roadside Inspections

by Lynn Rios | Dec 18, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Business Intelligence, Fleet Management

Understanding Roadside Inspections

Most drivers dread having to deal with a roadside inspection. That dread is well founded when you consider that the drivers career is on the line every time he faces off with a DOT inspector who is just doing his or her job. Being able to anticipate what inspectors are focusing on can be a great help.

We recently found a web page that contains interactive tools that can really give the driver an edge. It contains statistics regarding roadside inspections that are searchable by state, violation type, vehicle weight, fleet size and much more. For instance, if you are going to be driving in Arkansas, you can do some quick research to see how many inspections are being conducted and what kind of violations are being cited.

FYI, Arkansas was picked totally at random, we are not picking on them.

Roadside Inspection Activity

The chart below shows that in 2020 in Arkansas there were very few Federal Inspections, but State enforcement officials were very active. About 25% of inspections are full inspections, so best to make sure my logs and inspection records, as well as my vehicle, are in tip top shape.

It also looks like the Federal inspectors were a little more stringent with drivers than local enforcement, but local enforcement was much more stringent regading vehicle infractions.

Driver Violations

Looking at the top 3 driver violations cited, it would seem that most violators were pulled over for a relatively minor speeding infraction of 6-10 mph over the speed limit. Common sense tells us that obeying the speed limit while driving in Arkansas is its own reward.

Vehicle Violations

Now that you have been pulled over for driving 7 mph over the posted speed, you can bet the inspector is going to check all of your lights and not miss a thing. Inoperative turn signals and lights will have you taken out of service in Arkansas.

Monthly Trends in Roadside Inspections

Understanding the roadside inspection trends by month can also be very interesting. From the chart below we speculate that after the initial COVID 19 shutdowns either enforcement was staying home or drivers were. It would be interesting to dig deeper to see if this is actually a seasonal trend based on some other factor.

Information is Power

Understanding the trends based on the factors discussed is certainly interesting and give drivers an edge, BUT nothing takes the place of constant vigilance when it comes to vehicle and driver safety. Our goal is for every driver to arrive home safely after every trip. No exceptions!

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Geotab Drive release 2004 – What’s New?

by Lynn Rios | Nov 12, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Fleet Management, Geotab

Ready for what’s new in Geotab Drive release 2004? To see all of the coming Geotab Drive updates vist Geotab’s blog. Here are the highlights:

Starting and Ending Odometer

In Compliance Print view on the Drive App, the system now automatically populates the starting and ending odometer fields for the vehicles used by the Driver.

Updated DVIR and DVIR attestations in Geotab Drive release 2004

New DVIR attestations are available for jurisdictions that require a specific declaration. Primarily, this is to assure compliance for our Canadian clients. Also, new DVIR fields address Canadian DVIR requirements.

Updated Clock-in/Clock-out feature

Custom code required for the Clock-in/Clock-out feature has been removed. Instead, the Clock-in/Clock-out feature is now available when Feature Preview is enabled.

Added Media Clearances to default Drive App clearance

With the new capabilities to add media files to DVIR records, additional clearances have been added to the default Drive App security user type. This allows drivers by default to administer and view media files.

Updated HOS Logs assignment

In MyGeotab, administrators can now select the correct driver using the drop down menu on the HOS Logs page. If the selected driver is not indicated as a co-driver on the HOS log, the system ignores the logs edited for the original driver and suggests new logs for the selected driver. Correcting availability for both drivers in a single edit in Geotab Drive release 2004, simplifies admin log corrections. The suggested logs for the new driver are in a requested state.

Messaging is out of Feature Preview

After several updates, the Messages feature is now out of Feature Preview. As announced in the previous release, the Messages feature has been updated.

In Geotab Drive release 2004, easily stay connected with your drivers using the new consolidated messaging feature. Threaded views provide conversation-style messages with simple to use input controls such as adding links and canned replies. Messages can be sent to devices for anyone driving the vehicle to see, or directly to users for private two-way communication. Unread messages display in tab titles for easy detection, or as shortcuts under Notifications on the main title bar. Messages can be searched using date and display filters for accurate and friendly searches.

As seen in the images below, there are now designated sections for messages to the vehicle and messages to the logged-in user. In the section for user messages, the dispatch can privately communicate between the drivers. Drivers can now communicate without first selecting a vehicle, as well as message the dispatch through the vehicle messages section or by clicking the Message Dispatch button.

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Geotab Drive Version 2003

by Lynn Rios | Sep 30, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Fleet Management, Geotab

Geotab Drive Version 2003 First Look

Remember, to see all of the new features as soon as they are made available, turn on feature preview. Click on your username in the Geotab UI, then click options. Scroll about halfway down the page to UI Settings and click the on button to turn Feature Preview on. Don’t forget to scroll back to the top of the page and save your new setting.

What’s New in Geotab Drive?

Geotab Drive Version 2003 continues to address simplifying the workflow and navigation. There are also a few new notewothy new features, so let’s jump right in.

Availability Notifications are available by default in Geotab Drive 2003.

The 2002 release featured a new availability screen in feature preview. In Geotab Drive 2003 this becomes the default screen for drivers to review duty status notifications and monitor their driving limits. Using the Availability feature, users can:

Apply the Exempt HOS exemption.
Monitor remaining rest periods.
Receive warnings for upcoming and potential violations.

Have you ever needed to know your database name?

In Geotab Drive 2003, drivers can check their company database name on the settings screen.

Improved message text for interactive prompts

What action needs to be taken by a driver is now more prominently displayed in interactive prompts. For example, for the prompt “You have logs that require action” the instructions “Tap here to review” will also be displayed alongside in bold text as a shortcut to whatever needs attention.

Improved logout workflow

To get drivers into the App and on the road faster, the logout/login workflow has been streamlined. Currently, drivers are asked to change their status to OFF or ON when logging out of the App. They were also asked to verify logs the next time they logged in. For most drivers however, the only verification required was their OFF/ON status from the previous logout. Now, the logout feature will automatically verify the ON/OFF status and prompt log verification before log out, shortening the process and simplifying the workflow.

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FMCSA Revisions to HOS Rules – Drivers and Dispatchers Respond

by Lynn Rios | Aug 24, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Fleet Management

FMCSA Revisions to HOSÂ ComingÂ on 9/29/20

For quite some time we have been hearing about FMCSA revisions to the HOS rules intended to provide more flexibility for drivers. At long last, several are slated to be implemented the end of next month. We reached out to some of our current clients to get their take on the coming rule changes, and the response was quite positive.

What are the coming FMCSA revisions?

The on-duty limits for short-haul operations will increase from 12 to 14 hours and from 100 air-miles to 150.
The adverse driving provision will extend the driving window two hours if the driver encounters adverse driving conditions. In the final rule, the definition of adverse driving was modified so that the exception may be applied based on the driver’s (in addition to the dispatcher’s) knowledge of the conditions after being dispatched.
In addition to splits of 10/0 and 8/2, drivers will be allowed a split-sleeper option of 7/3. Also, the qualifying period doesn’t count against the 14-hour window.
The 30-minute break provision will be modified to require the break after eight hours of driving time (instead of on-duty time) and allows an on-duty/not driving period to qualify as the required break.

What are drivers and dispatchers saying?

They all sound like positive changes that will be helpful to drivers and dispatchers.

Scott Olson

Maier's transportation and Warehousing

I really like the changes to the 30 minute break provision. Now I won’t have to take a break after sitting at a terminal waiting to be loaded or unloaded.

Mike Zeug

Driver, Maier's Transportation and Warehousing

Most Outspoken Response to FMCSA Revisions

One of our clients was dead set against ELD from the beginning. He expected it to be a royal pain with drivers unwilling to embrace the new technology, and he fought it kicking and screaming, but in the end, had to comply. After implementing and using ELD for some time, his response was utterly shocking. Monty now agrees that ELD implementation is a good thing, and that it simplifies the driver’s record keeping saving time and frustration.

Regarding the FMCSA revisions coming to HOS Rules,

It should have been done a long time ago. It moves us from making political sense to using common sense. Most important are the sleeper berth changes. It allows a driver to make better use of unanticipated situations, for instance if the highway traffic is backed up he can pull off at a rest stop to take 3 hours sleeper berth time. Since it does not count against his 14 hour window, he can make up his lost travel time after the traffic clears.

Monty Hack

Fleet Manager - Safety Director, JS Weipz

OOIDA’s Response

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association expressed support for the final rule by filing formal comments. They say the new rules will accomplish FMCSA’s intended goal of providing drivers with more flexibility and control over their own schedules.

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Geotab Drive “Must Have” Add Ins & ELD Reports

by Lynn Rios | May 28, 2020 | FMCSA-ELD-DVIR, Fleet Management

Geotab Drive with ELD Reporting – Free Marketplace Tools

Geotab Drive makes ELD compliance easy, but many users miss the free add-ins and reports that truly simplify a fleet manager’s life. In this post, we present the options that we feel are “Must Have” applications for our clients. Everything shown can be downloaded or directly installed in your system from the Geotab Marketplace. Just click on “Marketplace” at the bottom of your main menu and open up a world of possibilities.

ELD Services – Settings Validator Add-In

There is a multitude of settings and entry fields presented to you when initially setting up your ELD drivers. When drivers begin to use the system, all of the static information that must be included in their RODS is pulled from these entries. Thus, if the driver’s license issuing state was not completed when the driver was created in the system, it will not show up on a compliance print when generated. Unfortunately, when this happens at a roadside inspection, you have likely ruined your driver’s day. Using this add-in assures that all required information is accessible to the Geotab Drive app, and compliance prints or RODS transferred to FMCSA will include all required information.

The ELD Settings Validator is a free add-in for Geotab. It identifies missing driver data and links you right to the form to correct the ommissions. Fields marked with an X are an indication that information is missing for that field. Select the information icon on the right-hand side for quick access to the driver’s User Settings. Simply fill in the missing information and select Save at the top of the screen. Drivers that are not missing information will not be displayed, only entries that need to be corrected.

ELD Add-In – Driver Access to
Support Help Desk

The ELD Information Add-In provides instant, driver-friendly access to the Reseller Support Help desk. View the latest ELD information documents that are required during a roadside inspection in accordance with ?395.22 (h), or stream the latest How-to videos for Geotab Drive. Please note that this add-in is currently only available for mobile devices running on Android.

With this add-in installed in your Geotab system, all drivers will see the add-in populated on their HOS Dashboard. The step by step instructions for using Geotab Drive are contained in the Data Transfer Guide, ELD Manual, and Data & Diagnostics ELD Malfunction Sheet Guide. All are launched right from the app in a single click. Most importantly, these are the documents required to be kept in the cab under the FMCSA regulations. By linking to the electronic documents you know you always have the latest version.

Workflow documents for HOS and DVIR are also available anytime a quick refresher is needed. Alternately, for drivers that prefer video learning, a playlist of video training is also linked to the app. The linked documents and videos are updated when changes are made to the app, so the latest information is always available to the driver.