Special Edition V.14 (March 2020)
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Maine State Police - Enforcement Message from Troop K
March 26, 2020

The Maine State Police, Troop K, are working every day to ensure that commerce continues to flow safely and efficiently. The Troopers and Motor Carrier inspectors appreciate and understand all that our industry, especially our drivers, are doing during this critical time for our State and Country.

Troop K has opened up the weigh stations and will be screening truck traffic. The directive issued by Lt. Hayden to his Troopers attempts to strike the important balance of regulation, compliance, safety, and commerce. In addition to life-safety violations, Troopers will be enforcing violations of the exemption issued by FMCSA.

The following are some guiding principles by Lt. Hayden as his Troop meets their mission:

  • Trooper A will screen driver from the guard shack, or a distance, and will ask the normal questions of the driver, while Trooper B conducts a quick walk around inspection of the truck.
  • Drivers are asked to stay in their truck unless otherwise instructed by the Trooper.
  • Troopers are asked to stay out of trucks unless completely necessary.
  • Troopers will be assessing fatigue and may direct drivers to take a break.
  • If CDL information is needed, the Trooper may ask to take a photo or may have driver read the license number.
  • If no life-safety, major mechanical, or driver issues are detected the drivers will be sent on their way without a roadside inspection report being issued.
  • Should life-safety issues be detected, the vehicles or drivers may have a full inspection performed and may be placed out of service. A roadside inspection report will be issued in these cases.
  • Minor defects will be reported to the driver for them to relay to the motor carrier for correction. No roadside inspection will be issued in this situation.


Each screening process should only take a few minutes. Physical distancing will be practiced to the greatest extent possible at all times.

On behalf of all of our Members, The Maine Motor Transport Association extends our thanks to the Maine State Police, Troop K, and urges our drivers to help maintain physical distancing during the inspections for the safety of all involved.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to the FMCSA Emergency Declaration Part 2:
March 25, 2020

FMCSA has released the second version of Frequently Asked Questions related to the federal emergency declaration. For a full list of FAQ's, click here.
FMCSA Reorganizes Online Listing of COVID19 Declarations and Actions
March 26, 2020

The new link is: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19 

This contains all of the declarations, guidance, waivers, FAQ. It is linked on the FMCSA homepage and in the emergency declarations page. All of the former links should work and remain operational but, going forward, all online posted items related to COVID-19 will be added to this page.

The Department of Transportation also has a COVID-19 page that is located here: https://www.transportation.gov/coronavirus 
Step by step: What you can do if you suspect COVID-19 symptoms on the road
Overdrive

Truckers for a Cause medical support group cofounder and long-haul trucker Bob Stanton helped put together the following “decision tree” of sorts in hopes of assisting any driver faced with a decision about just how to proceed if symptoms of the novel contagion present themselves on the road. Consult CDC.gov/Coronavirus for a wealth of resources and the most up-to-date information, as it’s changing rapidly. 

REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Extended
March 26, 2020

Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security, as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. I have determined that states require a twelve-month delay and that the new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021. DHS will publish a notice of the new deadline in the Federal Register in the coming days...

CVSA Postpones International Roadcheck
March 25, 2020

Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) sets inspection and enforcement initiatives, such as International Roadcheck, which is scheduled for May 5-7. However, with public health and safety as its top concern, CVSA has decided to postpone International Roadcheck to later in the year. The Alliance will monitor the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and appropriately select the new dates when it’s safe and reasonable to do so. Once the rescheduled dates have been selected, CVSA will notify the commercial motor vehicle enforcement community, the motor carrier industry, the press and the public.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
We will keep MMTA members posted as new information comes in. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to email Tim, Randy or Brian if you have questions.
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