| Dear {FName}, |
May 1, 2013 |
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ATA Vice Chairman Urges Enforcement Community to Focus on Driver Behavior
In a speech to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, American Trucking Associations Vice Chairman Phil Byrd thanked law enforcement agencies for what they do, and also said they must do more to focus on the unsafe behavior of drivers, both commercial and non-commercial, in order to achieve the safety gains everyone desires.
“About 90% of crashes are the result of driver error or unsafe driver behaviors, and only about 10% are attributed to vehicle factors,” said Byrd, president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express, Charleston, S.C. “With this in mind, we must commit ourselves to focusing on appropriate and effective countermeasures that will impact driver behavior.”
Specifically, Byrd questioned why the enforcement community was reducing the amount of traffic enforcement activities it conducts under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, in favor of increased inspections of trucks and driver credentials at roadside.
“I think most would agree that examining credentials is not the most effective way to discourage unsafe driving behavior,” Byrd said, citing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data. “In terms of crashes avoided, and lives and injuries saved the benefits of traffic enforcement, coupled with some inspection activity, was about three times more effective than roadside vehicle inspections.”
Byrd also called on the enforcement group to do more to address the role of passenger vehicles in causing fatal crashes.
“Passenger vehicle drivers are principally responsible for about 70% of fatal car-truck crashes,” he said. “We must increase our emphasis on the unsafe behavior of those operating around trucks both through enforcement and education. Changing the unsafe behaviors that cause the majority of truck-involved fatal crashes must play a greater role in [enforcement programs] if we are to achieve the safety outcomes we all want.”
To read the full text of Byrd’s speech, click here.
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McLaughlin Named to Trucker Buddy Board of Directors
Trucker Buddy International’s Board of Directors has selected PeopleNet’s Brian McLaughlin as its newest board member. By a unanimous vote, McLaughlin was selected to succeed the position held by Jill Buhl of Transport America, whose eight-year term expired in March. Buhl will continue to be involved in Trucker Buddy via the Advisory Council.
“We’re delighted to include Brian in Trucker Buddy’s leadership team. PeopleNet has been a tremendous supporter of Trucker Buddy, and Brian will help make our group a stronger and more effective organization.” said Randy Schwartzenburg, Trucker Buddy International executive director.
McLaughlin has a long and distinguished career in the trucking industry. Currently the president of PeopleNet, a provider of mobile communications technology to the transportation industry, he leads the company’s strategy, direction and execution.
Previously, McLaughlin gathered 25 years’ experience in delivering advanced technology solutions to various industries including transportation and financial services. Prior to PeopleNet, he served as the Director of eCommerce at Deluxe Corporation. He is frequent speaker at transportation and wireless industry events and conferences. He also serves as vice chairman of the American Trucking Association’s Task Force for Onboard Recorders. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Miami of Ohio and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.
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