INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES
Here’s how an e-inspection works: • The ELD automatically sends the driver’s logs to the roadside inspection site when an e-inspection is started, eliminating the manual transfer steps entirely. • An officer conducting the inspection can pre-screen the vehicle, carrier and driver-level information and has their inspection report form automatically pre-filled at the start of their inspection. • The inspector evaluates the vehicle and driver, and decides if any further validation or investigation is required without having to manually search multiple systems to verify the carrier, vehicle and driver credentials. • When the officer is satisfied, the inspection can be completed at the touch of a button, saving significant time and improving the accuracy of the inspection. It is important to recognize the goal of e-inspections is not to replace the inspection officer; it’s to maximize time efficiency so officers can identify and inspect vehicles and drivers that truly do need inspecting. Yes, automated e-inspections remove some of the firsthand dealings of an inspection officer with the vehicle and driver. But, it’s the menial task of manual data entry that’s eliminated since e-inspections collect all core carrier, vehicle and driver credentials electronically. Often, the qualitative considerations can act to direct an inspector’s decision on what level of inspection to conduct. In addition, more and quicker inspections benefit everyone, providing sufficient data to build relevant safety records. This, in turn, means safer highways. This could be just the start. There could be a day where fully electronic Level VIII Inspections, for example, could be conducted. A truck could drive by a weigh station with all the vehicle and driver information already received in advance by the inspection site. With the data received, the carrier and agency would get credit for a ‘virtual’ inspection. For this to become reality, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will need to amend its CSA calculations to include Level VIII designated data submitted to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). Today, part of this future is already a reality. e-Inspection technology is being used to assist in expediting inspections already. Participating ELD partners, carriers and agencies (Maine, Maryland and Virginia) are testing and accepting e-inspection data. The list of participants is growing quickly and the initiative is a fantastic example of a positive win-win relationship between government and industry without the need for public funding, legislation or costly mandated programs. If you would like more information on how e-inspections are coming together, I’d be happy to chat. You can contact me at 919.795.7467 or mnichols@drivewyze.com. n
Former Wyoming Highway Patrol Captain Scot Montgomery Joins Independent Carrier Safety Association’s Board of Directors
By Karen Rasmussen, Executive Director, Independent Carrier Safety Association The Independent Carrier Safety Association (ICSA) has announced the election of former Wyoming Highway Patrol Captain Scot Montgomery to its board of directors. ICSA is a nonprofit 501c6 chartered in November 2019 with a primary mission of improving highway safety by facilitating the adoption of technology and safety best practices by independent owner/ operators and small fleets. ICSA has more than 1,200 carrier members that subscribe to ICSA’s safety requirements, including installation of in-cab cameras and enrollment in ICSA’s drug testing consortium for hair follicle testing. “Scot brings outstanding credentials to the ICSA Board of Directors,” said ICSA Executive Director Karen Rasmussen. “Seven years of his distinguished enforcement career were spent overseeing Wyoming’s commercial vehicle enforcement program and the state’s ports of entry as well as managing its MCSAP grant activities. This experience, along with his prior involvement in CVSA, allows him to bring enforcement insights to ICSA’s safety education and training programs.” “I am pleased to participate in ICSA’s governance in pursuit of its mission to improve highway safety,” said Montgomery. “I’m particularly excited about ICSA’s unique approach to getting independent and small fleets directly engaged in its mission. ICSA provides small carriers with large-fleet pricing on cameras and drug testing services, along with training and education geared to small operators. Smaller fleets represented the majority of local fleets I worked with at Wyoming Highway Patrol and I have a great understanding of their struggles in these areas.” “In turn, the ICSA model provides its members a way to reduce their insurance costs working through ICSA-approved providers,” Montgomery added. “Everybody – including the motoring public – wins.” Montgomery joined the Wyoming Highway Patrol as a trooper in 1994 and rose to the rank of captain prior to retiring in July 2018. He served as Wyoming’s liaison to CVSA for a number of years. In addition to attending CVSA’s conferences, he was a voting member of the CVSA Enforcement and Industry Modernization Committee as well as the CVSA Driver-Traffic Enforcement Committee. Montgomery also chaired the CVSA Electronic Inspection Committee (now known as Level VIII Inspections) from 2014 to 2016. For more information about ICSA, go to www.safecarriers.org or contact Karen Rasmussen at 602-617-0555 or karen.rasmussen@ safecarriers.org. n
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