The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is soliciting feedback from fleets on new enforcement criteria in the U.S., that would see drivers who can’t demonstrate proficiency in English placed out of service.
Enforcement is to begin June 25. Of particular interest to CTA is guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that prohibits the use of technological assistance when communicating with enforcement officers.
“The Canadian industry needs to determine how the current use of technology to interact with enforcement officials in English will be impacted,” said CTA CEO and president Stephen Laskowski. “This will be critical in determining how the evolution of this enforcement policy applies to the long-standing English-language proficiency requirements.”
FMCSA posted a heavily redacted version of its enforcement guidance earlier this week.
CTA says it will be working with U.S. enforcement officials to understand the rationale behind banning technology to comply with the law. CTA is also seeking answers as to how enforcement will be directed to deal with fraudulent CDLs and general truck safety concerns.
“CTA believes evolving technology and how the industry and the enforcement community interact with U.S. enforcement officials at roadside and the border holds potential solutions to improving road safety and compliance for shipments, vehicles and drivers,” said Laskowski. “Industry and enforcement officials on both sides of the border need to work together to develop modern compliance options that will allow fleets and their drivers who are committed to safety and security to thrive in an evolving enforcement environment.”
CTA is asking fleets and drivers to fill out a survey here.
