CERRITOS, CA - Approximately 40 attendees had an opportunity to get an overview of the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) 2010 regulations and new cell phone regulations for commercial drivers at the NAFA Pacific Southwest (PSW) Chapter meeting on March 14.

The meeting was held at the Southland/Cerritos Center for Transportation Technologies at Cerritos College.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Horacio McComb gave a presentation, "CSA: A Way to Measure and Address Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety," following lunch and discussion of chapter business.

McComb provided brief overviews of the regulations, spending more time to address the provisions that would impact fleets.

McComb advised attendees of the federal government's rule banning commercial drivers from cell phone use, limiting them to a hands-free, single push-button option to make or receive calls.

He also warned of hefty penalty fees that fleet managers must be aware of. If a driver gets stopped by a commercial vehicle officer for violating the cell phone policy, the penalty would be up to $2,175 for the driver - and up to $11,000 for the company, McCombs explained. While companies are not being required by the government to include the cell phone rule in their formal policy, they will be held accountable for drivers, he noted, adding that driver violations will stay on the company's record - not the driver's - for three years.

Two violations are cause for driver suspension; however, enforcing suspension will be left up to each state.

The Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) is critical for fleets to protect themselves from expensive fines. Fleets can get more information by going to www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov. In addition, the http://dataqs.fmcsa.dot.gov website is another source to address concerns about safety scores.

McComb also went over the Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System (SMS), a tool used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and State partners to evaluate a carrier's safety performance.

"The biggest thing on CSA 2010 is you've got to watch your numbers on a daily basis," McComb said. He also offered advice to several fleet manager attendees who have had recent issues with drivers who were wrongfully ticketed.

Prior to the safety presentation, members voted on Chapter officers for the next term. Rick Sikes, CAFM, will remain chapter chair; Bruce Gaines is vice chair; Leonie Von Halle will stay on as treasurer; and Tony Orta will be the new secretary.

The next NAFA PSW Chapter meeting will be a golf outing June 20 at the Tustin Ranch Golf Course in Tustin, Calif.

Click here to view additional photos from the meeting.

By Grace Suizo