Highway Safety Coalition Round Table - HSCRT

04/27/2026

FMCSA overhauling DataQ system
Jason Cannon

How this affects you:
• More success on legitimate challenges: Fleets will no longer face "rubber-stamp" denials from the same officer who issued a citation; the new rule mandates independent, multi-stage reviews to eliminate conflicts of interest.
• Strict timelines for faster score corrections: States are now held to mandatory deadlines, including opening requests within seven days and providing initial decisions within 21 days, helping motor carriers clean up CSA scores and safety records faster than under the previous system.
• Increased transparency in denials: Each denied appeal be accompanied by a comprehensive explanation—including the name of the decision-maker and the specific evidence reviewed—giving fleets and drivers a clearer legal basis to decide whether to escalate to Stage 2 or 3.
Federal regulators are launching the most significant reform of the DataQs system in years, mandating a more independent and timely appeals process for motor carriers challenging safety data, according to a 24-page notice scheduled for publication in the Federal Register April 16.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the revised requirements following a 2025 proposal that drew 223 public comments from trucking companies, drivers, and safety consultants. The new rules tie state compliance to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant funding, providing a financial incentive for states to reform how they handle Request for Data Review (RDR) challenges.
"These changes will ostensibly help the partiality issue fleets have been struggling with for years," Trucksafe President Brandon Wiseman. "Personally, think it’s a step in the right direction towards sorely needed due process for carriers and drivers whose livelihoods are quite literally hinging on the accuracy of this type of data."
The overhaul comes as the agency manages a massive volume of data challenges. In 2024, the DataQs system handled 8,314 crash data requests and over 63,500 requests regarding inspections and violations.

04/16/2026

Attention drivers:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is making the transition to electronic medical certification a little easier.

✅ From April 11 to October 11, 2026, you can continue using your paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate as proof of certification for up to 60 days after it’s issued.

This gives you extra time while systems move to secure electronic records under NRII.

💡 Tip: Keep your paper certificate with you, even as your examiner submits your results electronically.

Get the full details at link in comments.

04/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JpYYCYvyz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

FMCSA is reviewing a request that could change how warning triangle rules apply to certain trucks.

Aurora Operations is seeking a five-year exemption to allow trucks equipped with Level 4 automated driving systems to use cab-mounted warning beacons instead of placing warning triangles on the road. The company says this could improve safety by removing the need for drivers to exit the vehicle during a roadside stop.

The request follows a temporary waiver already in use, where no crashes have been reported while the system was active.

If approved, the exemption could apply to ADS-equipped trucks and could shape future safety standards. FMCSA will be accepting public comments for 30 days before making a final decision.

🔗 Read the full article:
https://truckdrivernews.com/new-warning-triangle-exemption-request-aurora-operations/

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03/24/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1RRccUx4vU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have launched a coordinated aggressive driving enforcement campaign r...

03/19/2026

Who we are... Why we are here...

HSCRT
HIGHWAY SAFETY COALITION ROUND TABLE
(Founded September 19, 1991 as HM 181 Round Table)

Public and Private Sector Safety Professionals with Common Goals of Transportation Safety and Compliance

FOUNDING MEMBERS:
Dennis Brown (Crossett), Tom Cahill (Yellow Freight), Mike Gonder (CF), Ron Kreiger (Roadway Express), Dennis Lamb (PSP), Dennis McGee (FHWA/OMC), Gene Meenan (Matlack), Dave Miller (PSP), Ken Nicely (PUC), Jake Reppert (Yellow Freight), Rich Rombach (New Penn), Gene (Cy) Sejeski (HSTB), Dan Smyser (PennDOT), Fred Wentling (PSP), C.R. Wright (Pa. Turnpike), Vince Yannis (PUC).

The “Highway Safety Coalition Round Table” (HSCRT) was originally formed in 1991 under the name “HM-181 Round Table.” The membership consisted of representatives from the private and public sector actively involved in the safe transportation of hazardous materials in the highway mode. While the primary focus of the “HM-181 Round Table” was to collectively develop a better understanding of the new hazardous materials regulations published in Docket HM 181, it also served as a forum to share information and foster better working relationships between industry and regulatory and enforcement agencies.

In 1995 the “HM-181 Round Table” expanded its interests beyond hazardous materials and emergency response compliance issues to exploring methods to improve the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and commercial motor vehicle highway safety. A new name was needed to reflect this extended focus and the HSCRT was formed.

The HSCRT membership currently includes representatives of property and passenger motor carriers, transportation safety consulting firms, hazardous materials shippers, state and local trucking associations, and state and federal regulatory and enforcement agencies all with countless years of experience.

The group meets from 1:00-3:00 PM on third Tuesday of every month, except July and August, at Hoss’s Restaurant on Rt 220, Bedford, PA., located immediately off the Pa. Turnpike. While many of the meetings have a principal topic of discussion, they remain informal and debates follow current federal & state regulatory agenda and the safety concerns of our members. Additionally, the HSCRT has provided hazardous materials compliance seminars, participated in school safety activities, Homeland Security issues, and accident countermeasures training.

Membership to the HSCRT is free and open to persons involved in any aspect of commercial motor vehicle highway safety. Safety-oriented persons interested in actively participating in the group’s mission should contact any HSCRT member for further information.