NHTSA Publishes Final Rule on Theft Protection 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a final rule that amends the federal motor vehicle safety standard on theft protection. The standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway. Since it was published, the standard has become outdated and confusing with respect to key-locking systems that enable electronic code access and engine activation. The final rule amends and reorganizes this text so that it better correlates to modern technology. This new language does not impose any new substantive requirements on vehicle manufacturers. This rule becomes effective Sept. 1, 2007. Petitions for reconsideration of the final rule must be received not later than May 22, 2006, and should refer to this docket and the notice number of this document and be submitted to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 5220, Washington, DC 20590.
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DOT Seeks Partner Universities to Tackle Transportation Problems
The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking colleges and universities to compete to receive about $6 million in federal transportation research funds. The ten winning schools will be designated as Regional University Transportation Centers for three years. Once selected, these schools will provide leadership in solving national and regional transportation problems. Applications are due June 1, and DOT will make selections by July 14. The 10 current Regional University Transportation Centers are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the City College of New York, the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Texas A&M University, Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, the University of California, and the University of Washington. For more information, visit
http://utc.dot.gov or
www.grants.gov.
NHTSA Proposes to Amend Insurer Reporting Requirements
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has submitted a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding Appendices A, B and C of 49 CFR part 544, insurer reporting requirements. The appendices list those insurers that are required to file reports on their motor vehicle theft loss experiences. Insurers listed in these appendices would be required to file three copies of their reports for the 2003 calendar year before Oct. 25, 2006. Insurers listed in the appendices are required to submit reports on or before Oct. 25, 2006. If the passenger motor vehicle insurers remain listed, they must submit reports by each subsequent October 25. NHTSA is proposing to add and remove several insurers from relevant appendices. Comments must be submitted not later than June 2, 2006. You may submit comments, identified by docket number: NHTSA-2006-24175 and/or RIN number: 2127-AJ88, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
www.regulations.gov.
FMCSA Releases Large Truck Causation Study
FMCSA has released a study that shows drivers of large trucks and other vehicles involved in truck crashes are ten times more likely to be the cause of the crash than other factors. The Large Truck Crash Causation Study was commissioned by FMCSA to review the causes and contributing factors of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. The study is the first nationwide examination of its kind of all pre-crash factors. Conducted with the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the study investigated a national sample of fatal and injury crashes between April 2001 and December 2003 at 24 sites in 17 states. Each crash involved at least one large truck and resulted in at least one fatality or injury. The total sample of 967 crashes included 1,127 large trucks, 959 non-truck motor vehicles, 251 fatalities, and 1,408 injuries. Results show that action or inaction by the driver of either the truck or other vehicle was the critical reason for 88 percent of the crashes. The study database eventually will be available to the public. For copies of the report, visit
www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Senate Rejects Efforts to Pass Immigration Bill
On April 7, the Senate rejected a second attempt at passing the immigration policy overhaul. In a 38-60 vote, Republicans defeated an attempt to invoke cloture, or limit debate, on the comprehensive compromise proposal. In a 36-62 vote, Democrats blocked a GOP effort to limit debate on the underlying bill, which would stiffen border security and immigration enforcement without addressing the status of illegal immigrants already in the United States. The compromise plan, based on a proposal by Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Mel Martinez, R-Fla., would strengthen border security, create a temporary guest worker program and provide a path to U.S. citizenship for most of the illegal immigrants now in the United States. Key Senators involved have said they will tackle the issue again after a two-week recess.
Update on CDLIS MCSIA Structured Testing
As of March 31, 2006, 11 states have started, but not completed, the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act (MCSIA) structured test. Nine states have completed the CDLIS MCSIA structured test.
FMCSA to Hold Public Meeting on North American Standard for Cargo Securement
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced the third in a series of public meetings concerning the implementation of the North American Standard for Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo. On Sept. 27, 2002, FMCSA published a Final Rule revising its regulations concerning protection against shifting and falling cargo for commercial motor vehicles engaged in interstate commerce. The final rule is based on the North American Cargo Securement Standard Model Regulations, which reflects the results of a multi-year comprehensive research program to evaluate U.S. and Canadian cargo securement regulations. Motor carriers operating in the United States had until Jan. 1, 2004, to comply with the new regulations. On Sept. 23, 2004, Canada’s Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety approved a new National Safety Code Standard for cargo securement. Full implementation of the new cargo securement requirements in Canada began in the summer of 2005. This meeting is the third in a series of meetings to discuss the process for ensuring the consistent interpretation and enforcement of the harmonized cargo securement standards by FMCSA and the Canadian Provinces. The meeting is being held in connection with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance 2006 Annual Conference. For more information, contact Michael Huntley, chief of the Vehicle and Roadside Operations Division, at (202) 366-5370.