FMCSA to Study Legalization of Hemp, Minimum Driver Age and Package Delivery Vehicle Safety

The FMCSA announced they’re holding a public meeting to discuss the legalization of hemp, safety oversight of delivery vehicles and minimum driver age.

An announcement in the Federal Register, the MCSAC was established to provide the FCMSA with recommendations. The MCSAC is comprised of 25 people from safety advocacy, safety enforcement, motor carrier safety departments, and industry stakeholders.

The committee was created to ensure a verity of views and expertise, the register states.

On Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14, the MCSAC will hold a public meeting to discuss three main issues: delivery vehicle safety, the age of the driver pool and legalization of hemp.

“A number of companies are now using small vehicles (e.g., vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 pounds, etc.) to deliver goods and there appears to be a gap in safety oversight of both drivers and vehicles. For this task, members will hear from Agency experts on trends in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) crash and highway safety data,” the Register states.

The second topic will focus on the impact of the “aging” driver poll.

“Stakeholders have expressed concerns about the need to address the driver shortage, including options for allowing younger drivers to enter the industry. How would an aging workforce impact motor carriers’ ability to deliver services and goods safely in interstate commerce? For this task, FMCSA will consider data by agency experts on the distribution of age among CMV drivers,” the Register states

Lastly, the FMCSA and the MCSAC will discuss the impact of the legalization of hemp on the safety of CDV drivers.

“While FMCSA’s safety regulations prohibit drivers’ use or transportation of illegal drugs, what actions should be considered to ensure motor carriers, drivers and enforcement officials have appropriate guidance concerning hemp and what happens if drivers test positive for tetrahydrocannabinol,” the Register states.

If you’d like to attend the public hearing, you can sign up here.