insurance

FMCSA Mandate 12/18/2017

Posted on 13 Sep 201712 Sep 2017 by Lynch Agency

COUNTRYWIDE MANDATE
EFFECTIVE DEC. 18, 2017

The Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA)
will require many commercial
truckers to use an ELD effective
Dec. 18. Generally, truckers who
are currently required to keep
paper logs will need an ELD. This
would include most truckers
who operate across state lines.
Trucks that are older than model
year 2000 are exempt. For more
details on who is affected, visit
the FMCSA website.

WHAT THIS MEANS
FOR YOU
Overdrive reported that many
truckers are apprehensive
about switching to an ELD due
to additional costs and feeling
an invasion of privacy. There’s
widespread concern that a
significant number of drivers
may choose to get out of the
business, leading to a shortage
of tenured truck drivers and
changes in the market.

ALL ELDS ARE
NOT THE SAME
ELDs can be permanently
attached to a truck (cab device)
or can be a hand-held device
(smartphone). Both types make
tracking hours-of-service easier
and more accurate than paper
logs, and also provide vehicle
inspection reports and gauges
featuring key engine stats. All
ELDs must be certified with
the FMCSA to be compliant.
For additional information on
compliant ELDs, visit the
FMCSA website.

GET AN ELD PRIOR
TO THE MANDATE
We recommend truckers
get an ELD well in advance
of the deadline. Drivers
who switch early will
have time to adapt to the
learning curve and become
well-versed on how to use
it correctly when the
mandate takes effect.

Call Me at (317) 420-2867

For a limited time, I may be able to get qualified individuals free use of an ELD through my association with Progressive Insurance and their “SMARTHAUL” program. Or visit us on line at Scott Lynch Agency

Boarding the Bus

Posted on 12 Sep 2017 by Lynch Agency

by Erie Insurance on August 29, 2017

When the big yellow bus swings around the corner and nears the corner bus stop, it can be an exciting moment for both kids and parents. It marks the real start of the new school year.

Every year, U.S. school buses carry 25 million children to and from school, according to the American School Bus Council. School buses also boast an impressive safety record: School-bus involved crashes amount to less than one percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In fact, the NHTSA says that the bigger risk to student safety isn’t riding the bus, but getting on and off the bus. Before the exciting day arrives, do a quick review of bus safety tips with your children.

Be aware of cars. Aside from your kids heading off to school, morning is a busy time of day in the neighborhood, with grownups racing out the door to work. Teach kids to stay on the sidewalk and never cross an intersection until the car is stopped, they make eye contact with the driver and no other cars are approaching.

Safe waiting. While waiting for the bus, kids should stay at least three giant steps back from the curb. Because of the bus stop’s proximity to the street, discourage kids from horseplay and running games too close to the street.

Don’t cut it short. When young kids are running late, they can quickly forget the safety rules and run right into the street without looking for cars. Get kids into the habit of leaving five minutes before the bus’s scheduled arrival. In fact, during the first week of school, it doesn’t hurt to give them a bigger cushion of time because schedules can vary until the driver gets the route down.

Boarding safely: Everyone loves to grab their favorite seat. But it’s more important to board the bus safely. The safest way to do this is to stay back on the curb and not approach the bus until it comes to a complete halt and the door swings open.

For additional family/business safety, visit Scott Lynch Agency