In response to a petition for rulemaking submitted by Public Citizen and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is requesting public comments regarding a request to amend the Federal motor vehicle safety standards and require automotive manufactures to install rear passenger seat belt reminder systems.

Curtis M. Beloy, P.E. has successfully passed his Professional Engineering Exam and is now a registered Professional Engineer. Mr. Beloy has a Masters in Science, and is a collision reconstruction engineer with a motorcycle specialty.

Data collection is a critical factor in conducting any accident investigation, reconstruction and engineering analysis.  Not only should field data be collected, in this age of technology engineers and investigators should look to other sources for relevant information.  A large number of vehicles on the road today have Event Data Recorders (EDR) that record and store crash-related data.  Many vehicles also now have either built-in or portable/handheld GPS devices which track the vehicle’s movements along the operator’s routes.  GPS units should be accessed to ascertain the time-stamped position and speed data contained there-in for the most recent trips taken.  This data can prove to be invaluable in the analysis process. As with EDR data, the issue of who owns the GPS data needs to be addressed by the legal community.

FMSA Issues Final Ruling on Electronic On-Board Recorders for Hours-of-Service Compliance :::: 

In a 46-page notice in the April 5, 2010 Federal Register, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued its final ruling on the use and performance of Electronic On-Board Recorders for Hours-of Service Compliance.  Commercial vehicle operators engaging HOS violations should take note.