From January 12 through January 16, the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division partnered with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance as part of the annual Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative. The initiative is taking place across North America during the same timeframe.

During the effort, Indiana State Police are engaging with commercial motor vehicle drivers during roadside inspections and other enforcement activities. Officers are distributing educational materials provided by TAT, formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking, to increase awareness and help identify potential signs of trafficking.

Why Transportation Corridors Matter

Human trafficking, as defined by the United Nations, involves the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or deception for profit. Transportation corridors often intersect with locations where trafficking activity can occur, including truck stops, rest areas, and other high-traffic facilities.

Commercial drivers are frequently present in these environments, placing them in a unique position to notice situations that may otherwise go unseen. More than 40 percent of cases reported by truck drivers involve minors, underscoring the importance of awareness within the industry.

Part of a Broader Prevention Program

The Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is one component of CVSA’s larger Human Trafficking Prevention Program. The program combines enforcement activity with education and outreach, aiming to reduce trafficking through consistent engagement across the commercial vehicle industry.

Training efforts tied to TAT continue to expand nationwide. Nearly 2.5 million trucking professionals have completed training through the organization, reflecting broad participation across carriers, drivers, and industry partners.

Awareness Beyond a Single Week

While the initiative is tied to a specific calendar window, participating agencies emphasize that awareness and reporting do not end when the week concludes. Materials distributed during inspections are intended to reinforce long-term recognition and encourage continued vigilance throughout the year.

The Indiana effort reflects how education, enforcement, and industry participation intersect in addressing human trafficking within the transportation network.

Source: WFFT

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This coordinated effort involved three branches of the Louisiana State Police alongside the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Police. The crackdown aligns with Governor Jeff Landry’s recent proclamation of January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and corresponds with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative.

Enforcement Highlights

Louisiana State Police Transportation Safety Services (LSP-TSS):

LSP-TSS conducted thorough North American Standard inspections on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). These inspections aimed to enforce both federal motor carrier safety regulations and Louisiana’s criminal and traffic codes. During the operation, officials placed a significant focus on identifying unauthorized passengers within commercial vehicles, a known risk factor in human trafficking cases.

Advanced Air Support Technology:

LSP-Air Support played a pivotal role in the initiative, deploying its Bell 407 GXP/GXI helicopter fitted with the cutting-edge Trakka System. This advanced technology aids law enforcement by facilitating search and rescue missions, mapping, and real-time video management. During the blitz, this system was instrumental in detecting CMVs engaged in unsafe operations, enabling law enforcement teams on the ground to act swiftly.

DOTD Police Oversight:

Meanwhile, DOTD Police reinforced the operation through their fixed-scale facility, where they managed the flow of CMVs. Officers focused on inspecting vehicles entering and exiting these facilities while redirecting bypassing CMVs to designated inspection points for further scrutiny by LSP-TSS.

This multi-agency enforcement effort highlights Louisiana’s commitment to combating human trafficking within the commercial trucking industry, a vital step toward safeguarding vulnerable populations and ensuring accountability on the roadways.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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The following devices have been added to the Revoked Devices List:

• BLUE STAR ELD
• ROAD STAR SOLUTIONS
• United ELD
• Speed ELD
• Two TrackEnsure ELD models

According to FMCSA, these devices have been removed due to their failure to meet the minimum standards outlined in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A. The revocation officially takes effect immediately.

Next Steps for Motor Carriers

FMCSA has confirmed it will issue an industry-wide email notifying motor carriers of the steps required for compliance. If you are currently using one of the affected ELDs, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Stop using the revoked ELDs immediately. Switch to paper logs or logging software to track your hours of service data temporarily.

1. Replace the devices. Ensure you install compliant ELDs listed on FMCSA’s Registered Devices list by March 9, 2025.

The FMCSA has provided motor carriers with a 60-day grace period to remove and replace the revoked devices.

Can the Revoked ELDs Be Reinstated?

If the affected ELD providers address and correct the reported deficiencies, their devices may be reinstated on FMCSA’s list of registered devices. If reinstated, the FMCSA will inform the industry of the update.

During this interim period, enforcement officers are encouraged to avoid citing drivers using the affected devices for violations such as 395.8(a)(1) (No record of duty status) or 395.22(a) (Failing to use a registered ELD). Instead, they may review driver records through paper logs, logging software, or even the revoked device, used as a back-up display method, to ensure hours of service data is available.

What Happens After March 9, 2025?

Beginning March 9, motor carriers continuing to use any of the listed revoked devices will face non-compliance penalties. Safety officials encountering drivers with these devices on or after this date will:

• Cite violations under 395.8(a)(1).

• Place drivers out-of-service (OOS) per the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Out-of-Service Criteria.

It is strongly recommended that motor carriers take proactive action now to avoid compliance issues, especially if the deficiencies for these ELDs are not resolved by their providers in time.

Stay Updated

To access more information about ELD requirements, approved devices, and FMCSA’s ongoing updates, visit the FMCSA ELD website.

Source: Truckers News

The post FMCSA Just Removed 6 ELDs From Its Approved List—Here’s What You Need to Know! appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

During the event, which took place from August 25 to 31 across North America, certified inspectors from Canada, Mexico, and the United States examined 16,725 commercial vehicles. The results showed that a significant majority, 87%, were compliant with safety standards and could remain operational on public roads.

However, among the inspected vehicles, “2,149 of those vehicles had brake-related out-of-service violations, which is a 12.8% out-of-service rate,” according to the CVSA’s press release. Vehicles are classified as out of service when they fail to meet the critical inspection items outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC). Such vehicles cannot resume travel until all identified issues are addressed.

Among the 2,149 vehicles with violations, 1,355, or 63.1%, were found to have stand-alone out-of-service brake violations. Meanwhile, 217 vehicles, accounting for 10.1%, had out-of-service violations related to the steering axle brakes. Furthermore, 1,216 vehicles, representing 56.6% of the total, did not meet the 20% defective brakes criteria, indicating that these vehicles had defective brakes comprising 20% or more of their braking system.

This year, Brake Safety Week highlighted lining and pad violations. Inspectors focused on identifying issues such as loose, missing, or worn brake linings/pads, as well as cracks or contamination. A total of 654 lining/pad violations were found across both power (tractor) and towed (trailer) units.

The event saw participation from 61 jurisdictions:

• In Canada, 1,926 inspections resulted in 243 brake-related out-of-service violations, translating to a 12.6% out-of-service rate, with 44 power units and 49 towed units showing lining/pad violations.

• Mexican inspectors conducted 107 inspections, finding six out-of-service violations—a 5.6% rate—with one power unit and five towed units having lining/pad issues.

• In the U.S., 14,692 inspections led to 1,900 out-of-service violations at a rate of 12.9%, with lining/pad violations noted on 310 power units and 172 towed units.

Additionally, 18 states used performance-based brake testers (PBBT) for 452 inspections, with a failure rate of 5.75%.

Brake Safety Week is an integral component of the CVSA’s Operation Airbrake Program, which is committed to enhancing brake safety in commercial vehicles throughout North America. The initiative aims to minimize accidents due to malfunctioning brakes by conducting roadside inspections and educating stakeholders on the significance of proper brake maintenance.

The next Brake Safety Week is set for August 24-30, 2025.

Source: The Trucker

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