FMCSA requests nominations for advisory committee

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking nominations for its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee.

MCSAC advises the agency and provides recommendations on matters related to motor carrier safety programs and regulations. The committee comprises as many as 25 voting representatives from safety advocacy, safety enforcement, labor and industry. Committee members are appointed by the secretary of transportation and serve terms of up to two years.

According to a notice published in the Oct. 29 Federal Register, candidates are eligible to self-nominate and must be able to attend two to three meetings annually – either in person or via videoconference. Submissions must include:

• A short biography, including professional and academic credentials
• A resume or curriculum vitae, including relevant job experience, qualifications and contact information
• A one-page statement detailing how the candidate will benefit MCSAC

Nominations are due Nov. 30.

FMCSA in September announced the establishment of a panel of commercial motor vehicle operators to lend feedback to MCSAC regarding industry issues such as safety, hours-of-service regulations, training, parking and driver experience.

In a Sept. 18 press release, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao lauded the steady work of CMV operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling their input “essential to strengthening safety on the roads.”

Added FMCSA acting administrator Wiley Deck: “The Department of Transportation and this administration believe in listening to our drivers and hearing their concerns directly. We know that many of the solutions to the challenges we face don’t come from Washington – they come from the hard-working men and women who are behind the wheel all over our nation.”

FMCSA in October 2019 published a two-year charter renewal for MCSAC, effective until Sept. 27, 2021.