Author: Fleetworthy

Fleetworthy Solutions and Union Leasing Announce Strategic Partnership, Broadening Both Organization’s Industry Impact, Delivering Safety Centric Solutions and Excellence Through Regulatory Services

Madison, WI June 9, 2023 – Fleetworthy Solutions, the leading provider of regulatory compliance software and managed services and Union Leasing, the premier nationwide fleet management provider for mid-sized fleets announce their partnership.

This alignment facilitates Union Leasing’s resale of Fleetworthy’s solutions, which span driver and vehicle safety, apportioned plating and permitting, as well as fuel tax managed services. Union Leasing selecting Fleetworthy as their preferred regulatory compliance partner introduces Fleetworthy to new opportunities in the Mid-Sized Fleet sector. With a proven reputation for understanding their client’s needs, Union Leasing looks to leverage Fleetworthy’s extensive industry expertise and diverse product offerings, aligning with Union’s long-standing tradition of Fleet Management excellence.

“Our technology and compliance services are backed by over 40 years of transportation industry experience and successfully managed by our in-house subject matter experts. We are thrilled to have another strategic partner like Union Leasing see the value of our brand and freely choose to utilize and resell our services.”

–Michael Precia, President and CEO of Fleetworthy Solutions

Fleetworthy Solutions and Union Leasing share in the belief that tailored solutions, organizational alignment, and personal relationships are the vehicle to establishing meaningful, transparent, and trusted partnerships.

“Our partnership with Fleetworthy expands our support to clients with commercial motor vehicles through a comprehensive selection of reliable compliance products. Union and Fleetworthy share core values that drive flexible solutions and high touch, personal service.”

–Todd Heemsoth, President of Union Leasing

Together, Fleetworthy and Union will deliver enriched customer experience, via newly recognized operational efficiencies and enhanced visibility to their customer’s most critical compliance fleet data.

About Union Leasing

Union Leasing Inc. provides flexible, vehicle lease financing and highly customized fleet management services to corporate and rental customers nationwide. Union Leasing was established in 1955 and is a subsidiary of Sasser Family Companies, Inc. Sasser Family Companies is a fourth generation, family-held transportation asset services and management company with roots dating back to 1928. 

For more information about Union leasing, please contact Jeremy Green, Sales & Marketing Manager: jgreen@unionleasing.com

About Fleetworthy Solutions

Fleetworthy Solutions, Inc. provides DOT safety and regulatory compliance services to commercial fleets that take them Beyond Compliant. Fleetworthy combines exceptional client service, advanced technologies, and more than 40 years of transportation industry expertise to make sure that drivers and assets are truly fleetworthy. The company helps private fleets, for-hire carriers and third-party logistics companies of all sizes surpass compliance of federal, state, and local regulations and streamline processes to reduce costs and mitigate risks.

For more information on the above topic or to see other press releases, please contact Ethan Quimby at 608-230-8224 or email the marketing team at marketing@fleetworthy.com.

April has been designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, to place focus on ways to change behavior through legislation, enforcement, public awareness, and education. This is a good time to review Company driver training and practices/policies related to distracted driving.

Distracted Driving Statistics:

• NHTSA reports that in 2021, distracted driving killed 3,522 people (up from 3,142 in 2020).
• An FMCSA study shows that CMV drivers texting while driving are 23.2 times more likely to be involved in an accident that those not driving distracted.
• ATRI’s 2022 Crash Study found that drivers with a conviction for reckless or inattentive driving have a 62% greater chance of a DOT accident.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is driving while engaging in any activity that diverts your full attention from the task of driving, including:

• Visual distraction – doing something that requires the driver to look away from the roadway, such as:
  • Watching another device, such as a tablet or computer,
  • Looking at paperwork,
  • Looking at directions;
• Manual distraction – doing something that requires the driver to take hands off of the steering wheel, such as:
  • Eating and drinking,
  • Adjusting the stereo or navigation system;
• Mental distraction – thinking about something other than driving, such as:
  • Daydreaming or thinking about things other than driving,
  • Engaging in involved discussions with other people in your vehicle;
  • Talking or texting on your phone involves all three of these distractions.

Training Frequency:

1. What training is provided?
2. How often is refresher training offered?
3. Is training assigned after an event?

Helpful Training Items Focused on Distracted Driving Month:

Link to FMCSA driver materials on distracted driving –

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/distracted-driving-toolkit-documents

Link to FMCSA driver visor card on distracted driving –

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/cmv-driver-toolkit

How Do You Monitor, Coach, and Hold Drivers Accountable for Distracted Driving?

• Inward-facing cameras:
  • How are events handled?
  • Are the drivers allowed to “self-coach” before an event is triggered?
  • What is the coaching process?
  • What policies/progressive discipline are in place for these types of events when self-coaching doesn’t work?
• Other telematics:
  • Are instances of hard-braking, lane departure, following too close, etc., reviewed for evidence of distracted driving?
  • What is the coaching/discipline process?
• Hand-held cell phones:
  • For CMV drivers, these are banned, and can result in tickets/violations/fines, and CSA points to both the driver and the Motor Carrier.
  • What are the consequences for these types of events?
• Hands-free cell phones:
  • Are drivers allowed by company policy to use hands-free devices?
  • While allowed by DOT, we all know that hands-free is not minds-free.
  • Are drivers instructed to keep discussions to a minimum, and to pull over to a safe place before engaging in an emotional conversation?
• Calls from dispatch:
  • Are dispatchers/managers respectful of drivers on the road and do they refrain from calling while the driver is engaged in driving activities?
• Eating/drinking:
  • Are drivers given adequate break time, so they are not trying to eat while driving?
• Team driving:
  • Are passengers of teams required to stay alert and on the lookout for hazards?

Other Resources:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/driver-safety/distracted-driving

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

https://www.nhtsa.gov/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month#:~:text=Drive%20Responsibly,Need%20to%20send%20a%20text%3F

National Safety Council (NSC):

https://www.nsc.org/road/distracted-driving-awareness-month

American Trucking Research Institute (ATRI):

https://truckingresearch.org/atri-research/safety-2

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has placed All-Ways Track ELD on the Revoked Devices List due to the company’s failure to meet minimum requirements, effective March 27, 2023.  Beginning May 26, 2023, continued use of the revoked ELD would be considered to be operating without an ELD.

Motor carriers have a period of up to 60 days to replace revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. If an ELD provider corrects all identified deficiencies, the FMCSA will place the ELD back on the list of registered devices and inform the industry and the field.

As a leader in the Safety Compliance industry, Fleetworthy Solutions is mission-oriented when it comes to providing the best (and most up-to-date) information to our clients.  We excel in recommending ELDs that go above and beyond the minimum requirements set forth by the FMCSA.  Being stewards of the best information in the industry, we are in a position to provide our clients with a clear path to exceed the FMCSA’s requirements.

For ELD and other safety compliance information, please reach out to Fleetworthy Solutions to ensure your compliance is beyond the minimum. You can reach us by phone at 608-230-8200 or email at marketing@fleetworthy.com. You can also visit our website at www.fleetworthy.com.

About Fleetworthy Solutions

Fleetworthy Solutions, Inc. provides DOT safety and regulatory compliance services to commercial fleets that take them Beyond Compliant. Fleetworthy combines exceptional client service, advanced technologies, and more than 35 years of transportation industry expertise to make sure that drivers and assets are truly fleet worthy. The company helps private fleets, for-hire carriers and third-party logistics companies of all sizes surpass compliance of federal, state, and local regulations and streamline processes to reduce costs and mitigate risks.

Madison, WI January 17, 2023 – Fleetworthy, the leading provider of cloud-based compliance, risk mitigation, and safety solutions for commercial fleets, has acquired Viastar, a Dallas, TX-based provider of fleet compliance solutions.

The acquisition adds an attractive portfolio of new strategic clients, solutions capabilities, and channel partners, on the heels of another consecutive year of record revenues and growth at Fleetworthy. Viastar extends Fleetworthy’s capabilities in commercial fleet licensing and permitting, deepens its relationships with financial institutions, and expands the company’s presence with the addition of a new office in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Over 1,500 commercial fleets, representing a footprint of over 200,000 drivers and 210,000 assets, including many of America’s largest private fleets, for-hire carriers and 3PL companies, rely on Fleetworthy to manage their mission-critical safety, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation needs.

“We’re excited to welcome Viastar’s clients and employees to the Fleetworthy family,” said Michael Precia, Fleetworthy’s CEO and President. “Fleetworthy leverages its broad set of automated solutions and deep industry experience to help commercial fleets connect and navigate a highly regulated, complex, and fragmented ecosystem that has historically relied on antiquated software, siloed applications, and manual processes. Our SaaS platform and turnkey subscription-based managed services provide fleets with real-time enterprise-wide visibility of transportation compliance, and a single, unified source of truth for essential driver, asset, and operational data. We’re looking forward to bringing Fleetworthy’s modern cloud-based solutions and full range of capabilities to Viastar’s clients to help them reduce costs, mitigate risks, and achieve significant ROI by improving asset and driver utilization rates, automating workflows, maintaining regulatory compliance, and operating safer and more efficient fleets.”

– Michael Precia, CEO and President, Fleetworthy Solutions

Viastar represents Fleetworthy’s fifth add-on acquisition, joining Our Safety Department, RapidLog, TivaCloud, and On The Go.

About Fleetworthy Solutions

Fleetworthy is the leading provider of cloud-based compliance, risk mitigation, and safety solutions for commercial fleets. Over 1,500 commercial fleets, including some of America’s largest private fleets, for-hire carriers, and 3PLs rely on Fleetworthy to manage and identify risk, adhere to DOT, IFTA, IRP, and other regulations, and help ensure safe and compliant operations, covering a footprint of more than 210,000 drivers and over 260,000 assets. With a long successful track-record, deep commercial fleet experience, and a flexible delivery model that ranges from a cloud-based do-it-yourself software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform to fully outsourced, turnkey subscription-based tech-enabled managed services, Fleetworthy helps private fleets, for-hire carriers and third-party logistics companies of all sizes surpass compliance of federal, state, and local regulations and streamline processes to reduce costs, mitigate risks, and operate more safely and efficiently. Please visit www.fleetworthy.com for more information.

Fleetworthy Expands Technology Solutions as the Employers’ Risk Management Association (ERMA) Becomes the First CPSuite SaaS Customer!

Madison, WI December 8, 2022 – Fleetworthy, an industry-leading compliance software and risk mitigation services provider, announces the first official SaaS collaboration with ERMA, a stand-alone risk management, compliance, and human resource services provider. ERMA will now leverage the power of Fleetworthy’s Intelligent Compliance Platform, CPSuite, to provide additional risk mitigation resources and services to their clients, ensuring that their fleets are going ‘Beyond Compliant’.

Originally, ERMA concentrated on negotiating insurance terms on behalf of their clients but now have grown into a distribution channel of retail agents and insurance company relationships providing an abundance of offerings for human resources and compliance services, risk mitigation, and profit maximization. With the addition of Fleetworthy’s CPSuite to their set of tools, ERMA greatly enhances and expands their service offerings.

When discussions of this collaboration began back in July, it was clear Fleetworthy’s CPSuite platform was going to be crucial in helping increase ERMA’s efficiency through software and managed services. For ERMA, they needed an ally who was both interested in their business and shared the same passion for safety that would work in partnership towards their success. Fleetworthy Solutions proudly brings that passion and added value to their members and the many agents that serve them.

“We conducted an in-depth search for a partner that offered service, technology and a value-added partnership, rather than just a provider of technology. We deemed Fleetworthy to be not only an industry leader with tools and resources that will better allow us to serve our client base better but also look to us a valued partner as well.”

– Jim Urseth, President, ERMA

Fleetworthy continues to expand their SaaS features in the CPSuite to help fleets and owner-operators working with ERMA, or any future clients, looking to lower their compliance risk, focus on safety, and ensure that they get the best solution for compliance and technology.

About ERMA

Founded in 1998, Employers’ Risk Management Association (ERMA) is a member-focused association that leverages their 10,000+ members’ cumulative buying power for essential business services, including risk management solutions, and varied industry compliance and HR services that would otherwise be out of reach for companies with smaller budgets. ERMA is actively creating partnerships within the insurance industry and is now sold through a distribution channel of retail agents and insurance companies that help benefit their members and their agents with competitive insurance products for all members. Visit www.myerma.com  to learn more.

About Fleetworthy

Fleetworthy is revolutionizing road safety and fleet management with a command center for safety, compliance, and efficiency. Our connected suite provides real-time insights and control, enabling customers to maximize efficiency, reduce risk, and save money. 

With technology that unifies safety, compliance, toll management, weigh station bypass, and more, Fleetworthy empowers organizations to perform at their best. We simplify operations to ensure every vehicle and driver is not just compliant, but beyond compliant.  Supporting millions of drivers and vehicles, Fleetworthy is leading a new era in road safety and fleet technology.  For more information, visit fleetworthy.com.

Connecticut has recently announced their own Highway Use Fee for highway use impacting vehicles weighing 26,000lbs or more in operation. As of January 1, 2023, a Highway Use Fee will be imposed on these carriers traveling through or in Connecticut. Click on the following link for the language directly from the State of Connecticut that was sent out to motor carriers across the country – https://www.iftach.org/bulletins/CT%20Highway%20Use%20Fee%20-IFTA.pdf

Who Must Complete a Registration Application and File a Highway Use Fee Return?

Any person that operates or causes to be operated on any highway in this state any eligible motor vehicle. An eligible motor vehicle has a gross weight of 26,000 lbs or more and carries a classification between Class 8 and Class 13, inclusive, under the Federal Highway Administration vehicle classification system must register for a Highway Use Fee Permit. Click on the following link to go to the website for the Connecticut State Department of Revenue Services for more information regarding registration – https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Businesses/Highway-Use-Fee/HUF#when

For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the State of Connecticut concerning the Highway Use Fee, click the following link – https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DRS/Publications/TSSB/2022/TSSB-2022-7.pdf

How Can Fleetworthy Solutions Help?

Take a look at some specific FAQs from the above list and read the details on how Fleetworthy can assist.

FAQ# 7 – Does an eligible carrier need to register with the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) for purposes of the Highway Use Fee? Yes. Any carrier who operates an eligible motor vehicle in Connecticut is subject to the Highway Use Fee and must register with DRS for the Highway Use Fee by January 1, 2023. After registering, a Highway Use Fee Permit will be available in myconneCT (DRS’ online filing and paying portal).

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy can open, manage and update the CT HUF account as needed, including providing the permit once issued. Once opened by Fleetworthy, the account does not need to be renewed.

FAQ# 10 – Will a permit be issued for each eligible vehicle used by a carrier on Connecticut roads? No. If DRS accepts an application, it will issue one permit to the carrier. The carrier will be required to place a copy of the permit in each eligible vehicle operated by the carrier in Connecticut. No carrier may lawfully operate or cause to be operated an eligible motor vehicle in Connecticut on or after January 1, 2023, without obtaining a Highway Use Fee Permit from DRS.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy will identify which qualified trucks have operated in CT in the previous 12 months to allow for the Motor Carrier to quickly disburse the permits to the field.

FAQ# 14 – What is the due date for filing and paying the Highway Use Fee? The Highway Use Fee Return and associated payment is required to be filed on or before the end of the month following the monthly period covered by said return. To this end, and by way of example, the first Highway Use Fee Return is due on or before February 28, 2023, and said return will cover the month of January 2023.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy can file, pay and invoice as a single payer for your Connecticut Highway Use Fee account. With access to your mileage data, Fleetworthy can not only accurately file your reports but also house the information for the required period of time.

FAQ# 16 – Is an eligible carrier that is registered with DRS for the Highway Use Fee required to file a Highway Use Fee Return for a particular monthly period in which it does not operate any eligible motor vehicle on a Connecticut road? Yes. All carriers registered for the Highway Use Fee are required to file a Highway Use Fee Return for all monthly periods, regardless of whether or not said carriers operated vehicles in Connecticut during a particular month.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy’s team of mileage tax experts will evaluate your fleet’s activity within any given month, then file on your behalf in an accurate and timely manner.

FAQ# 17 – Is a carrier required to maintain records in connection with the filing of the Highway Use Fee Return? Yes. Each carrier must keep records, receipts, invoices and other pertinent papers in a manner to support the information reported on each Highway Use Fee Return it files with DRS. In addition, each carrier shall maintain, on a monthly basis, a list of all the eligible motor vehicles that such carrier operates or causes to operate on a highway in the state during such month. All such lists shall be maintained by the carrier for not less than four years after the date of each such month and shall be made available to DRS upon request.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy will retain your mileage records for the required period of time and furnish on behalf of the motor carrier if requested from the Department of Revenue Services.

The Legacy Partnership Between Fleetworthy Solutions and SambaSafety
Strengthens as Fleetworthy Introduces Continuous MVR Monitoring, Powered
by SambaSafety

Madison, WI November 17, 2022 – Fleetworthy Solutions, an industry leading compliance and
regulatory software and managed services provider, announces an upgrade to their driver
services offerings by becoming the newest authorized reseller of SambaSafety’s powerful
continuous driver monitoring platform, Qorta. This addition gives Fleetworthy clients the ability
to reach new and improved visibility into compliance.

Qorta allows companies to continuously monitor listed drivers and receive alerts regarding
violations such as license suspensions, speeding tickets, DUI’s, etc., as they are reported on
Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) without having to wait for their drivers’ next annual MVR review.
Companies use Qorta to proactively identify, categorize and provide training intervention to
the portion of its driver population most likely to be involved in an auto accident.

“The ability to give our customers real-time data to mitigate risk is an important mission at
Fleetworthy. SambaSafety’s Qorta platform does just that. I am excited to increase the scope
of our partnership with SambaSafety; partnering with a company that takes compliance as
seriously as we do just makes sense.”

– Michael Precia, CEO and President, Fleetworthy Solutions

This partnership originally started over nine years ago with Vigillo, which was acquired by
SambaSafety in 2017, due to each companies’ shared values and interests in keeping all drivers
and roads as safe as possible. Fleetworthy’s alliance with SambaSafety provides clients with a
comprehensive approach to state-of-the-art compliance management and risk mitigation
technology to help keep their drivers and assets compliant of all federal, state, and local
regulations.

“Fleetworthy is a leader in DOT and fleet compliance management software, and we have a
shared passion and commitment to our customers’ safety, compliance, and bottom line. We
have been longtime partners in providing critical CSA inspection data and are excited to
expand our partnership to include the full scope of Samba solutions including license
monitoring, world class online training, reporting and analytics. We are now working
together to develop workflow efficiencies through integrations to extend our value to our
shared clients.”

– Gerard Baker, Vice President of Channels, SambaSafety

With plenty of other products, services, and technology integrations available, this evergrowing partnership has a bright future together and both companies look forward to what’s coming next!

About SambaSafety

Since 1998, SambaSafety has been a leading North American provider of cloud-based mobility
risk management software solutions for organizations with commercial and non-commercial
drivers. Through the collection, correlation, and analysis of driver information, SambaSafety
combines driver performance monitoring with online mastery-based training and deep risk
analytics to help employers enhance safety policies and reduce the frequency and severity of
auto claims.

About Fleetworthy Solutions

Fleetworthy Solutions, Inc. provides DOT safety and regulatory compliance services to
commercial fleets that take them Beyond Compliant. Fleetworthy combines exceptional client
service, advanced technologies (CPSuite), and more than 35 years of transportation industry
expertise to make sure that drivers and assets are truly fleet worthy. The company helps
private fleets, for-hire carriers and third-party logistics companies of all sizes surpass
compliance of federal, state, and local regulations and streamline processes to reduce costs
and mitigate risks.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Ethan Quimby at 608-230-
8224 or email the marketing team at marketing@fleetworthy.com.

The FMCSA recently announced that effective January 6, 2023, Motor Carriers no longer need to make an inquiry to an FMCSA-regulated previous employer regarding drug or alcohol history when performing background checks. Instead the FMCSA will require, as they have since January 6, 2020, the Motor Carrier to query the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse database, which provides the previous three years of drug or alcohol violations of FMCSA safety sensitive positions. Click here to review the announcement from the FMCSA.

Please note that annual query requirements have not changed, meaning employers must still conduct a separate query in the Clearinghouse at least once a year for each commercial driver they employ.

What Does This Mean for Motor Carriers?

One less question to ask an applicant on their DOT-regulated application and one less piece of information to request from previous employers. The hiring Motor Carrier must still make an inquiry into any FMCSA-regulated employment within the past three years to confirm employment and driving history per 49 CFR 391.23. The Motor Carrier must also ask the Safety Sensitive Drug and Alcohol history questions to any DOT-regulated positions that are not outside of the FMCSA.

How Can Fleetworthy Help?

Fleetworthy Solutions can assist by performing the required inquiries into an applicant’s employment history while simultaneously making the pre-hire query to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Fleetworthy can also assist with tracking the inquiries made, responses received and even do the comparisons to the Application for Employment to determine if there are any gaps or missing data that require action. A fully vetted solution for all things Driver Qualification File management, Fleetworthy Solutions will help you go ‘Beyond Compliant’.