FMCSA Releases Final Hours-of-Service Rule

December 22nd, 2011

The FMCSA has released the final hours-of-service rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2011.   View:  Summary of the RuleDOT Press Release, and  PDF of the Final Rule.

FMCSA Releases Hours-of-Service Final Rule

December 22nd, 2011

Click to view a summary of the final rule.

RAIR Introduces Online Safety Training

December 13th, 2011

RAIR and ITI Join Forces to Provide Personalized Real-Time Training

Industry First Ties Key Performance Indicators and CSA BASIC Scores to Specific Training Needs

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (December 13, 2011) – RAIR, a division of DriveCam and leading provider of web-based safety and compliance solutions, has partnered with Instructional Technologies, Inc. (ITI) to provide ITI’s Pro-TREAD online safety training to DOT-regulated fleets.  RAIR is an industry leader in identifying risk by analyzing driver behavior. The new partnership enables customers to address risky behavior by matching specific training lessons to individual drivers based on key performance indicators, including CSA BASIC scores.

 “By assigning Pro-TREAD training lessons from within RAIR’s reporting system, users now have the ability to directly link risky driving behavior to appropriate training content, enabling relevant and meaningful interaction with drivers,” commented RAIR CEO, Greg Lofy. “For example, a user of RAIR’s DVIR auditing program can currently identify a driver who routinely fails to perform proper pre-trip inspections on his tanker. With our new partnership, the user will be able to navigate directly from RAIR’s DVIR reports to Pro-TREAD to assign the Tanker Pre-trip Inspection lesson to that driver.”

“RAIR and Instructional Technologies make an excellent alliance,” said Dr. James Voorhees, founder and CEO of Instructional Technologies, Inc. “Both companies provide easy-to-use online services that help carriers operate safely, reduce costs and limit risk. Giving fleets the ability to take immediate, driver-specific action on RAIR’s safety analysis makes our highways safer.”

For more information, visit www.rair.com or www.instructiontech.net.

About RAIR

Founded in 2001, RAIR provides web-based safety and compliance services to over 300 truck and bus companies, representing more than 300,000 drivers. RAIR services include paper and electronic (EOBR) driver log auditing, CSA data analysis and management, driver qualification (DQ) file auditing and online DQ files, paper/electronic driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) auditing and online vehicle files, drug testing and more. Because of its expertise in regulatory compliance issues for DOT-regulated fleets, RAIR has fostered long-term relationships with many of the largest and most prestigious fleets in trucking, distribution and transit, including 50% of the “Top 100” carriers in the U.S. and Canada. RAIR is a division of DriveCam, Inc.

DriveCam is a leading provider of safety and driver management services. As proven experts in the science of safe and efficient driving, DriveCam prevents collisions and reduces fuel costs by improving the way people drive. Its solution addresses the causes of poor driving by combining data and video analytics with real-time driver feedback and coaching, resulting in reductions in collision-related costs and fuel consumption in over 170,000 commercial vehicles.

About Instructional Technologies, Inc.

Instructional Technologies, Inc. (ITI) helps reduce injuries and accidents in the transportation and logistics industry by providing safety training through Pro-TREAD. Pro-TREAD trains truck drivers and warehouse employees with more than 70 interactive online and in-cab courses. These self-paced courses cover everything from defensive driving to hazmat regulations, from forklift operations to emergency planning and are accessible online or in-cab. Pro-TREAD also maintains an online database that documents and stores each driver’s training history, a valuable tool for proving compliance and for legal defense. In addition, customers receive a training management system, which allows management to track which employees have taken and completed the training.

Cell Phone Ban Effective January 3, 2012

December 2nd, 2011

The final rule banning hand-held cellular phone use in commercial motor vehicles was published today in the Federal Register.  The rule prohibits the use of hand-held mobile phones by CMV drivers.  Included in the regulation are new sanctions that can disqualify drivers who fail to comply with this federal rule, as well as impose steep civil penalties for both drivers and carriers (a maximum of $2,750 and $11,000, respectively.)   The rule will become effective on January 3, 2012.

View the published rule.  Read the FMCSA press release announcing the ban.

MRO Advisory Alert

November 28th, 2011

Federally Certified Laboratories have been directed by HHS to “Reject for Testing” specimens collected with the “old Custody and Control Form” received on and after December 1, 2011.  Click here to read the full alert.

DriveCam to Acquire RAIR

November 17th, 2011

DriveCam Accelerates Growth with New Funding and Strategic Acquisition

$85 Million Private Investment. Acquisition of RAIR Technologies to Double Customer Base.

SAN DIEGO – November 17, 2011 – To continue funding rapid growth and market expansion, DriveCam, Inc., a global, SaaS-based Driver Risk Management company, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to raise $85 million in investment capital from WELSH, CARSON, ANDERSON & STOWE XI, L.P. (WCAS), a New York-based private equity firm and global leader in the funding and development of information and business services providers. The investment is being made, in part, to fund the acquisition of RAIR Technologies, LLC, a leading provider of regulatory compliance solutions for DOT-regulated fleets. RAIR allows fleet operators to efficiently manage hours-of-service logs, CSA safety scores, driver qualification and vehicle inspection requirements.

The investment is a direct result of DriveCam’s pioneering leadership in the field of video-based driver safety and its growing customer base, including many of the largest and most prestigious fleets in the world. By consistently delivering customer value, DriveCam has achieved strong profitability, generated significant year-over-year growth and continues to win multi-year orders from both new and existing clients. The new investment will fund DriveCam’s aggressive growth agenda, including its acquisition of RAIR.

“We are very pleased to partner with DriveCam, the market-leading provider of driver safety technology and solutions,” commented Mike Donovan, General Partner at WCAS. “DriveCam’s management team has been at the forefront of industry innovation and operational excellence, and as a result, we see the very strong momentum in the business today continuing into the future.” WCAS joins DriveCam’s strong group of existing investors.

“It’s exciting to be recognized by leaders in the investment community for our hard work and success,” remarked DriveCam CEO Brandon Nixon. “With this investment, DriveCam will continue to accelerate its growth by expanding into new market segments and broadening its value proposition through strategic partnerships and targeted acquisitions, the first of which is RAIR.”

RAIR provides web-based safety and compliance services to many top fleets in trucking, distribution and transit, including 50% of the “Top 100” carriers in the U.S. and Canada. Its services include the processing and auditing of hours-of-service logs, CSA data analysis and management, driver qualification file auditing, vehicle inspection (DVIR) reporting and auditing, drug testing and more.  RAIR’s services save fleet operators time, reduce exposure related to litigation or poor safety ratings and improve overall fleet competitiveness.  By combining DriveCam and RAIR’s complementary services, clients will be able to take advantage of a suite of driver-centric services that will help fleet operators more efficiently manage their driver workforce.

“We’ve dedicated many years to building a business that is an industry leader, recognized for great customer service,” stated Greg Lofy, CEO of RAIR. “In DriveCam, we have found a strategic partner that shares our commitment to high-quality service and innovation – and is the unparalleled leader in driver safety.  By joining forces, I’m confident we will be able to expand our technology and services to bring additional value to our customers.

“We are only in the initial phases of delivering on all the benefits we can provide to the combined client base,” Nixon commented. “RAIR has a strong position in the DOT-regulated transportation market, which nicely complements DriveCam’s already strong client base in trucking, local distribution, services, utilities, transit and solid waste. Building on this acquisition, DriveCam is dedicated to investing heavily in our service offering through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”

The investment and acquisition are expected to close in early December 2011, subject to customary closing conditions, including expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.  Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Barclays Capital Inc. served as exclusive financial advisor and exclusive placement agent to DriveCam on the transaction.

About WELSH, CARSON, ANDERSON & STOWE

WELSH, CARSON, ANDERSON & STOWE (“WCAS”) is one of the largest and most successful private equity investment firms in the United States. Since its founding in 1979, WCAS has organized 15 limited partnerships with total capital of $20 billion. Since inception, WCAS has invested in over 160 companies in its core industries and has funded over 650 follow-on acquisitions. Across all WCAS Partnerships, the current portfolio consists of 30 companies with combined revenues of approximately $24 billion and EBITDA of over $3.3 billion. Investors in WCAS’ previous Partnerships include many of the nation’s most prominent institutions, including public and private pension funds, banks, insurance companies, university endowments and other institutional investors.

About RAIR Technologies, LLC

Founded in 2001, RAIR provides web-based safety and compliance services to over 300 truck and bus companies, representing more than 300,000 drivers. RAIR services include paper and electronic (EOBR) driver log auditing, CSA data analysis and management, driver qualification (DQ) file auditing and online DQ files, paper/electronic driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) auditing and online vehicle files, drug testing and more. Because of its expertise in regulatory compliance issues for DOT-regulated fleets, RAIR has fostered long-term relationships with many of the largest and most prestigious fleets in trucking, distribution and transit, including 50% of the “Top 100” carriers in the U.S. and Canada

About DriveCam, Inc.

As proven experts in the science of safe and efficient driving, DriveCam prevents collisions and reduces fuel costs by improving the way people drive. Our solution addresses the causes of poor driving by combining data and video analytics with real-time driver feedback and coaching, resulting in reductions in collision-related costs and fuel consumption in over 170,000 commercial vehicles. In addition, DriveCam has monitored and analyzed data from over 4 billion driving miles and holds the world’s largest database of risky driving, which is continually used to improve proprietary analytics and deliver insights into transportation industry trends. DriveCam was recently recognized as #30 in The Wall Street Journal’s listing of Top 50 Venture-Backed Companies. For more information, visit www.drivecam.com.

RAIR Acquired by DriveCam

November 17th, 2011

Learn more.

Steve Wilhelms Elected to ATA Committee

October 5th, 2011

Steve Wilhelms, RAIR’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, was recently elected as Vice Chairman of the Allied Committee of the American Trucking Association (ATA) Safety Management Council

The American Trucking Association’s Safety Management Council is the only national organization dedicated to advancing safe policies, practices and technology; and effective risk management and accident/injury prevention in the trucking industry.  It also addresses trucking’s unique human resource challenges, health and wellness issues, as well as recruitment and retention strategies.

The Safety Management Council exists to serve, promote and create value for members and the industry through research, education, information dissemination, peer interaction, consensus building, and incentive programs which inspire corporate and individual excellence and contribute to safer, more secure and profitable trucking operations and industry.

Visit the American Trucking Association‘s website to learn more about the Safety Management Council.

Visit RAIR at ATA Conferences

September 19th, 2011

RAIR will be exhibiting at the ATA Safety & Human Resources Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 20-21, 2011.  Stop by booth #403.  RAIR will also be exhibiting at the ATA Mangement Conference & Exhibition in Grapevine, Texas on October 15-18.  Visit us at booth #526.

RAIR Movie

September 16th, 2011

View our new 2-minute video introdution to RAIR’s safety and compliance services.