On May 31, CVSA submitted a petition to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to amend Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 393.5 by adding a definition of “friction mat.” Currently, § 393.108(g) states that “friction mats,” which are not marked or rated by the manufacturer, shall be considered to provide resistance to horizonal movement equal to 50% of the weight placed on the mat. Without a clear definition, motor carriers may utilize nearly any material positioned under cargo to contribute to the overall aggregate working load limit for their cargo securement requirements.
