Eric DeGesero, Executive Director of the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey, and Gail Toth, Executive Director of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, released the following statement: 

“Assembly Bill A-4470, which is posted in the General Assembly on Thursday, would create a traffic and safety nightmare on all New Jersey major roadways by greatly impeding the flow of traffic for trucks.

Under current law trucks 10,000 lbs. registered gross weight or greater cannot be in the farthest left hand lane if there are three or more lanes of traffic moving in one direction. Assembly Bill 4470 sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Egan (D-Middlesex) will reduce that to two lanes. This means all trucks 10,000 lbs. or greater must be in the right lane only. This is any vehicle the size of a Ford F-350 or greater.

If enacted, this bill will needlessly delay the movement of goods. Of far greater concern is the safety nightmare this will cause merging onto highways and entering and exiting businesses. The National Association of Motorists opposed the bill in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

According to Choose New Jersey, 'New Jersey is one of the world’s fastest-growing hubs for logistics and distribution.' It is not possible to both be a 'hub for logistics and distribution' and hate trucks. 

Moreover, Port Newark is now the busiest port in the United States and one of the state’s largest employers. This legislation will encourage shippers to look elsewhere. 

Members of the General Assembly should consider this bill's negative logistic and traffic implications, as well as the safety of New Jersey drivers, and vote NO on A-4470."

On May 2 NJMTA celebrated our incoming board of directors and honored longtime NJMTA member Tom Adamski with our Director for Life designation.

NJMTA Officers

Chairman of the Board - William Messenger, Campbell's Express

President - Helder Rebelo, Daybreak Express

Vice President - Mike Ravallo, Pinnacle Freight Systems

Secretary/Treasurer - John Bittner, Romark Logistics

ATA - VP at Large - Lee Robledo, NFI

Board of Directors

Joseph Bartlinski, Trans American Trucking Service Inc.

John Boyle Jr., Boyle Transportation Services

Helen Brooks, FedEx Corp.

Jeff Brown, NFI

Jack Cambria, Cambria Mack Trucks

Jim Daulerio, H & H Transportation, Inc.

Jerry Dooley, Transways Motor Express

Jeffrey M. Hermann, Hermann Services, Inc.

John Kellenberger, Keystone Lines

David King, ContainerPort Group

Steve Liberti, Harbor Freight Transport Corp.

Mike Luffy, NRS

Joe Nichols, Wakefern Food Corp.

James G. Overley, Safeway Trucking Corp./East Coast Warehouse

Ned Runser, Americold / Hall's Fast Motor Freight

Jared Stadlin, Linden Warehouse & Distribution Co., Inc.

Michael E. Torrissi Jr., Coraluzzo Torrissi Transport

Directors for Life

Tom Adamski, First Coast Logistics, Inc.

Sandy Salz, Linden Warehouse & Distribution

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LUNCHEON SPONSORS

GOLD SPONOSRS 

Daybreak Express, Inc. 

Hermann Transportation 

Maher Terminals LLC 

NRS 

SILVER SPONSORS 

Campbell’s Express 

Wakefern Food Corp. 

BRONZE SPONSORS 

Custard Insurance Adjusters 

Harbor Freight Transport 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company 

Keystone Lines 

Metropolitan Marine Maintenance Contractors’ Association 

Penske Truck Leasing 

Pinnacle Freight Systems 

Port Authority of NY & NJ 

RED Trucking & Logistics 

Romark Logistics 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO TRUCKING INDUSTRY ON

ABC EMERGENCY TRIP PERMITS

The Division is changing the process for obtaining Emergency Trip Permits in New Jersey. Effective May 16, 2023, Emergency Trip Permits will be issued by the Division through the Division’s website. To obtain an Emergency Trip Permit, click on the following link: https://www.njportal.com/abc/eps, or go to ABC’s website at www.njoag.gov/EmergencyTripPermit. Telephone orders for Emergency Trip Permits will not be available.

Emergency Trip Permits are required if your company does not have a transportation license or permit, and you are transporting alcoholic beverages into, out of, or within the State of New Jersey. No ABC permit is required if you are transporting alcoholic beverages interstate through the State of New Jersey with no pickups from or deliveries made in New Jersey.

In order to obtain an Emergency Trip Permit, you will be required to provide identification information, the vehicle information, and origin and destination information. In addition, the statutory fee remains $25 per permit, but administrative fees have been reduced from $14 to $5 per permit. Fees are payable by credit card. Users will not be permitted to order Emergency Trip Permits via telephone. The Emergency Trip Permit must still be obtained prior to the pick-up or delivery, and the driver must have a copy of the Permit on their person or electronically while transporting alcoholic beverages in New Jersey. The Permit must be presented upon request to ABC licensees at the point of pick up or delivery and to law enforcement officers and ABC investigators.

To ensure a seamless transition, Emergency Trip Permits issued by ABC through Comdata will also be available until June 15, 2023. Beginning on June 16, 2023, Emergency Trip Permits may only be ordered from https://www.njportal.com/abc/eps or www.njoag.gov/EmergencyTripPermit.

The new Emergency Trip Permit issued by the Division through the ABC website will have a different certificate design and permit numbers. Users can contact ABC through NICUSA for 24/7 technical support at (609) 586-2600. Any other questions concerning Emergency Trip Permits should be directed to 609-984-2830 and/or ABCPublic@njoag.gov during normal business hours.

Print a copy of the letter here: Final Letter to Trade Industries ABC.pdf

AMT is excited to announce our upcoming webinar on April 20th at 12pm featuring Nutritionist Jacqueline Gomes of Jacqueline Gomes Nutrition. The webinar, titled "AMT Lunch and Learn: 8 Health Habits that will Change your Life featuring Nutritionist Jacqueline Gomes," will cover a range of topics related to nutrition and weight loss. 

At AMT, our goal is to provide More Options for More Health, and we want to supply our members with educational materials to improve their health in all areas of their lives. We're confident that Jacqueline's expertise and insights will help our members make informed decisions about their diets and lifestyles.  During the webinar, Jacqueline will share tips and strategies for making healthy food choices, managing cravings, and creating sustainable habits that can lead to extending your “feel good years”.  She'll also discuss the importance of self-care and stress management in achieving optimal health.

We encourage all members to attend this informative and engaging webinar. Whether you're looking to improve your overall health, lose weight, or simply learn more about nutrition, you're sure to benefit from Jacqueline's expertise. Mark your calendars for April 20th at 12pm and join us for this exciting event!

Register in advance here! 

The New Jersey Motor Truck Association (“NJMTA”) is pleased to announce that the exclusive 2023 edition of NJMTA Buyers’ Guide, the premier resource of relevant products and services for trucking industry professionals, is now available at the NJMTA website at www.njtrucks.org.

NJMTA partnered with Overland, KS-based Strategic Value Media, a leading nationwide provider of print and digital media solutions to the national, state and local trade and membership associations, to produce the Guide. NJMTA is proud to provide its members with this useful and easily accessible year-round resource.

The 2023 edition of the Buyers’ Guide will feature updated and expanded company and product listings, in addition to other valuable information relating to the trucking industry. The Buyers’ Guide provides users with an efficient way to browse for goods and services and offers trucking professionals exceptional visibility by showcasing their products and services to a targeted, industry-specific buyer group.

If your company or business has not yet taken advantage of this exceptional opportunity to highlight your products and services in the Guide, it is not too late! To learn more about advertising your product or services within this exclusive Guide, please email njmta-advertise@svmmedia.com.

A representative from Strategic Value Media may contact you by email or phone to inquire if you want to enhance your listing in the Buyers’ Guide. Please know this is a legitimate call and that SVM is partnering with NJMTA to provide our members this resource for advertising your products and services.

A975 - Requires commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with certain global positioning systems. This legislation would essentially require all commercial trucks to have truck GPS systems onboard. ATA provided us a letter which was submitted to the committee.

To View ATA Letter

Here is press release from Assemblyman DiMaio on the GPS bill.

To view bill: NJ Legislature 

A4470 - Concerns trucks (10,000 pounds or more) driving in the farthest left-hand lane of State highway system and State toll roads. For months we have sought a meeting with the bill’s sponsors and have heard nothing. This bill would require all trucks to stay out of the left lane on 2 or 3 lane state roads. On two lane roads this would create a wall of trucks on the right lane – a very unsafe situation. Fines would be increased, and the driver would be required to appear in court. no mail in fines or sending please by mail or electronically! 

To view bill: NJ Legislature 

Here is a link (audio only) to the Assembly Transportation Committee hearing. NJMTA lobbyist Eric DeGesero presented NJMTA's comments.

The Ed Durr revenge bill advances

The Ed Durr revenge bill advances

By MATT FRIEDMAN 

 

03/24/2023 06:55 AM EDT

Good Friday morning! 

Is it just a coincidence that not long after a Republican truck driver ousted Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney, Democrats in the Assembly introduced a bill to expand New Jersey’s law prohibiting trucks in the left lane in some circumstances and toughen penalties?

Well, yeah, it probably is. That would be a ridiculously complicated — if funny — way to get revenge at the truck driver, state Sen. Ed Durr. But I called him about it anyway.

“I find that to be outrageous at the very least, and discriminatory. Just because they’re trucks they can’t pass a car, when a car is going too slow they have to stay in the right lane?” Durr said.

I wrote about this bill when it was introduced last summer. On Thursday, the Assembly Transportation Committee approved it 9-1 despite the passionate objections from trucking and food industry lobbyists. While the bill might help some annoyed drivers, they said it was unworkable and unfair.

New Jersey already bars vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more from the left lane of highways with three or more lanes in each direction. Under this bill, NJ A4470, trucks would be barred from the left lane even on two-lane highways, with some exceptions. Penalties for the offense would also double, from up to $300 to up to $600. And, at least under the current version of the bill, the truck drivers would have to show up to court in person to pay the fine, rather than online or by mail.

“I’m a truck driver from Utah and I’m unaware of a stupid New Jersey law, and I have to come back to pay a fine?” said Eric DeGesero, a lobbyist for the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, who added that a farmer’s F350 pick up truck can weigh over 10,000 pounds. “It’s punitive on top of punitive on top of punitive on top of punitive and it’s unsafe.”

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com.

The American Trucking Associations is hailing congressional leaders for their efforts to repeal the antiquated federal excise tax on the purchase of new trucks.

"The federal excise tax on purchases of trucks adds nearly $25,000 to the cost of new equipment – slowing deployment of safer and more environmentally friendly vehicles," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "This more than 100-year-old tax – first instituted to support American troops during the First World War, has far outlived its usefulness and now acts as an impediment to creating jobs, reducing emissions and improving highway safety."

The Modern Clean and Safe Trucks Act of 2023 was introduced in both the House and Senate by a bipartisan coalition of Congressmen and Senators, led by Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Chris Pappas, Earl Blumenauer and Darin LaHood in the House and Sens. Ben Cardin and Todd Young in the Senate.  The FET is currently the highest percentage excise tax – at 12 percent - levied on any product.

"ATA thanks these champions for their leadership on this critical issue. We encourage Congress to take up and pass this legislation, an important step that will lead to both safer highways and decreased emissions," said Spear.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced May 16-18 as this year’s International Roadcheck. International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume 72-hour inspection and enforcement event where CVSA-certified inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, designated inspection areas and along roadways.

This year, inspectors will focus on anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and cargo securement to highlight the importance of those aspects of vehicle safety. Although ABS violations are not out-of-service violations, ABS play a critical role in reducing the risk of collisions by preventing the wheels from locking up or skidding, allowing a driver to maintain control of the vehicle while braking. In addition, improper cargo securement poses a serious risk to drivers and other motorists by adversely affecting the vehicle’s maneuverability, or worse, causing unsecured loads to fall, resulting in traffic hazards and vehicle collisions.

During International Roadcheck, inspectors will conduct their usual roadside safety inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. Data will be gathered from those three days and shared later this year, as a snapshot of the state of commercial motor vehicle and driver safety.

International Roadcheck also provides an opportunity to educate the motor carrier industry and general public about the importance of safe commercial motor vehicle operations and the North American Standard Inspection Program.

During a routine North American Standard Level I Inspection, inspectors focus on two areas – driver and vehicle safety compliance.

• Vehicle safety – Inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments.
• Driver safety – Inspectors will check the driver’s operating credentials, hours-of-service documentation, status in the drug and alcohol clearinghouse, seat belt usage, and for alcohol and/or drug impairment.

Vehicles that successfully pass a Level I or Level V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for three months. If the inspector does identify critical vehicle inspection item violations, as outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle will be restricted from operating until the identified out-of-service conditions have been corrected. Inspectors may also restrict the driver from operating if the driver is found to have driver out-of-service violations, such as not possessing a valid or necessary operating license or exhibiting signs of impairment.

CVSA’s law enforcement member jurisdictions in cities, states, districts, provinces and territories in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. participate in International Roadcheck with support from trucking associations, transportation safety organizations and federal agencies, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Transport Canada and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation.