News

The American Trucking Associations thanked Congress for enacting a fix to the hours-of-service restart that will restore the regulation to the pre-July 2013 version and reduce crash risk on our nation’s highways. 

“ ATA thanks Congress for passing this Continuing Resolution, which includes language to permanently fix the hours-of-service restart, and that the President is expected to sign into law shortly. It is now our hope that as an industry, we can put this issue firmly in the rearview mirror,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Thanks to hard work by Congressional leaders of both parties and in both chambers, we are one step closer to having an hours-of-service restart rule that makes sense and puts safety first” 

The language in the C.R. should, pending the results of a Department of Transportation study, restore the restart rules to what they were before July 2013 when two unjustified restrictions were imposed on 3.5 million professional truck drivers. 

“The changes to the restart could have been devastating to my fleet and thousands of other trucking companies across the country,” said ATA Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc., Dayton, Ohio. “By including this language, Congress has done a tremendous service for highway safety, the trucking industry, its millions of professional drivers and Congress should be thanked.”

In July 2013, the Obama Administration restricted the use of the restart – an extended off-duty period drivers use to reset their workweeks – to only once every 168 hours and required that the restart period include two overnight stretches between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. The impact of these changes – until they were suspended in 2014 – was an uptick in early daytime driving by trucks and an increase in crashes due to the resulting congestion.

“These rules, put forward based on a very limited laboratory sleep study, could have had serious negative safety impacts,” Spear said. “The restart is an important tool for drivers, not to maximize driving time, but to have the flexibility to maximize off-duty time and time at home, and we are pleased that drivers will continue to have unrestricted access to it.”

Today, American Trucking Associations said the turnover rate at truckload fleets with more than $30 million in annual revenue dropped two points to 81%, the third decline in 2016, in the third quarter – the lowest point since the second quarter of 2011.

“Ongoing softness in the freight economy has contributed to an easing of the market for drivers and a reduced turnover rate,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Since the end of the third quarter, we have seen signs that we may be reaching the end of the poor inventory cycle that has driven a lot of the weakness in the freight economy, so we may see turnover rates rebound in the months to come.” 

The turnover rate at smaller truckload fleets rose one point to 80% and turnover at less-than-truckload carriers fell three points to 9%. 

“Despite the falling turnover rate, carriers continue to report difficulty finding well-qualified drivers, a problem that will not only persist, but which will get worse as the freight economy improves,” Costello said.

In an effort to help reduce the number crashes, fatalities and injuries attributed to unsafe driving behaviors, law enforcement agencies throughout North America increased traffic safety enforcement of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and private passenger-vehicle (car) drivers during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week, Oct. 16-22, 2016.

CMV safety enforcement officials issued warnings or citations to 20,648 CMV drivers and private passenger-vehicle drivers for unsafe driving behaviors. Examples of unsafe driving behaviors include speeding, failure to use a seatbelt, distracted driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, traveling too closely, improper lane change, etc.

During this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, data was collected by nearly 3,000 law enforcement officials at locations across the United States and Canada.

The top five warnings and citations issued to CMV drivers (as a percentage of total CMV warnings and citations) were:

1. State and Local Moving Violations – 56.7 percent
2. Speeding – 19.6 percent
3. Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device – 7.6 percent
4. Failing to Use Seatbelt While Operating CMV – 7.1 percent
5. Using a Handheld Phone – 2.4 percent

The top five warnings and citations issued to private passenger-vehicle drivers (as a percentage of total passenger vehicle warnings and citations) were:

1. Speeding – 39.4 percent
2. State and Local Moving Violations – 37.1 percent
3. Failing to Use Seat Belt – 11.7 percent
4. Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device – 1.9 percent
5. Inattentive and/or Careless Driving – 1.5 percent

“This year, the Operation Safe Driver Week campaign specifically targeted the unsafe driving behaviors that are more often the cause of crashes,” said CVSA President Julius Debuschewitz of Yukon Highways and Public Works. “Through a variety of high-visibility and covert driver traffic enforcement initiatives, in addition to driver education and outreach activities, law enforcement agencies capitalized on the opportunity the weeklong campaign provided to continue their work toward making sure the drivers on our nations’ roadways are sharing and navigating those roadways safely.”

The following is a closer look at this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week traffic enforcement results:

• During 2016 Operation Safe Driver Week, 20,648 total citations or warnings were issued throughout the United States and Canada.
• Of that total, 19,657 citations or warnings were issued in the United States and 991 were issued in Canada.
• 9,466 citations or warnings were issued to private passenger-vehicle drivers.
• 11,182 citations or warnings were issued to CMV drivers.
• 39.4 percent of private passenger-vehicle driver warnings and citations were issued for speeding, versus 19.6 percent of CMV driver warnings and citations.
• A small percentage of warnings and citations were for inattentive or careless driving – 0.5 percent of CMV drivers and 1.5 percent of private passenger-vehicle drivers.
• 11.7 percent of private passenger-vehicle driver citations and warnings were for not wearing a seatbelt.
• 7.1 percent of CMV driver citations and warnings were issued for failure to wear a seat belt.
• There were eight citations related to a CMV driver’s failure to stop at a railroad crossing, out of 5,104 CMV citations.
• Seven CMV drivers received a citation for operating their vehicle while ill or fatigued; 38 CMV drivers received a warning.
• There were five warnings and nine citations to CMV drivers for reckless driving.
• Forty-seven private passenger-vehicle drivers were cited for reckless driving; 14 received warnings.
• 1.4 percent of CMV driver citations and warnings were issued for following too closely.
• Less than one percent (0.9 percent) of private passenger-vehicle driver citations and warnings were issued for following too closely.

CVSA holds this weeklong campaign every year because unsafe driver behaviors continue to be the leading cause of roadway crashes. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” cites driver behavior as the critical reason for more than 88 percent of large truck crashes and 93 percent of private passenger-vehicle crashes.

The Operation Safe Driver Program was launched in 2007 by CVSA, in partnership with FMCSA and with support from industry and transportation safety organizations, to combat the number of deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving large trucks, buses and private passenger vehicles by improving the behavior of all drivers operating in an unsafe manner – either in or around commercial motor vehicles – and initiating educational and enforcement strategies to address individuals exhibiting high-risk driving behaviors.

Click here to download a chart detailing the 2016 Operation Safe Driver Week results.

Click here more information on the Operation Safe Driver Program.

Been out on the road with no time for holiday shopping?

Not to worry. You can take care of all your gift needs the next time you fill up on diesel at your local truck stop. Holiday shopping at the truck stop might sound like the title of a country song, but it’s actually good advice. You don’t want to go anyway near a mall or big box store this time of year. And shopping online runs the risk of having the gifts delivered (and opened) at home while you’re on the road.  

Truck stops are open 24 hours so you can avoid the crowds and shop on your schedule. You’re going to stop at one, anyway, with time to kill. And there’s plenty of parking, too. And, since most truck stop chains offer some sort of rewards program, you can earn points for your generosity. 

Here’s a quick gift guide:

Entertainment – Truck stops carry enough games, DVDs, CDs, magazines, music and books to satisfy everyone on your list. They’re also great places to find items you won’t see at Barnes & Noble, such as DVD collections of NYPD Blue and Jean-Claude Van Damme movies. And there is no better place to shop for truck driving music.    

Electronics – DVD players, cameras, phones, headphones, chargers, TV sets and GPS navigation systems – your average truck stop stacks up pretty well against Best Buy and without the long lines.   

Toys – You can find something for any young child or grandchild at a truck stop: stuffed animals, games, drones, remote control helicopters and cars, dolls and action figures and, of course, toy trucks.

Tools – Have you ever given your significant other a new toaster as a present? Then you are a practical gifter, someone disinclined to waste money on the frivolous and unnecessary. You’re OK with your presents not being loved, so long as they’re used. Consider jumper cables, heavy-duty ice scrapers or coolers.  

Clothing – No haute couture here, but you will find plenty of insulated hoodies, graphic tees, hats, socks and gloves, as well as gear celebrating various sports teams. Most truck stops also sell jewelry and figurines.

Stocking Stuffers – Sometimes the little gifts are harder to choose than the big ones. You don’t want to waste too much time thinking about them or too much money buying them. Luckily, truck stops are full of inexpensive knickknacks; just grab a handful of whatever is at the counter.

So let everyone else fight for parking and elbow room at the mall. Find a truck stop and do your holiday shopping the smart way.

By RoadPro Family of Brands

FROM ATA:

This morning, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued its final rule creating a first-ever federal clearinghouse for driver drug and alcohol test results.

According to an FMCSA press release, motor carriers, medical review officers, third-party administrators and substance abuse professionals will be required to report information about drivers who test positive for drugs or alcohol, refuse required drug and alcohol tests or who have undergone return-to-duty drug and alcohol rehabilitation process.

ATA staff are reviewing the full details of the final rule, but for more than two decades, ATA has pressed for the creation of a clearinghouse in order to close the job-hopping loophole and to help prevent drivers who use drugs or alcohol from getting behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.

Carriers can find more information about FMCSA's rule here.  

September 2016 North American Freight Numbers  

Motorists traveling on Interstate 81 north or south are advised to be alert for significant traffic delays over the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend between Exit 90 (PA 72) and Exit 104 (PA 125) due to a highway construction project in Pine Grove and Tremont townships in Schuylkill County. I-81 north and south is reduced to a single lane in this area.

 Motorists should stay alert, anticipate slow-moving or stopped traffic and if possible seek alternate routes.

 A project began in March 2015 to rehabilitate I-81 between the Lebanon County line and Exit 104 (PA 125). Work includes placing an unbonded concrete overlay, interchange improvements at Exits 100 (PA 443) and 104 (PA 125), guiderail updates, signage updates, new pavement markings, brush/tree cutting, and other miscellaneous construction.

 All lanes will be open for the winter in this area of I-81 north and south on or before December 22. After the winter there will be daytime lane restrictions weekdays until the project is complete in May.     

 An unbonded concrete overlay is a roadway resurfacing process in which a new layer of concrete is poured over an existing layer of pavement with an interlayer between them to break the bond between the two layers. The interlayer allows the layers to expand and contract independently of each other. By allowing the layers to move freely the new concrete surface is less prone to cracking and pavement deterioration.

 Hi-Way Paving, Inc. of Hilliard, OH is the general contractor on the $43,894,275 project. Work is expected to be complete in May 2017.

 Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. 

Thanksgiving Day Parade Street Closures - Thursday, November 24

 

The following streets will be closed from 9 am to noon:

* 6th Avenue between 59th Street and 34th Street

* 7th Avenue between 33rd Street and 40th Street

* Columbus Avenue between 81st Street and 77th Street

* Central Park West between 86th Street and east side of Columbus Circle/59th Street

* 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

* 76th Street and 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

* 71st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

* 68th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

* 62nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

* 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue

* Broadway between 59th Street and 58th Street

* 40th Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue

* 36th Street to 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue

* 35th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue

* 34th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue

* 33rd Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue

Disclaimer: All event dates, times and routes are subject to change at any time. Additional events are scheduled under the direction of the Mayor’s Office and the NYPD and may not appear in this advisory. Street closures are implemented and enforced solely by the NYPD. NYC DOT does not approve nor institute street closures for events.
 
Detailed information on weekend street closures will be available on the DOT web site at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/wkndtraf.shtml.

ATA’s Share the Road Highway Safety Program Offers Tips, Video Demo to Motorists

Arlington, Va. – Today, American Trucking Associations and ATA’s Share the Road highway safety program released life-saving driving tips to motorists ahead of what is being billed as one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.  “With more families out on the road this week, we all need to take a few extra precautions in order to make sure we all get to the Thanksgiving dinner table safely,” said Share the Road professional truck driver Scott Woodrome, of FedEx Freight. “Many of the truck drivers you see on the highway this week are making last minute deliveries to grocery stores, giving folks one more chance to pick up everything they need to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.”  More than 48 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving weekend, according to AAA, making it one of the most heavily traveled weeks of the year. Added traffic volume can contribute to more risky driving conditions and motorists should be fully prepared for congestion and reduced speeds. Share the Road recently released the Share the Road Instructional Video in order to spread truck safety messages to the millions of motorists who will be driving alongside large trucks this week. The video, featuring professional truck drivers, gives an 8-minute recap of critical safe-driving habits and has already been viewed by thousands of motorists – including truck drivers and the general motoring public.  “The professional truck drivers in the Share the Road Instructional Video are highly-trained drivers who have accrued millions of accident-free miles. Based on overwhelming industry feedback, it’s evident to ATA that this video is already saving lives and we want to get the Share the Road message out to as many people as possible,” said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. “Taking a few minutes to refresh your memory on important driving skills or sharing this video with a friend or colleague can make a major impact on safety this week.”  Deer hunting season is now in full swing throughout many parts of North America and deer are most active during the fall and winter seasons. Motorists must be fully aware when traveling on rural – and urban – roadways, especially during nighttime hours. Eliminating distractions gives drivers a better chance of making split-second decisions that could prove to be life-saving. Remember, when one deer is visible, there are oftentimes others nearby.  Winter driving presents many different challenges for motorists. High wind and blowing snow contribute to reduced visibility in many stretches of the Midwest. Similarly, freezing temperatures can have a profound impact on vehicles and the roadways. A thorough pre-trip inspection and understanding of driving conditions can play a significant role in driving success this holiday season.   “Colder weather settled in this week and I expect it’s here to stay for the next few months,” said Share the Road professional truck driver John McKown, of UPS Freight. “In wintery conditions, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is prepared for extended trips. Check your wiper fluids, antifreeze, and pack a few extra blankets before you pull out of the driveway.”  Share the Road professional drivers recommend these safety tips to drivers, and would like to remind motorists about some key elements of safe driving, including how to operate small passenger vehicles near large tractor-trailers.  Buckle Up: A seat belt will not prevent a collision, but it will save a life. Remove ice and snow from your vehicle:  Clear your windows and roof of snow to ensure you have maximum visibility and avoid creating a hazard for the vehicle behind you. Don’t allow ice and snow to create additional blind spots on your vehicle. Slow Down: Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic. Do not drive impaired: Driving is a great responsibility and your fellow travelers are relying on safe, attentive drivers to respectfully share the road and make good decisions. Be aware of truck blind spots: Trucks deliver your favorite Thanksgiving traditions – turkeys, cranberries, mashed potatoes and all kinds of tasty pies – so make it easy on them by staying out of blind spots. Pass on the left where the truck’s blind spot is much smaller. Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents and one of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving. Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them. Fully loaded tractor-trailers can take the length of a football field plus both end zones to make a complete stop. Ask your favorite quarterback how far that is. Hint: it’s far. Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Before you head out to your aunts, uncles and cousins, check your wipers and fluids and have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance before you leave your home can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road. Prepare yourself for long distance travel: The vehicle needs maintenance and the driver needs plenty of rest and hydration to function at his or her best. If the turkey is making you feel drowsy, pull over and wait until you are more alert. Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early to reduce anxiety about arriving late. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion. Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle ahead.

Michelin North America, Inc. (“Michelin”) is entering a second consecutive holiday season to launch the transportation appreciation campaign, #KeepThanksMoving. The social and digital media initiative celebrates millions of transportation industry heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the holidays moving forward.

As part of the campaign, Michelin encourages people everywhere to share their appreciation either by Twitter via the hashtag #KeepThanksMoving and or by posting on the MichelinUSA Facebook page, in order to recognize an outstanding individual’s service and dedication to delivering holiday happiness.

“Michelin applauds the commitment of individuals in the transportation industry in the air, on our roads, and across the farms and fields of America who deliver when it matters most,” said Ralph Dimenna, chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Truck Tires, Inc. “These unsung heroes enable us to travel home, transport our food and gifts, and keep our economy moving, not to mention the millions of miles driven by shoppers and travelers during the holidays and throughout the year.”

Not all heroes wear capes – heroes in the transportation industry include:

- Airport workers, who will enable more than 27 million people to fly on U.S. airlines over a 12-day period around Thanksgiving 2016 alone.

- Truck drivers, numbering more than 3.6 million, who will transport nearly 70 percent of all the freight tonnage in the U.S. this holiday season.

- Farmers, each of whom supplies food for 144 people in the U.S. and abroad each year.

- Miners who extract nearly 100 different kinds of minerals from the earth and provide the raw materials for heat, electricity, roads and bridges, and countless consumer products.

- Parcel delivery workers, who will deliver nearly 20 billion of packages, letters and gifts during the 2016 holiday season.

- Snow plow drivers who enable drivers to get to their destinations safely during inclement weather events.

- Construction workers who provide our buildings, roads and infrastructure

Each week, beginning Nov. 17 through Dec. 31, 2016, Michelin will recognize individuals in the transportation and travel industries, who demonstrate outstanding commitment to keep the holidays moving by the posts received on its social media channels mentioned above. Michelin will randomly select seven individuals, who are honored as holiday heroes via social media posts. Each person will receive a limited edition Michelin themed gourmet gift box from Try the World, an online gourmet store.

The Michelin themed Try the World gift box features a selection of eight culinary delights from across the globe selected by Thomas Raquel, pastry chef at the world-famous Michelin three-star restaurant, Le Bernadin in New York.

Participants can also download a “Thank-you” card from Michelinmedia.com to demonstrate gratitude toward community heroes, who keep the holidays moving forward. Official contest rules are posted on Michelinmedia.com.