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The Trucker News Staff

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About The Trucker News Staff
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Posts by The Trucker News Staff

Three finalists revealed for WIT’s Distinguished Women in Logistics Award

By The Trucker News Staff -

PLOVER, Wis. — On May 3, the Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced three finalists for the 2021 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award (DWLA), which recognizes a woman who has demonstrated superior leadership within her company as well as with other professional, educational or philanthropic organizations. This year’s finalists are Angela Eliacostas, president and founder of AGT Global Logistics; Nicole Glenn, president and CEO of Candor Expedite; and Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant for J.J. Keller & Associates Inc. Finalists for the seventh annual DWLA were selected from a group of high-performing women representing third-party logistics, supply chain management and related functional disciplines. Sponsored by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and Truckstop.com, the award promotes the achievements of women employed in the North American transportation industry. The award highlights the crucial roles of leading women in the dynamic and influential field of commercial transportation and logistics, which encompasses logistics service providers as well as motor carriers. The winner of the 2021 award will be announced during the TIA Capital Ideas Virtual Conference on Wednesday, May 12. About the finalists: Angela Eliacostas Eliacostas has more than 30 years of experience in transportation management. During this time, she has built a business based on honesty, integrity and diligence — things she learned while being raised in a trucking family. She has developed a proprietary three-tier carrier-rating system designed to reward drivers and companies who perform at the highest standards. She has carved out a niche for herself in the energy and utilities sector as a 3PL with 24/7 all-access and service. Her employees are not only experienced with trucking (many have experience operating commercial motor vehicles); most are HazMat certified. Certified by Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MBWE), Eliacostas promotes diverse spends by using MBWEs as vendors and in her contracts. Eliacostas lives in Homer Glen, Illinois. She has four sons, three stepchildren and 11 grandchildren. Nicole Glenn Glenn started working in the logistics industry at age 18 and says she truly grew up in it. After 21 years, she has learned the ins and outs of the industry, including building teams, brokerages and fleets. In 2017, Glenn became the founder and operator of Candor Expedite. Candor Expedite is a woman-owned and -operated provider with offices in Illinois and Texas. She was recognized by Trucker Tools as a Diamond Performer and noted as a 2021 Women in Transportation Top Woman to Watch in Transportation. Glenn lives in Dallas, where she opened Candor Expedite’s second location, along with her husband, Jay, her daughter, Mataya, and her twin boys, Andrew and Landon. Jeana Hysell Hysell is driven by a passion for keeping drivers and highways safe across North America. As a safety consultant with J.J. Keller & Associates Inc., she helps drivers reshape their behavior to ensure they return home safely to their families. Hysell understands the challenges drivers face — she began her career as an owner-operator and has been in the trucking industry for over 40 years. The change she inspires helps protects drivers as well as businesses in the transportation industry, which are best positioned to succeed when meeting complex regulations. Her involvement and giving spirit led Women In Trucking to establish its scholarship foundation to help women pursue logistics careers.

Overhaul launches TruckShield risk-management tech to help carriers build safer drivers

By The Trucker News Staff -

AUSTIN, Texas — Overhaul, an intelligence-driven, real-time supply chain visibility and risk-management technology provider, May 4 announced the launch of TruckShield, an industry-first, risk-management technology solution for North American motor carriers. According to a company statement, TruckShield is a quickly implemented, low-cost solution that uses existing motor-carrier fleet hardware to identify dangerous or illegal driving practices in real time, and implement corrective actions to avoid costly situations that can develop due to motor accidents. In addition to identifying and correcting costly behavior, TruckShield can also help protect carriers from predatory legal practices in the event of an accident, digitizes and centralizes insurance, maintenance, and safety management, and builds a data profile to showcase safety culture to insurers. “As an owner of a trucking company, I can uniquely relate to the frustration of rising premiums, year over year, and the constant threat of a catastrophic verdict that can wipe out a business,” said Barry Conlon, CEO and founder of Overhaul. “TruckShield is going to be a game-changer for North American motor carriers because it can provide unparalleled vulnerability protection, as well as quick insurance claims and cost savings. Within minutes, trucking-company management can monitor who is and who isn’t driving safely.” After downloading the TruckShield app, carriers can gain full visibility about what’s happening across their fleet — without having to install any additional hardware. This allows managers to identify and correct safety risks such as hazardous driving or theft. In addition, TruckShield allows carriers to store critical documents related to insurance, maintenance and safety in one centralized digital location, allowing administrative tasks such as filing a claim to be accomplished with a simple click. By using data gathered from the TruckShield app, managers can work to improve their company’s safety culture and maintain complete records of driver coaching, maintenance performed and claims made. This can bolster a carrier’s standing with insurers and help limit premium increases.

FHWA commemorates 50 years of bridge safety

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON – During the last week of April, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) observed the 50th anniversary of its National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), the basis for the federal program that helps protect nearly 620,000 bridges across the country. “For a half-century, NBIS standards have been at the core of federal infrastructure safety efforts,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “The data we collect under the program help keep bridges safe and identify areas where maintenance is needed before problems arise.” The number of bridges in the NBIS program has grown from 588,735 to 618,456 — that’s nearly 30,000 new bridges — over the past 20 years, and the program has continued to ensure these bridges are safe for those who rely on the structures for travel and commerce. The NBIS requires regular and thorough inspections of highway bridges by trained inspectors to detect potential structural problems early and to ensure maintenance efforts are being carried out. State departments of transportation inspect bridges, on average, once every 24 months and report the results to FHWA. If a bridge is rated as potentially unsafe, immediate actions are taken, which could include closure, prompt repairs or load posting to restrict use by heavy vehicles. In addition to specialized training for bridge inspectors, the program also requires the collection of bridge condition data for inclusion in FHWA’s National Bridge Inventory (NBI), which helps transportation officials make informed decisions about funding priorities. “The NBIS is vital to bridge safety in our nation,” Pollack added. “The (Biden) administration’s American Jobs Plan proposes significant investment in our nation’s bridges to continue improve their condition and make them even safer.” FHWA officially adopted the NBIS regulations in 1971 after the collapse of the Silver Bridge in West Virginia. The bridge collapsed into the Ohio River in 1967 because of a crack in the bridge’s suspension chain. The tragedy, which cost the lives of 46 people, brought national attention to the issue of bridge condition safety and led to a systematic effort to ensure oversight at the national level. Since the program’s inception, FHWA has worked to update training requirements for bridge inspectors and replace narrative bridge inspection summaries with specific assessment criteria to improve consistency. According to a statement from the FHWA, President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan would provide an additional $115 billion to modernize the bridges, highways, roads, and main streets that are in most critical need of repair. It will fix 10 significant bridges in need of reconstruction and repair the worst 10,000 smaller bridges to reconnect communities across the country.

Tennessee DOT’s three-year plan allots $2.6 billion for infrastructure investments

By The Trucker News Staff -

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner Clay Bright in late April released the department’s annual three-year transportation program, which features approximately $2.6 billion in infrastructure investments for 68 individual project phases in 45 counties. The program supports Lee’s first executive order by funding work on 58 highway and bridge projects in economically distressed and at-risk counties. “Investing in infrastructure is an important part of driving economic opportunity throughout our state,” Lee said. “This funding, particularly for rural Tennessee, will help to keep Tennesseans safe and moving in the right direction.” The program emphasizes the repair and replacement of bridges, with activities beginning on 55 structures in 33 counties. Twenty-one of those bridges are on the state highway system; the other 34 are on local roads. The program also continues to build on the IMPROVE Act, which provides for infrastructure investments in all 95 of the state’s counties. This year’s program budgets dollars for 123 of the 962 projects listed as part of the 2017 legislation. Construction will begin in 2022 on several critical transportation projects across the state, including: Blount County: Relocated Alcoa Highway (State Route 115/U.S. 129); Davidson County: Nolensville Pike, from Old Hickory Boulevard to Mill Creek (State Route 11/U.S. 31A); Hamilton County: Interstate 75, interchange modification at Interstate 24, Phase II; Sevier-Jefferson counties: Newport Highway (State Route 35/U.S. 411); and Shelby County: Interstate 55 interchange modification at Crump Boulevard. A complete list of projects and programs funded through the multimodal program is available on the TDOT website.

WIT names Carina BeeBe May member of the month

By The Trucker News Staff -

PLOVER, Wis. — Carina BeeBe has been named the Women In Trucking Association’s (WIT) May Member of the Month. BeeBe is a professional driver for Wilson Logistics. In 1999, BeeBe began her professional driving career in Europe, primarily hauling curtain van trailers in Holland, Belgium and Germany. After a couple of years, she moved on to refrigerated trailers, driving in Scotland and the United Kingdom. During this time, BeeBe delivered flowers and plants throughout Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, and France. Wanting to try something different, she went back to refrigerated cartage in the U.K. and Scotland. BeeBe moved to Canada in 2011 to fulfill a lifelong dream of driving a conventional-style Peterbilt. The added benefit was to see a different part of the world. While in Canada, she worked for a Canadian company, driving step deck and flatbed and hauling lumber and oversized loads. A year later, seeking a companion to her life’s journey, Beebe married. She and her husband moved to Montana, where she drove oversize flatbeds to Canada and Alaska. In addition, she drove a dedicated Walmart route from Washington to Alaska. For a short period of time, Beebe launched her own transportation company, which delivered RVs throughout North America. After divorcing in 2018, BeeBe said she realized how much she missed driving over the road in a big truck and knew she had to get back to it. She made the move to Wilson Logistics, where she had the opportunity to be a CDL instructor. Not too long after becoming an instructor, however, it became clear that she really missed the road. Today, BeeBe and her dog, Jack, are living her dream of driving as one of Wilson Logistics’ cross-border drivers between the U.S. and Canada. “I have always wanted to drive truck and see the world. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” she said.

Updated Drive Oklahoma mobile app provides users with more real-time travel information

By The Trucker News Staff -

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Drive Oklahoma mobile travel app and its companion website, oktraffic.org, now offer motorists an enhanced travel experience with the addition of several navigation tools and options to check traffic on interstates, U.S. and state highways, and Oklahoma turnpikes. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) worked together on the Drive Oklahoma app and website, which provide services such as real-time speed data and live traffic-camera views of many Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro locations. The resources also provide digital message sign information by location, real-time weather radar information and more. The updated versions of the app and website offer a tutorial of the new features. “Both ODOT and OTA are committed to improving motorists’ experience on our highways and turnpikes,” said Terri Angier, ODOT spokesperson. “We encourage motorists to use these additional mobile app features to plan their routes before getting behind the wheel or asking their passengers to navigate for them.” The mobile app debuted new branding with the name Drive Oklahoma. The app added real-time turnpike speed data in 2020. Additional upgrades include: Press and hold on the map to enable Auto Tracking Mode, which automatically switches the view to the closest traffic camera as a motorist’s location changes. This also includes a swipe feature to see all available traffic-camera angles at a location. Mobile app and website users may customize a favorite traffic camera, digital message sign and map locations that they use most to be their default when opening either application. New data overlays are included to provide an even more inclusive experience, including weather radar data. Electric vehicle charging station locations also have been added. Navigation tools at the top of the map help users easily toggle between the various maps and features, including the map legend, menu options and links to surrounding states’ traveler information sites. Users may also notice an improvement in the traffic-camera images as new technology upgrades to the system allow a higher resolution livestream image. Finally, the mobile app now provides an area to report issues and feedback. The new map legend also features new, clearer symbols to help motorists. One example is a dollar sign that highlights the state’s turnpikes to help denote when a motorist is moving onto a toll road. The app update also includes useful links to more highway safety information, such as Oklahoma Transportation’s new year-round safety initiative, Make Safety Stick: Everybody Click. ODOT and OTA have also partnered with the Waze app to incorporate self-reported Waze-user information into the Drive Oklahoma maps, providing additional real-time data on what could be ahead on the road, such as construction or crashes. “All of these tools are designed to help motorists reach their destination safely and more efficiently; however, we want to remind drivers that they are our No. 1 partner for highway safety,” Angier said. “Please check the Drive Oklahoma mobile app before getting behind the wheel, and always put away all distractions and buckle up for a safe trip.” The Drive Oklahoma mobile app is available from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Perdue Farms driver Alvin Smith achieves 4 million accident-free miles

By The Trucker News Staff -

SALISBURY, Md. — Alvin Smith, a truck driver for Perdue Farms, is celebrating a milestone achievement of 4 million consecutive accident-free miles — the equivalent of approximately 160 trips around the Earth. Smith is Perdue’s first company driver to achieve this goal. “It’s an honor driving trucks,” Smith said. “Before each trip, I check the map and plan the first stop. I check everything to make sure it is ready to go. I pray. I really believe in the power of prayer and also getting yourself prepared before each trip.” Smith, 63, started driving for Perdue in 1982 and averages about 110,000 miles a year. He said his competitive nature motivates him to keep going. Many of his co-workers have asked if he will try for 5 million miles. “I say, ‘Well, I don’t know’ — but I am pretty competitive, so I just might,” Smith said. “If you really work at it, you can do a million miles in about six years, so I probably could get to 5 million.” Smith is part of Perdue’s team of 350 professional truck drivers. Other members of the team have previously achieved milestones: 170 Perdue drivers have reached 1 million accident-free miles; 52 have achieved 2 million safe miles; and seven have achieved 3 million accident-free miles. Smith stands alone as the first in Perdue’s 4-million-mile club. “Our Perdue drivers are important ambassadors for our brands and company. Besides seeing our customers on a regular basis, drivers of our Perdue tractors and trailers drive 35 million miles a year feeding America,” said Richard Hernandez, vice president of transportation and warehousing for Perdue Farms. “What impresses me most about Alvin is a combination of his professionalism and down-to-earth approach. Alvin brings instant credibility to every conversation and situation because everyone knows that he has seen or done it and that he knows exactly what it takes to be successful. Imagine someone with all of this experience who is also an excellent listener and mentor,” Hernandez continued. “Alvin is the best of the best. He didn’t wake up one day and decide to be successful. He put the time and energy in day after day, combined with a ‘can-do’ attitude for so many years.” First Sgt. Christopher Knox of North Carolina Department of Public Safety and State Highway Patrol congratulated Smith on his milestone. “This achievement is a testament to the many professional drivers of commercial motor vehicles we have on our roadways. This feat is not one to be taken lightly. There are lives at stake when operating a vehicle on the roadways and especially vehicles that are larger in size and weight,” Knox said. “His commitment to safety most undoubtedly was done so with intention — avoiding speeding, distractions and impairment have been conscious decisions each time he got behind the wheel. We are so proud of him for this impressive accomplishment, and congratulate him on a job well done.” Smith started driving for the former Perdue plant in his hometown of Robersonville, North Carolina. For 15 years, he drove from Robersonville to Emporia, Virginia, and back, about 180 miles daily. “I really enjoyed those local trips because I would make the same stops and go through the same towns. There was one bus stop that I would pass each day. The kids would get excited to see me and would wave. I feel like I got to know those kids. I got to see them grow up at that bus stop for 15 years,” Smith said. Smith also knows the restaurant staff at his regular stops. “You can have some great conversations at little general stores and small restaurants while you are driving a truck,” he said. “I have gotten to know so many people during my driving. It’s always fun when you get to make that stop and catch up with someone.” After the Robersonville plant closed, Smith started driving out of the company’s plant in Lewiston, North Carolina. His routes have taken him all over the East Coast, and he believes he has seen every state and many towns east of the Mississippi. At home, Smith stays busy with his wife, Cathy, at Grace Family Fellowship, their Pentecostal church. They have a son and a daughter, and two grandchildren. Smith enjoys working in his garden, going deer hunting and watching NASCAR. Driving runs in Smith’s family — his father and two of his brothers have had careers as truck drivers. His father drove for more than 30 years. “(Trucking is) a great career. I always tell people, ‘If you want to see the world, join the military. But if you want to see our country, become a trucker,’” Smith said. “It’s a job that I love, and I hope to continue doing it for as long as I can.”

Love’s Travel Stops brings nearly 100 truck parking spaces to Diamond, Ohio

By The Trucker News Staff -

OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers in Diamond, Ohio, with a travel stop that opened April 29. Located on State Route 225, the travel stop adds 65 jobs and 93 truck parking spaces to Portage County. “We’re excited to open our 18th location and add nearly 100 truck parking spaces in Ohio,” said Greg Love, co-CEO of Love’s. “Our team members will help get professional drivers and four-wheel customers back on the road quickly and safely while providing a good value at competitive prices.” This location is open 24/7 and offers a variety of amenities, including: More than 12,000 square feet. Godfather’s Pizza and Subway. 93 truck parking spaces. 64 car parking spaces. Three RV parking spaces. Eight diesel bays. Seven showers. Laundry facilities. Speedco (opening on a later date). Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories. CAT scale. Dog park. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will donate $2,000 to the Palmyra Township Fire Department.

‘I’m famous!’: Montana mechanic keeps truckers on the road

By The Trucker News Staff -

MISSOULA, Mont. —Tim Kline’s head pokes up out of the garage pit as he dips his brush into the bucket of bright yellow again. A moment without a truck to work on is rare for Kline, so he takes advantage of the spare time to repaint the faded pit which, much like himself, is usually decorated with diesel, grease and oil. The phone begins to ring, echoing throughout the shop walls. Kline stares blankly at the stairs — his only escape from the pit — and analyzes the wet paint, then screams: “Little Brother! Phone!” Jeremy Himber, Kline’s co-worker and buddy of 20 years, emerges from the back door, wiping his greasy hands on a shop rag before answering the phone. They’ve got a truck to work on. Kline has worked as a truck mechanic at Muralt’s Service Center for 26 years, but the 55-year-old has done auto repair for much longer. “I’ve been a mechanic my whole life,” Kline said, “I can fix anything. If I can’t fix it, I have friends who know how to fix it.” Kline said he was mostly a self-taught mechanic as a youth, but he learned a lot of what he knows after graduating high school. At age 18, he worked for the National Guard in Kalispell, Montana, but he ended up in trouble because he was a “bad boy.” “We stole’d an M50 machine gun, big one,” Kline said, smiling at the memory as he puffed on a cigarette. He landed himself in jail and was faced with an ultimatum — armed forces, prison or Job Corps. He chose Job Corps and was shipped to Ogden, Utah. There he remained for the next three-and-a-half years, passing every automotive class he tackled with flying colors and learning to be a “pretty good criminal.” With these new skills under his belt, Kline made his way to California, where he worked as a mechanic and learned how to repair big trucks. After six years in California, he moved home to Hot Springs, Montana. Kline said he remembers a warm summer night when he joined a few buddies at a bar in Plains. What he thought was just going to be another night of getting “slammed drunk” soon took a memorable turn when he met Carey, his future wife. “When we first walked into the bar, I noticed the old lady sittin’ in the corner,” he said, putting out his cigarette and lighting up another. “I told them, ‘I’m taking [her] home with me.’ And I did. It’s been 27 years now,” he said. He and Carey were married and have since had two kids and several grandchildren. The newlyweds moved to Missoula, and in 1993 Tim Kline responded to a hiring ad for Muralt’s Service Center. The crowded, greasy shop that always smelled like motor oil and cigarettes soon became his home away from home. Kline is not a manager, but he considers himself to be the shop’s best mechanic. He said that even if the opportunity had been presented, he wouldn’t have wanted to move up. “I’ve learn’t you stay at the bottom — it’s nicer there,” he said. “You get up to the top — then they expect [sh*t].” Over the past 26 years, Kline said he has built up quite the posse of loyal clientele. He said he’s so popular that when he injured himself and was out of the shop for several months, handfuls of disappointed customers called Muralt’s wondering where he was and begging for him to come back. “My truckers, they love me,” he said as he munched on pork rinds, the bag turning black from the smudges of oil and grease on his fingers. “I’m famous.” Himber — dubbed “Little Brother” by Kline — said he’s learned a lot from him over the 20 years they’ve worked together. “If someone asks, ‘Who’s Timmy?’ I say, ‘He’s the best mechanic Missoula’s got — and probably Montana,’” Himber said. “Hence, I’m famous!” screamed Kline’s voice from the other side of the shop, followed by a long cackle. Included in Kline’s large pool of loyal clientele are Don Johnson and Jerry Balk. The two truck drivers have been stopping at Muralt’s at least once a week for years just to have Kline look at their trucks. “He can’t ever quit,” Johnson said. “He’ll do anything for you if you do him right. He’s just like a brother to me.” Balk, described by Kline as his “most loyal-est customer,” appreciates the meticulous effort Kline puts into his work so that potential issues are caught before they get too out of hand. “He’s a great guy; knows what he’s doing. That’s why I keep coming back,” Balk said. “Timmy always cares.” Kline is happy with his plan to remain at Muralt’s until he retires. “I’m gonna die here,” he said. “I do it my way, the way I want it. And if you don’t like it, I don’t care.” Story by Erica Staat, special to The Trucker

Iowa 80 Truckstop to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics May 10-16

By The Trucker News Staff -

WALCOTT, Iowa — The Iowa 80 Truckstop Hy-Vee Pharmacy to offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics starting Monday, May 10. The clinics are open to anyone ages 18 and older, and will be conducted on the third floor of the main building at the Iowa 80. Both the Pfizer and the Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccines will be offered. Clinic dates and time are set for: Monday, May 10: 2-4 p.m. Thursday, May 13: 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 14: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 15: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, May 16: 5-8 p.m. To make an appointment for a vaccine during the Iowa 80 clinics, visit iowa80truckstop.com/vaccine. Walk-ins are also welcome. For questions about appointments or the vaccines, call Hy-Vee Pharmacy at 563-359-3120.

Strike update: Volvo Trucks North America, UAW reach tentative agreement

By The Trucker News Staff -

DUBLIN, Va. — Volvo Trucks North America announced this morning that the company and the United Auto Workers union have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a new five-year contract that would cover approximately 2,900 employees at the New River Valley (NRV) truck assembly operations in Dublin, Virginia. The workers have been on strike since mid-April. In conjunction with the tentative agreement, the UAW has ended its strike against the NRV plant, effective 7 a.m. April 30, 2021. Production at the plant will resume on Monday, May 3, 2021. Further comment on the proposed agreement is being withheld pending ratification by the members of UAW Local #2069. Ratification meetings are being scheduled by the UAW.

Driver availability index hit new low in March, says ACT

By The Trucker News Staff -

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The to the latest release of ACT Research’s For-Hire Trucking Index, which includes data for March, shows the Driver Availability Index has tightened to another new low point in the past three years, the fourth in a row. According to Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst for ACT, the Driver Availability Index for March was 16.7, down from 23.6 in February. However, he noted, freight volumes in March were beginning to recover from a drop caused by February’s winter storms. “Capacity remained very tight. The Supply-Demand Balance rose to 68.2 in March, from 60.1 in February,” he said. “In addition to the raft of constraints on driver capacity, from demographics to unemployment benefits to the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, constrained Class 8 production and tight vehicle inventories are also likely to limit the pace of recovery this year,” he noted.

Grote Industries experts share tips to help drivers prep for CVSA’s International Roadcheck

By The Trucker News Staff -

MADISON, Ind. — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck, scheduled for May 4-6, is fast approaching. This year’s focus is on vehicle lighting — which accounted for a significant number of violations during last year’s roadcheck — as well as hours of service compliance. The experts at Grote Industries have compiled a checklist to help drivers and fleet managers prepare for the lighting portion of this year’s roadcheck. “Implementing a schedule of thorough pre-trip inspections will go a long way toward cutting down on violations of all kinds, including lighting,” said Alicia Jones, Grote Industries’ global market manager for trailer/body builder. “But often, it is the unseen dangers of corrosion and wiring damage that contribute most to lighting failure on the road. Once moisture enters a wire, a capillary effect draws it through the wire and eventually throughout the electrical system. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of lighting violations.” To help reduce potential lighting violations, the following steps should be taken: Be sure to inspect all wiring, and make sure all frayed wiring is spliced out and properly sealed. Discoloration and foreign material on damaged wiring is a telltale warning sign of corrosion. Copper corrodes into a powdery green or white substance, while iron-based components form brown or red rust as they deteriorate. Corroded or incorrectly spliced wires are poor conductors of electricity; as a result, lamps — especially ABS indicator lamps or stop/tail/lamps — will flicker or stop working altogether. All splices should be heat-sealed with shrink splices; avoid taped splices in your wiring. When inspecting your wiring, be aware that built-up winter grime often hides splices that need attention. Any wires that hang down from their correct runs on the exterior of a trailer are prime candidates for wear or damage. Wiring needs to be bundled and securely fastened into its run using plastic tie wraps so that vibration or environmental factors cannot dislodge it. Although the use of drip loops to direct water away from connections is a good practice, check to see that drip loops are not in a place where unseen ice can build up in cold weather. Bear in mind that in winter, drip loops no longer always deflect water as they do when the temperature is above freezing. Sealing out corrosion with dielectric grease is a good way to safeguard your system, and it can add years of life to your trailer when used correctly. Whenever a harness connection is opened, either harness to harness or harness to lamp, the old grease should be cleaned out and new grease should be applied. This ensures the connection is always protected and prevents an excessive amount of dielectric grease from building up, which can prevent harnesses from closing properly. At the front of the trailer, battery and nose box connections should be checked to make sure the required current is present. Terminals should be cleaned, tightened and greased to protect the battery and the overall electrical system. To learn more about the International Roadcheck, click here.

Pennsylvania trucker who collected over $80,000 in disability benefits pleads guilty to fraud

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON — Peter Albanese on April 15 pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to wire fraud, Social Security fraud and making false statements, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG). Albanese was previously indicted Dec. 1, 2020. The Dec. 1 indictment alleged that Albanese defrauded the Social Security Administration (SSA) by falsely claiming a disability. From 2017 through October 2020, Albanese collected more than $80,000 in Social Security disability benefits while concealing work and income as a commercial motor vehicle driver. The indictment further alleges that Albanese presented a fraudulent Medical Examiner’s Certificate during a federally regulated roadside inspection to conceal the fact that he was not medically examined and certified as required by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. The DOT-OIG is conducting the investigation with the SSA-OIG with assistance from the FMCSA.

‘World’s Largest Truckstop’ now offers EV charging stations

By The Trucker News Staff -

WALCOTT, Iowa — The Iowa 80 Truckstop, known as the World’s Largest Truckstop, has installed two ChargePoint electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The installation, positioned just north of the gas islands, is now up and running, the Iowa 80 announced April 28. The universal chargers can charge any brand of electric vehicle to 80% in 20 to 30 minutes. To find out more about the ChargePoint stations, visit www.chargepoint.com. The EV charging stations are self-service. Guests will be able to pull in and plug in; then eat and shop and free to leisure while their vehicles charge. “We have been working on this project for quite some time and are excited to now be able to offer this convenience to our customers,” said Delia Moon Meier, Iowa 80’s senior vice president. “For those traveling across Interstate 80, our charging stations are located in the perfect spot between Chicago and Des Moines.” Iowa 80 began the electric-charging project more than a year ago by installing a substation that can provide 760 kilowatts of charging power to EV chargers which provides the option to add more charging stations in the future. “At Iowa 80 Truckstop, we are committed to serving customers to help them on their journey, whether it’s a hot meal, snacks, gifts, gas or an EV charge,” Meier said. “They can count on us to keep up with the times and adapt to their needs.”

MHC Kenworth-South Atlanta moves to new facility off I-75 in McDonough

By The Trucker News Staff -

McDONOUGH, Ga. — Murphy-Hoffman Co. (MHC) has relocated its full-service Kenworth dealership in McDonough to a new facility off Interstate 75. According to a company statement, the new location is the largest MHC site in Georgia. In addition to truck sales, MHC Kenworth’s South Atlanta full-service dealership offers 32 service and 14 body shop bays, a down-draft paint booth and an expanded parts department. The dealership also features amenities such as a driver’s lounge, a shower, washing machine and a dryer to increase comfort for resting drivers. “MHC’s goal is to enhance our services to better support our customers,” said Eddie Davis, regional vice president and general manager. “We moved to accommodate growth, provide easier access and offer additional services to customers.” State-of-the-art technology is featured throughout the facility, including CNG-compliant service capabilities, geothermal heating and air conditioning to save energy, and a body shop for repair services. A significant expansion was made for warehouse parts storage, ensuring that the McDonough location can stock even more high-demand truck parts while continuing to offer local delivery. Earlier this year, MHC Kenworth-South Atlanta was one of the dealerships within the region that earned Kenworth’s Medium Duty Dealer of the Year. MHC operates a network of more than 120 locations in 19 states.

Nikki Weaver earns WIT’s 2021 Driver of the Year award

By The Trucker News Staff -

PLOVER, Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) on April 27 named Nikki Weaver, a company driver for FedEx Freight, as the winner of the association’s second annual Driver of the Year award sponsored by Walmart. Weaver was among three finalists for the award. The other finalists include Carmen Anderson, a company driver at America’s Service Line LLC and Ingrid Brown, independent owner-operator of Rolling B LLC. Weaver has been a professional driver for more than 20 years, and has been a company driver for FedEx Freight for the past 13 years. She has accrued more than 2 million accident-free miles with zero moving violations. “I am so honored to be recognized for this award,” Weaver said. “I love being a professional driver and encourage any women who are considering this career to go for it!” She has served as an America’s Road Team Captain since 2019. She was most recently a finalist for FedEx Freight’s Luella Bates Award, and she is a two-time winner of the prestigious Bravo Zulu Award, an honor created by FedEx Freight founder Fred Smith. Weaver speaks to community colleges about the trucking industry as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Academy’s new commercial officer cadets. She is an advocate for Truckers Against Trafficking and has attended their leadership conference and is also involved with outreach programs in her community. Perhaps Weaver’s most important achievement, however, is that her 10-year-old son is proud of her and loves what she does for a living. “We are proud to honor Nikki Weaver with the Driver of the Year award. She demonstrates a positive public image of the trucking industry through her safety standards and community involvement,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. Sponsored by Walmart, the annual award was established to promote the achievements of female professional drivers who lead the industry in safety standards while actively enhancing the public image of the trucking industry. “Walmart is honored to sponsor Women In Trucking’s Driver of the Year award, which recognizes an outstanding driver who is making a positive impact in the transportation industry,” said Ryan McDaniel, vice president of Walmart Transportation and a Women In Trucking board member. “With the events of the past year professional drivers all across the county demonstrated how essential our industry is in helping our communities have access to necessities such as food, medicine and cleaning supplies. We congratulate Nikki and each of the finalists for their examples of safety and service.” Members of the judging panel included Tricia Tullis, general transportation manager for Walmart Transportation; Jeana Hysell, senior safety consultant for J.J. Keller & Associates Inc.; Tim Ridley, talk radio host; and Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT. To view a YouTube video of the virtual announcement, click here.

USDOT appoints first chief science officer in more than 4 decades

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on April 21 named Robert Hampshire, PhD, as the chief science officer for the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). The appointment marks the first time since 1980 that the spot has been filled. The department has taken several steps to act on President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ commitment to address the climate emergency. The department also announced it has begun work to reestablish its Climate Change Center and to restore public access to climate-related reports, program information and other scientific and technical information. In his role as chief science officer, Hampshire will serve as an advisor to Buttigieg on science and technology issues. He is charged with ensuring that the USDOT’s research, development and technology programs are scientifically and technologically well-founded and conducted with integrity. “Climate resilience and environmental justice are at the heart of this administration’s mission to build back better — and that effort must be grounded in scientific expertise,” Buttigieg said. “We’re thrilled to officially name Dr. Hampshire as our chief science officer, and look forward to his contributions to this historic effort.” Hampshire was previously an associate professor at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and at both the U-M Transportation Research Institute’s (UMTRI) Human Factors group and Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS). He earned his doctorate from Princeton University. “The reintroduction of a chief science officer underscores transportation’s key role in addressing the complexity and criticality of our dynamically changing climate. I look forward to working across all modes of transportation to address the immediate concerns, and to ensure our future transportation system is sustainable,” Hampshire said. “It is important that USDOT incorporate scientific research to advance climate change initiatives that are fair and equitable to all.” According to a statement from the USDOT, the department’s actions stem from President Biden’s executive order on protecting public health and the environment, restoring science to tackle the climate crisis, and the memorandum on restoring trust in government through scientific integrity and evidence-based policymaking. The Climate Change Center will help coordinate the USDOT’s related research, policies and actions, and support the transportation sector in moving toward net-zero carbon emissions. The USDOT Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting was established during President Bill Clinton’s administration to serve as the multimodal focal point for information and technical expertise on transportation and climate change. The center has been dormant since early 2017. The department has assessed public websites and information repositories, including the National Transportation Library, and identified 24 websites and 33 reports and other publications which had been removed after Jan. 21, 2017. All materials have been restored to public access. The department will also redesignate a scientific integrity officer who will be responsible for research policy implementation and will report directly to the chief science officer.