The Nation Archives

Proposed tax on WA fuel exports angers neighboring states

The Associated Press - February 24, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Three states that would be affected by a proposed 6-cent per gallon tax on fuel exported from Washington state are pushing back on the plan and threatening to retaliate if it is signed into law. The tax — part of a $16.8 billion transportation revenue package that has cleared the state Senate and is working its way through the House — is projected to raise around $2 billion over the course of 16 years. The Seattle Times reports lawmakers from Alaska, Oregon and Idaho are strongly opposed to the move, and making their feelings known through resolutions, calls and op-eds. “Washington taking unilateral action to increase gas prices for Oregon families and businesses is unacceptable,” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said in a tweet last week. Brown, who said she conveyed her displeasure to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in a phone call last week, wrote an op-ed Tuesday urging him to “put this bad idea back on the shelf, where it belongs.” Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy encouraged his constituents to call Inslee’s office to oppose the tax, and the Idaho House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved a joint memorial calling on Inslee to veto the tax if it comes to his desk, warning that the Legislature “will take any and all actions necessary to block this new tax,” Idaho’s governor and attorney general also asked Inslee in a letter to veto the tax. Jaime Smith, a spokeswoman for Inslee, said that the Democratic governor will sign the transportation revenue package if it makes it to his desk. “Funding sources are always a point of debate, and this plan is no different,” Smith said. The tax would apply to any fuel products exported from Washington’s five refineries, which have historically been exempt from the state’s gas tax. Lawmakers say the new revenue stream was needed in order to not raise the state’s gas tax. Washington has the fifth-largest crude oil refining capacity in the country. Democratic Sen. Marko Liias, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and other Democrats argue the tax would help spread out the environmental burden caused by Washington’s refineries. Ninety percent of the refined petroleum used in Oregon is imported from Washington, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Idaho has a more diverse array of sources but has no refineries. Alaska, meanwhile, is the second-most petroleum-dependent state in the country, behind only Hawaii, and exports much of its crude oil. “This is a modest cost that has a huge return on investment, both for our state but also for our partner states,” Liias said. As for the threats from neighboring states, Liias said, “I think a lot of it is rhetoric.” But in Alaska, Republican Rep. Kevin McCabe, is proposing a set of retaliatory taxes if Washington’s goes into effect — 6-cents per pound of exported fish; a 6-cent per-foot mooring fee; and a $15 per-barrel surcharge on crude oil sent to Washington for refining. “I want people in Washington to understand that Alaska is not going to take this taxation without representation lying down,” McCabe said.

No highway bond vote for Maine thanks to budget surplus

The Associated Press - February 24, 2022

AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills wants to use $100 million from the budget surplus for transportation projects, meaning voters won’t be asked to approve transportation bonds for the first time in eight years. If approved, that money would largely support 2023 projects, ahead of $1.3 billion coming to Maine over five years as part of the infrastructure deal approved by Congress last year. This money is unlikely to be a long-term solution, however, the Bangor Daily News reported. The transportation department’s three-year work plan notes the state is reviewing long-term goals and may have to adjust. A rise in construction costs and workforce challenges could make projects much more expensive, for example. “By next year, the fog currently surrounding these variables should clear, and we expect to be able to provide a better estimate of unmet need,” said Nina Fisher, a deputy Maine transportation commissioner. The surplus money would provide some certainty for the transportation industry and contractors, said Maria Fuentes, executive director of the Maine Better Transportation Association. But the state is always going to need to put up money to match federal dollars if it wants support for infrastructure projects, she said.

Stocks tumble; oil, wheat prices soar after Ukraine attack

John Worthen - February 24, 2022

NEW YORK — The economy worldwide shook on Thursday after Russia’s attack of Ukraine sent fear coursing through markets and upped the pressure on the high inflation that is cutting into the pocketbooks of millions. It remains to be seen just how badly the American economy will be affected by Russia’s actions, but oil prices are expected to soar. Already, diesel prices are averaging just under $4 per gallon. That’s squeezing profit from truck drivers’ bottom lines and hurting an already strained supply chain. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 sank 1.6% in early trading to continue its dismal start of the year. The benchmark is index is now down 13.5% from its record set early this year. Stocks in Europe sank even more after officials called Russia’s moves a “brutal act of war,” with the German DAX down nearly 5%. Beyond its human toll, the conflict looks set to send prices spiraling even higher at gasoline pumps and grocery stores around the world. Russia and Ukraine are major producers not only of energy products but also grains and various other commodities. War could upend global supplies, as could sanctions brought by the United States and other allies. Oil prices on both sides of the Atlantic jumped toward or above $100 per barrel to their highest levels since 2014, up more than 6%. Wholesale prices also shot higher for heating oil, wheat and other commodities. The spot price in Europe for natural gas, for which the continent relies on Russia to supply, jumped as much as 31%. Increases in energy and food prices could amplify worries about inflation, which in January hit its hottest level in the United States in a couple generations, and what the Federal Reserve will do in turn to rein it in. The Fed looks certain to remove the super-low interest rates that investors love, which also helped catapult financial markets and the economy out of their coronavirus-caused plunge. The only question has been how quickly and how aggressively the Fed will move. Bond yields sank around the world, a sign that investors were scrambling into anything that may offer safer returns than stocks and other riskier bets. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury fell to 1.89% from 1.97% late Wednesday. Gold also rallied and climbed 2.4%, continuing its strong run on worries about Russia and Ukraine. On Wall Street, worries about higher interest rates have delivered the heaviest hits on big technology stocks, a turnaround after those companies soared to lead Wall Street out of its coronavirus-caused plummet in 2020. The Nasdaq composite, which is full of big tech stocks, sank 1.5% and could close more than 20% below its record set on Nov. 19, 2021. If it does, that’s something Wall Street calls a “bear market,” something that hasn’t happened for the Nasdaq since the coronavirus first crashed the global economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 647 points, or 2%, to 32,490. Financial markets are in a “flight to safety and may have to price in slower growth” due to high energy costs, Chris Turner and Francesco Pesole of ING said in a report. In Brussels, the president of the European Commission said Thursday the 27-nation European Union planned “massive and targeted sanctions” on Russia. “We will hold President Putin accountable,” Ursula von der Leyen said. The FTSE 100 in London fell 3.1% after Europe awakened to news of explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the major city of Kharkiv and other areas. The CAC 40 in Paris lost 4%. Moscow’s stock exchange briefly suspended trading on all its markets on Thursday morning. After trading resumed, the ruble-denominated MOEX stock index tumbled more than 20% and the dollar-denominated RTS index plunged by more than a third. Some analysts expect the conflict to push investors out of many tech stocks, with the exception of the cybersecurity sector. “Growing concern that massive cyber warfare could be on the near-term horizon which would certainly catalyze an increase in spending around preventing sophisticated Russian-based cyber attacks,” analysts with Wedbush Securities wrote in a note to clients. Putin said Russia had to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine, a claim Washington had predicted he would make to justify an invasion. President Joe Biden denounced the attack as “unprovoked and unjustified” and said Moscow would be held accountable, which many took to mean Washington and its allies would impose additional sanctions. Putin accused them of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and to offer Moscow security guarantees. Washington, Britain, Japan and the EU earlier imposed sanctions on Russian banks, officials and business leaders. Additional options include barring Russia from the global system for bank transactions.

Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey returns after 20-year hiatus

The Trucker News Staff - February 24, 2022

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics announced Wednesday the beginning of the 2021 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) data collection period, the first VIUS data collection in 20 years. In previous years, the VIUS was the principal data source on the physical and operational characteristics of the U.S. truck population. The VIUS data collection period begins with letters mailed to 150,000 randomly selected vehicle owners who will report on vehicle use in 2021 through an online data collection portal. The survey is being conducted in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Census Bureau to better under the characteristics and use of vehicles on the Nation’s roads. The collected data is expected to be available in 2023 and will be used to guide infrastructure investments, evaluate truck and passenger vehicle safety, estimate fuel efficiency and emissions, and understand the products and commodities carried on U.S. roadways. The nationally representative survey sample will focus on heavy trucks and truck tractors, and will also include pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and SUVs. The survey will collect information on the selected vehicles’ physical characteristics, installed safety technologies, maintenance performed, and uses in 2021. Depending on their vehicle, participants will complete the Heavy Vehicle Questionnaire or the Light Vehicle Questionnaire. The online survey portal will be open through October 2022. For further information or instructions for participants, please visit www.bts.gov/vius.

National Guard to help DC control traffic for truck convoys

The Associated Press - February 24, 2022

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has approved the deployment of 700 unarmed National Guard troops to the nation’s capital as it prepares for trucker convoys that are planning protests against pandemic restrictions beginning next week. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the request Tuesday from the District of Columbia government and the U.S. Capitol Police, the Pentagon said in a statement Tuesday night. The troops would be used to assist with traffic control during demonstrations expected in the city in the coming days, the Pentagon said. Four hundred Guard members from the District of Columbia Guard will be joined by 300 Guard members from other states, according to the statement. Guard members will not carry firearms or take part in law enforcement or domestic-surveillance activities, the Pentagon said. Modeled after recent trucker protests in Canada, separate truck convoys have been planned through online forums with names like the People’s Convoy and the American Truckers Freedom Fund — all with different starting points, departure dates and routes. Some are scheduled to arrive in time for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on March 1, though others may arrive afterward. The convoys follow the recent Canadian truckers’ protest which shut down the busiest U.S. Canadian border crossing and besieged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, for weeks to protest government pandemic restrictions. The multiple blockades were broken up by police last week, with more than 100 arrests. It remains to be seen if any of the U.S. convoys would seek to actively shut down Washington’s streets, the way their Canadian counterparts did in Ottawa. Some convoy organizers have spoken of plans to briefly roll through the city, then focus on shutting down the Beltway, which encircles the capital. A statement from the People’s Convoy specifically says the trucks “will NOT be going into DC proper.” That convoy is planning to embark Wednesday from southern California and arrive in D.C. around March 5. The U.S. convoys seek an immediate lifting of what they say are heavy-handed government pandemic restrictions like mask mandates and vaccine requirements. The American Truckers Freedom Fund website says the group is protesting “the unscientific, unconstitutional overreach of the federal government.” Vaccines have proven highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infections, especially serious illness and death, and high-quality masks offer strong protection against spreading or contracting the disease. Public sentiment, especially among conservatives, has been shifting against government mandates as the pandemic heads into its third year. People’s Convoy organizer Mike Landis, in a video testimonial on the group’s website, said the current COVID vaccine “is not proven yet” but supported individual choice on whether to take it or not. Landis said the convoy was open to all vehicles and said the primary goal was to pressure Biden to lift the national state of emergency. “We want this government to bring back the Constitution,” Landis said. “We do not want to be under a dictatorship communism-style regime, like where we are right now.” A state of emergency in the U.S. was declared by President Donald Trump in March 2020. Last week, Biden announced his intention to extend it beyond the current March 1 expiration date. The websites organizing the American trucker convoys directly reference the inspiration of the Canadian movement. A statement on the People’s Convoy website pays homage to “our brave and courageous neighbors to the north — our Canadian brothers and sisters who led the charge.” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee said Friday that his department was closely monitoring the shifting information and would be devoting additional police manhours in a rolling state of heightened alert over the next few weeks. In the meantime, he warned D.C. residents to stay alert for unexpected traffic snarls. “There will be disruptions to traffic, that kind of thing,” Contee said. “I think we need to be very candid with the public about what some of the expectations, based upon what we’ve seen in Ottawa, that we might see here in the district.” Contee called the Ottawa standoff “an incredible situation — one that we have not seen here in the District of Columbia.” Contee and Mayor Muriel Bowser memorably predicted unrest several days before the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol Building. They warned residents to stay indoors and called for additional resources, but the Capitol Police and National Guard were still caught unprepared when crowds of Trump supporters overran the building, resulting in several deaths and numerous injuries. Lingering memories of that debacle have fueled a heightened sense of anxiety and speculation over the coming convoys. But Bowser said she wasn’t yet warning residents to avoid the Capitol area or the National Mall. “We’re not at a point to give specific instructions to residents just yet. We will,” Bowser said.

Wintry weather disrupts travel across the heartland

The Associated Press - February 23, 2022

DALLAS — Freezing rain and drizzle is disrupting travel from Central Texas to the Great Lakes, with ice-glazed roads leading to hundreds of traffic accidents. Hundreds of flights were canceled Wednesday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as freezing rain iced parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas braced for an ice storm. More than half an inch of ice could accumulate in parts of the Ozarks through Friday morning, while a quarter- to a half-inch was expected in North Texas through Thursday, the National Weather Service said. Airlines had canceled more than 2,000 Thursday flights by Wednesday night, according to the FlightAware.com tracking site. About half of them were at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, where temperatures were expected to top out above freezing only briefly late Thursday afternoon. DFW Airport is the biggest in the American Airlines network, and American had canceled 21% of its Thursday flights by Wednesday night, according to FlightAware. Meanwhile, heavy snow was expected in upstate New York and New England later this week, with more than 8 inches (20 centimeters) possible through Saturday morning. Winter took a fleeting break in the Northeast on Wednesday, with temperatures soaring into the 60s before they were expected to plunge within hours. The warm spell sent people streaming outdoors, but it was bad news for ski areas and other winter sports. “It’s not exactly what you want to see in the middle of the busiest week of the year,” said Ethan Austin, spokesperson for the Sugarloaf ski area in Maine, which was busy because of school vacation week. But he was happy to hear snow was on the way. The weather whiplash marked the second time in less than a week that there was to be a temperature swing of more than 40 degrees in 24 hours.

Vehicle restrictions planned for several Pennsylvania roadways

The Trucker News Staff - February 23, 2022

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is implementing vehicle restrictions on several Pennsylvania roadways starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. Additionally, PennDOT advises motorists to avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas during the storm. Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website. Effective at 7 p.m. tonight, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan (PDF): PA Turnpike I-76 (Mainline) from New Stanton (Exit 75) to Breezewood (Exit 161) The entire length of Interstate 99 Effective at 10 p. m. tonight vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan (PDF): I-80 from I-99 to the Ohio border I-79 from I-80 to I-90 Effective at midnight, vehicle restrictions are planned for the following roadways at Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan (PDF): U.S. 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border The entire length of I-78 I-80 from I-99 to the New Jersey border I-81 from I-78 to the New York border The entire length of I-84 The entire length of I-180 The entire length of I-380 The entire length of Route 33 PennDOT urges motorists to avoid travel if possible. If travel is necessary, use caution, reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions. PennDOT will pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm. However, salt is not a silver bullet, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form without warning. To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 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 1,000 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts. Drivers should prepare or restock their emergency kits with items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. Motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families have such as baby supplies, extra medication and pet supplies. When winter weather occurs, drivers should extra cautious around operating snow-removal equipment. When encountering a plow truck, drivers should: Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck. Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic. When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snowplow width. Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a “plow train.” The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles. Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can’t see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack. Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle. Also remember that under Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be on every time a vehicle’s wipers are on due to inclement weather. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 301 crashes resulting in four fatalities and 143 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors. For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at www.PennDOT.gov/safety.

Idaho State Police thank motorist who reported big rig fire

The Trucker News Staff - February 23, 2022

RURAL Idaho – The Idaho State Police (ISP) are thanking an alert motorist who reported an 18-wheeler fire Tuesday along Interstate 15. According to an ISP Facebook post, ISP troopers responded to the call at around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The semi’s trailer was on fire while traveling down the road, and troopers immediately alerted the driver to pull over. The driver stopped on the shoulder, then separated the truck and trailer, according to the ISP. “Firefighters with the Pocatello and Pocatello Valley Fire Departments responded quickly,” the Facebook post stated. “Still, the rear of the cab suffered extensive damage. The trailer was not involved. The driver of the truck, a man from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was not hurt. The right lane of travel was blocked for about two hours to allow for firefighting operations.” Troopers say they appreciate the citizen’s initial call reporting the fire, which allowed emergency responders to arrive quickly likely limiting the extent of the damage. No injuries were reported.

Winter storm to batter much of the US Wednesday, Thursday

The Trucker News Staff - February 23, 2022

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A winter storm is increasing its grasp on the U.S., bringing below freezing temperatures and wintry weather into the deep south. Travel is also becoming treacherous in many areas. The storm will affect a huge part of the nation, from out of the Rockies and into the Midwest and Northeast through the end of the week, according to the Weather Channel. Winter weather alerts have been issued by the National Weather Service along many portions of the country. The Weather Channel said that icy or snowy travel will impact areas from northern and central Texas into Oklahoma, northern and central Arkansas, central and southern Missouri, and the lower Ohio valley through the nighttime hours on Wednesday. “Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories extend from the higher elevations of California into the southern and central Rockies, Southern Plains, Ozarks and Mississippi Valley,” the channel reported. “The warnings include Dallas-Ft. Worth, Oklahoma City, Little Rock and St. Louis.” On Thursday the storm will move out of the Southern Rockies, bringing a variety of winter hazards from the Southern Plains through the Ohio Valley Wednesday through Thursday night and the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Thursday night through Friday, according to the NWS. “Damaging ice accumulations across the Ozarks up to 0.50 inches leading to power outages and tree damage are possible,” the NWS reported. “This ice is within a swath of notable accumulations of freezing rain and sleet expected from North Texas through the Mid-Mississippi Valley. Overnight Thursday, heavy snow will develop over parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley into the Great Lakes.” Winter storm watches have also been posted all the way to upstate New York to much of New England, including Boston, Hartford, Albany and Portland, Maine. “As the system moves to the Central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic on Friday morning, heavy snow will develop over parts of the Northeast into Southern New England,” the NWS warned. “Widespread amounts greater than 6 inches are likely. Another rain/freezing rain area is likely from the Eastern Ohio Valley through the Central Appalachians. Significant ice accumulations are possible across south-central Pennsylvania and western Maryland.”

ATA Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.6% in January

The Trucker News Staff - February 23, 2022

ARLINGTON, Va. — American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage Index rose 0.6% in January after increasing 0.9% in December. In January, the index equaled 115.5 compared with 114.9 in December. ATA recently revised the seasonally adjusted (SA) index back five years as part of its annual revision. “January’s gain was the sixth straight totaling 4.4%,” ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said. “The index, which is dominated by contract freight with only small amounts of spot market truck freight, is off 3.9% from the all-time high in August 2019 and only 1.5% below March 2020 when the pandemic hit. In January, truck tonnage was helped by rising retail sales and factory output. While housing starts fell last month, which is another important driver of truck tonnage, it remained at high levels.” Compared with January 2021, the SA index increased 1.2%, which was the fifth straight year-over-year gain. In December, the index was up 1.5% from a year earlier. In 2021, compared with the average in 2020, tonnage was up 0.3%. In 2020, tonnage was off 4% compared with 2019. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 109.2 in January, 4.3% below the December level (114.1). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot market freight. Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.5% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 10.23 billion tons of freight in 2020. Motor carriers collected $732.3 billion, or 80.4% of total revenue earned by all transport modes. ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

Man arrested for stealing tractor trailer, kidnapping driver

The Trucker News Staff - February 23, 2022

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A shoplifting call led to the arrest of a man who allegedly stole a tractor-trailer and kidnapped its driver. It all began when a man told police that he was sitting in the tractor-trailer at a gas Station on Lamar Avenue on Feb. 9. He said there was another man and woman in the cab. While they were parked, another man came and knocked on the cab’s door. The driver said he didn’t let the man in, according to coverage by WHBQ-TV. Shortly afterward, the driver heard gunshots and the passenger side window shattered. The driver then let the man who had the gun and another man into the cab. The driver was hit several times in the head as the man demanded money while looking through the truck, according to reports. The unarmed suspect began driving the truck to Lamar and Airways, forcing the driver out of the truck when they reached an unknown area. The driver reported that a Seiko watch worth $500; a wedding ring worth $1,000; an iPhone worth $800; his driver’s license, and credit cards were taken from him by the suspects. The driver told police the suspects held him against his will for several hours after taking him to a home. The driver said the mend discussed whether they wanted to kill him and what to do with furniture in the trailer. They would end up putting the driver in a pickup and drop him off. The trailer, which still had furniture inside, was found the next day at S. Third and Weaver and towed to the city lot. According to the 18-wheeler’s owner, the tractor was worth $53,000 and the furniture on the trailer was worth approximately $17,000. Police received a call to a Walmart at 7525 Winchester about a man, identified as James Smith, attempting to shoplift that same day. When police arrived, they saw Smith standing in the parking lot near the stolen tractor-trailer talking to a woman, according to the affidavit. The engine was running, and the door was open. After he was taken into custody, Smith reportedly admitted to being with the man who fired the shot through the tractor-trailer’s window. Smith also admitted to jumping in the truck and driving off with it. Smith claimed he only drove off because someone had been shot and that he wanted to help. He claimed the truck driver told him to drive it, according to reports. Smith said he had paid $100 to use the truck two days after the incident. He reportedly told police he had been driving the truck and sleeping in it since. The truck driver would go on to identify Smith as the man who drove off in the truck. Smith is charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping.

Snowfall closes northern Arizona segments of Interstate 40

The Associated Press - February 23, 2022

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — A storm dropping heavy snow in parts of Arizona’s high country hampered travel and closed schools in some areas Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm morning into Wednesday evening for an area stretching from Flagstaff to Show Low and including the Mogollon Rim, the Kaibab Plateau and the White Mountains. Expected maximum snow accumulations into Thursday in higher elevations ranged up to 14 inches (35.5 centimeters). Eastbound Interstate 40 was closed Wednesday east of Kingman in Ash Fork with traffic being rerouted onto other highways, the sate Department of Transportation said. Schools were closed in several communities, including Flagstaff where Northern Arizona University delayed opening opening its campus until 10 a.m., canceling all classes before that time. Flagstaff and Coconino County officials said plows were keeping roads open but warned of icy and snow-packed conditions and poor visibility. Meanwhile, rain fell in some desert areas, including parts of metro Phoenix.

Troopers respond to semi-truck fire on Interstate 15

The Trucker News Staff - February 23, 2022

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho — Idaho State Police Troopers responded to a fire involving a semi-truck pulling a trailer on Interstate 15 at milepost 62 in Bannock County Tuesday morning. No one was injured but the incident slowed traffic for approximately two hours on the southbound interstate. Troopers responded after a call at approximately 8:28 a.m. which reported the truck was driving down the southbound interstate with flames showing from the rear of the cab. When Troopers arrived moments later, the truck driver had pulled to the right and separated the truck and trailer. Firefighters with the Pocatello and Pocatello Valley Fire Departments responded quickly. Despite the quick response, the rear of the cab suffered extensive damage. The trailer was not involved. The driver of the truck, a man from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was not hurt. The right lane of travel was blocked during the incident to allow for firefighting operations. Troopers say they appreciate the citizens initial call reporting the fire that allowed emergency responders to arrive quickly likely limiting the extent of the damage.

Washington state set to kick off CMV safety blitz

The Trucker News Staff - February 22, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Beginning Tuesday, the Washington State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Division and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers will begin commercial vehicle emphasis patrols along Interstate 5 in Pierce County. The patrols will run through Feb. 24, according to Washington State Trooper Robert Reyer, who posted about the event on Twitter.

Georgia DPS’s tongue-in-cheek social media post warns of alcohol dangers

The Trucker News Staff - February 22, 2022

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS) on Tuesday chided a truck driver who was caught with multiple bottles of alcohol inside their cab on National Margarita Day. The bottles included Jose Cuervo Classic Margarita, Sutter Home wine and two other bottles of some type of wine, a GDPS photo showed. “It’s National Margarita Day, don’t be like this CMV driver and be placed out of service for having a margarita and more in his cab. Make sure you drive sober today and every day. It could save a life,” the GDPS’s Facebook post read. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulation 6.3.2 Alcohol (392.5) states: “Drivers are forbidden to consume or be under the influence of alcohol (as defined in 49 CFR 382.107) within four hours of going on duty or operating a CMV (49 CFR 392.5). Drivers are forbidden to use alcohol, be under the influence of alcohol, or have any measured alcohol concentration, while on duty, or operating, or in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle. Alcohol can only be transported as part of a shipment.” Further information about the driver was not provided by the GDPS.

Chase of stolen semi ends in blaze, teargas deployment, hail of gunfire

The Trucker News Staff - February 22, 2022

BERNE, Ind. – Indiana State Police (ISP) say the pursuit of a stolen semi-truck on Tuesday ended with the rig in flames, tear gas being deployed and one of the suspects engaged in a shootout with a SWAT team. According to a report from the ISP, Nicholas R. Mingus, 29, of Ghent, Kentucky, and Michael James McGee, 26, of Dayton, Ohio, have been charged with one count each of attempted murder, a Level 1 felony, auto theft, a Level 5 felony, and resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony. The pursuit of the stolen bobtail rig began in Riverside, Ohio, a suburb of northeast Dayton. The ISP report stated that at approximately 12:05 a.m., the Riverside Police Department (RPD) received a report of stolen semi in their jurisdiction and began pursuit along Interstate 70. Riverside Police reported that one of the suspects allegedly fired shots at their officers during the chase. At approximately 2:15 a.m., the suspect driving the tractor led the pursuing Ohio officers out of Wilshire, Ohio, into Adams County, Indiana, at which point the Adams County sheriff’s deputies joined in the pursuit. Multiple stop-stick devices had already been successfully deployed in Ohio, so the semi-tractor was operating on multiple flat tires. The pursuit continued in eastern Adams County until the semi ran off the road and became stuck in a ditch near the intersection of Salem Road and CR400S, approximately 4 miles northeast of Berne, Indiana. Once stuck, the suspects barricaded themselves inside the semi’s sleeper, according to the ISP report. Adams County deputies, assisted by several Riverside Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol officers, set up a safety perimeter and requested assistance from the ISP North SWAT team. At approximately 5 a.m., one male suspect exited the semi and surrendered to ISP SWAT officers without further incident. He was later identified as McGee. At approximately 5:10 a.m., ISP SWAT located a second male suspect, later identified as Mingus, hiding in the sleeper. Gunshots were fired from inside the semi, striking the SWAT armored vehicle windshield. SWAT members deployed tear gas into the semi-tractor, at which point Mingus exited and surrendered. The exact reason or source has not been confirmed, but as Mingus exited the tractor, a fire ignited inside the cab. Mingus was safely taken into custody. The semi was eventually engulfed in flames and destroyed. After being taken into custody, both Mingus and McGee were transported from the scene to the Adams County Jail.

I-84 reopens through eastern Oregon

The Trucker News Staff - February 22, 2022

EASTERN, Ore. — The Interstate 84 westbound freeway has reopened in eastern Oregon after a major winter storm hit on Monday. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), “good coordination with all responding crews, including law enforcement, fire stations, emergency responders, ODOT and over a half-dozen tow companies helped clear the route enough to open the freeway several hours ahead of earlier estimates.” Disabled vehicles were moved off the roadway, with some being staged at the nearby truck weigh station and rest area. “Outstanding response from our tow companies and all who responded, including law enforcement and EMS,” said ODOT District 12 Manager Marilyn Holt. “They got everyone out fast, which made clearing the scene go well.” Much more work is needed and travelers should expect reduced speeds, crews working near the roadway, lane restrictions near the crash site, and winter conditions along the route. Drive with extra caution. A total of 71 people were transported from the crash scene to the reunification center via buses. Initial numbers collected were that there were 17 patients transported from the crash scene with an additional 2 transported after having arrived at the reunification center.

International Roadcheck date set for May

The Trucker News Staff - February 22, 2022

WASHINGTON — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced this year’s International Roadcheck dates as May 17-19. International Roadcheck is 72-hour high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection and enforcement initiative, according to the CVSA. Commercial motor vehicle inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will conduct North American Standard Inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh and inspection stations, on roving patrols, and at temporary inspection sites. Each year, CVSA focuses on a specific aspect of a roadside inspection. This year, the focus will be on wheel ends. “Wheel end components support the heavy loads carried by commercial motor vehicles, maintain stability and control, and are critical for braking,” CVSA said in its statement. “Violations involving wheel end components historically account for about one-quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during International Roadcheck, and past International Roadcheck data routinely identified wheel end components as a top 10 vehicle violation.” Professional drivers have mixed feelings about the annual law enforcement initiative. Driver T. Jenkins of Alabama said he feels like standard patrols are enough. “Anything more than that is just the government hounding us while we are trying to do our jobs,” Jenkins said. “It’s just an excuse to make money.” Driver Hal Sanders of Illinois said he doesn’t have a problem with it, because, he said, it can help save lives. “Think about some of these hot shots out here who think they law don’t apply to them,” Sanders said. “It will hopefully get them off the roads.” CVSA reported that 83.5% of inspected vehicles had no violations that took a truck or a motor coach out of service during the 2021 roadcheck. Inspectors across North America found that hours of service violations increased to 41.5% of all violations, up from 34.7% a year earlier. That was the largest category of violation. CVSA conducted more than 40,000 inspection last year.

Powerful storm creates dangerous travel conditions

The Trucker News Staff - February 21, 2022

|UPDATE| MILWAUKEE — A powerful winter storm with heavy snow and ice has created dangerous travel conditions, closed scores of schools and caused a chain reaction accident that injured at least six people in the Upper Midwest. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for parts of the Dakotas Tuesday. In Minnesota, snow continued to mount following Monday’s totals ranging from 13 inches in the west-central region and 7 inches near Duluth. In North Dakota, the State Patrol said five semis and eight other vehicles piled up west of Fargo Monday, closing a section of Interstate 94. At least six people were treated at Fargo hospitals. In South Dakota, cold temperatures and perilous wind chills were expected through the majority of the week. Forecasters said daytime highs along the North Dakota border were likely to stay well below zero. Sustained winds and gusts will drive wind chills down to minus 25 to 40 below across the western half of South Dakota through Wednesday morning, the weather service said. Through noon on Tuesday, the weather service said up to 6 inches of additional snow accumulation is expected across the western half of the state, with the majority of new snowfall along and south of the Interstate 90 corridor. Schools across the region closed Tuesday or switched to virtual learning. In Wisconsin, the state’s largest district, Milwaukee Public Schools, was among the numerous closings. |ORIGINAL STORY| LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Another significant winter storm will batter parts of the Plains into the Great Lakes beginning today. The storm, dubbed Oaklee by The Weather Channel, will spread snow and ice from areas of the Western U.S. to the Southern Plains, Midwest and Northeast through the end of the week. The wave of low pressure over the Central Plains will move northeastward to the Great Lakes by Tuesday evening and into Quebec, Canada, by Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Because of the dangerous weather, the NWS is discouraging travel. A mixture of snow, sleet, and freezing rain may come in two waves to parts of the region. Snow will become heavy, with snowfall rates of one inch per hour or higher with the significant and long-duration winter storm. Strong wind may lead to significant blowing and drifting of snow. Near blizzard conditions are possible over parts of North and South Dakota. The NWS said that snow fall is expected to exceed 6 inches from the Dakotas into the Upper Great Lakes. In addition, more than 12 inches are possible in some areas over the two days. Significant ice accumulations are possible into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes starting this evening into Tuesday. Some areas may receive a quarter inch of ice. On Thursday, freezing or sleet could spread from northern and central Texas into the Ozarks and Ohio Valley. That evening, snow and ice will begin to spread across the Northeast. The Weather Channel said it expects “the heaviest snow is expected from northern Pennsylvania into upstate New York and much of New England, with sleet or freezing rain on the southern end of that wintry mess.” Not surprisingly, very cold air is expected for much of this week, with temperatures near record low values and dangerously cold wind chills in the Plains. Temperatures are expected to be 20-30 degrees below average, with some locations expected to have record-breaking or tied low temperatures. On the southern side of the winter weather, there’s expected to be excessive rainfall, with thunderstorms increasing from the Southern Plains to Tennessee/Ohio Valleys from today into Wednesday. In contrast, temperatures on the other side of the storm will be 10 to 25 degrees above average. This covers the area over Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley from today into Wednesday morning. Rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop, with some expected to be severe. The heavy rain is expected to create localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable through Tuesday morning.

Operation Southern Shield set for Arizona highways

The Trucker News Staff - February 21, 2022

PHOENIX — A major commercial vehicle enforcement detail will take place in Arizona this week. Operation Southern Shield 2022 will be held from Tuesday, Feb. 22, to Friday, Feb. 25, on Interstate 10 from Phoenix to the New Mexico state line and on Interstate 19 to the international border. This major enforcement detail will be led by the newly formed Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of AZDPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement troopers and Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement and Compliance Division officers. During this detail, CVETF troopers and officers will work with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Marana Police Department, Oro Valley Police Department and Tucson Police Department. The focus of this operation is to target hazardous driving violations, conduct commercial motor vehicle inspections and educate drivers on safe and compliant operation in an effort to reduce crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. Non-commercial vehicles that operate unsafely around CMVs will also be stopped.