The Nation Archives

Arizona DOT extends increased truck-weight limits through July 30

The Trucker News Staff - July 1, 2020

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation has extended through July 30 the temporary higher weight limits for commercial trucks hauling critical supplies and goods during the current public health situation. In April, the state’s gross weight limit for commercial vehicles was lifted from 80,000 pounds to 90,000 without the need for an overweight permit. The Arizona DOT previously extended the temporary measure to June 30; it will now remain in effect until July 30. For more information, visit azdot.gov.

Trimble moves annual in.sight conference to virtual format; registration open for August event

The Trucker News Staff - June 30, 2020

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Registration is now open for Trimble’s 2020 in.sight user conference + expo, which will be held as a virtual event Aug. 24-26. “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our customers, partners and employees. As we have closely monitored the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to hold in.sight online in 2020,” said James Langley, senior vice president of Trimble Transportation. “One of the things that COVID-19 has demonstrated is how important it is for the industry to work together,” he continued. “This year’s virtual event is designed to facilitate that collaboration, with educational and networking opportunities that uncover new ways to improve every part of the supply chain.” Reflecting Trimble’s dedication to working together to improve the industry, the theme for this year’s in.sight conference is “We Are One.” The three-day event is open to all transportation suppliers and technology vendors, including integration partners and providers of competing solutions. This inclusive approach will allow users from across the supply chain can share ideas and discover new ways to increase performance and efficiency. “Our customers are waking up to an increasingly connected supply chain, and they need us to support their technology choices. The endgame is pretty simple: Provide greater value to the customer by being more open,” Langley said. “Attendees can take part in in.sight and connect not just with us, but also with many of their other vendors, partners and peers,” he added. “That’s what collaboration is all about — to tackle the supply chain’s biggest challenges, together.” This year’s agenda features three days of educational sessions, engaging speakers, networking events and other opportunities to share ideas and work together to make transportation more connected and efficient. The comprehensive sponsorships and exhibitor options have been reimagined for a virtual environment, and new and returning suppliers and vendors are encouraged to check out the range of new options available this year. For more information about the event, including registration and exhibitor and sponsor opportunities, click here.

Latest amendment to INVEST Act would strip $2 million liability insurance requirement

Cliff Abbott - June 30, 2020

Those interested in repairing our country’s infrastructure were dismayed to learn that an amendment to the INVEST in America Act being considered in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure would increase minimum financial responsibility levels from $750,000 to $2 million. The amendment was proposed by Rep. Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-Illinois) and passed the committee by a vote of 37-27 on June 17. The amendment prompted the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), to pull its support of the bill, saying the amendment was a “poison pill” for its membership. At the same time, American Trucking Associations (ATA), an organization comprised of mostly larger carriers, announced its support. The INVEST Act, including the new amendment, has since been folded into the larger, $1.5 trillion Moving Forward Act that is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. The act, in its present form, is crafted by Democrats in the House, with zero Republican participation, and faces a large hurdle in the Republican-controlled Senate. More recently, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) introduced an amendment that would strip the requirement for the increase in financial responsibility levels from the act. Bost is a former trucker himself, and drove for his family’s trucking business before moving into a management position. OOIDA quickly announced its support for this new amendment; however, gaining acceptance through the Democrat-majority committee will be an uphill battle. Whatever form the Moving Forward Act retains when approved by the full House, it faces strong opposition in the Senate. Opponents of the bill complain that only $300 billion of the $1.5 trillion cost of the bill is earmarked for repair of bridges and roads, while huge amounts are slated for increasing the availability of broadband and for “green” initiatives, including $25 billion for the U.S. Postal Service to, among other goals, develop a “zero emissions” fleet of vehicles. Election years typically bode well for infrastructure bills; however, Congress has already spent lavishly to stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 crisis while suffering a sharp decline in tax revenues. The idea of taking on another $1.5 trillion in debt may be unpalatable to conservative members of Congress, and President Trump has not indicated whether he will sign the bill in its current form. For now, the road remains bumpy — both literally and figuratively — for small-business truckers who are trying to cope with rising insurance rates along with the other problems of the year 2020.

Espyr’s Fit to Pass program now offers mobile app to help drivers improve health, wellness

The Trucker News Staff - June 30, 2020

TAMPA, Fla. — Fit to Pass, a program designed by Espyr to reinforce healthy lifestyles for commercial drivers and prepare them to pass the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recertification exams, is now available as an easy-to-use mobile app. Espyr’s Fit to Pass is a year-round coaching program designed to improve the health of professional drivers. Ninety days before a driver’s scheduled DOT recertification exam, the program intensifies to help him or her pass the test. “We’re elated to be partnering with Transflo to improve the health of professional drivers and help them protect their livelihoods by passing the DOT re-cert exam.” said Rick Taweel, CEO of Espyr. Carriers can now download the Fit to Pass app, developed by Espyr in partnership with Transflo, directly to their smart phones and tablets via Google Play or the Apple App Store. Fit to Pass benefits both drivers and their employers by: Keeping drivers on the road; Helping retain experienced, skilled drivers; Saving on hiring and training new drivers; Reducing driver sick days; and Increasing overall productivity. In addition, Espyr has partnered with Transflo to integrate the Fit to Pass program with the Transflo Mobile+ app, creating even more ways for carriers to easily communicate with their drivers through existing platforms. “We’re very excited about the partnership with Espyr and believe in the importance of adding driver health as a key component into Transflo digital ecosystem of solutions,” said Doug Schrier, vice president of product and innovation for Transflo.

Police: Protesters block Clark Memorial Bridge; 33 arrested

The Associated Press - June 30, 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Police brutality protesters blocked a bridge connecting Kentucky to Indiana for three hours before police dispersed the crowd and arrested 33 people. Protesters blocked lanes on the Clark Memorial Bridge Monday morning (June 29), bringing traffic to a standstill, news outlets reported. The bridge, which connects Louisville, Kentucky, to Jeffersonville, Indiana, is one of the only toll-free bridges crossing the Ohio River, according to news outlets. Indiana officials contacted Louisville authorities around 11 a.m. Protesters set up signs and banners on the roadway with images of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police officers who were performing a no-knock warrant. Police spokesman Lamont Washington said police reached protesters around 1 p.m. and asked the crowd to disperse. Washington said 33 people were arrested after not following disperse orders. Tow trucks removed 19 vehicles that were being used to stop traffic flow. MetroSafe, Louisville’s emergency services division, said the bridge reopened just before 3 p.m. Protests continued in Louisville at Jefferson Square Park, where Tyler Gerth, 27, was fatally shot at a protest Saturday.

U.S. Customs encourages commercial carriers to pay truck-user fees online to avoid border delays

The Trucker News Staff - June 30, 2020

DETROIT — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations offers a tip to commercial carriers to help streamline border crossings: Carriers and their agents can prepay the single-crossing user fee online before arriving at the border online through the Decal/Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) website. Cash and credit-card payments will still be accepted at the border, but carriers who pay upon arrival may experience additional processing delays. “Paying the single-crossing user fee online, prior to arriving at the border, may help commercial drivers reduce fuel consumption and help avoid unnecessary wait times at the border,” said Devin Chamberlain, port director. “This could help cut down on overall costs for carriers.”

Indiana law prohibiting drivers from holding mobile devices takes effect July 1

The Trucker News Staff - June 29, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana law that prohibits drivers from holding mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, goes into effect Wed., July 1; however, drivers may continue to use voice-operated or hands-free technology. Officials hope the law will reduce distracted driving and improve safety on the state’s highways. The law was a key piece of Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2020 legislative agenda and was approved by the Indiana General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support. Holcomb signed the measure into law on March 18. “As drivers, we all have a responsibility to our fellow Hoosiers to limit eye and hand distractions that can result in tragic injuries and deaths,” Holcomb said. “This law is about protecting those who travel our roads and those who build and maintain them by preventing as many crashes as possible through smart education and enforcement.” Once the law takes effect, drivers on Indiana roads will be prohibited from having a mobile device in their hands while their vehicles are moving, with the exception of dialing 911 in an emergency. The law permits the use of voice-operated or hands-free technology such as speakerphones, Bluetooth or headsets. “Drivers need to keep their eyes up, hands on the wheel and stay focused on driving to keep everyone on our roads safe,” said Joe McGuinness, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. “The ‘Hands Free While Driving’ law will save lives by reducing the number of senseless crashes that happen as a result of distracted driving.” During the first few months after the Hands Free While Driving law goes into effect, Indiana State Police will focus on educating drivers about the new law and the safety benefits of going hands free. Following the initial education campaign, drivers found in violation of the Hands Free While Driving law can be subject to fines. Beginning in July 2021, drivers may also have points assessed against their driver’s licenses for violating the law. For more information, visit HandsFreeIndiana.com.

University of Arkansas’ supply-chain management program ranked No. 1 in North America

The Trucker News Staff - June 29, 2020

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The supply-chain management undergraduate program, part of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has been ranked No. 1 in North America by Gartner, a global research firm. Gartner, which studies and rates companies and academic programs across a variety of industries, releases its findings on supply chain programs every two years. In Gartner’s latest rankings, released June 24, Arkansas’ program moved up 14 spots in Gartner’s Top 25 from the previous rankings in 2018. Brian Fugate, department chair and the Oren Harris chair in transportation, said the university’s department of supply-chain management remains relatively young and that it is “phenomenal to see this type of recognition. Arkansas launched the department in 2011 under the leadership of Matthew A. Waller and John Ozment. “Gartner provides an unbiased report, and this No. 1 ranking recognizes the outstanding work and excellence of our faculty, staff and students,” said Waller, who is now Walton College dean and the Sam M. Walton leadership chair in business. “The ranking also is highly respected throughout industry, which helps our students as they look for internships and move into careers.” The rankings reflect excellence in three specific areas — industry value, program scope and program size. “It’s an honor to earn such outstanding recognition,” Fugate said. “Northwest Arkansas has become a hot spot for the industry, with all the great supply chain companies located nearby. It’s important that we do our part to add to that excellence.” The rest of the Top 10 supply-chain management programs noted in Gartner’s 2020 rankings included Rutgers University, Penn State University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of South Carolina, the University of Tennessee, Auburn University, Northeastern University, Michigan State University and Georgia Tech.

California adopts first-of-its kind requirement for zero-emission trucks in ‘bold’ step to reduce pollution

The Trucker News Staff - June 26, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — By 2045, every new truck sold in California will be zero-emission. That’s according to the California Air Resources Board, which on June 25 adopted a first-in-the-world rule requiring truck manufacturers to transition from diesel trucks and vans to electric zero-emission trucks beginning in 2024 and culminating in 100% zero-emission trucks by 2045. A statement from CARB describes the move as “bold and timely,” adding that it sets a clean-truck standard for the nation and the world and marks the most important air-pollution regulation to date implemented by California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration. The rule zeroes in on air pollution in the state’s most disadvantaged and polluted communities. “California is an innovation juggernaut that is going electric. We are showing the world that we can move goods, grow our economy and finally dump dirty diesel,” said Jared Blumenfeld, California’s Secretary for Environmental Protection. According to CARB, many California neighborhoods, especially Black and Brown, low-income, vulnerable communities, are adjacent to the state’s ports, railyards, distribution centers and freight corridors and experience the heaviest truck traffic. This new rule directly addresses disproportionate risks and health and pollution burdens affecting these communities and puts California on the path for an all zero-emission short-haul drayage fleet in ports and railyards by 2035, and zero-emission “last-mile” delivery trucks and vans by 2040. “For decades, while the automobile has grown cleaner and more efficient, the other half of our transportation system has barely moved the needle on clean air,” said CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols. “Diesel vehicles are the workhorses of the economy, and we need them to be part of the solution to persistent pockets of dirty air in some of our most disadvantaged communities. Now is the time; the technology is here and so is the need for investment.” Trucks are the largest single source of air pollution from vehicles, responsible for 70% of the smog-causing pollution and 80% of carcinogenic diesel soot, even though they number only 2 million among the 30 million registered vehicles in California, according to CARB. The aim of this requirement to shift to zero-emission trucks, along with the ongoing shift to electric cars is to help California meet its climate goals and federal air-quality standards, especially in the Los Angeles region and the San Joaquin Valley — areas that suffer the highest levels of air pollution in the nation. Statewide, the Advanced Clean Truck regulation is expected to lower related premature deaths by 1,000. The rule drives technology and investment, phasing in available heavy-duty zero-emission technology starting in 2024 with full transformation over the next two decades. CARB states that the rule sends a clear signal to manufacturers, fleet owners and utilities that now is the time to invest in zero-emission trucks and in the economy, building on California’s leadership as a manufacturer of zero-emission transportation. In the coming months, CARB will consider two complementary regulations to support its June 25 action. The first would set a stringent new limit on NOx (oxides of nitrogen), one of the major precursors of smog. This would require that new trucks that still use fossil fuels include the most effective exhaust-control technology during the transition to electric trucks. There is also a proposed requirement for larger fleets in the state to transition to electric trucks year over year.

Truck-screening tech at Arizona ports of entry designed to enhance safety, allow efficient movement of freight

The Trucker News Staff - June 26, 2020

PHOENIX — To help freight move efficiently while ensuring that commercial vehicles can operate safely on state highways, the Arizona Department of Transportation has expanded its use of technology that screens moving trucks for weight and identifying information. This system, already in use at select rest areas — including McGuireville on I-17, Sacaton on I-10 and Canoa Ranch on I-19 — is now operating at Arizona DOT’s commercial ports of entry along I-10, I-40 and State Route 95 in Parker. “This truck-screening system will allow our officers to focus on the commercial vehicles that need our officers’ attention,” said Jeff Stanhope, deputy director for Arizona DOT’s enforcement and compliance division. “It helps us make better use of our resources and efforts while allowing trucks in compliance to go on their way.” The technology includes weigh-in-motion sensors, cameras that are designed to read USDOT numbers and license plates, and message signs. An additional feature at the Ehrenberg and San Simon ports of entry on I-10 also identifies commercial vehicles with tires that could be damaged or in need of repair. The failure of a tire on a commercial vehicle can lead to catastrophic collisions and cause tire debris to be deposited on and along roadways. As a commercial vehicle approaches the port of entry, highway signs direct the driver into the right lane. When the truck is a half mile from the port, the weigh-in-motion sensors and cameras capture the vehicle’s weight and identifying information and relay it to Arizona DOT enforcement and compliance officers at the port. The computer checks the truck’s credentials against national and state databases. If the truck is cleared and within weight limits, the message boards along the highway direct the driver to bypass the port and continue. If there is an issue identified with the commercial vehicle, such as expired registration, federal out-of-service orders or required permits not on file, the message boards will direct the driver to pull into the port for further inspection. In addition to saving Arizona DOT officers and truck drivers time and resources, the system tracks and stores the size and weight of commercial vehicles entering Arizona. This data will help Arizona DOT’s multimodal planning division make more informed decisions about the state’s highway system in the future.

NTSB report says driver fatigue, inadequate traffic control contributed to 2018 crash that killed 4 in Idaho

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

WASHINGTON — On June 11, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final report on the probable cause of a 2018 multivehicle crash on Interstate 84 in Boise, Idaho. The crash occurred about 11:32 p.m. MDT Saturday, June 16, 2018, when a 2019 Volvo tractor in combination with a 2015 Great Dane refrigerated semitrailer crashed into the end of a traffic queue in a work zone. The 2019 Volvo tractor-trailer collided with a Jeep, which was pushed into the rear of a 2003 Volvo tractor in combination with a 2008 Great Dane refrigerated semitrailer; the 2003 Volvo tractor-trailer moved forward and collided with the rear of a 2006 Ford Fusion, pushing it into the rear of a 2014 Ford F150 and sideswiping a 2015 Ford Escape. Debris from the collision also damaged a 2010 Ford Focus. The vehicles came to rest on I-84 under the Cloverdale overpass. A post-crash fire consumed the Jeep and the 2003 and 2019 Volvo combination vehicles. The fire also damaged other vehicles and the Cloverdale overpass. The 42-year-old driver of the 2019 Volvo tractor, along with the driver and two passengers in the Jeep, died as a result of the crash; the driver and passenger of the 2006 Ford Fusion and the driver of the 2014 Ford F150 were injured. The 2019 Volvo tractor was operated by Krujex Freight Transportation Corp. According to the NTSB’s final report, multiple factors contributed to the crash. The probable cause is noted as the 2019 Volvo tractor driver’s “failure to respond to the slow-moving traffic queue ahead, most likely due to performance decrements associated with fatigue. Contributing to the crash were the (1) inadequate traffic control and queue management procedures employed by Penhall Company and its subcontractor Specialty Construction Supply Company, Inc., and (2) lack of proper oversight by the Idaho Transportation Department, which allowed an additional lane closure that was not part of the approved traffic control plan, resulting in a traffic queue that extended into the advance warning area of the work zone.” The NTSB’s preliminary report noted that in the area of the accident, the roadway consists of four travel lanes and paved shoulders for both the eastbound and westbound lanes, but that the time of the crash, I-84 east had been reduced from four lanes to one lane about 1 mile beyond the crash location because of an ongoing maintenance project near the Cloverdale overpass. The posted 65-mph speed limit was reduced to 55 mph for the work zone. According to data obtained from an aftermarket on -board Garmin unit, which recorded vehicle speed, interior audio, and forward-facing video when triggered, the 2019 Volvo was traveling approximately 62 mph at the time of impact with the Jeep.

Rand McNally releases 2021 edition of Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas for professional drivers

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

CHICAGO — Rand McNally’s 2021 edition of the Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas was released June 23, marking the 40th anniversary of the best-selling atlas for professional drivers. “For forty years, The Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas has been an invaluable tool for professional truck drivers,” said Stephen Fletcher, CEO of Rand McNally. “Today Rand McNally is a leader in technology for the commercial transportation market; however, many drivers continue to depend upon the printed atlas for a big-picture reference as well as for a back-up in truck cabs.” The 2021 edition of the atlas — featuring fully updated truck-accessible roads, state trucking regulations and fuel tax charts — is available in paperback as well as a version with laminated pages and a stay-flat spiral binding; there is also a large-print edition with maps that are 37% larger. The new edition includes thousands of updates to the maps as well as revised regulatory and state/province information. This year, the atlases include: Updated U.S. state and Canadian province maps, including the renaming of a section of Interstate 680 to Interstate 880 in western Iowa, adding Loop 202 around Phoenix and updated interstates in Rhode Island with mileage-based exit numbers; Revised restricted routes, low-clearance and weigh station locations; A 22-page mileage directory that includes more than 40,000 truck-route-specific, city-to-city mileages; An updated fuel-tax chart as well as revised state and province information including weight and size limitations, registration guidelines, and phone numbers and websites for state police and operating authorities; Hotlines for road construction and conditions; Updated toll system contact information for each state; and An updated review of hazardous materials (hazmat) regulations. The atlases are available at travel centers, in bookstores, on e-commerce stores and at store.randmcnally.com.

Bridge named and dedicated to late OOIDA president Jim Johnston

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. — The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association announced that the bridge at I-70 and Grain Valley exit 24 will be dedicated to OOIDA’s late president, Jim Johnston. “He was an outspoken champion for the rights of all professional truck drivers,” said Todd Spencer, president and CEO of OOIDA. “This is a fitting honor for him and the Association.” Johnston was president of OOIDA from 1975 until he passed away in 2018. His contributions to the trucking industry go back decades as he was regularly consulted by congressional leaders and administration representatives on all issues affecting the hard-working men and women that drive trucks for a living. He entered the trucking industry as a driver and an owner-operator after completing his military service in the U.S. Navy. His driving career continued until the oil embargoes of the early 1970s and the subsequent shutdowns across the country. Those events created the need for truckers to organize themselves and communicate their concerns to lawmakers. Jim then gave up his truck to focus solely on the responsibilities of leading the newly formed Association. From its humble beginnings in an office trailer chained to a light pole at a truck stop in Grain Valley, Jim nurtured OOIDA to become the largest national organization of professional truckers in the country. Today, OOIDA has more than 350 employees and over 160,000 active members. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the greater Kansas City, Mo. area.

U.S. Border Patrol agents foil multiple human-smuggling attempts involving commercial trucks

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

Between June 18 and June 22, U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped four human-smuggling attempts along the nation’s southern border, one in California and three in Texas. The first incident, which took place in the San Diego Sector, occurred Thursday, June 18, near Pine Valley, California, when agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint stopped a white tractor-trailer hauling a flatbed trailer loaded with hay bales. While the primary agent conducted an immigration inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted agents’ attention to the middle section of the trailer. When secondary agents inspected the load, they discovered 12 undocumented migrants hidden inside a compartment constructed inside the hay. All 12 were adult male Mexican nationals with no legal right to enter or remain in the U.S. The driver, a 46-year-old U.S. citizen was booked for alien smuggling, and the tractor-trailer was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. “Human smugglers have no regard for life,” said Aaron Heitke, chief patrol agent for the San Diego Sector. “This tight space within the haystacks was not ventilated and was not designed with passenger safety in mind. I am proud of our agents. Their dedication to service and the preservation of life prevented serious harm from befalling these individuals.” The remaining three incidents took place in the Laredo Sector near Laredo, Texas. During the afternoon of June 19, a white tractor-trailer with two visible occupants entered the Interstate 35 checkpoint. When a Border Patrol K-9 alerted agents to the vehicle, agents conducted a nonintrusive scan of the vehicle and detected people in the trailer. After opening the trailer, agents discovered 22 Mexican nationals who were in the country illegally. The 22 people, along with the driver and passenger, both U.S. citizens, were taken into custody pending further investigation. The tractor was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. The trailer was found to be reported stolen and was turned over to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office. The next incident occurred during the early morning of June 20, when a white tractor-trailer approached the Interstate 35 checkpoint and a Border Patrol K-9 alerted agents to the vehicle. Agents opened the trailer and discovered 61 people from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala, all illegally present in the U.S. The individuals and the driver, a U.S. citizen, were taken into custody pending further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Both the tractor and trailer were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. The final incident happened during the early morning of June 22, when agents at the checkpoint on U.S. Highway 59 encountered a box truck with a visible driver and passenger. After being alerted by a Border Patrol K-9, agents opened the back of the vehicle and discovered a hidden compartment in the roof. Inside were 11 people from Mexico who were in the country illegally. The individuals, along with the driver and passenger, both U.S. citizens, were taken into custody pending further investigation. The vehicle was turned over to the Duval County Sheriff’s Office.

Love’s opens locations in Tennessee and Missouri collectively adding 213 truck-parking spaces

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is now serving customers in Holladay, Tennessee, and New Florence, Missouri, thanks to two travel stops that opened Thursday, June 25. The Holladay store, located on U.S. Highway 641, adds 82 jobs and 124 truck parking spaces to Benton and Decatur counties. The New Florence store, located off Interstate 70, adds 68 jobs and 89 truck parking spaces to Montgomery County. “Love’s is proud to open two new locations to help get our customers back on the road quickly,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “Opening our 15th and 17th locations in Tennessee and Missouri, respectively, means professional and four-wheel drivers now have more safe, clean and well-maintained locations to stop at and recharge.” Both locations are open 24/7 and offer many amenities, including: Holladay, Tennessee More than 16,400 square feet. Arby’s restaurant. 124 truck parking spaces. 65 car parking spaces. Three RV parking spaces. Nine diesel bays. Nine showers. Laundry facilities. Love’s Truck Care. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics. CAT scale. Dog park. New Florence, Missouri More than 13,800 square feet. Arby’s restaurant. 89 truck parking spaces. 66 car parking spaces. Three RV parking spaces. Eight diesel bays. Nine showers. Laundry facilities. Love’s Truck Care with on-site Speedco. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics. CAT scale. Dog park. Please visit https://loves.com/covid19 for updates regarding temporary changes to the company’s operations. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at each location and donate $2,000 to the Benton County School District and $2,000 to the Montgomery County School District.

Transervice Logistics to sponsor iRacing Firecracker 400 NASCAR event on Fourth of July

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. — Transervice Logistics Inc., a provider of customized fleet maintenance and leasing solutions, is sponsoring the iRacing Firecracker 400 on July 4. The event will be an ode to stock-car racing’s past, with an open entry iRacing event using the recently released 1987 stock cars at Daytona International Speedway. Racers from around the world are competing over a three-week span to qualify for the race and a chance to win the $12,500 prize pool. Developed as a centralized racing and competition service, iRacing organizes, hosts and officiates online racing on virtual tracks around the world. It utilizes the latest technology to recreate an ever-expanding lineup of famed race cars and tracks, simulating what a professional NASCAR driver experiences inside the seat of a stock car or a Grand Prix driver sees over the dash. For more information visit iRacing.com. In all, 344 racers are slated to compete, including NASCAR favorites Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Landon Cassill and Parker Kligerman. Transervice is sponsoring popular iRacing Streamer, driver Trevor Perry. Two additional drivers will be selected to run the Transervice scheme in the main events next week. The “Transervice Transfer Spot,” a branded frame around a camera that focuses on the drivers racing for the transfer spot, will be featured throughout the night’s most dramatic moments, highlighting the drivers who are attempting to race their way into the next stage of the event. “Sponsorship of SIM Racing events has proven to be a very successful marketing tool for Transervice,” said Sean Schnipper, the company’s marketing and social-media manager. “We tapped into eSports back in 2018 and have watched the explosive growth of drivers and members competing for cash prizes and recognition in the online racing communing,” Schnipper continued. “With many sports now relying on a virtual playing field post COVID-19, we see this niche as a timely and innovative way to build brand awareness in our marketplace.” Transervice Logistics Inc. provides customized transportation solutions including logistics, dedicated contract carriage, fleet leasing, contract maintenance, and material handling equipment leasing and maintenance. The company maintains more than 124 regional and local facilities across North America and manages over 24,500 pieces of equipment. For more information about the event, click here.

2020 Landstar All-Star Truck Giveaway winner will be announced July 8

The Trucker News Staff - June 25, 2020

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The winner of the 2020 Landstar All-Star Truck Giveaway will be announced July 8 in a virtual ceremony held via Zoom video conferencing. The event is sponsored by Pilot Flying J, and four Landstar owner-operators are in the running to win a new Freightliner truck. “Even in these unprecedented times of a global pandemic, we are giving away a new truck,” said Jim Gattoni, president and CEO of Landstar. “Landstar is pleased to continue the tradition of awarding a new truck to one of our Roadstar or Million Mile Safe Drivers as a way to recognize the safety and service excellence of these elite owner-operators,” he continued. “We appreciate the contributing support of Pilot Flying J as this year’s sponsor of Landstar’s All-Star Truck Giveaway.” The giveaway truck, a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia 126, is viper blue in color and features a Detroit DD15, 14.8 L engine and a Detroit DT12 automated transmission. The four finalists, each a one-million-mile safe driver and owner-operator for Landstar, are: Jacob Bons, Elk Grove Village, Illinois; Almir Ferhatbegovic, Knoxville, Tennessee; Robert Jordan, Soso, Mississippi (also a Landstar Roadstar); and Bill Williamson, Atoka, Tennessee. The All-Star Truck Giveaway finalists were randomly drawn from a pool of Landstar’s 1,086 active one-, two- and three-million-mile safe drivers and Roadstars. The Roadstar designation is the company’s highest honor for independent owner-operators and is awarded to the “best of the best” based on the drivers’ high levels of safety, productivity and excellence in customer service. During the virtual giveaway, each of the four finalists will select a box; one box will contain the key to the new Freightliner Cascadia. The driver who chooses correctly will be the winner.

Reality TV star indicted for misusing relief funds obtained in the name of Flame Trucking

The Associated Press - June 24, 2020

ATLANTA — A reality television star who appeared on VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” was indicted Wednesday, June 24, for allegedly using coronavirus relief funds intended to help small businesses survive to pay for luxuries such as a Rolls-Royce and custom jewelry, federal officials said. Maurice Fayne, also known as “Arkansas Mo,” was arrested in May on federal bank fraud charges arising from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan that he obtained in the name of Flame Trucking. In a news release, the Department of Justice said Maurice Fayne, 37, has now been charged with bank fraud, making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution and money laundering. The charges are related to the Paycheck Protection Program, a federal program designed to help small businesses make ends meet while they were closed or severely restricted because of the coronavirus. He’s also charged with wire fraud in connection with a Ponzi scheme, the release said. “Despite the difficult times the recent coronavirus pandemic has caused, the FBI and our federal partners continue to be vigilant in making sure funds provided by programs like PPP are used as intended,” Chris Hacker, the special agent in charge of the Atlanta FBI office, said in the news release. Fayne, was arrested May 11 and according to court records, he’s out on bond. Fayne’s attorney listed on court records did not immediately return a request for comment. Fayne denied in an interview with federal officials that he misused the PPP money, according to the news release. Federal officials said Fayne posed as the owner of a profitable trucking business from August 2014 through May 2020. But in reality the business never made enough money to cover expenses. Fayne is accused of encouraging people to invest and then using their money to pay for his extravagant lifestyle. In April 2020, he applied for a $3.7 million PPP loan, saying he had 107 employees at his trucking company, Flame Trucking, and that he’d use the money to pay expenses and retain staff. Instead, federal officials say, he used the money for things like leasing a Rolls-Royce for $136,000, buying $85,000 in custom-made jewelry, and restitution in a previous fraud case.

Police in Memphis, Tennessee, seek help identifying suspects who fired on tractor-trailer on I-40

The Trucker News Staff - June 24, 2020

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department is asking witnesses to help identify the driver of an SUV who opened fire on a tractor-trailer on Saturday, June 20. According to a June 22 Facebook post by the department, the victim was driving northbound on Interstate 40, passing Smith Avenue near the Chelsea Avenue exit, when he was shot at by the driver of a small dark gray or green SUV, possible a Saturn VUE. The vehicle has a luggage rack on top and what appears to be a temporary license plate on the rear; the suspect was last seen driving eastbound on I-40 toward the Watkins Road exit. The victim’s vehicle was struck by gunfire; however, the victim was not injured. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) or submit tips online at www.crimestopmem.org. To view a video of the incident, click here.

FMCSA extends temporary waiver for training of qualifying third-party CDL skills test examiners

The Trucker News Staff - June 24, 2020

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on June 22 extended a temporary waiver allowing state-authorized third-party skills text examiners who meet specific qualifications to administer the commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge test without completing a CDL knowledge test training course. The original waiver, issued April 9, was set to expire June 30; the new issuance extends the waiver until Sept. 30 or until the presidential declaration of national emergency regarding COVID-19 is revoked. Qualified third-party examiners must have a valid CDL test examiner certification and must have previously completed a CDL skills test examiner training course that satisfies the requirements of 49 CFR § 384.228(d) to administer the CDL knowledge test. Even though some states have begun to reopen their driver licensing agencies under phased state reopening plans, man licensing agencies are offering limited services in response to social-distancing criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Because of this, some agencies are unable to administer the knowledge test to applicants for commercial learner’s permits (CLPs). The waiver notes: “Given the COVID-19 public health emergency, there is a continued need for immediate transportation of essential supplies, equipment and persons, which requires an adequate and sustained supply of drivers trained to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Further, ensuring an adequate supply of trained drivers is vital to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 public health emergency.” To view the entire waiver, click here.