The Nation

PLOVER, Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association will hold its 2019 Accelerate! Conference & Expo September 30-October 2 at the Sheraton Dallas. The venue was chosen in part because WIT expects continued growth in participation at the conference and anticipates more than 1,000 attendees. The downtown Dallas facility, which is just finishing a $100 million renovation in February, is one of the only venues that can accommodate WIT’s solid growth. According to Ellen Voie, president and CEO of WIT, the conference is experiencing rapid momentum because of the importance of gender diversity in transportation – an industry that historically has been male-dominated. “This is the only conference that solely focuses on encouraging the employment of women in the industry and finding solutions to minimize any obstacles they face,” Voie said. The conference will feature 60-plus educational sessions on critical transportation issues and trends, along with perspectives of the positive impact women can have on the industry. The conference will provide content in four key areas, including operations, leadership, recruiting and talent management, and sales and marketing. It also will feature various peer-to-peer networking opportunities and facilitated discussions to open dialogue about the importance gender diversity in trucking. Registration for the full conference is $695 for WIT members. Reduced registration fees for professional drivers and students are available. In addition, the conference will highlight finalists for WIT’s highly coveted 2019 “Influential Woman in Trucking” award, which allows the association to recognize female leaders in the industry. The event also will recognize the “Top 50 Companies for Women to Work For” in 2019, a new award that is given by WIT’s official magazine Redefining the Road. More information on both awards, as well as details and registration for the 2019 Women In Trucking Accelerate! Conference & Expo, can be found at www.WomenInTrucking.org. Women In Trucking Association, Inc. is a nonprofit association established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry.

RICHMOND, Va. — Tolls could soon be coming to Interstate 81 in Virginia. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam and Republican lawmakers said at a Capitol news conference Tuesday the highway is too often the scene of long delays because of crashes and a dedicated source of funding is urgently needed to make improvements. The highway stretches 325 miles along the western part of the state and is heavily trafficked by tractor trailers. There are more than 2,000 crashes on the road each year, with more than a quarter involving heavy trucks. There are about 45 major crashes a year that take more than four hours to clear. “Increasingly, I-81 is unreliable,” Northam said. “The road is a clear safety problem.” Northam and lawmakers are backing a $2 billion plan that would widen the highway in some areas, lengthen merge lanes, and make other improvements designed to reduce the number of crashes by 450 a year. The governor said he supports legislation to add tolls to the road to pay for the improvements. A proposal advanced by the Commonwealth Transportation Board would charge trucks 15 cents a mile and cars 7.5 cents a mile. That would be about $50 for trucks and $25 for cars making the entire 325-mile trip one way. The tolls would be cheaper at night and regular commuters in cars and small trucks could pay a $30 annual pass to avoid toll fees under the proposed plan. Northam and lawmakers were quick to add they are still working on the specifics of toll pricing and are open to other ways of paying for the improvements, which could include raising regional sales and gas taxes along the I-81 corridor. “I just want to see something done this year,” said Republican Del. Steve Landes. Truckers and manufacturers said they would unfairly bear the brunt of paying for the highway’s improvement if tolls were added and said a gas tax increase was preferable. “This is a litmus test for us,” said Virginia Manufacturers Association CEO Brett Vassey. “If you want more manufacturing, you’ll find an alternative funding other than tolling. If you want less manufacturing, put the tolls on 81.” Dale Bennett, president of the Virginia Trucking Association, said he’s already spoken with truck drivers who plan to use other state roads that run parallel to the interstate in order to avoid tolls. “They can’t absorb that cost,” Bennett said. Both Vassey and Bennett questioned the state’s calculated economic benefits of using tolls, saying officials did not do enough to survey truck companies and other businesses based along the I-81 corridor. State transportation officials said fewer crashes would shorten delays and lead to about $1.1 billion in lower trucking costs over a 40-year span.

MELFORT, Saskatchewan  — The driver whose transport truck crashed into a hockey team bus in Canada, killing 16 people, pleaded guilty Tuesday to all charges against him. Thirteen others were injured when Jaskirat Singh Sidhu’s truck loaded with peat moss collided with the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus in rural Saskatchewan in April. The 30-year-old Sidhu pleaded guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The Broncos were on their way to a playoff game in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The case was adjourned until Jan. 28 for sentencing. “His position to me was, ‘I just want to plead guilty. I don’t want you to plea bargain. I don’t want a trial,’” Sidhu’s lawyer, Mark Brayford, said outside court, his client beside him with his head down. “Mr. Sidhu advised me: ‘I don’t want to make things any worse. I can’t make things any better, but I certainly don’t want to make them worse by having a trial.’” Brayford said more evidence is still to be handed over to the defense, but his client wanted to plead guilty to avoid further delay. “He wanted the families to know he is devastated by the grief he has caused them,” Brayford said. “He is overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy and kindness that some of the families and players have expressed to him in spite of the fact that their grief is entirely his fault.” The bus was travelling north on Highway 35 and the semi was westbound on Highway 335, which has a stop sign. The maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death is 14 years. It’s 10 years for dangerous driving causing bodily harm. Scott Thomas, whose 18-year-old son Evan died in the crash, sat near Sidhu in court and said the guilty plea meant a lot to him. “All I’ve ever told my kids is speaking about accountability and responsibility and to hear him use his own words to plead guilty, it’s powerful,” Thomas said, fighting his emotions outside court “Now we can move forward with the next part of this.” Tom Straschnitzki, whose 19-year-old son Ryan was one of two survivors who were paralyzed, said he wants more answers about what happened and what the trucker was thinking. “You’re taught when you’re young: red light, green light, and look both ways,” he said. “Why didn’t he do that? Was he just in a hurry? Did he have to get a load in right away? Was he pressured by his bosses?” Michelle Straschnitzki, Ryan’s mother, said she is worried the guilty plea will mean a lighter sentence. “I’m glad he won’t be putting everyone through a lengthy, exhaustive and heartbreaking trial,” she said. “However, I also hope that by doing so, he doesn’t get an absurdly reduced sentence as per our justice system.” Thomas said he’s not worried about the time Sidhu could serve. “When he said, ‘Guilty,’ to me, I have my closure,” he said. “If he spends a day, if he spends 10 years, time is irrelevant. He was guilty. He acknowledged that. That’s all I needed to hear. The rest of the sentence doesn’t matter to me. It really doesn’t. It is not going to bring Evan back. I’ve got to spend the rest of my life with it. He’s got to spend the rest of his life with it.” The owner of the Calgary trucking company that hired Singh, Sukhmander Singh of Adesh Deol Trucking, also faces eight charges relating to non-compliance with federal and provincial safety regulations.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association has selected 18 companies as division winners in its 43rd Annual Fleet Safety Awards. The awards recognize trucking companies that have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to safety. The top three winning companies in each of six mileage-based divisions had the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles, annually. “Year after year, TCA members prove that safety is the top priority of the truckload industry through participation in the Fleet Safety Awards,” said TCA President John Lyboldt. “We are incredibly proud to recognize and showcase these fleets, which have maintained a superb safety record through their use of innovative programs to establish a culture of safety within their companies.” All division winners are invited to compete for one of two grand prizes — one for carriers with a total annual mileage less than 25 million miles, the other for carriers with mileage greater than 25 million miles. The two overall grand prize winners will be announced at TCA’s 81st Annual Convention at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort March 10-13. All winners will receive recognition at TCA’s 2019 Safety & Security Division Meeting, June 2-4 at the Guest House at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Here are the 2018 Fleet Safety Awards winners: Division 1 winners (less than 5 million miles): 1st place, Tri Alexander Transportation, Muskogee, Oklahoma; 2nd place, Specialty Transport Inc., Knoxville, Tennessee; and 3rd place, Searcy Specialized, Harrison, Ohio. Division 2 winners (5-14.99 million miles): 1st place, M&W Transportation, Nashville, Tennessee; 2nd place, Britton Transport Inc., Grand Forks, North Dakota; 3rd place Convoy Systems LLC, Kansas City, Kansas. Division 3 winners (15-24.99 million miles): 1st place, Kottke Trucking Inc., Buffalo Lake, Minnesota; 2nd place, Grand Island Express, Grand Island, Nebraska; 3rd place, V&S Midwest Carriers Corp., Kaukauna, Wisconsin. Division 4 winners (25-49.99 million miles): 1st place, Trans-West Logistics, Lachine, Quebec, Canada; 2nd place, Hill Brothers Transportation, Omaha, Nebraska; 3rd place, Doug Andrus Distributing, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Division 5 winners (50-99.99 million miles): 1st place, Groupe Robert Inc., Rougemont, Quebec, Canada; 2nd place, Freymiller, Oklahoma City; 3rd place, Halvor Lines Inc., Superior, Wisconsin. Division 6 winners (100 million or more miles): 1st place, Bison Transport, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 2nd place, May Trucking Co. Inc., Salem, Oregon; 3rd place Contract Freighters Inc., Joplin, Missouri.        

CENTRE, Ala. — These chicken tenders aren’t for pick-up. An Alabama sheriff’s office is warning people against eating chicken that tumbled on to a rural highway after a truck wreck. An 18-wheeler crashed on Alabama 35 on Sunday, spilling boxes of chicken tenders in Cherokee County near the Georgia line. Motorists began stopping to pick up the food, which authorities say created a traffic hazard. The Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency posted a notice on its Facebook page asking people to quit picking up the chicken. The notice says the food isn’t safe to eat after hours on the ground. The post also says the situation was creating a traffic hazard and it’s a crime to block traffic. Violators could face charges. The sheriff’s office says a wrecker crew was on the scene Monday cleaning up the mess.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The church van headed south was packed with children, an hour to go before reaching Walt Disney World after a 700-mile trip from Louisiana. A semitruck, operated by Prime Inc. of Springfield, Missouri, rumbled nearby. In Interstate 75’s northbound lanes Thursday afternoon near Gainesville, another semi, this one operated by Eagle Express of Homewood, Illinois, and a car smashed into each other, the Florida Highway Patrol says. The velocity and weight of that now out-of-control semi burst through the metal guardrail, taking the car with it. The two semis, the van, and the car slammed into each other, diesel fuel leaked and the mass erupted in a fireball. A fifth car, unable to avoid the chaos, sped through, possibly hitting victims ejected from the vehicles, the highway patrol said. Five of the children, ranging from about 8 to teenagers from a Pentecostal church in Marksville, Louisiana, and the two truck drivers died. At least eight others were injured, some seriously. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CAPTION FOR PHOTO Flames engulf vehicles after a fiery crash along Interstate 75 Thursday about a mile south of Alachua, near Gainesville, Florida. Highway officials say seven people have died after a crash and diesel fuel spill sparked a massive fire along the Florida interstate. (Associated Press: WGFL-Gainesville) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “It is a heartbreaking event,” Lt. Patrick Riordan said Friday. Identities of the victims have not been released. He did not identify the church involved, but an unnamed volunteer from the Avoyelles House of Mercy church in Marksville and quoted in the Facebook page of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said the congregation lost “half of our babies” in the crash. Church officials did not immediately respond to phone calls. Riordan said the cause of the initial crash remains under investigation. The accident occurred on a clear day along a straight, flat stretch of Interstate 75 outside Gainesville, the home of the University of Florida. It is a busy stretch of a highway that connects Florida to the rest of the South, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. Its lanes fill daily with semis carrying produce and goods that barrel among cars, vans, and buses filled with tourists headed to and from Orlando, Tampa, and southern Florida. Vinnie DeVita said he was driving south and narrowly escaped the crash — he saw it in the rearview mirror, immediately behind him, according to a report by WKMG . “If I had stepped on the brake when I heard the noise, undoubtedly, I would have been in that accident,” DeVita said. “And then within probably 15 to 20 seconds of it all, it exploded. I mean, just a ball of flames.” Nicole Towarek was traveling northbound with her family when they came across the scene. She told the Gainesville Sun that black smoke billowed, people were laid out near vehicles, there were long skid marks across the roadway and emergency workers were converging on the area. “We kept seeing these little explosions and fire,” she said. “The heat, it was insane.” The National Transportation Safety Board would normally send a team to help with the investigation, but cannot because of the federal government shutdown. Riordan said Friday that will not impede the highway patrol’s efforts, which could take months. Florida Department of Transportation Troy Roberts said the agency is investigating whether the guardrail should have stopped the northbound crash from crossing the highway or whether the crash was too traumatic. “The guardrails are there to stop as much as they can, but there are some things they cannot,” Roberts said. “Unfortunately, in this case, they did not.” It was the worst accident on I-75 in Alachua County since January 2012, when 11 people died in a chain reaction crash attributed to heavy fog and smoke on the roadway, which crosses Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Officials were criticized then for not closing the road due to worsening conditions, and later installed cameras, sensors and large electronic signs to help prevent similar crashes.  

WASHINGTON — Steve Williams, chairman and CEO of Maverick USA, and president of the Trucking Alliance board of directors Wednesday reaffirmed the organization’s priority objectives for 2019. The alliance is a coalition of transportation carriers, logistics and supporting businesses solely focused on reforms to improve the safety and security of commercial drivers and to eliminate large truck fatal crashes. Member carriers include Cargo Transporters, Dupré Logistics, J.B. Hunt Transport, KLLM Transport Services, Knight- Swift Transportation, Maverick USA and US Xpress. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CAPTION FOR PHOTO Courtesy: THE TRUCKING ALLIANCE Steve Williams, president of the Trucking Alliance, said the trucking industry has too many large truck crashes that in the last reportable year killed 4,761 people and injured another 145,000 on our roadways. The number of truck drivers who lost their lives was the highest in 10 years, he said. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “The U.S. trucking industry is indispensable to our economy and the standard of living we enjoy as Americans,” Williams said. “Yet, tragically, our industry has too many large truck crashes that in the last reportable year killed 4,761 people and injured another 145,000 on our roadways. The number of truck drivers who lost their lives was the highest in 10 years. For an industry that wants to improve its image, look no further than these statistics. We must aggressively address these tragic figures. But how can we when the trucking industry will deliver even more freight in 2019 over highways that are even more congested?” A first step is to reverse priorities, Williams said. “We must support progressive safety reforms that make sense for our country and citizens first, our industry second, and our companies third,” he said. “Second, safety groups, legislators, regulators and all segments of our diverse industry should leave their respective corners, meet in the middle, and responsibly deal with the unprecedented challenges we face.” Williams pointed to the amount of return the American consumer has received with respect to what he or she pays to deliver goods. “I am very proud of the millions of hardworking commercial truck drivers who make that happen,” he said. “But we must adopt initiatives to improve the truck driver’s lifestyle. We must eliminate the chance that truck drivers and their exemplary work ethic will be used against them. For example, truck drivers shouldn’t carry the burden to make up for an inefficient supply chain. Too often, giving truck drivers more ‘flexibility’ in their work day is simply code for ‘just get it there.’” The Trucking Alliance wants to see an expansion of electronic logging devices. “In the year since the ELD mandate finally took effect, the devices are already improving a truck driver’s work environment,” Williams said. “ELDs are making the supply chain more efficient. Most importantly, ELDs can help reverse the disturbing trend of large truck fatalities and save lives. The alliance believes ELDs should be required in all large trucks, regardless of commodity, length of haul or whether they operate in interstate or intrastate commerce. Anything short of mandatory use of ELDs is purely political, unfair and frankly, unsafe. Another area that needs improvement is drug testing, Williams said. “Contrary to what you may think, like our nation, our industry has a drug abuse problem. In fact, the Department of Transportation’s only required drug test for truck driver applicants is actually missing as many as nine of every 10 lifestyle drug users,” Williams said. “We should utilize drug tests that verify an applicant has been drug free for at least 60 days. And we need a long awaited database to identify who has previously failed these drug tests. We must be able to assure the motoring public that our commercial drivers are properly rested, properly trained and drug and alcohol free.” The Trucking Alliance has long advocated hair testing as a way to weed out prospective drivers and current drivers with a substance abuse problem. Williams said the Trucking Alliance still wants to limit the speed of trucks. “Excessive truck speeds increase fatalities and the severity of injuries in large truck accidents,” he said. “That’s why we must require large trucks to maintain reasonable speeds on all highways.” The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on speed limits for heavy trucks, but that work fell victim to President Donald J. Trump’s executive order to cut down on federal regulations. Other priorities include: Adoption of truck safety technologies. “Forward collision warning systems are available on new trucks now,” Williams said. “These systems can assist our drivers to avoid accidents, which is especially critical since distracted driving is so prevalent among the motoring public.” Compensation for truck accident victims. “We must meet our promise to the victims of large truck accidents,” Williams said. “In 1980, Congress rightfully decided that a ‘commercial’ motor carrier has a moral and ethical responsibility to compensate the victims of large truck crashes. Congress set the minimum motor carrier insurance limits almost 40 years ago. But those insurance limits remain the same today and they should be dramatically increased.” Elimination of all large truck fatalities. “In summary, owning a trucking company or driving a piece of equipment for a living is not an entitlement. It is a privilege. With privileges come responsibilities. What we do is important. But how we do it is much more important. No longer should anybody defend the actions of those who don’t deserve to be on the road,” Williams said. “That’s why it should be difficult for people to get into this industry. It will be increasingly hard to stay in this industry, as it should be. In so doing, we will have much safer highways for all and an economic opportunity to build a safe and efficient supply chain for the future.” Williams said the Trucking Alliance would continue to work with stakeholders who believe that the nation can fully eliminate large truck fatalities. “Our goal should be to achieve safety performance levels that are comparable with the U.S. airline industry,” Williams said. “Achieving that objective will require changes, and change is difficult. But let’s stop reminiscing about the way things used to be in trucking. Because, frankly, it hasn’t always been good. We have an opportunity to create a new paradigm. We must continue to build sustainable companies that can safely serve our Nation. By embracing the changes that are required of all of us…we will finally get the chance to properly compensate, respect and defend the work ethic of the American truck driver.”

TOLLESON, Ariz. — In an effort to further educate and fund efforts against human trafficking, Inland Kenworth has once again put together a special “Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680 with a very distinctive paint scheme and signage. The project, in conjunction with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), has received significant support from platinum sponsors Kenworth Truck Co., Inland Kenworth and Ritchie Bros., along with other leading industry suppliers. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CAPTION FOR PHOTO Courtesy: KENWORTH TRUCK CO. Proceeds from the sale of this Kenworth T680, which has a retail value of $162,000, will go directly to Truckers Against Trafficking, a non-profit organization devoted to stopping human trafficking by educating, mobilizing, and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest stop employees. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Kenworth T680 Everyday Heroes truck will make its first public appearance at TAT’s Everyday Heroes Truck press conference on January 15 on the National Mall in Washington., From there, the truck will be displayed at the American Trucking Associations Technology and Maintenance Council 2019 annual meeting in Atlanta March 18-21, the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, March 28-30 and at Richie Bros., which will host the auction of the TAT Kenworth T680 in Phoenix on May 17. Proceeds from the sale of the Kenworth T680, which has a retail value of $162,000, will go directly to TAT – a 501(c)3 non-profit devoted to stopping human trafficking by educating, mobilizing, and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest stop employees. The special Kenworth T680 is fully loaded with a 76-inch sleeper, 485-hp Paccar MX-13 engine, and Paccar 12-speed automated transmission. Don Blake, who serves as new truck sales manager at Inland Kenworth-Phoenix, is again spearheading the effort. Blake said he’s been touched by the industry support for the Everyday Heroes Truck. “This started out as an idea in 2017 that got rolling, and it was a great success. Now, the sponsors we’ve worked with again are so supportive. It shows our industry’s true colors to pull together to raise money for a great cause,” Blake said. “I’m especially appreciative to Kenworth. When I reached out to see if they would be a sponsor again, they were more than happy to help. Kenworth has been great to work with, and in 2019, the T680 will have its own booth at TMC and the Mid-America Trucking Show. “Kenworth is a strong supporter of the efforts of Don Blake and Inland Kenworth in this important project. Don’s involvement with Truckers Against Trafficking is inspiring, and we look forward to a very successful fund-raising auction in May,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. Even with the auction still five months away, Blake is ahead of schedule with signing sponsors at different sponsorship levels that help build the T680. “Nearly every company that donated in the 2017 auction has agreed to sponsor the truck in 2019, and we’ve added new sponsors this year as well,” Blake said. “There are many good companies willing to donate their time and money to this great cause. When the auction is done, there will be an owner with a special truck that is fitted with the best specs.” Entities providing support for the 2019 Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 include platinum level sponsors Kenworth Truck Co., Inland Kenworth and Ritchie Bros; gold level sponsors Paccar Engine, SEG Automotive, and Swift Charities; silver level sponsors Bendix, Bridgestone, Eaton, FlowBelow, Horton, Jost, Meritor, Paccar Financial, Paccar, PeopleNet, Utility Trailer Sales of Arizona, and Wabco; and bronze level sponsors Alcoa, Arizona Rock Product Association, Arizona Trucking Association, Beaver Stripes and Molding, Chevron, ConMet, Davco, East Penn, Ex-Guard, National Seats, PrePass/Help Inc, Sheppard, and Tectran. Blake’s initiative to contribute to TAT’s efforts led to an expanded role with the organization.  “Don became a TAT board member shortly after the 2017 auction,” said Kendis Paris, executive director of Truckers Against Trafficking. “Not only did we ask him to join the board due to his tremendous work on the Everyday Heroes Truck, but because Don is a true TAT champion. He believes deeply in the mission and enlists his resources and ideas.” Through his involvement as a TAT board member, Blake is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Everyday Heroes Truck press conference. “I look forward to speaking and plan to share my story on how a small group of people can make a difference,” Blake said. “This organization means a lot to me. I have two daughters, and I can’t imagine anyone being subjected to human trafficking. There is a lot of work ahead to bring down this terrible crime, but I will continue to do my part.” “The resources that Don orchestrates on TATs behalf allow us to deliver on our mission, which ultimately means more victims of human trafficking being recovered,” Paris said. “Not only does Don inspire others to join our cause, he inspires the TAT staff as well. He reminds us of the power of TAT champions and what can be accomplished when a person is truly motivated.” According to Paris, truckers are making a big difference. In the United States alone, profits from the crime of human trafficking are estimated to be worth $32 billion. “Each year, more truck drivers and truck stop operators are added to the network of TAT trained and educated members – over 663,000 to date,” Paris said. “They are our eyes and ears out on the road and are relied upon to report suspicious activity.” To further its education, TAT has the Freedom Driver’s project – a mobile exhibit, which educates members of the trucking industry. “Through the project, we are able to educate more drivers each year,” Paris said. “They know how to identify and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement, which is making a huge impact towards generating human trafficking cases. Through the national hotline (888-3737-888) operated by the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2,250 calls have been made by truckers alone since the program began in 2009. So far, we’ve had more than 600 likely human trafficking cases, involving over 1,100 victims … many of whom are minors.” Paris said TAT is paving the way in an effort to increase the public’s awareness about the crime of human trafficking. In October 2018, a 15-person Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. TAT’s Paris serves as one of the members. The committee’s goal is to develop strategies for reporting trafficking and provide DOT-funded programs that will tackle the growing issue. The committee held its first public meeting in early December. More information is available on the TAT website at www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org.    

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has filed a petition with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals asking the court to review the determination of preemption issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on December 21 that preempts the State of California’s meal and rest break rules, which differ from current federal Hours of Service regulations. The petition was filed on behalf of Teamsters Local 2785 and Everardo Luna, who the union identified as “one of those truck drivers who works for a motor carrier which presently provides meal periods and rest breaks.” The union’s petition, filed December 27, asks the court to review the FMSCA’s ruling and “to reverse the ruling in its entirety or for such relief as the court deems proper.” The FMCSA’s determination of preemption was in response to a petition filed September 24, 2018, by the American Trucking Associations after several attempts to legislatively deal with the conflicting meal and rest break laws were continuously rebuffed. The ATA petition said California’s meal and rest break law should be preempted because they were in conflict with federal Hours of Service regulations. The California law requires employers to provide a “duty-free,” 30-minute meal break for employees who work more than five hours a day as well as a second “duty-free,” 30-minute meal break for people who work more than 10 hours a day. Other states followed, enacting their own break rules. Nearly 20 states have their own separate meal and rest break laws, but the December 21 ruling by FMCSA deals only with the California law. Federal HOS rules require professional truck drivers to take a 30-minute rest break no longer than eight hours after the last off-duty period or sleeper berth period of that length no more than five hours after going on duty. Meal and other rest breaks can be taken at any time and count against a driver’s 14-hour on duty time. It remains uncertain whether other states will accept the FMCSA ruling as applicable to conflicts between their laws and HOS rules. FMCSA did not specify when drivers must take the 30-minute break, but the rule requires that they wait no longer than 8 hours after the last off-duty or sleeper-berth period of that length or longer to take the break. In filing the request for review, the Teamsters said the petitioners had been adversely affected by the FMCSA’s decision. “Petitioner International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 2785 is the collective bargaining representative of many truck drivers who work for motor carriers subject to this ruling who currently provide rest breaks and meal periods,” the union’s request for review said. “Petitioner Everardo Luna is one of those truck drivers who works for a motor carrier which presently provides meal periods and rest breaks. Truck drivers represented by Teamsters Local 2785 and other individual truck drivers like Mr. Luna will lose their right to rest breaks and meal periods as provided by California law if the determination is not reversed.” The union had first blasted the agency’s decision when it was announced late in the afternoon December 21, a Friday. “FMCSA’s suggestion that California’s meal and rest break rules negatively impact highway safety is ludicrous,” the union said in a news release “The idea that providing a 10-minute rest break after four hours and a 30-minute meal break after five hours somehow makes the roads less safe is beyond comprehension. This is simply a giveaway to the trucking industry at the expense of driver safety. The FMCSA decision to bail out the trucking industry after it failed to achieve a legislative fix and numerous court rejections — and to do it late on a Friday before a holiday — smacks of political cronyism at its worst. “The announcement was made at 4:30 p.m. (EST) on Friday, December 21, 2018, in what was clearly an effort to avoid public scrutiny of the corporate giveaway at the expense of working men and women.” It wasn’t the first time the FMCSA had made a “midnight” announcement of a key decision around the Christmas holiday. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Obama administration’s Hours of Service proposal was issued the afternoon of December 23, 2010, a Thursday. The Final Rule on Hours of Service was released on December 22, 2011, also a Thursday. By petitioning the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for relief from the FMCSA ruling, in effect the case winds up right where it started. In mid-2014, the Ninth Circuit concluded that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994 (FAAAA) does not preempt the application of California’s meal and rest break laws to motor carriers because these state laws are not sufficiently “related to” prices, routes, or services, thus requiring trucking companies that have operations in California will be required to comply with California’s meal and rest break laws instead of the Department of Transportation regulations. Congress passed the FAAAA for the purpose of preempting state trucking regulations following the deregulation of the trucking industry. The FAAAA preempted state laws or regulations or any other provision having the force and effect of law “related to a price, route, or service any motor carrier.”      

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice says the West Virginia Turnpike toll increases will be delayed until January 15 amid rollout concerns. In a statement, Justice said he has expressed deep concerns to the West Virginia Parkways Authority about potential turnpike traffic delays, backups and safety due to toll increases that were slated to kick in Tuesday. He also cited the delay in delivering E-Z Pass transponders in a timely manner. The authority, which voted unanimously to delay the increase, has already extended the E-Z Pass enrollment deadline to January 11. The extra time applies to E-Z Pass purchases with the early enrollment option. Turnpike tolls will double from $2 to $4. The E-Z Pass program will cost $24 for unlimited use for three years. Those not already in the program would also pay a $13 one-time transponder fee.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Despite concerns about driver texting and inattention, the number of highway deaths in Maine in 2018 was among the lowest in 60 years, officials say. As of New Year’s Day, there were 140 deaths on Maine roads over the past year, which is 33 lower than the 173 recorded in the previous year, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety. The lowest number of fatalities was 131 in 2014, and there were 136 fatalities in 2011. The largest number of deaths was 276 in 1970. It’s unclear why the numbers were relatively low. Part of the reason is likely that more people are surviving crashes thanks to new safety features in cars. There were also significant reductions in the number deaths of pedestrians and younger drivers between 16 and 19, said Lauren Stewart, director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. In 2018, the state launched a program focusing on pedestrian safety that included public service announcements, public meetings and extra law enforcement after the numbers pedestrians hit by cars spiked, Stewart said. It appears to have helped, she said. Nationwide, the number of highway deaths was down in 2017, and estimates for the first half of 2018 suggested another decrease, according to the Federal Highway Administration. But those numbers vary from state to state, Stewart said, and speeding, impaired driving and distracted driving all remain concerns. In particular, distracted driving is something motorists see on nearly a daily basis. “When there is a reduction in fatal crashes, it is a wonderful thing. But that doesn’t mean we still don’t have a big distraction problem that we need to address. People are doing it every day. Some days they’re crashing. On others they’re getting away with it,” she said.

ST. LOUIS — Americans are on the move, relocating to western and southern parts of the country. The results of United Van Lines’ 42nd Annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers’ state-to-state migration patterns over the past year, revealed that more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state in 2018, with 66.8 percent of New Jersey moves being outbound. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CAPTION FOR PHOTO Courtesy: UNITED VAN LINES This map shows inbound and outbound patterns for the United States in 2018. The dark blue indicates high inbound moving rates, the light blue medium inbound moving rates, the gray shows balanced states, the light yellow medium outbound moving rates and the dark yellow high outbound moving rates. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The study also found that the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration was Vermont (72.6 percent), with 234 total moves. Oregon, which had 3,346 total moves, experienced the second highest percentage nationally, with 63.8 percent inbound moves. States in the Mountain West and Pacific West regions, including Oregon, Idaho (62.4 percent), Nevada (61.8 percent), Washington (58.8 percent) and South Dakota (57 percent) continue to increase in popularity for inbound moves. In tune with this trend, Arizona (60.2 percent) joined the list of top 10 inbound states in 2018. Several southern states also experienced high percentages of inbound migration, such as South Carolina (59.9 percent) and North Carolina (57 percent). United Van Lines determined the top reasons for moving south include job change (46.6 percent) and retirement (22.3 percent). In the Northeast, however, an outbound moving trend continues. New Jersey (66.8 percent), Connecticut (62 percent) and New York (61.5 percent) were included among the top 10 outbound states for the fourth consecutive year. Midwestern states like Illinois (65.9 percent), Kansas (58.7 percent), Ohio (56.5 percent) and Iowa (55.5 percent) saw high outbound relocation as well. “As the nation’s largest household goods mover, our study allows us to identify the most and least popular states for residential relocation throughout the country, year after year,” said Eily Cummings, director of corporate communications at United Van Lines. “These findings accurately reflect not only where Americans are moving to and from, but also the reasons why.” The National Movers Study reveals the business data of inbound and outbound moves from 2018. In addition to this study, United Van Lines also conducts a survey to find out more about the reasons behind these moves. A leading motivation behind these migration patterns across all regions is a career change, as the survey showed approximately one out of every two people who moved in the past year moved for a new job or company transfer. Other reasons for the high percentage of moves to the Mountain West in 2018 include retirement (28.1 percent), proximity to family (20.8 percent) and lifestyle change (19.4 percent). Compared to all other states, Idaho saw the largest influx of new residents desiring a lifestyle change (25.95 percent), and more people flocked to New Mexico for retirement than any other state (42.74 percent). “The data collected by United Van Lines aligns with longer-term migration patterns to southern and western states, trends driven by factors like job growth, lower costs of living, state budgetary challenges and more temperate climates,” said Michael Stoll, economist and professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Unlike a few decades ago, retirees are leaving California, instead choosing other states in the Pacific West and Mountain West. We’re also seeing young professionals migrating to vibrant, metropolitan economies, like Washington, D.C. and Seattle.” The top inbound states of 2018 were (1) Vermont, (2) Oregon, (3) Idaho, (4) Nevada. (5) Arizona, (6) South Carolina, (7) Washington, (8) North Carolina, (9) South Dakota and (10) District of Columbia. The top outbound states for 2018 were (1) New Jersey, (2) Illinois, (3) Connecticut, (4) New York, (5) Kansas, (6) Ohio, (7) Massachusetts, (8) Iowa, (9) Montana and (10) Michigan. New Jersey (66.8 percent), which has ranked in the top 10 for the past 10 years, moved up one spot on the outbound list to No. 1. New additions to the 2018 top outbound list include Iowa (55.5 percent), Montana (55 percent) and Michigan (55 percent). Balanced In several states, the number of residents moving inbound was approximately the same as the number moving outbound. Arkansas and Mississippi are among these “balanced states.” Since 1977, United Van Lines has annually tracked migration patterns on a state-by-state basis. The 2018 study is based on household moves handled by United within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. and ranks states based off the inbound and outbound percentages of total moves in each state. United classifies states as “high inbound” if 55 percent or more of the moves are going into a state, “high outbound” if 55 percent or more moves were coming out of a state or “balanced” if the difference between inbound and outbound is negligible. To view the entire 2018 study and an interactive map, click here.      

For many years, I’ve saved coins. That’s not to say I’m any kind of serious coin collector. No, I mean I save coins. Not just any coins. I save any dollar or half-dollar coins that come my way, along with any coin I get that’s older than me. Whenever I buy something, I give the change a quick scan for possible qualifying coins. There’s a certain kind of wear than can only come with long years in circulation. I can’t remember how long I’ve been doing this, but it must be getting close to 30 years, or maybe it’s longer. And I’ve noticed that I’m not finding coins older than me nearly as often as I used to. In fact, when I do find one these days it’s getting to be a cause for celebration, albeit a private little nerdy celebration. I had one such red-letter day recently when I got a 1957 nickel in my change at the grocery store. I immediately separated it from the rest of the change until I could get it home and into the official old coin box, a small wooden container from Egypt; a fitting receptacle for such antiquities, I think. Normally, after one last check to make sure I have the right coin and that it is indeed of qualifying age, I will slip the new acquisition into the box. But this time, when I took the nickel from my pocket, I lingered a bit as I felt its eroded smoothness and examined its long-dulled surface. This nickel, I thought, has been bouncing around America for more than 60 years, since Eisenhower was president. I let my imagination go as I considered the life of an old nickel. How many pockets and purses has it traveled in? How many hands has it passed through? How many transactions? Did it ever buy penny candy back in the old days? Did it ever help pay for a phone call? Was it ever dropped in a kid’s Halloween bag? Was it ever dropped in a Vegas slot machine? I’ll bet it’s seen a few gumball machines in its day. Did it ever leave the country? (Oh yeah, I also grant sanctuary to the occasional displaced foreign coins I find in my change) How many states has it been in? Has it ever made it to Alaska or Hawaii? How many times has it hibernated in someone’s piggy bank? How often has it done time locked in a bank? Has it ever been dropped by someone then found by someone else? Did someone ever flip it to make a decision? It was obvious this nickel has gotten around in its 61 years plus. But where? There’s no way to tell. You can’t ask it, “So, what was it really like back in the ’60s?” I suppose all this contemplation about my new old nickel was because I had spent the previous day going through all our publications for the past year to make a list of all the drivers we’ve written about. In nearly 20 years as a journalist, I’ve met thousands of people, and I met many more thousands before that, and the one big cumulative takeaway is that everyone has a story to tell. I’ll give you an example. Back in the Detroit area, I was once asked to come do a story about this old guy who hung out with his buddies a couple times a week at their local doughnut shop. Not exactly Pulitzer Prize-sounding stuff. But a little local flavor never hurt, so I went. It turns out this guy, who was in his 90s, had been a trumpet player for Henry Ford’s band. You don’t say. Henry Ford had a band? Henry Ford, the car guy? That’s right, he told me. See, back in the old days, you didn’t have suburban car dealerships. You didn’t even have suburbs. So what Ford did was take this band out to the country, and they’d tell everyone in the area ahead of time, and they’d set up a stage at some crossroads in the middle of nowhere and this band would play. Ford also brought a couple of his latest-model vehicles, and once a crowd had gathered to hear the band, there were also a couple salesmen on hand. And that’s how Ford got farmers to buy his cars and trucks. It was a near-forgotten piece of Americana, given to me by one of the few people left who remembered it. But to look at him, it would have been easy write him off as just an old guy in a doughnut shop. As I continued to contemplate that well-traveled nickel, the analogy was easy. We’re like a bunch of coins, all of us, making our way here and there, each on a path that is uniquely our own. Most of the time we pass by with little notice; we don’t count for much. After enough time, all years and miles start to show. Some people would call it looking worn out. I prefer to think of it as getting smoother. New coins are bright and shiny and make you open your eyes wide. But an old coin, those are the ones that make you say, “Oh, wow,” as you take a closer look, check it out from all sides, study it. Maybe you start a collection. We meet people every day, and we have no idea who they are or who they’ve been other than what we see before us. But unlike my old nickel, we can share our stories. I’ll bet you have a few gems, yourself. Take it from someone who talks to strangers for a living, there is a wealth of interesting stories out there, if you are willing to invest the time. Anyway, that’s my two cents. I’m out of puns, so I’ll stop now.

WASHINGTON — The average on-highway price of a gallon of diesel dropped another 2.9 cents a gallon to $3.048 for the week ending December 31, according to the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy. It marked the 11th consecutive week the price has gone down. During the period the price has dropped a total of 34.6 cents a gallon from $3.394 a gallon. Every region of the country posted a drop led by a 3.7 cents a gallon decline in the Midwest region and a 3.5 cents a gallon decline on the West Coast minus California. The price is 7.5 cents a gallon higher than the comparable week one year ago. For a complete list of prices by region, click here.  

I’m sorry to have to write this, but we’re going to have to get real about Santa Claus. I don’t mean the bit about whether he exists or not. No sir. I’m talking about whether his reindeer and sleigh are up to safety code and if he even has a CDL or more to the point, a pilot’s license. Also, I’m sure he has Hours of Service violations each year and flagrant violations of air pollution standards. You don’t think flying reindeer have some pretty polluting emissions? Come on. They’ve got to be worse than any greenhouse gases. How much do the reindeer contribute to global warming? Why aren’t we reading about that in the newspapers, huh? That’s not to mention that Santa is probably driving without his safety belt on. I bet he doesn’t even have electronic stability control on that thing, much less in-sleigh cameras or rear-view mirrors. Heck. I doubt Santa has an ELD. No wonder he’s been able to get by with HOS violations for eons. What do you want to bet that some poor kid each year accidentally gets Santa’s “comic book” logs mixed in with her presents? Come to think of it, maybe Santa wraps some gifts in his fake logs, what with the price of wrapping paper, tinsel and ribbon going up each year. And speaking of eons, I bet that legally, Santa is too old to be driving a freight-delivery vehicle in the first place. How long has that guy been around? I would venture to say that his body mass index is off the charts and his neck circumference is indicative of sleep apnea. Think about it. He consumes cookies, hot chocolate, maybe even sandwiches and soda pop at EVERY SINGLE STOP. No wonder he’s overweight. Sheesh. And just because the reindeer are pulling the sleigh doesn’t mean it’s safe for Santa to nod off in his seat. And if he’s sleeping on the job because he has sleep apnea, you can bet the reindeer don’t keep to the prescribed route. Which means a bunch of kids are missing out. I ask you this: Was there ever a Christmas when you were growing up that you didn’t get something you asked Santa for? See, he was probably asleep in the sleigh while the reindeer did their own thing. They probably were making unscheduled rest and meal breaks so they could eat and take a load off. What do reindeer eat you ask? I looked it up and they eat leafy greens, bird eggs and “treats” like carrots and apples. Oh, and mushrooms. My goodness, you don’t want me to go there. Can you imagine having to hair test a herd of reindeer for magic mushrooms? Let’s not think about getting them to pee in a cup. I’m not sure either kind of drug screening would turn up hallucinogenic mushrooms, anyway. That’s an accident waiting to happen. And what if some of the eggnog left out for Santa is spiked? It could happen. Probably has happened. And who’s to know if he inhales a bit of weed now and then? He doesn’t get pulled over by troopers because even in a helicopter I don’t think they could keep up with him. Who’s ever heard of a helicopter landing safely on a roof, anyway. Doesn’t make a bit of sense. And no law enforcement department in the world has the finances to follow Santa around on Christmas night. Can you imagine the paperwork it would entail just to ask? Yep. No doubt about it. Santa is one of the last of the lone ranger type of drivers and a safety risk if ever there was one. And although I hate to suggest it, it might be better if he were put out-of-service. Yeah, that would be a bummer for the whole planet, especially for the children. But is safety the No. 1 priority or not? Sometimes tough choices have to be made. Wait just a minute. … Maybe that doesn’t have to happen. I mean, what if Santa could get an autonomous or a driverless sleigh? Sure, it would put the reindeer out of a job, but that would be better than placing the whole kit and caboodle OOS on Christmas Eve wouldn’t it? I’ve ranted on about autonomous and driverless vehicles in this column many times but I may have to eat my words in this case. Could I get some hot chocolate with that? Be safe and God bless.

Now that Canada has legalized the recreational use of marijuana, professional truck drivers plying highways on both sides of the border are reminded that trucking in North America is still a “zero tolerance” industry. That’s according to Garth Pitzel, who is director of safety and driver development for Canada-based Bison Transport, a safety award winner for many years. Neither is Bison going to be involved in transporting cannabis or its derivative products, Pitzel said. “We’re not going to get involved in that; we’ll not jeopardize our employees. A fellow [in another company] was banned from the U.S. for life because he was involved in the cannabis business in Canada.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection is warning travelers that pot remains an illegal narcotic in the U.S., noted Joanne Ritchie, executive director of the Owner-Operator Business Association of Canada (OBAC). And, she told The Trucker, although Canada has no federal/provincial labor rules on drug and alcohol testing outside the military because of privacy issues, “most workplaces, including trucking companies, have their own policies around the use of drugs and alcohol, including an obligation to follow U.S. rules when in the U.S. “Leading up to pot legalization in Canada there was a lot of emphasis on making sure the trucking industry was ready with updated policies in place.” In Canada, she said, local provinces and territories are responsible for determining how cannabis is distributed and sold within their jurisdictions. They’re also responsible for how roadside inspections are conducted, with drug-impaired driving offenses treated the same as driving alcohol-impaired, meaning zero tolerance for novice drivers, young drivers up to 22 years of age and commercial drivers. So far in Canada, Ritchie said, the only federally approved device for testing THC, the psychoactive agent in pot, is roadside saliva testing, which shows if cannabis was consumed in the last 12 hours. “The issue of roadside drug-testing is still under debate,” Ritchie said. “Most police forces are planning to keep it ‘business as usual’ with sobriety field tests at roadside, but it’s less clear which jurisdictions will be using oral screening devices.” Unlike tests for alcohol intoxication, the saliva tests don’t show the level of cannabis impairment, according to Pitzel. He said Canada’s national policy says a person is allowed only so much cannabis in their possession and provisional jurisdictions break it down further as to where cannabis can be consumed, which doesn’t include public places. “The provinces really clamped down; you can’t do it in any public spots so it’s really only [allowed] in your house,” he said. There are a lot of professional truck drivers on the roads who are at risk of other drivers’ impairment, Pitzel said, “and we want to make sure they [truckers] get home safely as far as training and procedures.” He added that penalties for driving while drunk have increased but not for driving while impaired by cannabis. News sources report Canada law enforcement are wrestling with the sale and consumption of cannabis edible products, such as candy or bakery items infused with cannabis. Those kinds of items are attractive to children but can contain amounts of THC which can be harmful to them. “One complication is that unlike alcohol, there is no clear consensus on what constitutes marijuana impairment,” Ritchie said, “and current testing methods such as urine and blood tests can be misleading since THC can linger in the body for days or weeks. So the test indicates only prior consumption, not current impairment.” In short, she said, “it’s not a straightforward issue.”      

Every once in a while, something crosses our desk that we need to pass along. The Commercial Truck Trader’s mission is to bring everyone who needs commercial trucks to the dealers who sell and lease them. They believe in supporting small business and civic needs through search capabilities while delivering an easy visitor experience. The company has compiled a list of eight essential gadgets for drivers to make their lives easier. The list begins with a reality of which we are all too familiar. Life as a truck driver is not easy. Even with a decent remuneration package being offered by companies, there’s still an ongoing shortage of drivers. The shortage of drivers is due, in part, to the hardships of life on the road, including isolation/loneliness and negative health impacts. Fortunately, there are a lot of gadgets that can help make the trucking life better. Comments are courtesy of Commercial Truck Trader. GPS. For any driver, having a GPS can be a time-saver. While some still prefer looking at a paper map to determine their route, using a GPS can give drivers the fastest route possible and save a couple of hours by helping avoid traffic jams and road closures. Even experienced drivers who know their routes like the back of their hand can benefit from traffic updates that GPS technology can offer. Electric blanket. Not all drivers have the luxury of sleeping in a hotel. Sometimes it’s a night in the cabin, parked outdoors where it’s possible to have freezing temperatures in the evenings. An electric blanket will heat up those cold nights to give a more comfortable and relaxing sleep. Handpresso portable espresso-maker. Coffee is one of the best friends a truck driver will ever have. This drink helps them get through the long haul, where staying bright-eyed, focused, and safe is of utmost importance. With a portable espresso maker, drivers can enjoy a nice shot of espresso any time of the day. Portable refrigerator and grill. Life on the road can be harsh on a driver’s health. Truck stops or roadside diners don’t always serve the healthiest of meals. Having a portable fridge helps drivers store healthy drinks and a grill to cook meals that are good for the body instead of going for the soda and burger option all the time. Dash cams. Quickly becoming an essential for all professional drivers, dash cams record the road conditions and actions of drivers in cases of accidents. It’s not just to determine fault and liability, but data from dash cams can be used to improve driving habits and increase safety for the drivers, their cargo, and everyone else on the road. Hand-held tire pressure monitor. Cross-country drives can be punishing to the tires, even more so when there’s a full load to carry. A hand-held tire pressure monitor allows a driver to check on tire health any time without having to look for the nearest truck stop or gas station. The best thing about this is that they can check the tire pressure without leaving the driver’s seat. A smartphone. No matter what brand, a smartphone is another all-in-one gadget important to every truck driver. Aside from being the line of communication to the company, it’s also the line to family and loved ones. It provides access to the internet and entertainment, especially during stops that can tend to be lonely. A power inverter. You can have all these cool gadgets, but they’d be pretty useless if they have no juice. Here’s where a power inverter can come in handy. This device acts like a wall socket and lets you plug in all your gadgets for power. This little thing can power or charge every gadget listed here and then some. Just plug your inverter into the cigarette lighter and you’re all set. While life on the road isn’t always ideal, it doesn’t have to be boring and difficult. Thanks to these gadgets, living the trucking life is now more appealing because drivers can have a safer and easier ride ahead of them.    

JOPLIN, Mo. — Employees of transportation company CFI once again played the role of Santa Claus by supporting charities serving thousands of individuals in eight cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada in their annual holiday giving campaign. Now in its 25th year, the Truckload of Treasures campaign supported 17 charitable organizations across North America this December. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PHOTO CAPTION Courtesy: CFI CFI President Greg Orr, left, presents a check to Angee Tingle, center, and Kristin Patterson of CampQuality Missouri, during the annual “Shopping Spree” at the Joplin, Missouri, Target where over 200 CFI employees used their donations to purchase gifts and supplies for 350 Joplin families, children and elderly. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ A longstanding tradition unique to CFI’s culture, Truckloads of Treasures was established in 1993. The 2018 campaign raised over $46,000 entirely contributed by employees and independent contractors. “This is one of the most inspiring events of the year for our company, our employees and the communities where we live and work,” said Greg Orr, CFI president “Our employees embrace giving back, engaging with our communities to help those underserved and less fortunate. I’m extremely proud of our employees, and I appreciate the spirit, joy and commitment they bring to this campaign every year to help meaningful charities in Joplin and across North America.” The campaign supported nine charities in CFI’s headquarters of Joplin. Earlier this month, some 200 CFI employees participated in the annual “Shopping Spree” at the Joplin Target. Employees purchased over $21,000 in gifts and needed supplies, based on lists of items submitted by some 350 local underserved children and seniors identified by the Salvation Army. At the “Shopping Spree,” the company also presented checks to local Joplin charities including Art Feeds, Ronald McDonald House of the Four States, Children’s Haven, the Area Agency on Aging, Pro Musica, Camp Quality and the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Missouri. Donations were also made to charities in other communities where CFI employees live and work. These included Dallas, Laredo, Texas; West Memphis, Arkansas; Taylor, Michigan, as well as Ontario, Canada. Employees of CFI Logistica, the company’s Mexico subsidiary, also supported charities in Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara. Donations were raised through a company-wide raffle with prizes including gift cards for retailers such as Target, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Bass Pro Shops and Academy Sports and Outdoors, as well as other prizes. All prizes were purchased and donated by CFI’s executive management team. The raffle also included two special drawings awarding one and two weeks of paid time off. Additional funds were raised through bake sales, a chili cook-off, book fairs and separate auctions of locally-donated prizes. In addition, employees partnered with service organizations throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada to provide holiday gifts and food for underserved children and senior citizens. CFI’s philanthropic efforts in 2018 also included the provision of over $83,000 of in-kind transportation services for two nationwide charitable organizations. The pro-bono services supported Holy Joe’s Cafe, which sends donated Keurig Green Mountain coffee to U.S. troops stationed in 70 countries, and Wreaths Across America, which each year during the holiday season, honors more than a million fallen U.S. veterans and their sacrifices for our freedom by placing remembrance wreaths at more than 1,400 locations in 50 states, at sea and abroad. Since inception, Truckloads of Treasures has raised nearly $800,000 for local charities.

MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio  — Work to widen roads and make other safety improvements is planned in an area of Ohio’s Amish country plagued by crashes resulting in injuries, according to federal and state officials. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Transportation said they are teaming up on the $14 million project in northeastern Ohio’s Geauga County. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Associated Press: CHUCK CROW/The Plain Dealer An Amish buggy, southbound, is forced to the side of Route 608 as a semi-truck zooms by, just north of Middlefield, Ohio, on December 19, 2018. A federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation has provided funds for widening of roads in Middlefield, Ohio, to increase the safety of the horse drawn carriages of the Amish. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency said the plan involves widening roads, posting signs, educating travelers and taking many other steps to make the Middlefield area safer for pedestrians, buggy riders and motorists. A $9.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation was awarded to coordinating agency to help fund the safety improvements, and federal officials said they will partner with the state to fund the remainder. Many travelers are injured in crashes involving buggies each year in Ohio. Overall, Ohio State Patrol records show 860 crashes involving buggies from 2012-2017 in Ohio that killed 18 people and injured more than 720. The Plain Dealer reported that one study found that there were 83 crashes with buggies from 2010 through 2014 in the Middlefield area alone. Three of those crashes were fatal, according to the study. Geauga County is home to 12,000 Amish people, making it the nation’s fourth biggest Amish community. The agency’s Executive Director Grace Gallucci said the project, which covers five Ohio counties including Geauga, is “a fantastic example of how diverse our region is, the geography and topography and multi-modalism.” Construction is expected to take place between 2020 and 2023 and agency officials said it will work with other local agencies to make improvements. In some areas, plans call for installing 8-foot-wide buggy lanes and larger shoulders for pedestrians. Crews will straighten and level some roads in the hilly region, install buggy detectors, create new school zones and improve warning systems in current zones, according to the agency.  8