OOIDA Challenges Fatigued Driving Rule

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has filed a petition for review with the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. In it, they are asking the court to throw out a “de facto” final rule on fatigued driving.

The lawsuit was brought about by a letter signed by FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro and sent on Oct. 23 to OOIDA President Jim Johnston regarding the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s out-of-service criteria on fatigue.

Johnston had petitioned the agency in two letters written on June 12 and Sept. 12 to step in and reject CVSA’s current out-of-service criteria for fatigue and for the agency to seek an immediate rescission of the amended out-of-service criteria.

Johnston wanted the agency to inform state law enforcement agencies that drivers cannot be put out of service based on reasonable articulable suspicion, which is a lesser standard than probable cause. Also, Johnston requested that all individual driver fatigue out-of-service violations since April be removed from the Pre-Employment Screening Program database.

FMCSA’s letter declined to prohibit agencies from placing drivers out of service for fatigue and stated no records containing fatigue out-of-service violations would be purged.

The letter did indicate that the agency officials will communicate the agency’s “position regarding the propriety of the fatigued driver criteria” to CVSA, but that position would not be discussed with OOIDA, which was a litigant against the Minnesota State Patrol and CVSA regarding fatigue enforcement and the out-of-service criteria at the time the letter was written.

OOIDA contends in their request for review, filed with the DC Circuit on Dec. 21,that the letter is an agency action that adopts a performance-based regulation regarding fatigue – without going through the rulemaking process.

That performance-based standard authorizes enforcement officials to place drivers out of service.

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Southaven, MS 38671

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Natural Gas Viability as a Fuel Source: A Question of Timing

The emergence of natural gas as a realistic and viable fuel for the commercial trucking industry is a matter of when — and not if — issues such as a cost-effective fuel supply network, a new generation of engines and driver acceptance are overcome,according to industry experts.

The big question is timing.

…said James Haslam, chairman and CEO of truck stop chain Pilot Flying J, speaking on a panel at American Trucking Associations’ Summit on Natural Gas in Trucking, which was held in Arlington, VA,  last week. The session, “Infrastructure Hurdles: The Chicken or the Egg,” was moderated by ATA President Bill Graves.

Additionally, Haslam remarked that

The energy boom is the single greatest thing the country has going for it. We have to take advantage of this. The best place to do it is with trucks. We believe we will have the infrastructure in place to take care of your needs.

Pilot Flying J is backing up that view by building a natural-gas fueling network in partnership with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. The current plan is to have 70 locations equipped by the end of 2012 and 150 by the end of next year.

Per Thomas O’Brien, CEO of TravelCenters of America,

Natural gas is a very viable option over the long term. Natural gas in over-the-road applications is in its infancy — it doesn’t really exist. The demand today from customers frankly is not sufficient to start this on my own.

That fact prompted TA to create a natural gas supply partnership with Shell Oil to develop 100 fueling stations at TA truck stops.

According to Frank Love, president of operations for Love’s Travel Stops,

We are in tests as an industry.A year from now we will see the availability of those engines. They will have to be priced with a comparably equipped diesel engine. They are not there today, but they will be in the future.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to hire the best, to make sure that your business gets to market.

The Transportation Firm, LLC knows that your supply needs are unique. And that’s exactly why we’ve pooled together the best minds in the industry to create specific solutions customized to suit your ever-changing operating environment.

From precise design to seamless execution, our dedicated transportation transportation professionals are involved every step of the way to provide you with the most accurate and economical transportation the industry has to offer.

The Transportation Firm, LLC

384 E. Goodman Road, Ste 242

Southaven, MS 38671

E-mail: info@transportfirm.com

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The Trucking Industry Honors America’s Fallen

The trucking industry has always maintained a close connection with the U.S. armed forces as many of the industry’s top drivers and personnel hail from military backgrounds.

So, it’s no surprise that trucking companies were enthusiastic about donating their manpower and equipment to Wreaths Across America, an organization that coordinates veteran services and recognition through a variety of programs, and provides schools with teaching aides for projects throughout the year.

Last week, 65 trucking companies hauled 126 loads of fresh remembrance wreaths (about 610,000 in all) which were laid on graves at more than 800 veterans’ cemeteries across the nation on Saturday.

Each cemetery conducted its own special events and wreath-laying as part of “Wreaths Across America Day,” held annually each December.

Of the many wreaths traveling the country, 34 truckloads (representing about 110,000 wreaths – 20,000 more than last year),headed to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of veterans.

The convoy of tractor trailers hauling these wreaths – called the “Escort to Arlington” – began Dec. 9 in Harrington, Maine, and made its way slowly down the East Coast, escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, until it ended at Alexandria on Friday night, where a special ceremony was held.

It stopped at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor, and teach.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to hire the best, to make sure that your business gets to market.

The Transportation Firm, LLC knows that your supply needs are unique. And that’s exactly why we’ve pooled together the best minds in the industry to create specific solutions customized to suit your ever-changing operating environment.

From precise design to seamless execution, our dedicated transportation transportation professionals are involved every step of the way to provide you with the most accurate and economical transportation the industry has to offer.

The Transportation Firm, LLC

384 E. Goodman Road, Ste 242

Southaven, MS 38671

E-mail: info@transportfirm.com

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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

The American Trucking Association Thursday applauded Rep. Reid Ribble, R-Wis., for his introduction of a bill requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a pilot program to evaluate the use of hair samples to test commercial drivers for illicit drug use.

According to ATA President and CEO Bill Graves,

For many years, ATA has supported improving drug and alcohol testing procedures for commercial drivers. From advocating for the first drug and alcohol test standards, to pushing for the creation of a clearinghouse of drug and alcohol test results, to ensure fleets are hiring only safe, clean drivers, ATA has been at the front of the process improvement line.

Hair testing, which research and experience shows can be much more effective than current, conventional sampling and testing methods, is the next logical step in this process and we thank Congressman Ribble for introducing this important legislation. ATA also thanks Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) for signing on as an original cosponsor.

ATA Chairman Mike Card, president of Combined Transport, Central Point, Oregon, agreed:

No fleet wants to put the safety of the public at risk by putting an impaired driver behind the wheel of one of its trucks. More effective drug testing procedures can help us make sure that doesn’t happen. ATA invites the U.S. Department of Transportation to join it in supporting this approach to improving the regulated testing program.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to hire the best, to make sure that your business gets to market.

The Transportation Firm, LLC knows that your supply needs are unique. And that’s exactly why we’ve pooled together the best minds in the industry to create specific solutions customized to suit your ever-changing operating environment.

From precise design to seamless execution, our dedicated transportation transportation professionals are involved every step of the way to provide you with the most accurate and economical transportation the industry has to offer.

The Transportation Firm, LLC

384 E. Goodman Road, Ste 242

Southaven, MS 38671

E-mail: info@transportfirm.com

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Stolen Ham Cooks Trucker’s Goose

Arkansas health officials have to get rid of $42,000 worth of meat after arresting a Little Rock truck driver and accusing him of not delivering the hams and hot dogs and selling them himself from a refrigerated trailer.

According to Police Sgt. Cassandra Davis, Robert Lee was arrested Thursday on suspicion of theft by receiving after an officer spotted him and another man unloading a trailer containing 549 boxes of hot dogs and 384 hams.

Davis says Lee was under contract to pick up the pork in South Carolina on Nov. 13 and drop it off in Miami. A police report says the meat’s owner, Smithfield Hams, told police the meat had been missing for two weeks and was presumed stolen.

It was Lee’s second brush with the law in two days.

Last Tuesday, police accused Lee of ramming a pickup with his tractor-trailer cab on a Little Rock street.

Lee remains jailed and authorities didn’t know if he had an attorney.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to hire the best, to make sure that your business gets to market.

The Transportation Firm, LLC knows that your supply needs are unique. And that’s exactly why we’ve pooled together the best minds in the industry to create specific solutions customized to suit your ever-changing operating environment.

From precise design to seamless execution, our dedicated transportation transportation professionals are involved every step of the way to provide you with the most accurate and economical transportation the industry has to offer.

The Transportation Firm, LLC

384 E. Goodman Road, Ste 242

Southaven, MS 38671

E-mail: info@transportfirm.com

“Integrity, Committment, Results”

WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS BLOG!!!