ATA offers California idling survey

The American Trucking Associations has been asked by the California Air Resources Board to help gauge how prepared trucking companies are for an upcoming change in the state's idling laws.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, sleeping or resting in a sleeper berth will not be exempt from California's statewide five-minute idling limit. Once the change takes effect, idling will not be a legal option for truckers who want to keep their cabs comfortable while resting. Trucking companies doing business in California are asked to complete a brief survey at www.truckline.com/carb_idlereg. Source

Crash claims eight lives

A Sturgis man was one of eight people killed on the I-80/90 Toll Road near Bristol Thursday morning.

Mark S. Repp of Sturgis was the driver of a Ford 150 pickup truck and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers from the Indiana State Police said that three semis and four vehicles were involved in the crash.

“The crash scene resembled a battle zone with debris of the vehicles scattered across the westbound lanes of the Toll Road,” Indiana State Trooper Pete Bradley said.

The preliminary cause of the crash is attributed to driver inattention.

It is unknown at this time if speed or weather was a contributing factor.

Another witness said that the trucks appeared to be driving fast and exhibiting “aggressive driving.”

‘‘There are thousands of people that travel these roads everyday. All it takes is one person not paying attention for a split second to cause these accidents,’’ State Police Sgt. Trent Smith said.

The crash occurred in the westbound lanes at the 102.8 mile point, about one mile east of the Bristol bridge construction zone.

The Indiana State Police received the first calls on the crash at 6:42 a.m.

Police said that their initial investigation revealed that traffic in the westbound lanes had slowed and stopped in some areas as a wrecker removed a tractor-trailer from the median about two miles west of the crash location.

The earlier and unrelated crash caused a traffic backup for westbound vehicles.

It is believed that the 2006 Volvo semi, registered to New England Motor Freight from Elizabeth, N.J., initiated the chain reaction crash.

Source continues

One injured when lost cement load causes chain of vehicle accidents

HUNTINGTON -- Interstate 64 re-opened about 9:40 a.m. Thursday, about one hour after a flat-bed truck lost a portion of its load just west of the Hal Greer Boulevard exit.

Police and witnesses said the truck was hauling powdered cement, but some of the load exploded into a cloud of dust when it fell off the truck and landed on Interstate 64. Witnesses said the cloud of dust made it nearly impossible to see.

Source continues

4 die in Kentucky truck-SUV collision

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. — A woman and three children were killed today when the sport-utility vehicle in which they were riding collided with a tractor-trailer truck on a Central Kentucky highway, officials said.

The SUV was headed south on Ky. 55 when it crossed the median and struck the truck, said Len Benedict, a deputy coroner in Washington County. The SUV caught fire and burned after the crash.

Officials will perform an autopsy tomorrow on the female driver of the SUV, Benedict said.

State police said the accident occurred around 8 a.m. EDT, less than a mile south of Springfield.

The woman is believed to be the mother of the three young children, 1- and 7-year-old girls and a 6-year-old boy, Benedict said.

Their names were not released.

Source

Meyers says Michael Kozlowski's truck flipped at 70 mph

HUDSON — The prosecution’s final scheduled witness in the two-week trial of Michael Kozlowski said Tuesday afternoon that the truck driver was going roughly 70 mph when he flipped the tractor trailer across both lanes of Interstate 94.

Kozlowski, 24, of Schererville, Ind., is on in the October 2005 fatal crash involving a bus carrying members of the Chippewa Falls High School marching band.

Sgt. Duane Meyers, an accident reconstruction specialist for the Wisconsin State Patrol, was the final witness in the prosecution’s case.

Meyers, the lead investigator at the Osseo crash scene, spent 90 minutes in the St. Croix County courtroom Tuesday going over the specifics of the crash scene and his reconstruction data.

“Looking at the factors of vehicle speed and the directional pull toward the shoulder, it’s consistent with a driver unintentionally pulling over to the side of the road,” Meyers said of the semi Kozlowski was driving.

Source continues

Empty tank on trailer falls onto road

SAN DIEGO – A tractor-trailer rig overturned on Interstate 805 in Mission Valley tonight and an empty tank fell off the trailer and plummeted onto Camino del Rio South, authorities said.

No injuries were reported.

Fearing that the tank might have contained hazardous chemicals, San Diego police and the California Highway Patrol blocked lanes and closed the ramp from northbound I-805 to Interstate 8 after the 9:15 p.m. accident.

Police said they were told the tank was empty. Hazardous-materials crews and firefighters responded. Some diesel fuel spilled from the tractor, which had been pulling the flatbed trailer and tank on transition lanes from I-805 to I-8.

Source continues

Two die in fiery crash near Citra

CITRA -- Two Ocala women, apparently leaving a bar and driving down the wrong side of U.S. 301, died in a fiery crash late Tuesday night after their vehicle slammed head-on into a tractor trailer.

The accident occurred just before 11 p.m., a couple miles south of Citra. Crews with the Marion County Fire-Rescue had received a call of a truck explosion. Capt. Joel Matthias said when firefighters arrived on the scene, they could see flames 20 to 25 feet in the air, and the truck and Jeep Wrangler engulfed in fire.

The truck driver, Carroll Ricker, 60, escaped the cab without injuries. But the women likely died on impact, said an official with the Florida Highway Patrol.

Source continues

Barr-Nunn Offers $1,000 Sign-on Bonus

Barr-Nunn Transportation Inc., Granger, Iowa, has just announced an increase in the sign-on bonus for owner-operators and company drivers who graduate from orientation now through May 4.
The company driver sign-on bonus has just been raised to $1,000 and is given in addition to Practical Mile Pay, Band Pay on all complete loads less than 550 miles and .02 cents per mile 401(k) contribution.
The newly enhanced $2,000 sign-on bonus for owner-operators includes Practical Mile Pay, Band Pay on all complete loads less than 1,000 miles and $1.24/gallon Guaranteed Fuel Protection.
These sign-on bonuses will be paid half up front and the other half after 180 days of service with Barr-Nunn.
To find out more about Barr-Nunn, call (888) 999-7576 or go to www.barr-nunn.com.

Source

Truck Show and Driving Rodeo June 15-16 in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Motor Transportation Association (MMTA) will host a truck show and truck rodeo June 15 and 16 at the Best Western Royal Trade Plaza in Marlborough, Mass.
Included in the driving rodeo will be a show and shine contest, as well as an opportunity to display antique trucks.
MMTA will also be hosting its annual meeting and luncheon on Friday, June 15th at noon, providing information on government regulations and distributing the association's Safe Driver of the Year award. The keynote speaker is Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray.


The truck show will run from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. An awards ceremony will take place beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
To register, call (617) 695-3512 or e-mail amann@mass-trucking.org.
For more information visit the MMTA web site at www.mass-trucking.org.

Source

April 23-25 protest targets Mexican trucks

The organizer of an event called Truck Out is urging truckers to rally nationwide April 23-25 to protest the Bush administration’s pilot program to allow Mexican carriers to deliver in the United States.

Mexican truckers are not subject to the same laws and conditions as American truckers and will undercut American truckers for jobs, said activist Frosty Wooldridge of Lewisville, Colo., the protest organizer. “If this pilot program goes through, you’ll see the disappearance of American trucking jobs,” he said.

Wooldridge is asking truckers to drive their rigs to state capitols or the U.S. Capitol with protest signs displayed. Truckers should drive as slowly as legally possible in the two-block radius around capitols, while allowing funeral processions and emergency vehicles through, Wooldridge said.

Many streets in the District of Columbia, including those on Capitol Hill, are off limits to unauthorized 18-wheelers, and many state capitals have similar restrictions.

Wooldridge is a former public-school teacher who supplemented his income for 21 summers as a truck driver. He spent four years as head driver trainer for a moving and storage company and still holds a CDL.

Truck Out coincides with the weeklong Hold Their Feet to the Fire event sponsored by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a group that advocates cutting the number of immigrants allowed into the United States. Wooldridge’s website, www.saveamericafund.org, says, “FAIR is in full support of our Trucker's Rally protest and are very excited that we have united as a nation to bring the collective message of the American citizen to Washington and every capitol in our nation.”

FAIR, however, posted on its website, www.fairus.org: “While FAIR certainly understands the concerns expressed by the truckers who are planning to participate, the ‘Truck Out’ demonstration that may include the slowing or snarling of traffic around the country, is not part of the Hold Their Feet to the Fire event and FAIR has played no part in its planning or execution.”

Mexican trucks had free run of the United States until 1982, when Congress closed the border to both Canadian and Mexican trucks until U.S. trucks obtained equally free run of those nations. Canada quickly complied, but Mexico did not, and the issue of Mexican trucks in the United States has dragged on ever since. The North American Free Trade Agreement, a treaty signed by Canada, Mexico and the United States in 1994, pledged to open borders to all businesses, including trucking companies.

Source

Court allows CRST to sue Werner

CRST Van Expedited may proceed with its case against Werner Enterprises for hiring away CRST drivers that were bound by employment contracts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled recently.

The appeals court took no position, however, on whether CRST likely would succeed as a matter of law. Rather, a three-judge panel in March overturned a U.S. district court’s dismissal of CRST’s complaint, saying that the Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based carrier had adequately alleged a violation of the state’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL).

I have not heard too many horror stories about CRST, but why in the world would anyone want to drive for Werner is beyond me. With 100,000's of stories all over the internet and on all these forums. This battle in court is liable to take a few years, especially if they don't go any faster than there trucks!

Source

New e-manifest mandates for Mexican border

Starting April 19, trucks entering the United States from Mexico though all land border ports in California, New Mexico and Texas must transmit cargo information electronically through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The agency will practice soft enforcement the first 60 days, with compliance notices to carriers that arrive without submitting or attempting to submit an e-manifest beforehand. During this time, agents will use limited enforcement discretion.

After the first 60 days, carriers that don’t file electronically can be refused entrance into the United States or receive penalties of up to $10,000 for violation of the Trade Act of 2002.

Yea that is what I would do, make it easier on them. New e-manifest mandates for Mexican border

Defendant’s version of Wisconsin wreck challenged

Witnesses on Wednesday challenged a truck driver’s version of events leading up to a crash that killed five people on Interstate 94 south of Eau Claire, WI, in 2005.

The Associated Press reports that jurors heard witnesses say that 24-year-old Michael Kozlowski stayed up all night with friends the night before the accident.

Prosecutors contend a bus full of high school marching band members collided with Kozlowski’s overturned rig after he fell asleep at the wheel.

Kozlowski says he was just trying to pull over so he could go to the bathroom. But prosecution witnesses pointed out that his truck had the cruise control on and was in tenth gear at the time of the wreck.

Source

Big biofuel plant planned in Canada

A small town in Alberta, Canada, will soon be home to what’s being called the “world’s largest” biofuel refinery.

According to media reports, the 300-million-gallon-a-year plant will be built in Innisfail, which is located about 70 miles north of Calgary on Highway 2.

The partners in the project – Riverstone Holdings, the Carlyle Group and Dominion Energy – plan to break ground next year. Once it’s up and running, the plant will produce both bio-diesel and ethanol, as well as crushed canola.

Source

Trucker stops alleged would-be arsonist from igniting gas station

Sheriff’s deputies in Stark County, OH, say a trucker may have stopped an explosion from destroying an entire neighborhood.

A tanker truck driver was filling tanks at a BP gas station in Plain Township, OH, after 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, when he was approached by a middle-aged man.

Rick Perez, Stark County’s chief deputy, told Land Line the man began talking to the tanker truck driver but quickly became belligerent.

“He was arguing, ‘I’ll blow you up and kill us all,’ ” Perez said.

The man bent down and held his lit cigarette lighter within one foot of a gas hose being used to transfer 8,000 gallons of gas from a tanker to the station’s underground tanks.

“He was unloading 8,000 gallons of gasoline – can you imagine what that would do?” Perez said.

The truck driver pushed him away, and sheriff’s deputies arrived a short time later to arrest the man after a brief foot chase. The man – Wilburn Martin, 48 – was arrested and charged with aggravated arson, felonious assault, inducing panic and disorderly conduct with intoxication, according to the Canton Repository.

The neighborhood behind the gas station is mostly residential, Perez said. Sheriff’s deputies still aren’t sure what caused the man to try starting a fire, he said.

“I’ve been here 32 years and this is the first time I’ve ever heard of someone doing that,” Perez said. “It could have been quite a disaster.”

Source

Arctic Express fails to pay; OOIDA seeks contempt ruling

A federal judge in Ohio is one step away from a possible ruling that Arctic Express Inc. is in contempt of court for failing to stick to a court-ordered payment schedule in a class-action settlement with truckers regarding escrow funds.

Wednesday, April 18, U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley granted a request from OOIDA and thousands of truckers, ordering Arctic to prove that it is not able to make the ordered payments. If detailed evidence is not presented, the judge indicated he will hold Arctic in contempt. A hearing is set for early June.

“If Arctic cannot show, categorically and in detail, that it is impossible for it to meet its obligations to plaintiffs as outlined in this court’s May 28, 2004, order, Arctic shall be found in contempt of this court,” the judge wrote in an eight-page order filed Wednesday, including italicized type to emphasize his point.

Leaders of the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association and attorneys representing the association and thousands of truckers in the class action said that they are encouraged.

Attorney Joyce E. Mayers of The Cullen Law Firm in Washington, DC, has been working on the truckers’ case for several years and when Arctic’s settlement checks stopped coming in the mail, she filed a motion requesting the judge to order the Ohio-based motor carrier to “show cause,” or prove, why it is unable to pay the court-ordered installments.

Full story here; Arctic Express fails to pay

Border patrol captures $3 million in loot after Mexican officials reject rig

U.S. customs officers first became suspicious when they saw large areas on a trailer that had been covered with masking tape. When they opened the trailer – which was headed north from Mexico on April 5 – they found out why.

The 40-foot trailer was full of wedding dresses.

The dresses – which were on their way to Los Angeles to raise money for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation – were in a vehicle that was stolen in November 2006 in Scottsdale, AZ, according to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement press release.

Officers later removed the masking tape which revealed “Making Memories” script on the trailer. The news release stated that the truck’s driver was taken into custody as Scottsdale Police and ICE continue investigating the theft case.

The stolen wedding dresses made national headlines this past winter and led to donations to the organization, which grants dying wishes to breast cancer patients, the release stated.

Fran Hansen, co-founder and national director of Making Memories, told authorities that the find made her “feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams,” according to the news release.

“I’ve been praying for that moment for the past several months,” Hansen told ICE.

Source

Trucker stabbed, robbed in Las Vegas

Las Vegas police are looking for witnesses after a truck driver was killed while walking to a store during early morning hours.

The Associated Press reported that an unnamed 56-year-old man was on his way to a 7-Eleven store while he was robbed and stabbed at about 4:40 a.m. Wednesday at Cecile Ave. and Clifford St., which is located immediately east of Las Vegas Blvd. and Pecos Road.

According to The AP, investigators said the man was a trucker who was visiting with friends in the Las Vegas area.

Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers hotline at (702) 385-5555.

Source

Q1 Operating Revenues Up 2% for J.B. Hunt

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., announced first quarter 2007 net earnings of $44.2 million, or diluted earnings per share of 30 cents versus 2006 first quarter earnings of $49.0 million, or 31 cents per diluted share.
Total operating revenue for the current quarter was $797 million, a 2 percent increase from the $780 million for the first quarter of 2006. The increase in operating revenue was primarily attributable to growth in its Intermodal, Dedicated Contract Services (DCS) and Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS) segments.

I am not a big fan of J.B.Hunt trucking but they must be doing something right over there. Maybe in a few years I will venture over to check them out.

Check out the entire article; Q1 Operating Revenues Up 2% for J.B. Hunt

Defense turns tables in WI trucker trial

The lawyer for a trucker charged with five counts of negligent homicide in Wisconsin is trying to turn the tables on prosecutors.

According to The Associated Press, the prosecution contends that 24-year-old Michael Kozlowski was fatigued when he overturned his truck on Interstate 94 on Oct. 16, 2005, and a bus ran into it, killing five people.

But in the courtroom in Hudson, WI, on Tuesday, Kozlowski’s attorney argued that the 78-year-old driver of the bus had vision problems and was the one who was overly tired.

Troopers who worked the wreck said Kozlowski told them that at the time of the wreck, he was trying to pull over so he could go to the bathroom, The AP reported.

78 years old!......I mean jeesh he probably was asleep! I am a firm believer that once you reach the age of at least 60 you need to retest at least your eyesight, and or hearing every year before you get a new license.

Source

Canadian rail employees ordered back to work

The Canadian House of Commons approved legislation Tuesday that’s designed to force striking railroad workers back to their jobs.

Members of the United Transportation Union began a strike against the Canadian National Railroad last week after overwhelmingly rejecting a tentative contract that was approved by their leadership.

Railroad officials now say a national contract isn’t possible, and are now favoring negotiating regional deals, according to Canadian media reports.

Looks as if everything is right with the world again for now, or at least the Canadian National Railroad.

Source

Ongoing Nor’easter spawns more floods, road closures

Flooding rivers were expected to crest in a number of Northeastern states today following record rainfall.

According to The Associated Press, nine inches of rain fell in parts of New York and New Jersey during the past two days. Flooding, mudslides, fallen trees and power outages stretched from Kentucky to New England.

More than 50 roads in New Jersey were closed by flooding, and more than 400 roads were closed in New Hampshire.

New Jersey declared a state of disaster, and New York was using National Guard units to help with evacuations in flooded areas.

Parts of Vermont got 17 inches of snow out of the same system.

In Pennsylvania, drifting snow stranded tractor-trailers on Monday.

Well I am glad at least I am no longer going to be OTR. Where is spring? Be safe out there all you guys/gals having to deal with all this nasty weather.

Source

Nevada truck driver sues for $156 million of Howard Hughes estate

The truck driver who claimed he saved billionaire Howard Hughes 40 years ago is again suing for his share of the Hughes estate.

Melvin Dummar, identified by The Associated Press as a frozen-meat truck driver from Brigham City, UT, is requesting a Nevada jury trial to decide whether two heirs of the late Hughes estate fraudulently prevented him from obtaining $156 million – equal to one-sixteenth of Hughes’ estate.

Well I wish you Melvin Dummar all the luck, but I hope you didn't quit your day job. Sounds like this has been going on for a while now. I must say I am too young to have ever heard of this story.

Anyway if you want to read it here ya go!; Nevada truck driver sues for $156 million of Howard Hughes estate

Dates set for CVSA Roadcheck 2007

It’s time to mark your calendars – the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced June 5-7 as the dates for this year’s International Roadcheck inspection blitz.

The annual clampdown on heavy trucks and buses will involve an estimated 10,000 federal, state and provincial officers doing roadside inspections across North America.

At last year’s Roadcheck, about 8,500 certified CVSA inspectors in North America conducted 60,357 truck and bus inspections in 72 hours. Inspectors placed 5.6 percent of those drivers out of service, up from 4.4 percent in 2005. More than 57 percent of the cases where truckers were put out of service were because of hours-of-service violations, according to a report from CVSA.

Well I guess it is that time of year again. Time to renew those CVSA stickers LOL! Or is it time to request time off?
I myself have been out of the truck for the last 17 months for a injury, but will be returning the 23rd of this month! So looks like I get to go play in all that mess also.

I don't mean to sound like I am bashing these DOT, I really am not. I am glad to see it come every year. I mean as long as you try to run at least log book legal and are not out there doing drugs and driving a tractor trailer, what's the big deal?

It takes about 30 minutes to go through a CVSA check point, and then you are good to go. Just think if there was not anyone out there doing this to make sure these trucks are legal. It would be a very scary trip down the road.

Good Luck to all of you!

Thanks to Land Line Magazine for this reminder

Trucker pulls unconscious motorist from wreckage

Police in a Cleveland suburb say a trucker pulled another driver out of his four-wheeler last weekend before the man’s wrecked pickup burst into flames.

According to Lt. Chris Viland, the pickup drover lost control and ran into a Carquest automotive parts store and was knocked unconscious at about 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 14 in Solon, OH.

John Krupka, 50, has driven a parts delivery truck for Carquest for four years, and was parked at the Solon Carquest – just one of his daily nine stops at stores in the area – when he witnessed the accident.

Krupka told Land Line he was about to close up the back of his truck when he saw headlights swerving and heard a boom that seemed right outside his truck. The boom was followed by what Krupka said sounded like a rocket whistling.

Krupka looked out his driver’s side window and saw a pickup truck crushed into the side of the retail store, with the gas main lit up “like a blow torch” in the truck’s engine compartment. He ran to the truck and saw a middle-aged man unconscious, his face buried in his pickup’s airbag.

“By the time I got to him the fire was up on the dashboard of his truck,” Krupka said. “The only thing I could think of was he was in trouble and to help him out.”

Well at least it sounds like there are still some candidates for Highway Angels out there. I am glad to see some of the truckers out there are still trying to bring the image around to folks that not all trucker's are bad people.

I congratulate John Krupka for going above and beyond.

Read all about it here; Trucker pulls unconscious motorist from wreckage

Washington bill targets unsafe intrastate truckers

Unsafe trucking companies are the subject of a bill headed to Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk.

The Senate voted 42-4 to approve a bill – HB1304 – that would make it easier to shut down trucking operations in the state with faulty trucks and people who drive them recklessly. The House then voted 82-11 to sign off on changes to the bill, clearing the way for the bill to head to the governor.

Washington state law currently allows companies operating solely intrastate to avoid many of the same tough requirements as those companies that operate interstate.

I don't see a damn thing wrong with a bill like this, do you? This is one thing that needs to be addressed nationwide if it is not already. Especially if these Mexican Trucks start running.
I mean I used to hate to go to Texas, and run through some of those hole in the wall towns close to the border, where the trucks would have the fenders flopping all over. Scared the hell out of me to be on the highway with them.

Read more here; Washington bill targets unsafe intrastate truckers

Diesel tops $3 per gallon in California

California diesel soared to more than $3 per gallon and the national average price continued to climb to more than $2.87 for the week ending Monday, April 16, 2007.

Maybe we need to just stay out of California for a while? But I guess that wouldn't work either because it seems once they raise it in California, it raises everywhere.
Everybody will have to join the band wagon OOIDA is running, and QUIT hauling cheap freight!

I just wished that these stations would wait until they receive a shipment of gas, diesel before they would shoot the price up. But where I live it seems if one station prices goes up....all of them do at the same time! I know they didn't all get a shipment in at the same time!

I still cannot see how Diesel is more than gas, when it is cheaper to produce it?

Anyway you can read all about it here; Diesel tops $3 per gallon in California

Canadian railroad strike continues

A strike by United Transportation Union employees against the Canadian National railroad continued Monday.

Seems this is all the unions are good for these days. But their isn't much anybody other than the leaders can do about it seems. We just have to take it in strides.

Maybe our neighbors to the north can get their problems worked out, and there will be no disruption to the trucking industry.

Read more about it here; Canadian railroad strike continues

Indiana Toll Road discount only for certain Hoosiers

Illinois residents, no matter how often they use the Indiana Toll Road, will not be eligible for a toll discount. That discount will be reserved for residents of seven counties in Indiana once electronic tolling becomes a reality later this year.

Why should Illinois residents receive a discount, what about Ohio residents? I am not a fan of Toll roads at all, I avoid them at all times whenever possible. Seems, from reading the article that maybe Illinois would have received the discount, if they would have applied for it earlier.

Who's fault is that? Why complain now? It is too late for that now.

The discounts do not apply to trucks, regardless where the truck owners live.

This is bullshit, I believe if that trucker lives in Indiana and that is where that truck stays then he should receive a discount also. I believe all the trucks should receive a discount or not pay at all, being we deliver shit to their state for their livelihood.

Read more about it here; Indiana Toll Road discount only for certain Hoosiers

Flooding, road closings follow Nor’easter

Truck drivers from New Jersey, to New England had to pick their routes carefully Monday following all the rain that fell from the bad weather in that part of the US.

Acting New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey, declared a state of emergency after widespread flooding shut down more than 50 roads and state highways.

Read more here; Flooding, road closings follow Nor’easter

Kansas gives high-tech twist to officer ride-along program

Kansas, has started letting the troopers ride along in the tractor trailers to try and catch these 4 wheelers, and other big trucks making all these dangerous traffic maneuvers.

Except for the Kansas troopers it will be a little more high tech than the other states before. The trucks will be installed with 5 cameras to watch the front and back and both sides of the trucks. The trooper will also carry a radar gun, and when the trooper sees something he will radio ahead to have the vehicle stopped. The tape from the big truck will be used to get a court conviction.

Read more here; Kansas gives high-tech twist to officer ride-along program

Washington’s ‘stuck truck’ reaches its destination

After several weeks of delay, the truck hauling the steel and neoprene bridge deck expansion joint for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, finally makes delivery.

There is a second joint enroute and is currently in South Dakota, and will be delivered the same way as the first one was. The company originally hauling and sitting at the Washington State line will hand off the load to second company for delivery.

Read more here; Finally: Washington’s ‘stuck truck’ reaches its destination

Idaho to open more roads to heavy trucks

Idaho is to open more roads up to heavy trucks in July. According to a bill signed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

Idaho's weight limit is now 105,000 pounds. Some multi trailer companys are allowed up to 129,000 lbs.

More can be found here; Idaho to open more roads to heavy trucks

FMCSA reopens comment period on intermodal equipment

It looks like the FMCSA has reopened the comments concerning intermodal equipment. This is basically for anyone owning or operating a container chassis.

They will be taking comments from April 27th to May 18th on the proposed rule making on the inspection, repair and the maintenance responsibility of the intermodal equipment, and providers and operators of container chassis.


You can read more about it here; FMCSA reopens comment period on intermodal equipment

What makes a Truck Driver a Truck Driver?

I have asked this same question for most of my truck driving career. Because if anyone has had to ride for 11 hours in a tractor trailer, especially one that is governed below the posted speed limit then you know it seems like takes forever to get anywhere.

Or maybe it is when you have drove 11 hours and you and 10,000 other trucks have to park, and you pull into 20 truckstops to find a parking place only not to find one and have to continue on until you do find a place to park.

I know what it is. It is because we get to park in a truckstop and go inside and sometimes pay to take a shower! Or better yet is when we have to pay to park! But we go inside and pay to take a shower, and have to take a shower in everybody else's filth! I have actually taken showers before and felt cleaner before showering then afterwards.

Then there is always the fine luxury of having too eat in the same truckstop. Because we have already driven over the 11 hour driving limit because we could not find a place at one of the nicer truckstops, so we had to settle for Joe Blows truck stop! If you are lucky you won't catch something from showering, and you won't get food poisoning from eating the half cooked meal that you have to settle for.

Then we have to pay for it! Almost double the price of what you could eat at a decent diner, only because this was the only place left to park!

Then we get too sleep, if you can without being bothered by a lot lizard who keeps banging on the side of your truck wanting to know if you need some company.
After which we have already spent over "our" budget for the day because we had to park here at Joe Blows truck stop.

Then 10 hours later (sometimes sooner) we get to get up and take off driving for a company who has a 90 mile and hour dispatcher.
Or drive for a good paying company who has these dispatchers who only find 350 mile runs, but to horrible receivers who are only open certain hours of the day. Who gets twice as many trucks as they can unload, and then tell you there is no parking on their lot, that you need to come back the next day.

Then we get to go through the same horrible episode from the day before because you have spent almost all your hours at the said receiver.

I have been driving for 10+ years and still do not know why I wanted to be a truck driver for. I know what I said before I went to Driving school, but this was not true in the real world.

Anti-gouging bill tabled in Montana

A failed effort in the Montana House was designed to protect consumers in the state from being gouged at the fuel pump.

Sponsored by Sen. David Wanzenried, D-Missoula, the Senate-approved bill was tabled in the House Judiciary Committee, effectively killing it for the year. The issue can be brought back for consideration during the next regular session in 2009.

The bill – SB67 – was intended to prevent price gouging in the state during state or federal emergencies following wildfires and other disasters. The protections would have applied to retail sales of goods and services, including fuel.

The version that passed the Senate didn’t include protections for occurrences outside the state. It would have made it illegal for retailers to increase prices more than 20 percent above their costs after emergency declarations.

Individuals found in violation would have faced up to $1,000 fines, per occurrence. A maximum penalty of $25,000 would have been applied for violations that last the duration of the event.

Supporters said the bill would boost consumer confidence and give the state the ability to investigate claims of hoarding or price gouging, The Associated Press reported. Convenience store owners and other retailers, however, said the bill could drive them out of business by restricting their ability to respond to market conditions.

Source

Illinois to ready to roll out camera vans again

For the second year in a row, Illinois is rolling out special enforcement camera vans to ticket speeders in construction zones.

Last year, the Illinois State Police used three camera-equipped vans to ticket 4,000 drivers, according to a press release. This year, there will be four vans.

The white vans have State Police markings and are accompanied by digital signs that display the speeds of passing cars.

Three of the units will work construction zones in the Chicago area, while the fourth will head further south, according to the state’s Department of Transportation.

Source

FedEx settles racial discrimination suit

FedEx has agreed to pay more than $53 million to settle a class-action racial discrimination lawsuit against its FedEx Express division.

According to Reuters, the suit was filed on behalf of about 20,000 black and Hispanic workers in the western part of the country who claimed they were unfairly evaluated, passed over for promotions and paid less than white employees.

Despite agreeing to make the big settlement payment, a company spokeswoman told Reuters, “There has been no finding of wrongdoing on the part of FedEx.”

That spokeswoman, Sandra Munoz, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times as saying that the settlement would be covered by insurance and that FedEx voluntarily agreed to the settlement to avoid a lengthy and costly lawsuit and appeals. She also said that FedEx would improve its human resources operations.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will have to sign off on the settlement before it is final. If the court approves the deal, details will be sent to about 20,000 employees included in the class action, with the process being completely finished by as early as August.

Source

New Jersey governor critically injured in wreck

The State Police in New Jersey say Gov. Jon Corzine was apparently not wearing a seatbelt when the SUV he was riding in crashed on the Garden State Parkway Thursday evening, April 12.

The 60-year-old Corzine was in stable but critical condition Friday after breaking a leg, six ribs, his sternum and vertebrae. The Associated Press reported a state trooper was driving Corzine to a meeting between radio personality Don Imus and the Rutgers women’s basketball team when the wreck occurred

According to police, a red pickup truck that was driving on the shoulder of the highway swerved back onto the road, and then another car swerved to avoid the pickup. That caused Corzine’s SUV to crash into a guard rail.

New Jersey has a primary seat belt law, meaning if you’re not wearing one you can be pulled over and fined $46.

Source

Army changes caustic wastewater disposal plan

The U.S. Army has a new plan for disposing of about 2 million gallons of caustic wastewater from an Indiana facility that stored the deadly VX nerve agent.

According to The Associated Press, the Army originally planned to have the wastewater trucked eastward to New Jersey where it would supposedly be rendered harmless through a series of treatments, then dumped into the Delaware River.

But faced with strong public opposition, the Army has now given a French company a nearly $50-million contract to truck the wastewater south to Texas – passing through at least eight states on the way.

Once there, it would be incinerated at Port Arthur.

The shipments could start in two weeks, but several groups are threatening lawsuits to stop the plan, according to The AP.

Source

Texas trucker lends a helping hand

Trucker Jeff Vowels of Houston, TX, said he feels he was in the right place at the right time and bets the trucker he helped save would agree with him.

Vowels said he was unloading blocks of copper at ASARCO Inc. in Amarillo, TX, around noon on Monday, April 9, when a truck driver who was unchaining his load told him he wasn’t feeling well.

A few minutes later, Vowels, who drives for Fancy Freight based out of Athens, AL, said he looked around and found the other driver he had been talking to lying on the ground.

As he was calling the refinery’s security office, Vowels said he helped the driver get up into the cab of his truck, where it was air-conditioned.

“The next thing I knew, the driver was slumped over behind the steering wheel, saying he thought he was having a heart attack,” he said. “I didn’t even have time to ask the guy his name – it all happened so fast.”

The refinery’s ambulance arrived in just a few minutes, Vowels said, and the driver was quickly given oxygen and taken to a local hospital, where he said he found out later the driver had lived.

Vowels then unloaded the other driver’s truck for him, parked it at the staging lot, called the driver’s company which was listed on the side of truck, Smithway Motor Xpress Corp, based out of Fort Dodge, IA, to let them know he left the keys to the truck at the refinery’s security office.

Jim Kwakenat, SMX director of safety, confirmed that the driver who was hospitalized was Marvin Ward of Carthage, MO, a flatbedder who has worked for the company for 16 years. He also said that Ward did have a heart attack, but was released from the hospital on Thursday, April 12, after having two stints put in cardiac arteries.

Kwakenat said his company has already mailed a gift package to Vowels, which contains a jacket, cap and a check for an undisclosed amount to thank him for his actions in saving Ward’s life.

“This was just a nice thing he did and we want to make sure he knows that we appreciate what he did,” he said. “Marvin is on medical leave for the next 30 to 40 days and then he should be back to work for us,” he said.

Vowels said he appreciates the recognition he has received from Ward’s company.

“I was just helping another driver out,” he said. “I just would hope that someone would do that for me if I was in the same position.”

Source

Super-heavy rig nears destination in Washington

That super-heavy truck that’s hauling a bridge expansion joint across Washington state could reach its destination early Saturday morning.

The 200-foot long, 375,000-pound rig made it over Snoqualmie Pass on Thursday without any problems according to state Department of Transportation officials. As of Friday, April 13, it was parked at Federal Way – just north of Tacoma – because it can only move at night in urban areas.

And DOT spokeswoman Kelly Stowe told “Land Line Now” on XM Satellite Radio it will get back on the road tonight. It has only about 30 miles to go to deliver its load.

The 100-ton steel and neoprene expansion joint is one of two such joints that are being installed on the new span of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

A number of Land Line readers and “Land Line Now” listeners have e-mailed and called saying they’d like to see pictures of the big rig.

If you’re one of them, click here to see what the 80-wheel trailer and its two tractors look like.

Source

Busy I-70 tunnel in Colorado to close for summer

There’s going to be a major bottleneck on Interstate 70 in Colorado this summer.

According to the Denver Post, the Glenwood Canyon Tunnel is going to be reduced from four lanes to two lanes once work begins to repair a crack that’s developed in the ceiling of the eastbound side.

About 17,000 trucks and cars presently use the tunnel each day, according to the Post.

The eastbound side is expected to be closed for the entire summer, and there’s really no good detour in the area, the Post reported.

Source

Organizers of immigration rally invite truckers to participate

The organizers of a planned four-day rally on immigration in Washington, DC, are inviting truckers to join in.

The rally – planned for April 22-25 – is being put together by a Washington, DC-based group called the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR for short. FAIR opposes guest worker programs and amnesty for illegal immigrants.

They’re hoping truckers who are upset about plans for cross-border trucking between the U.S. and Mexico will take part in the rally.

Source

Colorado chain-up bill passes House

A Colorado bill increasing the fine for chain law violations, supported by the state trucking association but opposed by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, overwhelming passed the House and now has been sent to a Senate transportation committee.

The bill was born out of frustration with lanes blocked by truck accidents caused by not using chains, especially on Interstate 70. House members passed the bill 56-9 on April 2.

The Colorado Motor Carriers Association plans to testify in favor of HB 1229, now that its concerns have been satisfied, said association spokesman Greg Fulton. The association also will push for more enforcement of chain laws on I-70.

The bill increases fines for truckers not using chains when chain laws are in effect from $116 to $500. It also increases the penalty for blocking a lane because of an accident caused by not using required chains from $500 to $1,000.

“It’s a good compromise,” Fulton said. “It addresses the safety and welfare issues. We’ve set the table for compliance.”

The Colorado Department of Transportation will commit $2.5 million to improving spaces to chain up trucks to make them more like a work zone. They will be lighted and more spacious, with signs alerting drivers they are entering a chain-up area and to slow down. Courtesy patrols will be increased to help with chaining problems, such as losing traction.

The state patrol has agreed to require trucks entering Colorado’s mountains to bring chains with them, and the state DOT has agreed to improve its decision-making process for declaring chaining laws in effect.

OOIDA’s website called the bill a “revenue-generating legislation” with fines that are too heavy. Colorado roads are not wide enough to provide safe chain-up areas, and the state DOT has provided no schedule of when improvements of chain-up areas even will begin, OOIDA said.

Language deleted from the bill would have subtracted four points from Colorado CDL holders for chain violations.

Source

FMCSA presents budget request

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans more roadside enforcement and inspections than before, according to testimony delivered in its budget request.

Administrator John H. Hill spoke March 29 before the transportation subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. For fiscal year 2008, the FMCSA requests $528 million, of which $228 million is for motor carrier safety operations and programs and $300 million is for motor carrier safety grants.

Hill said the goals are:

To conduct more roadside enforcement and inspections, in cooperation with states and localities.

To prioritize the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program for buses and focus enforcement on curbside buses.

To test the Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 program, designed as a new approach to safety fitness ratings.

To increase efficiency within the agency.

Ninety-three percent of the FMCSA budget, or $489 million, focuses on reducing truck and bus crashes, Hill said.

The largest of the grant program requests is $202 million for Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grants, which will allow states to conduct 2 million roadside driver and vehicle inspections and more than 5,000 compliance reviews, Hill said. This includes $29 million toward 28,500 state-conducted New Entrant audits, Hill said.

Washington’s Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks pilot program will be expanded to states with the highest fatality and crash rates, Hill said.

Hill’s budget request for fiscal year 2008 is nearly twice the amount of the agency’s $272 million budget in fiscal 2001, an indication of the mounting annual cost of government.

Source

Big Honkin’ winner is from Cincinnati

Kevin Greene of Cincinnati and his 1990 Peterbilt were announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show as the winners of Castrol Tection Extra’s second annual Big Honkin’ Truck Makeover contest. Greene’s truck, which has 1.3 million miles, will receive a $50,000 interior, exterior and communications makeover from the Chrome Shop Mafia, stars of “Trick My Truck” on CMT. The result will be unveiled Aug. 23-25 at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. “This is a truck driver’s dream come true,” Greene said. Runner-up Bruce Faulk received a trip for two to the NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas, and second-place winner Ronny Robin received a $500 Best Buy gift card. All three winners also win a year’s supply of Castrol Tection Extra. To follow the progress of the renovation, visit www.castrol.com/truckmakeover. Source

Missouri senators endorse biodiesel mandate

Missouri senators gave first-round approval April 12 to a biodiesel fuel mandate backed by the state's agriculture industry, which is supplying increasing amounts of corn and soybeans to new ethanol and biodiesel production plants popping up around the state.

Missouri law already requires most gasoline sold in the state to contain a 10 percent ethanol blend beginning in January 2008, so long as the price of ethanol is not more expensive than regular gasoline. The new bill by Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, would apply a similar law to diesel fuel sold in the state: a 5 percent biodiesel mandate beginning in April 2009, so long as its price is not more expensive than traditional diesel.

Not only would the biodiesel mandate benefit agriculture, but "This is something that's good for the environment, and I think it's going to be very good for the trucking industry," Stouffer said.

Trucking has opposed biodiesel mandates in other states, but the Missouri Motor Carriers Association has remained neutral on this bill. The difference is that Stouffer's bill sets quality standards for biodiesel, said Tom Crawford, president of the association.

Source

EPA-certified trucks, trailers available

Truck and trailer makers are offering 2007 models certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program. The EPA says the trucks can save owners $11,000 annually while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and air pollutants.

Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt and Volvo are participating in the program. SmartWay-designated models include the International ProStar and Volvo VN and, in 2008, the Freightliner Century Class S/T and Columbia.

SmartWay-approved equipment can reduce fuel consumption 10 to 20 percent by reducing wind resistance, the EPA says. Each Smartway truck can save 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of diesel per year – or $5,680 to $11,360, at current retail prices.

SmartWay trucks or engines have:

Integrated cab-high roof fairings.

Tractor-mounted side fairing gap reducers.

Tractor fuel-tank side fairings.

Aerodynamic bumpers and mirrors.

Reduced-idling options such as auxiliary power units, generator sets, direct fired heaters, battery-powered HVAC systems and automatic engine start/stop systems.

Options for low-rolling resistance tires, singles or duals.

SmartWay trailers have:

Side skirts.

Weight-saving technologies.

Gap reducers on the front or trailer tails, either extenders or boat tails.

Options for low-rolling resistance tires, singles or duals.

Any company may buy SmartWay tractors and trailers, but only registered SmartWay Transport Partners may display the SmartWay logo. Existing trailers also can be upgraded with the SmartWay attachments.

The EPA says it will set more ambitious performance targets for Smartway tractor-trailers in the future and is developing guidelines for recognizing other vehicles such as delivery vans – in which hybrid technology can dramatically improve fuel efficiency.

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a program developed by EPA and the freight industry to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution and to promote cleaner, more efficient ground freight transportation.

Carriers in the SmartWay Transport Partnership include Barr-Nunn Transportation, Con-Way Freight, J.B. Hunt and YRC Worldwide. Shipper partners include Lowe’s and Home Depot. Shipper-carrier partners include Bridgestone Firestone North America and Tyson Foods.

For more information, call (734) 214-4767 or visit www.epa.gov/smartway.

Source

Freight Index tumbles 1.8 percent

The Transportation Services Index for freight fell 1.8 percent to 107.7 in February compared to the same month a year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

It is the second consecutive year-over-year February decline. The index is down 4.6 percent from its peak of 112.8, first achieved in January 2005.

On a monthly basis, the index was down 0.2 percent from the January 2007 level. It is the second consecutive monthly drop for the index.

The index is a seasonally adjusted index of monthly changes in the output of the for-hire transportation industries, including railroad, air, truck, inland waterways, pipeline and local transit. The baseline (100.0) year is 2000.

Source

FMCSA to proceed with medical examiner study

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced its intention to proceed in collecting information on a survey of medical examiners who certify the physical qualifications of commercial motor vehicle drivers.

The six-year transportation spending bill President Bush signed in 2005 calls for improving the quality of the interstate commercial driver physical qualification examination.

No research to date captures the decision making and performance of medical examiners who determine the physical qualifications of commercial drivers, FMCSA said. Nor has there been systematic consideration of medical examiners' perceptions of difficulties or uncertainties with the examination process, FMCSA said.

Results of the study will be used to develop recommendations for improving the physical qualification process.

Source

Missouri troopers to do truck enforcement

The Missouri Highway Patrol has a new commercial enforcement program with eight full-time troopers and another 12 possible in the fall. Col. James Keathley, patrol superintendent, said the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers Pilot Program will improve truck enforcement and homeland security. In 2006, the state legislature transferred 20 vacant full-time positions from the state Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and reassigned them as sworn troopers. The initial program consists of eight troopers divided into two teams, each team including a sergeant, corporal and two troopers. One team will work the Springfield area, which includes the Interstate 44 corridor, and the other will cover the Jefferson City area, which includes the Interstate 70 corridor. An additional 12 troopers may be assigned to such units in the fall. These specially assigned troopers will retain all the normal duties of a state trooper, as well as commercial vehicle enforcement. They also will assist the Major Crash Investigation Units in investigating wrecks involving commercial vehicles, including motor coaches and school buses. They also will be trained to inspect for radioactive shipments using specialized equipment. The troopers will drive fully marked Chevrolet Tahoe police SUVs. Their daily attire will be blue military-style field uniforms with patrol shoulder patches. Source

Raised dump truck bed blamed for freeway accident

A dump truck with its trailer bed in the raised position crashed into the North Fork Lewis River bridge on southbound Interstate 5, then was struck by a tractor-trailer rig early Thursday morning.

According to the Washington State Patrol, a 1996 Kenworth dump truck driven by David H. Olson, 43, of Woodland left the yard of Groat Brother’s Transportation in Woodland around 2:30 a.m. with the dump trailer’s bed upright.

The bed took down some power lines in Woodland. Olson continued, entering the southbound lane of Interstate 5 from Woodland. About a mile down the freeway, the trailer hit a metal support beam of the North Fork bridge. That caused the dump container to come off the trailer frame, blocking the right lane. Olson stopped a short distance away, also blocking the right lane.

Soon after, a 2005 Volvo tractor-trailer rig owned by Swift Transportation and driven by Timothy L. Price, 21, of Bend, Ore., collided with the dump container lying on the freeway. The dump container flew into the air, then embedded in the Swift trailer. The rig then jackknifed, blocking the center and left lanes.

Price had a bump on his head. Olson was not hurt but was cited for second-degree negligent driving. Department of Transportation officials inspected the bridge, which has overhead supports, and found damage to three metal beams. An inspection found the bridge to be structurally sound, but the damage will need to be repaired in the future.

The right lane of the freeway was closed for a short time until the rigs were removed. The center and left lanes were blocked for more than two hours but were cleared in time for the morning commute, the Washington State Patrol report said.

It was not clear if the downed power lines caused any outages in Woodland.

Source

Accidents shut down I-40 this morning

NEWBERRY SPRINGS — Two collisions on Interstate 40 shut the freeway down in both directions this morning. Traffic is now moving in both directions again.

According to the California Highway Patrol’s Web site, one person was killed and others were possibly injured.

On the eastbound I-40, the CHP reported, one person died after an RV smashed into the side of a semi-truck near mile marker 27 and trapped the occupants of the RV. The collision closed down the eastbound lanes. The CHP requested the westbound lanes be closed as well.

On the westbound I-40, a multi-car pile up began near mile marker 27 when one tractor-trailer ran into another. According to the CHP Web site, approximately seven 18-wheelers and four to five vehicles are involved. The Web site stated that there are possible injuries from this collision.

Source

Truck springs chemical leak near Covington

A hazardous materials team joined police and firefighters at a Covington area shopping center Thursday afternoon after a trucker reported a corrosive chemical was leaking from inside his tractor-trailer.

No one was injured and the shopping area south of Interstate 12 at Louisiana 21 was not evacuated. But the spill's proximity to shoppers made safety a priority.

"We're at a mall," said Carol Petranek of the staz monitoring tests found no volatile organic compounds, and only trace amounts of the chemical were released, she said.

The spill occurred in the parking lot between the back of Rose's Nails and Kirkland's Home stores, where the USA Truck hauler had pulled over. Fire officials said the driver noticed the leak; he contacted police at about 12:45 p.m. The site was cordoned off with red tape to keep drivers and bystanders away.

Fire officials said the trucker was en route from Texas to Alabama. Petranek said hazardous materials personnel would clean the spill inside the truck and pack the leaking drum inside another drum; the truck was to be diverted to a secure facility for another cleanup.

Source

Freightliner strike ends

A strike by workers at a Freightliner plant in North Carolina has ended.

According to the Charlotte Observer, an unsanctioned strike at Freightliner’s Rowan County plant came to a halt after union leaders from the international union began negotiating with the company about work conditions and pay.

A union leader told the Observer the walkout was prompted by concerns about plant safety – not wage issues.

However, in December 2006, Freightliner announced it would cut 1,200 of the plant’s 4,000 jobs because of slumping sales. The company also announced it is opening a plant in Mexico that will employ up to 1,600 people.

Source

Quality in Freightliners will continue to go down hill, if the plant goes to Mexico. I have hauled trucks out of the North Carolina plant. Some of them trucks were junk anyway.

Looming Canadian railroad strike could affect trucking

Another strike could be around the bend for Canadian National railroad workers – and its effects would likely be felt by the trucking industry as well.

Today’s Trucking reports that nearly 80 percent of the railroad’s conductors and yard workers have rejected a tentative contract agreement reached between their union and Canadian National.

The United Transportation Union is now asking for new talks with the railroad.

A recent two-week strike by the railroad workers disrupted an estimated $100 billion worth of exports from container cargo being left at the ports to automakers going without assembly components.

Source

OOIDA member wins Freightliner Classic XL at MATS giveaway

With almost a quarter century of driving under his belt, Bruce Doering had never been to the Mid-America Trucking Show, and says he rarely enters prize drawings.

Fortunately for Bruce, he attended the 2007 MATS in Louisville, KY, and was one of 7,500 drivers to enter the Great American Insurance Group’s Big Rig Giveaway.

The OOIDA member from Janesville, WI, won a 2002 Freightliner Classic XL customized by 4 State Trucks Inc., home of the Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, MO.

“I wasn’t even going to sign up because I think nobody ever wins these things,” Bruce told Land Line. “So much for ‘nobody ever wins it.’ ”

Bruce said he attended the show with a group of four friends on Thursday, March 22. He left Louisville Friday, March 23, to finish his regular route from Chicago to Nashville.

On Saturday, March 24, Bruce got a call from Great American saying he’d won the truck. He quickly headed back to Louisville to take another gander.

Source continues

Truckers victimized by insurance fraud

A woman who ran a Long Beach, CA, company called International Commercial Insurance has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for allegedly defrauding five trucking companies.

According to a California Department of Insurance press release, 44-year-old Yvette Diaz and a coworker took more than $13,000 in premiums from truckers, then kept the money and issued bogus proof-of-insurance documents.

The coworker was ordered to do 30 days of community service.

Source

This kind of action is what irritates me about trucking. Here are these trucking companies just out trying to make a dollar, and then somebody frauds them.

The coworker took $13000.00 dollars off of truckers, and gets 30 days probation? It's not right the coworker is as big a thief as the other one, they should have gotten equal punishments.

West Virginia governor won’t allow lawmakers to set tolls

Gov. Joe Manchin vetoed a bill that would have given the West Virginia Legislature the power to approve toll changes along the West Virginia Turnpike before they go into effect.

The governor said he was concerned the bill would hamper efforts to move quickly on needed repairs and other work along the 88-mile toll route that runs from Charleston to Princeton. He said it also would hurt the state’s bond rating.

The bill – SB738 – was intended to provide some protection from toll increases. At issue was a January 2006 toll rate increase implemented by the state’s Parkways, Economic Development and Tourism Authority. The group increased rates from $4.25 to $7 for five-axle trucks and from $1.25 to $2 for passenger vehicles without public notice or input.

A Kanawha County judge soon ordered toll rates to be rolled back. She cited insufficient public notice when the hikes were proposed. In addition, a state law was later passed that requires public notice and public hearings before the authority can increase tolls.

In an effort to appease those calling for legislative oversight in the wake of his veto, Manchin promised to offer legislation that would restrict toll revenues to projects that involve maintenance and improvements to the turnpike, including widening the road where needed, The Register-Herald reported.

Supporters of legislative oversight remain committed to their goal of allowing lawmakers to provide input in what people are paying to use the turnpike. They plan to bring the issue back for consideration in the future.

Source

Covenant Transport under fire for alleged work comp issues

The trucking company that describes itself as “faith-based” isn’t commenting on news reports that it tried to get workers to waive their rights to worker’s compensation benefits.

According to The Associated Press, a judge has ordered Chattanooga, TN-based Covenant Transport to stop using a reportedly fake form that purportedly let workers waive their rights.

The judge acted after Tennessee labor department officials filed a complaint.

Worker’s compensation laws require employers to pay benefits covering a workers death or injury on the job, and according to labor department officials, cannot be waived.

Covenant legal counsel Doug Tagmeyer told “Land Line Now” on XM Satellite Radio that his company did not have a comment on the reports.

Source

Washington’s ‘stuck truck’ finally on the road again

The overweight load that’s been stuck at or near the Washington state border is finally unstuck – and is actually heading down the highway.

The 200-foot-long rig – which has 18 heavy-duty axles – weighed in at 375,000 pounds. It’s the second truck to attempt to move the 100-ton steel and neoprene expansion joint for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Washington DOT spokesman Al Gilson told “Land Line Now” on XM Satellite Radio that shortly before noon Wednesday morning, the very big rig pulled onto the highway.

Gilson said the truck has three drivers, three pilot cars, a Highway Patrol escort and a “pusher truck” than can help push up hills and provide extra braking.

With any luck, Gilson said the rig will make it to the Tacoma Narrows in about five or six days.

The first truck that carried the expansion joint – which was owned by Big Boat Movers out of Zavalla, TX – was stopped at the border for two weeks, and then couldn’t be re-configured to continue the trip.

Omega Morgan, a Washington state-based trucking firm, took over from there with a different truck, which features eight tires instead of four on its axles.

Source

Promo for TV's hit Drive

Mike Ryan Performs Driving Stunts In New Fox Series “DRIVE”

North Hollywood, CA-Pikes Peak Champion and Hollywood stunt driver, Mike Ryan

appears in the FOX new series “DRIVE” that premieres on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 8pm Eastern.

Created, executive-produced and written by Tim Minear and Ben Queen, “DRIVE” is a 20th Century Fox Television Production. Greg Yaitanes serves as an executive producer and director. “DRIVE” is an action-fueled drama following a diverse group of Americans competing for their lives (or the lives of their loved ones) in an illegal, underground cross-country road race. Some of them have been coerced into joining “The Race”; others have sought out The Race themselves, hearing rumors of the $32-million prize. Each has a reason to compete and must win. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YVhKxT3_f0

In the series, Ryan performs various truck and car stunts and will continue work on the series as a stunt driver. His work can also be seen in the Sony Pictures movie, Premonition, where he jack-knifes and crashes a fuel tanker. Premonition is playing in theatres now. http://www.sony.com/premonition Mike is currently working on New Line Cinema, Rush Hour 3 that will be released in August of 2007. For more about Mike’s career and other film credits visit www.fastrucks.com

When Mike is not crashing vehicles on the big screen, he is racing his one-of-a-kind hand-built Freightliner Century Class S/T race truck at the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. He currently holds the world record in the big rig class of 12.43.66 and will be competing for record number seven on July 21st. www.ppihc.com

Semi spills toxic chemical near Colorado River

Highway 68 was expected to be closed until 5 p.m. Wednesday after a semi-tractor trailer rig traveling faster than 90 miles per hour rolled off the highway leaking a toxic chemical slightly after 7 a.m., a fire department official said.

The Department of Public Safety and Bullhead City have sent hazardous material unit to the scene to help Department of Environmental Quality officials, a DPS official said.

The seeping chemical was about 100 yards from pouring into the Colorado River, Larry Tunforss, with the Bullhead City fire department, said.

The accident could have killed the river's fish and could have turned into "a major toxic event," Tunforss said.

The driver was sent to a local hospital, but Turnforss said he expects him to be released soon.

The 18-wheeler was apparently heading into Bullhead City over 90 miles per hour when the driver lost control and rolled into Davis Camp.

Turnforss said it's unclear why the vehicle was traveling so fast but suspects a problem with the breaks, a medical condition of the driver, or that the driver could have fallen asleep at the wheel.

The chemical was bleeding out of the trucks tank around 2 gallons per hour, Turnforss said. A temporary dam has been built to block the chemical from dripping into the near-by river.

Once a crane arrives at the scene, the material will be escorted off the truck and Turnforss said the roads will re-open but it may take a while.

Source

Tacoma Narrows Bridge part begins final 300-mile journey

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. A bridge deck expansion joint -- stranded near landlocked Spokane, Washington, for more than three weeks -- began the final leg of its journey today.

The piece has been delayed because it's too heavy.It's being hauled to the new Tacoma (Washington) Narrows Bridge.Three cranes were used to hoist the 100-ton steel-and-neoprene bridge piece onto a longer, wider trailer. The reconfigured load is 200 feet long -- or about 50 feet longer than it was when it entered Washington -- to meet weight-to-axle requirements.

The original tractor-trailer load was halted at the Spokane Port of Entry because the weight wasn't correctly distributed.Big Boat Movers of Vasalla, Texas, worked for weeks to come up with a configuration that would spread the weight.Omega-Morgan Rigging and Industrial Contracting of Tacoma was eventually hired to help finish the job.

Source

Car, Tractor-Trailer Collide, Killing Woman

MARYSVILLE, Ohio - A woman was killed in a crash on state Route 161 in Union County Tuesday morning.

Police said the car was traveling eastbound on S.R. 161 near Axe Handle Road when it crossed over the center line in front of a tractor-trailer.

The driver, who police said was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from her vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The identity of the driver was not immediately released.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not seriously injured.

Source

Police find 200 pounds of marijuana in tractor-trailer

Two Georgia men were arrested Tuesday after police found nearly 200 pounds of marijuana in a tractor-trailer.

Michael Ivan Lennon, 41, and Douglas Jamal Hightower, 35, were stopped Monday for driving without a license plate on Interstate 40 near Bellevue, police said. When the truck was searched, officers found 12 wrapped bales of marijuana under cots in the sleeper compartment.

The truck also contained a legal shipment of electronic components from California, police said. Police are determining if the drugs were destined for Nashville or Atlanta.

Hightower and Lennon are in Metro Jail on $100,000 bond each.

Source

Tractor-Trailer Rolls Trying To Exit I-29

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- A tractor-trailer rolled over Wednesday morning along Interstate 29, sending its driver to a hospital.First responders said it happened at about 7:30 a.m. along an exit ramp on Interstate 29 south of Council Bluffs.

The driver was trying to get on to Highway 275 when he flipped his vehicle onto its side.Timothy Acker, of Omaha, was hauling irrigation equipment in a shipping container, investigators said. A preliminary investigation revealed that the container wasn't secured to the trailer and partially crushed the tractor cab.

Acker was rushed to Creighton University Medical Center with what authorities said were life-threatening injuries. He remains in critical condition.The rollover is still under investigation and the exit ramp was closed while crews cleaned up the wreck.

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Drug test Today I hope I studied all the right questions

Just joking, for all you newbies there really are no question's to take. But I would like to touch base on a few things, that might help you.

Don't take anything unnecessary with you, like necklaces, watches, a pocket full of change,etc. Because you will empty all pockets and remove most of your jewelery. Wedding bands are ok to wear.

You will need your drivers license to be able to take the drug test. Also some companies have a paper that you can list all your medications on prior to taking the test, as some meds will show up as a positive. But if you have a paper stating these are the meds you are taking then it will not affect your outcome.

There is no need to get all nervous about it. Good Luck !

Florida reopens stretch of I-75 despite fires

A stretch of Interstate 75 in south Florida reopened Tuesday morning after being shut down due to a large brush fire.

According to local media reports, the fire – which started Saturday – has burned about 1,200 acres of brush and grass near Alligator Alley in Broward County.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire was still only about 10 percent under control, fire officials told local media. Drivers were being warned to drive carefully because of the possibility of smoke cutting down on visibility.

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Safe driving pays off for two OOIDA members

“Playing it safe” has paid off for two OOIDA members who have won new trucks for safe driving.

When Mark Panzik of Penn Yan, NY, got a call from Landstar System in January 2007 asking him to fly to Jacksonville, FL, because he was one of five finalists selected to compete in a drawing for a 2007 Peterbilt 387, he declined their first two offers to go.

“I didn’t want to lose a week’s worth of wages and then not win,” Panzik said. “My odds didn’t look too good, so I told them, ‘No, I wasn’t going.’ ”

He credits his wife, Tammy, for convincing him to take the chance and fly down for the grand-prize drawing.

“Every time I don’t have to make a truck payment I thank my wife, who reminds me she was right,” Panzik said. “I’ve never had anything like this happen to me before.”

He said winning the new truck couldn’t have happened at a better time for him – his 1996 Peterbilt 379 had more than 1.2 million miles. His new truck has all the “bells and whistles and more,” he said.

Panzik said his name was selected from more than 147,000 entries. To enter, drivers had to be accident-free and have no claims against them.

OOIDA senior member Gary Reinbold of Oak Grove, MO, received the news he had won a new 2008 Western Star after making his dedicated run in Windsor, CT.

“I had just unloaded and was on my way to Texas to get a return load when Landstar called,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

In April 2007, Reinbold said the company flew him and his wife, Karen, to Marcos Island, FL, where they presented him with the new truck as part of the Western Star Safe Truck Giveaway program. His new truck arrived a few days ago.

“I was just dang lucky,” he said. “This truck has everything you could ask for.”

Reinbold said his name was picked from more than three, 55-gallon trash barrels full of entries.

The key to safe driving, he said, is to remain calm, no matter what.

“Don’t be aggressive when you are driving,” Reinbold said.

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Dallas intermodal hub to open Friday

What’s being billed as the largest intermodal transportation hub under development in North America will have its grand opening in a Dallas suburb this Friday, April 13.

The hub is located along Interstate 35 in Lancaster, which is in a suburban area just south of Dallas.

According to a press release from the developers, The Allen Group, the master plan calls for building out the facility to 6,000 acres of distribution, manufacturing, office and retail use. The developers said the facility will eventually create more than 60,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.

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Former DOT secretary warns of ‘Traffic Armageddon’

Now that he’s retired from his job as U.S. Department of Transportation secretary, Norman Y. Mineta is talking doom and gloom in an effort to promote private-sector financing of U.S. highways and infrastructure.

During a conference sponsored by private investors Tuesday, April 10, in Washington, DC, Mineta referred to under-funded roads and the increasing number of vehicles traveling on them as a disaster of epic proportions.

“The traffic in the U.S. is so bad that when people get behind the wheel, a single vision grips their mind: Traffic Armageddon,” Mineta said.

Mineta said the solution is public-private partnerships, otherwise known as privatization – the sale or long-term leasing of highways and infrastructure to private investors.

Mineta released several statements favoring privatization during his tenure as transportation secretary. After he retired, the U.S. DOT produced draft legislation for state lawmakers to use to win authority for privatizing highways.

The financial firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu sponsored the forum to garner support for private-sector financing of infrastructure.

Rod Nofziger, OOIDA director of government affairs, says the talk about congestion and budget shortages rings a familiar tune.

“Proponents of privatization and public-private partnerships have often used buzzwords such as ‘congestion’ and ‘gridlock’ to get the public’s attention,” Nofziger told Land Line. “The fact is that privatization of existing public roads and many of the public-private partnerships that have been proposed will actually induce congestion, not reduce it. The private companies putting up billions of dollars for highways are banking on high traffic volumes to ensure they are getting optimal returns on their investments.”

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Scam warning issued to truckers

Law enforcement officials are warning all travelers – motorists and truckers – to be on the lookout for a scam that’s been reported at truck stops in Indiana, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

According to WISH-TV in Indianapolis, the scam involves a group of men who try to entice victims to follow them to the back of truck stops for a “too-good-to-be-true” gambling opportunity.

Once there, the men get the victims to produce their money – then the thieves grab it and run off.

Sheriff’s officers in Whiteland, IN – which is located on Interstate 65 south of Indianapolis – said thieves have robbed people at truck stops at the Whiteland exit three times within the past two months.

They also said at least some of the thieves left the scene in tractor-trailers.

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Washington’s famed ‘stuck truck’ could move soon

A truck carrying a massive expansion joint for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state may finally get on the road on Tuesday or Wednesday.

That’s according to Kelly Stowe, spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Transportation.

Stowe told “Land Line Now” on XM Satellite Radio that DOT officials were hoping to permit the load – which, combined with truck, is expected to weigh in at 429,000 pounds – on Tuesday afternoon, April 10.

The load has been stuck at or near the Washington-Idaho border for more than two weeks while state officials insisted it be reconfigured before proceeding.

Big Boat Movers out of Zavalla, TX, the trucking company that had the original contract to deliver the expansion joint, decided during the weekend that it was unable to reconfigure its trucks to finish the delivery, and was replaced by Omega Morgan, a Washington trucking firm.

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Accidents tie up I-64 west

Accidents slowed two area interstates this afternoon:

The right lane of westbound Interstate 64 was blocked about 4:15 p.m. after a tractor-trailer and two other vehicles were involved in a wreck near the Watterson Expressway interchange, according to TRIMARC traffic reports.

One woman was seriously injured when she was thrown from a vehicle, MetroSafe dispatchers said.

About 10 minutes later, the left lane of southbound Interstate 65 was closed near Louisville International Airport after a five-car pileup.

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Upcomming Truck Shows for 2007

MARMON TRUCK GATHERING
April 20 & 21, Terrell, TX
If you are a fan of Marmon trucks, you won’t want to miss this one. Held annually for many years now, this event features live music, good food, drawings for prizes, Marmon historians and, of course, neat old Marmon trucks. Held at the TA Travel Center in Terrell, Texas (I-20 exit 503), this show is a public display - everyone is welcome. And if you have a Marmon, bring it out! For more information call (469) 667-7158 or e-mail to info@marmontrucks.com.

ATHS/TULARE ANTIQUE TRUCK SHOW*
April 21 & 22, Tulare, CA
Held at Tulare’s huge International Agri-Center, this 3rd annual show, hosted by the ATHS Tulare Chapter, will be held in conjunction with the 15th annual California Antique Farm Equipment Show. Last year, this event drew in over 100 antique trucks and a few newer ones as well. For more information call (800) 999-9186 or visit www.antiquefarmshow.org.

75 CHROME SHOP TRUCK SHOW
April 27-29, Wildwood, FL
Following on the heels of a great show last year, 75 Chrome Shop is hosting another spring event at their location in Wildwood, Florida. From what we’ve been told, these folks really know how to put on a truck show. Featuring great food, wonderful hospitality and all the chrome and accessories you’d ever want or need at your fingertips, this 9th annual show should be a fun one. It’s also the second stop of the 2007 Stars & Stripes Truck Show series. For more information call 75 Chrome Shop at (866) 255-6206 or visit them online at www.75chromeshop.com.

ATHS/RIVERSIDE ANTIQUE TRUCK SHOW*
May 6, Riverside, CA
Held at March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California on Sunday, May 6th, this 22nd annual Antique Truck Show is being hosted by the Southern California Chapter of the ATHS. This is a great venue for a great show! To register your truck or get more details, call Rick Perez at (951) 343-1909 or Steve Sackett at (951) 247-6716.

ATHS/GREATER CINCINNATI CHAPTER
May 19, Fairborn, OH (Rain or Shine)
The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the ATHS will hold its Seventh Annual Truck Show at Howard’s Trucking Company, located at 10955 Haddix Road, Fairborn, Ohio (15 miles NE of Dayton). All old and new trucks welcome. Slow truck drag races, door prizes, DJ with trucking music. No entry fees. Food and beverages available at the show so come early and stay late. For more information check out www.jahowardtrucking.com, send an e-mail to howardtrk@yahoo.com or call Jerry Howard at (937) 878-6154.

THE TRUCK SHOW LAS VEGAS*
June 7-9, Las Vegas, NV
The Vegas show has always been a great place to network with the best companies in trucking. Featuring the newest, most innovative parts, services, accessories, trucks, trailers and more, you shouldn’t miss this one. And with the world-class restaurants, hotels and entertainment options available only in Las Vegas, you’ll have a great time after the show as well. With hundreds of exhibitors and show trucks parked inside to beat the heat, this will be the most fun you can have and still call it work! It is also the third stop on this year’s Stars and Stripes tour. Come out to Vegas and join the fun. For more details, visit www.truckshow.com.

ATHS NATIONAL SHOW & CONVENTION
June 7-9, Colorado Springs, CO
Every year, the members of the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) gather for a national show and convention, and every year it is huge! This year, the event is being held at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado (I-25 exit 138). This is the single largest antique truck exhibition of the year, featuring anywhere from 500-1,000 antique rigs on display. If you are a fan of old trucks, this is a must-go show! Nothing could be finer than to view this old iron collection against a backdrop of the Rockies in June! For more information, contact the ATHS at (816) 891-9900 or visit them online at www.aths.org.

TITLETOWN TRUCKER’S SHOWDOWN
July 6 & 7, Green Bay, WI
This show always brings out a great bunch of trucks. Held at the Brown County Fairgrounds in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this event features food and refreshments, a trucker’s dance, a light parade and competition, live music, kids entertainment, driver seminars and a jake brake contest. There will also be an antique truck display. Admission is free, so come on out for some fun. For more details call (920) 435-1882 or visit www.titletowntruckersshowdown.org.

WALCOTT TRUCKERS JAMBOREE*
July 12 & 13, Walcott, IA
The Walcott Truckers Jamboree is hosted every year at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop (I-80 exit 284) in Walcott, Iowa. For 28 years the “Jamboree” has been celebrating America’s truckers and saying “thank you” to the millions of truck drivers out there that deliver the goods we consume. Last year, over 30,000 people attended the annual event. In addition to the Iowa pork chop cookout, carnival games, live country music, Trucker Olympics and pet contest, there will be over 175 exhibits, an antique truck display and a Super Truck Beauty Contest. Parking and admission are free. Dates for the 2007 Jamboree are Thursday, July 12th and Friday, July 13th. For more information or to register your truck, call (563) 284-6961 or visit www.iowa80truckstop.com.

TRUCKERFEST/HOT AUGUST NIGHTS*
August 10 & 11, Reno, NV
Since combining the Truckerfest show with the festivities of Hot August Nights, this event has been wild. On Friday and Saturday night, the trucks get to parade through downtown under the famous Reno arch as part of the Hot August Nights event, which draws 500,000-plus visitors to Reno every year to celebrate America’s love affair with hot rods and rock ‘n’ roll. Truckers can enjoy free food, live music and trucker games, as well as the chance to compete for cash, trophies and prizes, as this event is the fourth stop on the Stars & Stripes tour for 2007. The show will be held at the Petro Stopping Center in Reno/Sparks, NV on August 10 & 11. For more details about the truck show, contact Diana Owens at (916) 786-3073 or visit www.starsandstripesshow.com. For more information about the entire Hot August Nights event, visit their site at www.hotaugustnights.net.

GREAT SALT LAKE TRUCK SHOW
August 10 & 11, Sandy, UT
Last year, the annual Great Salt Lake Truck Show, a benefit for the National Kidney Foundation of Utah, moved to a new location – and indoors. This year, the 2007 show will be held, once again, at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah (just south of Salt Lake City). This fun event features plenty of live music, a truck pull (teams of five race as they pull a truck with ropes), a charity auction and a light show. Along with the trucks, many hot rods and classic cars are also expected to come and compete for prizes and trophies. Hosted by show founder Jeff England, this show raises money and awareness about kidney disease and helps send young transplant and dialysis patients to “Kidney Kamp” in the mountains. For more information, call Jeff England or Lindsey at (800) 877-1320 or visit the website at www.saltlaketruckshow.com.

WAUPUN TRUCK-N-SHOW
August 10 & 11, WAUPUN, WI
The Waupun Truck-N-Show was started as (and still is) a salute to the trucking industry. Held outside at the Waupun Community Center, trucks are crammed into every corner of the grounds. This 18th annual event features a truck beauty competition, a light parade through the center of town, live music, over 50 vendor booths, great food and lots of family fun. On average, there are over 400 trucks at this show each year! Admission and parking are free. This year’s show proudly welcomes Harvey & Karen Zander as the Parade Marshals for 2007. For more information, call (920) 324-9985 or visit them online at www.waupuntrucknshow.com.

GREAT AMERICAN TRUCKING SHOW*
August 23-25, Dallas, TX
Held at the Dallas Convention Center, which recently completed an aggressive renovation and expansion project, the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) was bigger and better than ever in 2006, with almost 46,000 attendees and 560 exhibiting companies. This relatively new show has grown each year over its eight year history, and is now considered to be the second largest trucking show in the industry. GATS was recently awarded top honors at Trade Show Week Magazine’s “Fastest 50” awards gala in November of 2006, named as the fastest growing hybrid trade show in the U.S. and Canada! Featuring plenty of on-site truck parking, trucking seminars, workshops, the best country music concerts and other events, GATS should be added to your schedule if it isn’t already on it. For more information call (888) 349-4287 or visit them online at www.gatsonline.com.

WORLD’S LARGEST TRUCK CONVOY*
September 15, Multiple Locations
Last year, this event, which features truck convoys in various locations around the nation, raised more than $544,000 for Special Olympics – an increase of more than 25% over the previous year. About 1,800 trucks participated in 45 convoys in 32 different states (plus four in Canada). Started in 2001 by Corporal Norm Schneiderhan, an Orange County (Florida) Sheriff, this event has grown in leaps and bounds over the years. To participate, truckers simply fill out a registration form and donate a $100 entry fee. Make plans now to participate in one of the many convoys being held across the country (and in Canada) on September 15th. For a current list of convoys and other information, visit www.worldslargesttruckconvoy.com often – updates are always being made.

TRUCKIN’ FOR KIDS SHOW & DRAGS*
Date Not Confirmed, Fontana, CA
This wild and exciting event is not only a fun time but also a fund-raiser for various children’s charities. Over the last 26 years, this event has raised $525,000 for children in need. Last year the show moved to California Speedway in Fontana, CA and drew in over 300 trucks. At the time of this writing, the dates for 2007 had not been confirmed, but it should be near the end of September or beginning of October. Race Director Frank Pangburn is hoping to stretch the one-day show into two days, to accommodate the increase in competitors and attendees last year. Stay tuned! For more details or updated information, call (208) 448-2811 or visit www.truckinforkids.org.

THE TRUCK SHOW LATINO*
October 20 & 21, Pomona, CA
This new show, which debuted in 2005 at the Fairplex in Pomona, caters specifically to Latino truckers. The highlight of last year’s show, in addition to the vendors and show trucks, was the giveaway of a Ford F150 pickup truck. This event is also the fifth and final stop of the Stars & Stripes Truck Show series. Call (800) 227-5992 or visit www.thetruckshowlatino.com.

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