CCJ

December 2016

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

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12 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2016 JOURNAL NEWS C M Y CM MY CY CMY K October_Ancra Ratcheting Winches_7x4.5.pdf 1 9/6/16 9:02 AM Untitled-2 1 9/6/16 10:01 AM • The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration last month granted an hours-of-service exemption to the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association for drivers of certain oversize/overweight vehicles from the 30-minute rest break requirement, but the agency denied SC&RA's request to be exempt from the 14-hour rule. SC&RA's main reasoning behind both exemption requests was the difficulty the drivers face finding parking for such large vehicles. • New York became the 45th state to void indemnity clauses holding truck- ing companies responsible for damaged goods regardless of fault. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo into law Nov. 4 following a unanimous vote by the Legislature. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont still permit indemnification clauses in trucking contracts. • The U.S. Department of Transportation is establishing an advisory committee on automated transportation meant to help regulators frame policy around the devel- opment and deployment of automated vehicles. DOTis seeking 15 committee members who will serve two-year terms, with no more than two consecutive term reappointments. Individuals inter- ested in nominating themselves or other potential members should send relevant materials to automation@dot.gov. • FMCSA's Entry-Level Driver Training rule was approved Nov. 15 by the White House Office of Management and Budget and should be published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks. The proposed rule outlined a core cur- riculum for new truckers receiving their CDL and required 30 hours of behind- the-wheel training. The rule also laid out minimum qualifications for instructors, testing and test vehicles for a driver trainer registry. • J.B. Hunt (CCJ Top 250, No. 6) reached a $260,000 settlement with four Sikh truckers who claimed religious discrimi- nation when they refused to comply with the Lowell, Ark.-based carrier's pre- employment hair-sample drug-testing program. One of the five articles of faith for Sikhs is maintaining uncut hair, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which announced the settlement last month. • Saia Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 26) announced plans to expand into the Northeast next year, opening three to five terminals in the second quarter in major markets in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Duluth, Ga.-based less-than- truckload company said the expansion is the first step in its strategic growth plan that will continue into 2018 and beyond as it works to provide complete conti- nental U.S. coverage. • The Texas Department of Transportation launched Phase 2 of its Truck Toll Discount program intended to help ease Interstate 35 gridlock through Austin. Trucks with a valid TxTag that travel on State Route 130/45SE from the I-35 exit in Georgetown to the U.S. 183 exit in Buda will pay the standard two-axle rate and realize a savings of 67 percent, from $24.12 to $8.04. Drivers who switch from Pay By Mail to TxTag could realize a savings of 75 percent, from $32.07 to $8.04. The dis- count is set to run through Aug. 31, 2017. INBRIEF 12/16

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