Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/107898
Logbook Overdrive, TCA name top driver finalists The finalists for the 2012 OwnerOperator of the Year award, the annual contest sponsored by Overdrive and the Truckload Carriers Association, are Bradley Chapdelaine of Dart Transit, the late Jimmy McSwain of Sunco Transportation and Robert Stewart of Interstate Distributor. The three Company Driver of the Year finalists are Albert Carter of Melton Truck Lines, Daniel Poorman of Gordon Trucking and Danny Smith of Big G Express. McSwain, a resident of Winter Haven, Fla., died after the finalists had been named in January, but is still in competition for the award. The other finalists will attend TCA's annual convention March 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nev., where two winners will be announced. Those winners will receive a prize that will be announced this month, says Brad Holthaus, vice president of trucking media sales for Overdrive publisher Randall-Reilly. "When we talk about safe drivers who are role models for the trucking Short hauls U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the only Republican in President Obama's cabinet, announced Jan. 29 he was leaving the administration but would stay on until his successor is confirmed. LaHood, 67, was named transportation secretary in January 2009 and before that served seven terms in the U.S. House as an Illinois representative. 12 | Overdrive | February 2013 industry, these six contest finalists are at the top of the list," he said. "It is a privilege for Randall-Reilly to partner with TCA to recognize these individuals." The awards recognize Bradley Chapdelaine Jimmy McSwain Robert Stewart safety, community service and efforts to enhance the industry's image. Chapdelaine, the Minnesota Special Olympics convoy ambassador, also hauls for Toys for Tots and Wreaths Albert Carter Daniel Poorman Danny Smith Across America yearly. He "everything imaginable," including does nearly all of his maintenance a crashed airplane – cites his himself, including engine work. commitment to safety as the key to Stewart, a Washington native, got success as a company driver. He tells into the business in 1984 and places other drivers to "be observant and great importance on taking care of watch out for the other guy – other his rig. He learned over the years it's important to find something that works drivers aren't always safe." Smith, who began driving for Big and then do a good job at it. G Express in 1995, has more than Carter, 75, lives a healthy lifestyle 2.5 million safe miles. He says he and has worked to improve the still learns something new every day, image of his carrier. He's been which helps him stay open-minded. driving for 20 years. – Staff Reports Poorman – who says he has hauled THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE'S primary oversight goals for the next two years will address the hours of service rule, the Compliance Safety Accountability program and state tolls on federal highways. VOLVO IS ADDING QR codes to every new truck starting in April to increase shop efficiency and to reduce downtime for owners. Technicians will be able to scan the codes with phones or tablets and download truck information rather than having to enter data. Service records will be available via an automated system. THE U.S. SUPREME COURT agreed to hear the American Trucking Associations' lawsuit against the Port of Los Angeles and its 2008 requirement that carriers use only company drivers and not independent contractors. The court did not provide a date but said it will consider if a government entity banning a licensed carrier from a port is a suspension of the carrier's federal registration. REPORTED CARGO THEFT incidents in 2012 dropped slightly from 2011, down half a percent to 940 thefts, according to security service FreightWatch International. Violent methods such as hijacking accounted for 2 percent of thefts, while deceptive pickups accounted for 6.5 percent.