Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/580471
22 | Overdrive | October 2015 Logbook A congressional move to allow 91,000-pound trucks on U.S. high- ways would do more to hurt the trucking industry's productivity than help it, says the Truckload Carriers Association. TCA wrote U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) regarding his recently proposed legislation to give states the option to allow heavier trucks within their borders. The SAFE Trucking Act would carry with it expensive trailer retro- fitting costs, more expensive tractors and trailers, lower fuel economy and higher maintenance spending, TCA writes in its letter. The costs of retrofitting trucks and trailers with an extra axle and other equipment to run 91,000 pounds could be as high as $25,000 per trac- tor-trailer, TCA writes, which would "yield little to no return" for a large majority of U.S. carriers. The Owner-Operator Indepen- dent Drivers Association also oppos- es the bill. The American Trucking Associations generally supports increased size and weight limits. "While this provision attempts to improve trucking productivity on our highways, it clearly would only ben- efit a minority of the industry," TCA writes in its letter, which is signed by Chairman Keith Tuttle and policy committee chair Jim Towery. Carriers likely wouldn't see rate increases with 91,000-pound loads, TCA says in its letter, but all carriers would face "market pressure" to equip their entire fleets with the necessary upgrades to haul heavier loads. Ribble, when introducing the leg- islation, said increasing weight would reduce congestion, boost highway safety and help U.S. freight transpor- tation be more efficient. – James Jaillet TCA opposes heavier truck proposal A PROPOSED RULE to implement minimum driver training and certification standards was sent from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to the U.S. De- partment of Transportation's main office for its approval Sept. 1. The DOT forecasts the rule will be published in the Federal Register in late November. GOODYEAR'S 33RD Highway Hero Award program will accept nomi- nations through Nov. 29. The award honors truck drivers who put themselves in harm's way to help others. Goodyear will announce its 33rd Highway Hero Award winner during the 2016 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. For rules and to nominate a driver, go to goodyeartrucktires.com. DARTCO COMPANY DRIVER and military veteran Frederick Weatherspoon won the fifth annual Mike O'Connell Me- morial Trucking's Top Rookie Award. Weatherspoon, 51, re- ceived the top prize of $10,000 and a variety of products and services from contest spon- sors. The program is produced by Overdrive's publisher, Ran- dall-Reilly, and the Truckload Carriers Association. FRAUDULENT WEBSITES have offered Arizona state driver licenses, IDs and ve- hicle titles and registration, said the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division. ADOT said it's not possible to obtain a driver license online in Arizona. ServiceArizona.com is the only authorized web- site for online ADOT-related transactions. Truck and engine maker Navistar said on its earnings call last month that the U.S. Securities and Ex- change Commission planned to bring an enforcement action against the company. Troy Clarke, Navistar chief exec- utive officer, said that the company had received a Wells notice from the SEC, but he offered no detail on the notification or Navistar's response. A Wells notice is a letter sent by the SEC when it plans to bring an enforcement action against a person or company. The SEC is investigating alleged violations of disclosure and transpar- ency of financial statement regula- tions by Navistar and former chief executive Dan Ustian. The company also has come under fire over U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certifications and disclosures related to Ustian's departure three years ago. The SEC has 180 days after issuing a Wells notice to decide whether or not to proceed with enforcement action. – Jason Cannon Navistar notified of looming enforcement action The SEC is investigating alleged violations by Navistar and former head Dan Ustian.