Land Line Now’s Community Bulletin Board for April 5, 2022.
Florida Parking Study
Public meetings are being conducted regarding a study on truck parking along the I-4 corridor in Florida’s Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties.
The next meeting will be:
- And at 5:30 p.m. April 12 at the Osceola Welcome Center & History Museum in Kissimmee, Fla.
One additional meeting will take place in Volusia County; that has yet to be scheduled.
- To take part in a virtual version of the meetings, click here.
- You can also phone in to listen by dialing 631-992-3221 and entering the passcode 546-164-261 when prompted.
TMC scholarship program
The Technology and Maintenance Council is awarding two scholarships of up to $12,500 for students interested in becoming commercial vehicle technicians. Applications are due April 15.
For more information on how to apply for the TMC scholarship offer, visit their website. Applications are due April 15.
OOIDA urges truckers to take part in survey
Three federal agencies will launch a nine-month Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey. OOIDA is encouraging truckers to take part. Find more information here, or contact the U.S. Census Bureau at 844-395-4085.
Support the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship
If you’d like to support the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship, you can also donate to the fund. You can email the OOIDA Foundation for more information. And you can drop donations at the Spirit of the American Trucker or send tax-deductible donations to:
OOIDA Foundation Inc.
1 NW OOIDA Dr.
Grain Valley, MO 64029
3G shutdown could cripple your ELD
Some ELDs may stop functioning starting in 2022 as mobile carriers shut down their 3G networks, which those devices depend on. Truckers should contact their ELD providers and find out if they use 3G, and if so, ask them how they plan to upgrade or replace your device.
According to FMCSA, the schedule for complete 3G shutdowns are as follows:
- AT&T: Feb. 22
- Sprint (T-Mobile): March 31
- Sprint LTE (T-Mobile): June 30
- T-Mobile: July 1
- Verizon: Dec. 31
Any questions about the changes can be emailed to ELD@DOT.gov. LL
Crackdown on red-dyed diesel
Montana is cracking down on misuse of red-dyed diesel fuel. To report suspected use of red-dyed fuel, call the Department of Transportation at 888-383-5529 or email MDTfueltax@mt.gov.
Truckers for Troops donations accepted
Truckers can still make direction donations to OOIDA Truckers for Troops. The program sends care packages to U.S. troops overseas and supports efforts of the Veterans Community Project to end veteran homelessness.
Extension for expiring CDLs
FMCSA is giving drivers an extra 45 days to renew expiring CDLs or medical examiner certificates. That extension runs through April 15, and FMCSA doesn’t expect to extend that any further.
FAST Enrollment centers
Free and Secure Trade – or FAST – enrollment centers will reopen this month after being shut down because of COVID. FAST is a commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. All enrollment centers will reopen on April 19.
VA rest area closure
The Virginia Department of Transportation has shut down the Interstate 95 Southbound Ladysmith Safety Rest Area in Caroline County. Work is underway to expand truck parking capacity there from 20 spaces to 45. The rest area will stay closed until Easter weekend, but will close again after that until the end of April.
Minnesota fights spread of bird flu
Some trucking regulations have been waived in Minnesota in an effort to help fight the spread of bird flu. Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order Friday relaxing strict enforcement of certain weight restriction regulations and hours-of-service requirements. The order is effective through April 30.
South Carolina widens interstate
The South Carolina DOT is widening portions of I-85 through Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. For a complete list of which areas will be closed when, visit the 85 Widening Facebook page.
Navistar recall
Navistar is recalling more than 2,800 2018 through 2023 International LT tractors. A damaged battery cable can cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire. The recall is expected to start May 16.
Owners may contact Navistar customer service at 800-448-7825. Read the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration recall notice here.
