Land Line Now’s Community Bulletin Board for Feb. 8, 2022.
Illinois expressway shooting dashboard
There have been so many shootings on expressways in Illinois over the past few years that authorities have launched a public dashboard to track them. The interactive Statewide Expressway Shooting dashboard has data on all shooting reports dating back to 2019.
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
OK Kickapoo Turnpike cashless tolling
The Kickapoo Turnpike in eastern Oklahoma County in Oklahoma has turned to cashless tolling. Drivers are now using PikePass or PlatePay instead of toll booths and coin machines.
The Kickapoo Turnpike is the second Oklahoma toll road to fully transition to PIKEPASS/PlatePay. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority plans to transition all of its turnpikes to cashless by the end of 2024.
Peterbilt recalls 3,500 trucks
Paccar has recalled about 3,500 model year 2022 Peterbilt 579s equipped with chassis fairings.
The bolts that hold the chassis fairing step assembly in the closed position may loosen and fracture the latch attachment. The step can unexpectedly move while entering or exiting the cab, increasing the risk of injury.
For questions, call Peterbilt customer service at 940-591-4220 with recall number 22PBA. NHTSA’s number for this recall is 22V-016.
FMCSA updates vision standards
FMCSA is updating its vision standards for commercial drivers who have vision impairment in one eye. The changes allow those drivers to be considered physically qualified under specific conditions. We’ll have the details online.
U.S. cross-border vaccine mandate in effect
Truck drivers entering the United States from Canada or Mexico will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 – or risk being turned away. The U.S. order does not apply to U.S. drivers.
Similar rules in place on the Canadian and Mexican sides of the border do. There is no testing option in the U.S. rule.
UCR fees set for coming year
FMCSA wants to reduce UCR fees for 2023 by about 27%. The new fee for zero to two units is $43. The UCR is an annual permit motor carriers must pay if they have an active U.S. DOT number.
Carrier warns of email scam
Landstar says some of its customers are getting scam emails from an address that appears to be from Landstar. If you have questions about whether a particular email or phone call is from the company, Landstar says reach out to them directly at Security@Landstar.com.
Find a place to board a pet
If you need to find a place to board your pet near your current location, you can use the directory at the International Boarding and Pet Services Association’s website.
Operation Roger helps pets
If you need a pet transported, or know of one either separated from their owner or needing transport to a new owner, contact Operation Roger. You can either text 682-622-1172 or fill out the application at the Operation Roger website. You can go to the same text number or website to volunteer to help by becoming an Operation Roger driver.
Freightliner and Western Star trucks recalled for noncompliant tires
Daimler is recalling more than 400 model years 2011 through 2022 Freightliner and Western Star trucks after discovering an issue with tires. The tires and rims on the trucks were not approved and rated for these vehicles and fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Learn more here: Freightliner and Western Star trucks recalled for noncompliant tires.
Need a meal out on the road? Check here
If you or a trucker you know is in need of a meal, message the Meals for 18 Wheels group through their Facebook page. Anyone wishing to volunteer may sign up on the same page.
Parking ban in Minneapolis starts Jan. 1
Minneapolis has passed a truck parking ban on all city streets. It applies to any truck weighing more than 26,000 pounds. Citations will start being written Jan. 1, first for $150, then up to $250 starting one year later.
Read more: Minneapolis City Council approves truck parking ban ordinance.
Wisconsin offers diesel emission reduction grants
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications Clean Diesel Grants. The grants are to pay for projects that reduce diesel vehicle emissions. The deadline is Jan. 7.
Get the details and apply here.
St. Christopher Fund Driving Down Diabetes
The St. Christopher Fund is offering two types of free diabetes prevention programs. Both Driving Down Diabetes programs are open to professional drivers at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The 2022 program begins Jan. 10.
Where to go to haul relief loads
If you want to haul relief loads into disaster areas, contact the American Logistics Aid Network. The network can ensure you’re carrying a needed load and can get into the disaster area with relief.
Entering Canada? Use ArriveCAN
Canada’s Border Services Agency is reminding all travelers coming into Canada that they must submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN. You can get full details on measures in place online.
Ohio turnpike overcharges
If you’ve got an Ohio E-ZPass, check the account it’s linked to. The Ohio Turnpike says about 6,000 E-ZPass customers were overcharged up to $250 recently because of a software coding mistake.
If you were affected, contact the turnpike.
Canada COVID border measures
Starting Jan. 15, all truck drivers – whether Canadian or American – will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before crossing into Canada. The move by the Canadian government follows a similar move by U.S. officials.
Washington’s I-5 rest areas closed
Several rest areas, including truck parking, are closed along 83 miles of Interstate 5 between Everett, Wash., and the Canadian border. That includes parking at Everett, Smokey Point and Custer. The state DOT blames a staffing shortage.
Learn more at the Washington state DOT website.
DHS asks truckers to keep a watch out
The Department of Homeland Security is asking truckers to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. If you see something suspicious that does not rise to the level of a 911 call, contact the TSA at 844-TSA-FRST.
Questions about EPN? Check here
If you have questions about California’s EPN, or Employer Pull Notice program, if this program has affected you in a damaging way, or if you have other compliance questions, call OOIDA Business Services at 816-229-5791.
Colorado wildfire road closings
Colorado has been dealing with road closures in the wake of wildfires there. If you’re headed through the area, check COTrip.org before leaving.
CVSA webinar on Out-of-Service Criteria
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is offering a webinar at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 on the newest version of their Out-of-Service Criteria. Those go into effect on April 1 – and replace and supersede all previous versions. You can register for the webinar online.
Maryland E-ZPass overcharges
Maryland E-ZPass users may have been overcharged. WBAL-TV of Baltimore reports some drivers are complaining they were recently overbilled – with at least one saying the overcharge was hundreds of dollars. The Maryland Transportation Authority says it’s looking into the problems.
Florida DOT truck parking meeting
The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting a meeting to discuss parking alternatives at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. You can learn more online.
Additional public meetings for prospective truck parking site alternatives along the I-4 corridor are planned in Orange, Osceola, and Volusia counties in February.
Vermont bridge strike fines
Lyndon, Vt., is tripling the fine for colliding with one of the town’s historic covered bridges. Fines are $5,000 for the first strike, $10,000 for the second, and $15,000 any time after that. The move comes after six bridge collisions in 2021.
