Land Line Now’s Community Bulletin Board for Oct. 26, 2021.
UCR pilot program
The Unified Carrier Registration Plan is starting a pilot program to contact truckers based in states that don’t participate. UCR officials are warning those truckers that they are still required to pay UCR fees.
The states involved are Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont and Wyoming.
Driver assistance systems survey
ATRI and the OOIDA Foundation are asking truckers to take part in the Tech-Celerate Now survey, which addresses advanced driver assistance systems. The perspectives and concerns of drivers, owner-operators, and small-trucking carriers are especially sought. The deadline is Nov. 1.
Maryland beltway toll lane project update
Maryland is holding public hearings on an updated study regarding Capital Beltway improvements, including a toll lane project, on Nov. 1. You can register online to attend either of the two sessions.
To take part in the virtual public hearing on I-492 and I-270 managed lanes study, go to the project’s website and register or by calling 833-858-5960. The two call-in hearings will be from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m.
Maine to increase tolls
Maine will increase tolls Nov. 1 to offset losses from lower traffic during the pandemic. The $1 toll hike for cars will keep construction projects on track; information on truck toll increases was not immediately available.
You can learn more at the Turnpike website.
Election Day Nov. 2
Election Day for state and local offices – as well as ballot initiatives – is Nov. 2. Don’t forget to make time to get to your voting precinct and make your voice heard.
Freightliner recall for exhaust pipe
Freightliner will recall about 460 model year 2022 Cascadias over possible exhaust system problems. The exhaust pipe outlet might have been installed incorrectly, increasing the risk of fire.
Owners may contact DTNA’s customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL-901. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to the NHTSA website.
Utility Trailers reefer recall
Utility Trailers is recalling several hundred model year 2022 Utility VS2RA reefer trailers. The wrong tape was installed on the top foil, which could result in the sealer plate separating from the roof.
Owners may contact Utility Trailer’s customer service at 800-423-6591. Utility Trailer’s number for this recall is SB-19-009. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153), or go to NHTSA.gov.
Freightliner Cascadia recall
Daimler is recalling more than 100,000 2019-21 Freightliner Cascadias. The drag link taper joint in those trucks may not be tightened well enough and could come loose, which could cut steering control.
Owners may contact DTNA’s customer service at 800-547-0712. DTNA’s number for this recall is FL-900. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153), or go to NHTSA.gov.
FMCSA wants comments on complaint database
The FMCSA is asking for feedback about its National Consumer Complaint Database.
The program enables truckers to report anyone who coerces them to violate federal regulations. The deadline for comments is Nov. 3.
Comments can be made here or by going to the Regulations.gov website and entering Docket No. FMCSA-2021-0089.
Read up on the National Consumer Complaint Database: FMCSA seeks comments on National Consumer Complaint Database
New Colorado travel site
Colorado has rolled out a new version of its travel website, COtrip.org. The updated version has features to help travelers plan their route ahead of time with information on road conditions, construction issues and road or lane closures.
COVID restrictions in Prince Edward Island
New COVID-19 restrictions on Prince Edward Island require that truckers who don’t live there to get tested when entering the province, whether they’ve been vaccinated or not. Unvaccinated drivers also have to self-isolate.
Accelerate Conference and Expo
The Women in Trucking 2021 Accelerate! Conference and Expo will take place Nov. 7-9 at the Dallas Sheraton in Dallas, Texas. The annual event offers vendors and numerous business speakers covering a wide variety of topics.
For more information, go to the Women in Trucking website.
Truckers for Troops
OOIDA will hold its annual Truckers for Troops campaign on Land Line Now from Nov. 8 through the morning of Nov. 15. The program collects money to send care packages to our troops overseas, and also to support the Veterans Community Project, which helps homeless veterans.
Starting Nov. 8, call OOIDA’s main number, 816-229-5791 during business hours. Let operators know you’re calling about Truckers for Troops and they will transfer you to membership. Phones will be answered live, and the switchboards will stay open later than usual so you can call until 7:30 p.m. Central.
You can join OOIDA at $10 off, and set up your membership for as many years as you like at that annual amount; 10% of your fee goes into the fund, and the Association matches that money. You can also make a direct donation into the fund.
Iowa wrong way driver prevention
The Iowa DOT is adding new signs and pavement markings to highways across the state to cut down on wrong-way drivers. The new signs are bigger, and they’re going up in 165 places across Iowa.
Find more information here.
Major maintenance project to close lanes on the Brent Spence Bridge
A maintenance project will close some lanes on the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River through Nov. 15. This is the first time in 30 years the bridge has been painted.
