Roses & Razzberries – March/April 2022

RAZZBERRIES for the insulting and flawed hair testing study involving the Trucking Alliance. This “study” led to such published headlines as “Truckers prefer cocaine.” Seriously? The OOIDA Foundation points out that not only is the study flawed but presents a negative image of those in the industry. The Trucking Alliance has been a longtime proponent of hair testing, and this study provides ammunition for efforts to mandate all motor carriers require hair testing. However, urinalysis satisfies the current drug and alcohol testing requirements by the FMCSA. “This isn’t so much a study as it is marketing material to push an agenda of hair testing,” said Andrew King, a research analyst for the OOIDA Foundation.

ROSES to Schmidt Baking Co. for their decision to help fellow motorists in need. A recent snowstorm followed by a crash on Interstate 95 in Virginia had some drivers in their cars for more than 24 hours. A Schmidt Baking Co. truck, driven by Ron Hill, was among the stranded. As were Casey Holihan Noe and her husband, John Noe. According to her Facebook post, Casey made a half-joking, half-serious attempt to contact the company after more than 21 hours without food or water. The couple even had to sleep in their car. Well, owner Chuck Paterakis responded directly to the call. Soon after, Hill opened the back of the truck and passed out bread to what Casey estimated was more than 50 cars. After 20 hours who cares about cutting carbs, right?

RAZZBERRIES for this year’s Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, which calls for the adoption of all 16 of its safety laws as well as more federal mandates including speed limiters, underride guards and automatic brakes.

The Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws was also critical of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill for omitting certain trucking-related provisions, such as no side or front guard requirements.

OOIDA has long contended that the evidence these provisions enhance safety simply does not exist. No state has a perfect score, and 41 states received a “yellow” or “red” rating in the report. In order to receive a perfect score, states need to enact a total of 400 traffic safety laws, according to the Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. Maybe that’s all you need to know about this particular report.

RAZZBERRIES for the potential of more tolls. Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge provided a bittersweet update with the news the project will move forward with a plan that tolls all motorists, not just trucks. It was initially estimated a truck-only toll would be $10-15. Now, tolls for 18-wheeler-type trucks will now be $15-18. However, it’s not a done deal, and discussions on toll amounts for trucks are ongoing. In May 2021, criticism from the Alabama Trucking Association forced officials to go back to the drawing board on this project. The state risks losing $125 million in federal funding if a project is not at least on the books by September. Speak up and let your voice be heard.

ROSES to the caring individuals at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association headquarters in Grain Valley, Mo., who contacted Wild Souls Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in Oak Grove, Mo., to report an injured hawk.

The hawk was transported and treated at Lakeside Nature Center for a broken wing, and thanks to those at OOIDA this unfortunate incident has a happy ending.

ROSES to Pride Transport driver Brian Lombard, who went out of his way to assist a fellow trucker. On a windy late night in Wyoming, a driver two months into his current job said he was nervous about the conditions but was unable to find a spot to stop. The new driver was about head back out when he called out to Lombard on the CB and asked about other nearby truck stops. That next stop was 66 miles away.

The truckers ended up driving together, one behind the other, with Lombard consistently checking in with the newer driver on the way. They made it to the truck stop, and there were even spots available for both trucks to park. Lombard helped him back his truck in and brought him a home-cooked meal. When the new driver tried to pay Lombard for his help, Lombard refused. In a letter to Pride, the driver who Lombard helped said, “The Lombards are amazing people and helped me in ways I will never be able to repay.” LL