Roses & Razzberries – March/April 2023

RAZZBERRIES for a number of recent scams targeting truck drivers. One instance involved a driver being informed that his Unified Carrier Registration was not compliant. In another case, a driver later found out they grossly overpaid for their UCR. In addition, a potential text scam has recently come to light with an unknown number texting drivers informing them of an error with a U.S. DOT number and to call them in order to keep driving with no interruption. Tara Murdock with OOIDA’s Permits and Licensing Department advises drivers to contact OOIDA if you have any questions about such communication. Typically, government agencies will send a letter before reaching out by email, phone or text message, Murdock said. A quick Google search can also prove beneficial in such matters.

ROSES to what could be an expedited process for Delaware commercial driver’s license holders. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles recently announced a new online self-certification option for drivers interested in submitting their medical examiner’s certificate online by logging on to their MyDMV account. “Adding the ability to self-certify to MyDMV is a game-changer for our CDL drivers, especially for drivers unable to visit our locations during normal operating hours,” Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski said. “Now, they can submit their certification online from wherever they are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” All Delaware CDL holders must self-certify their driving status. There are 31,849 CDL holders in the state, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

RAZZBERRIES for a 5% increase to tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. As a result of the increase, it will now cost a five-axle truck weighing 62,001 to 80,000 pounds $315.20 to run the length of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, using the E-ZPass. Truckers without an E-ZPass will now have to pay $634.50, up from $604.10. A news release said the increase is needed to meet the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s funding and capital improvement obligations. Also new to the Pennsylvania Turnpike this year is Act 112, which allows the turnpike to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to suspend motor-vehicle registrations of owners with four or more overdue Toll By Plate invoices or $250 or more in unpaid tolls or outstanding toll invoices.

ROSES to bills in several states that would expand move-over rules and apply to all highway users. According to AAA, nine states include all road users in their move-over laws. North Dakota and Virginia are the latest states to pursue such a law. Marty Ellis, the driver of the OOIDA tour truck, says move-over rules need to be uniform so everybody knows and understands them. “Anyone that has ever broken down on the shoulder sees all the vehicles that don’t get over and how dangerous it can be,” Ellis said. AAA also welcomes pursuit from inclusion of all vehicles in move-over rules. “The underlining purpose is to put the unwritten rule into writing,” Gene LaDoucer with AAA said. “Doing so makes the law clearer; education efforts become much easier; enforcement is straight forward; and the safety of all road users is improved.”

ROSES for legislation that would impose price-gouging protections in Minnesota and New York. The National Conference of State Legislatures indicates 37 states have some sort of price gouging ban in place. Most of those laws are triggered by emergency declarations. Minnesota’s proposal would cover a natural or man-made disaster, public health emergency and a national or local emergency. Motor fuels, transportation, food and water were commodities referenced in the protection. Violators could face fines up to $10,000 per sale or transaction. In New York, state law already prohibits price gouging on goods and services. However, this new bill is to clarify those goods include fuel, energy and transportation goods and services.

RAZZBERRIES to a former U.S. Department of Transportation worker who pleaded guilty to extortion under color of law. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, Patrick Gorena admitted that when auditing a trucking company he did not report safety violations that would have exposed the company to potential fines as well as the loss of their DOT license. In exchange, Gorena sought $3,500 from the company but was paid $2,000 by an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a representative of that company. The 54-year-old Gorena now faces up to 20 years in prison. LL