LLN (2/7/19) – Pennsylvania lawmakers are looking to hit truckers with more fines for snow and ice on vehicles. Also, the State of the Union offered far less on infrastructure than expected. Meanwhile, FMCSA receives an hours-of-service exemption request, and says yes to another. An effort in New Mexico would create a split speed limit. And truckers will likely pay the cost of our nation’s failure to maintain infrastructure.
0:00 – 9:41 – Newscast
9:41 – 24:25 – State of the Union; exemption requests
24:25 – 39:22 – PA snow and ice legislation; bulletin board
39:22 – 49:10 – The cost of failing to maintain infrastructure
Segment 1
Newscast
- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters this week filed a lawsuit against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration over its decision to pre-empt California’s meal and rest break rules. Read more from Land Line Magazine: Teamsters challenge FMCSA’s decision to pre-empt California break laws.
Segment 2
This has been a heavy week for trucking news, from the state of the Union to some hours-of-service exemptions and more. Mark Reddig finds out what is all means from Jay Grimes of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office.
- For more on the State of the Union, click here: Infrastructure and NAFTA on Trump’s agenda.
- Read about the Hours of Service exemption request and the granted exemption: FMCSA grants more HOS exemptions, considers another for animal haulers.
- You can view the docket or make comments on the hours-of-service exemption request by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Livestock Marketing Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association and the National Aquaculture Association.
- Jay mentioned a request by FMCSA for more small carriers to get involved in its Crash Preventability Program, which allows certain types of crashes that are not the trucker’s faul to be removed via a DataQ challenge.
- Click her for a general fact sheet on the FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Program.
- You can also click here for the specific types of crashes covered by the program.
- View OOIDA’s complete guide to Regulatory Issues.
- If you have questions you would like answered you can call our Listener Comment Line at 800-324-6856.
Segment 3
Pennsylvania lawmakers are looking to hit truckers with more fines in connection with snow and ice on their vehicles. Mary McKenna will find out what you need to know from our state legislative expert, Keith Goble. Also, a New Mexico effort would create a split speed limit for trucks traveling there. OOIDA has issued a Call to Action, and we’ll have the details.
- To read more about the situation in Pennsylvania, click here: Pennsylvania bill would mandate vehicles cleared of snow and ice.
- To read about legislation in a particular state, visit the OOIDA Legislative page.
Segment 4
What is the cost of our nation’s continuing failure to maintain even the most basic infrastructure. It turns out it’s pretty high, and when the bill comes due, it may be you paying the lion’s share. Mark Reddig talks with OOIDA Director of Safety And Security Operations Doug Morris.
- It’s never too late to share your views with lawmakers. You can do that at FightingForTruckers.com.
- To call members of Congress, dial 202-224-3121.
- Read OOIDA’s Guide to Contacting Lawmakers.
- Read Land Line Magazine’s coverage of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing: House T&I committee hearing to examine infrastructure needs.
Doug also mentioned a homicide investigation in Pennsylvania in which the State Police are asking for any dash cam video or other information about the incident. The homicide occurred Monday evening on I-81 North at mile marker 75.4, West Hanover Township, Dauphin County. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward. Anyone with information about the victim, or if they saw the victim’s vehicle, is asked to contact:
- The Pennsylvania State Police in Harrisburg at 717-671-7500.
- The state police tip line at 800-4-PA-TIPS or 800-472-8477.
- Or, for anonymous tips, http://ow.ly/YEF230ilwnm (Reference Incident # PA19-148032).
OOIDA Call to Action to New Mexico truckers
New Mexico State Sen. George Munoz recently introduced legislation (SB 359) that would impose a statewide speed limit of 60 mph for commercial motor vehicles and restrict CMVs to the far right lane of all interstates in New Mexico, except when passing.
The state’s existing speed limit laws allow CMVs to operate between 65 to 75 mph on designated stretches of highway, so a 60 mph statewide restriction on truck speeds would create a sizeable difference in speed limits between cars and trucks.
OOIDA recently sent State Senator Munoz a letter in opposition to his proposal, but the Association needs your help fighting against it as well.
SB 359 is unsafe, bad public policy, and unfairly targets truckers based on some perceived annoyance. Help us educate State Senator Munoz on the important role you play in delivering essential goods every community depends on.
- A copy of the letter OOIDA sent can be found by clicking on the following link: NM – OOIDA to Legislature (SB 359).pdf.
- You’ll notice the letter references several attachments not included in this email, so if you’d like to review those as well, simply email Mike_Matousek@OOIDA.com.
- Mike can also help you locate contact information for your state lawmakers if needed. That information is also available through the OOIDA Membership Department at 816-229-5791, or at FightingForTruckers.com.
- Or, you can respectfully contact State Senator Munoz’s office directly at 505-986-4371 or via email at senatormunoz@gmail.com.
