Happy Halloween!

Show us your dark side.

In case you missed it …

Mercer’s October Newsletter features:

• Letter From Recruiting
• Contractor of the Month: Brian Thompson
• New Showusyourtruck.com Winners! Congratulations Tom & Debbie Berkel (Mercer) and Hank Hall (“Best of the Rest”)
• Channel 19 article features the Berkel’s and their charity efforts.
• New photo slide show featuring the World Trade Center convoy. New photos added!
• CSA 2010: Breaking Bad Habits – Len Dunman explains why it is more important than ever to strive for zero OOS violations.
• America’s Haunted Highways
• In the Headlights: Lavette Petersen

Click here and check it out!

 

Obama Administration to Reconsider H.O.S. Rules

The Obama administration agreed on Tuesday to consider regulatory changes to the current Hours of Service rules.  As you all know, the Bush administration changed the H.O.S. rules several years ago.  Previous to the change, drivers were able to drive for 10 consecutive hours, which had been the rule for 60 years.

The Bush administration changed the rule in hopes of decreasing driver fatigue.  But consecutive hours of driving was increased to 11 hours.  The FMCSA will propose a new H.O.S. rule within the next nine months.  I’ll keep you all posted.

I-40 Closed at TN/NC Border Due to Massive Rockslide

A rockslide closed I-40 in Western North Carolina, near the Tennessee border, on Sunday.  Engineers say that the slide could take months to clean up, so that traffic can be restored.  A detour has been set up.  Motorists traveling west to Tennessee should take I-40 West to I-240 West in Asheville to I-26 West.  Follow I-26 West from Asheville to I-81 South in Tennessee, back to I-40.  Eastbound motorists will follow the reverse directions.

Clean Truck Program

Wanted to touch base with you about the Clean Truck Program in the Port of Long Beach.  Major changes will take effect starting January 1st.   Restrictions on the age of trucks entering the port will soon take place.  Below is a schedule of the changes over the next few years.

Truck Ban Schedule

Old, polluting trucks are being progressively banned from entering port shipping terminals.

• October 1, 2008: All pre-1989 trucks have been banned.
• January 1, 2010: 1989-1993 trucks will be banned from port terminals along with unretrofitted 1994-2003 trucks.
• January 1, 2012: All trucks that do not meet the 2007 federal clean truck emission standard will be banned from port terminals.

Please note that on January 1, 2010,  all 1993-2003 units must be retrofitted to meet clean truck standards, or they are not permitted in the port.  If the truck is retrofitted, it will still not be legal after January 1, 2012.  In 2012, the tractor must be 2007 or newer, without exceptions.

Here’s a link to the website for the Clean Truck Program.  http://www.polb.com/environment/cleantrucks/default.asp

Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009

Yesterday, I was speaking to a Mercer Contractor about the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act (H.R. 1799).  You know, the one that, if passed, will increase gross weight limits to 97,000 pounds.  We discussed this topic in a previous post, and nearly every Owner-Operator I have spoken with is not in favor of this change.

The Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP) has been created to support this bill, and gather members to help get it passed.  The majority of it’s supporters are actually shippers, and associations, that will benefit from loading trucks with more product per shipment, and probably charge the same rates.  It is hard to find any shippers in the flatbed industry that pay on weight any more.  So there is no guarantee that rates will increase along with the gross weight.  But the CTP insists that adding a sixth axle to trucks, and upping the gross weight limit will reduce fuel consumption, therefore reducing emissions.  They also claim it will reduce the amount of trucks on the road, which will in turn reduce traffic and congestion.  They also say that less trucks on the road equals less fatal accidents, and less road wear.

The CTP was created after a website was launched called www.stopbiggertrucks.org.  This website was formed by the Truck Safety Coalition (TSC).  The TSC are against higher gross weights because simply because they think that bigger trucks will lead to more truck involved crashes, which will lead to more fatalities.  You can log on and support them by signing their online petition.

I am absolutely not in favor of this bill.  This law will adversely effect independent truck drivers.  Adding another axle will cost Owner-Ops money.  Initially to install the axle would cost several thousand dollars.  Then consider the extra routine maintenance of the brakes, and tires.  What Owner-Op really has the money to do this right now?  Does an extra axle really make 17,000 extra pounds safe for travel?  Loading more product per truck can reduce the amount of trucks on the road, which may seem as if it will reduce fuel consumption overall.  But it will increase fuel consumption per truck? How many miles per gallon would you get at 97,000 pounds?  Have any of you ever hauled that much weight permitted to give us a figure?  That extra fuel money comes straight out of an Owner-Ops pocket.  The general public may not realize what a danger it is to haul maxed out at 80,000 pounds, much less 97,000.  Everyone needs to realize that the companies and associations backing the CTP have a strong financial interest in this bill passing.  They will simply be able to move more product at a the same rate that htey are charging now, and they will greatly reduce their shipping costs.  That is all it is about.  I really hope that this bill is shot down.  If it is passed, then rates must increase.  They have to compensate for the extra money that has to be spent.

I typically search for industry related news everyday, to try to keep you all up to date.  When this bill was presented early this year, there were dozens of articles discussing this topic.  Here lately, things have been very quiet.  I did find this bill on govtrack.us.  Click here to check out the specific details on H.R. 1799.  The bill is currently being “Referred to Committee”, and has a long way to go to get passed.  The Committee that is reviewing this topic will report to the Senate or House if they think that the bill should be moved forward or not.  Once you get to the page for H.R. 1799, you can click on “View Committee Assignments” to see who is on those committees.  I suggest you see who those people are, and try to get in contact with the to try to voice your opinion about this topic.

I strongly suggest that all Owner Operators speak out against this bill.  Stopbiggertrucks is fighting the increase just for the sake of reducing accidents.  No one is strongly representing you.  There is no fancy website created for you.  Make calls to your Senate members.  Send emails as well.  Voice your opinion.  This change could be disastrous to your future in this business.  I will continue to try to update you on this topic.  Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.

Wounded Warrior Project Update #1

Thursday was our second meeting for Wounded Warrior.  We are working on the truck decals, and will have them very soon.  We are also working on several styles of shirts, sweatshirts, and hats as well.  Libby, at the front desk of the truck operations building, will also have a Purple Heart Tree.  For a donation, you can write your name on a purple heart, and it will be displayed in the office to show your support!

In two weeks, we have already raised over $1000 and we haven’t even really got the ball rolling yet.  Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback and support so far.  I think that we will reach our goal of $25,000 very quickly.

More Pics of the World Trade Center Move

DATES SET FOR FINAL 3 LKY FIELD INSPECTIONS

If you need a Louisville inspection before the end of 2009 and have a hard time getting through Louisville, you have three final opportunities this year for me to inspect you in the field. On Monday 10/12 and Tuesday 10/13 I will be at Dowd’s Diesel in Newberry, SC, from 7:30-5:00. Next month, I will be at the TPA office in Plant City, FL on Monday 11/9 and Tuesday 11/10, from 7:30-5:00. Finally, I will be at the CHV office in Chattanooga, TN on Tuesday, 12/8 and Wednesday 12/9 from 7:30-5:00. These are the final three inspection trips I have scheduled for 2009.  If you are planning to be at one of these locations, be sure that you or your truck coordinator gets your unit number placed on my “guest list”. I will be doing HM 232 (hazmat) recertifications at all locations.

Video Clip of the World Trade Center Move

Click on the link below to see a short video link of the World Trade Center move.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/World-Trade-Center-Steel-Hauled-Back-to-New-York-62635822.html

I will be posting some new pics of the convoy today, so stay tuned.

Canada Update

British Columbia now has longer wheelbase trip permits:

BC now offers trip permits for trucks with wheelbases over 244 inches but not exceeding 285 inches. The overall length still must not be more than 75 feet. This permit is NOT valid to transport any oversize/overweight loads. These vehicles are not permitted to transport any oversize/overweight loads at any time, there are no additional permits available.

The permit is $15.00 CN into BC and $15.00 CN out of BC. The permit is needed loaded or empty. The contractor will need to call the BC Provincial Permit Centre at 800-559-9688.

Trucks that may want to move loads to/from Alaska, may also want to be aware of this.

Ontario and Quebec speed limiters:

We have heard from two Mercer trucks about being checked for speed limiting. Both Mercer contractor where checked at a scale house. One Mercer contractor was fined $400.00 US in Quebec for not having his truck speed limited at 65mph. We also heard from another Mercer contractor who was check on Ontario. The contractors have told us that both provinces are steeping up their enforcement on speed limiters. If you truck wants to go to Ontario or Quebec, please make sure they are aware of the speed limiter law and that their tractors are set to go no more than 65mph.

Chain Laws:

With winter approaching, it is a good idea to remind the contractors that BC requires trucks to have chains from Nov 1 thru April 30 when in the mountains or if the roads have ice and/or snow in the highway surfaces. The provinces of AB, MB, and SK do not require chains but recommend having chains available. Newfoundland may require chains if conditions on specific roadways become ice and/or snow covered.

World Trade Center Move

World Trade Center Steel Moves                                              by Dana Bibb

Monday, September 28 was a momentous day in Mercer’s history. Twenty five trucks were loaded with steel beams from the fallen World Trade Centers. The trucks departed Tuesday morning with police escorts, in convoy, from Maryland to hangar 17 at the JFK airport in New York City. Upon arrival at JFK, the trucks were staged to stay the night and unloaded on Wednesday. These beams will be parts of 9/11 memorials and distributed to museums worldwide. All twenty five trucks were Mercer trucks.

Employees that had worked with these beams for the past several years, examining and testing them, lined the drive, waving and crying as they left. A first grade class was brought out to witness the event.

Roads were closed and the top tier of the George Washington Bridge was shut down and cleared to give them safe passage.

One solemn moment occurred when they entered Delaware. A firetruck was pulled over to the side of the road and had displayed the American flag over it’s side. Five firemen were standing on top, saluting as our trucks went by.

I would personally like to thank each of our contractors that participated in this event. They spent a lot of time cleaning and polishing their trucks, some shutting down ahead of time to get ready. These loads were a labor of love since they only paid each truck $500.

My heartfelt apprecation goes to:

Unit 295, Tom & Debbie Berkel

Unit 660, John Snyder

Unit 1431, Steven Jones (Eli Wesley)

Unit 1481, Margaret Koons

Unit 3408, Randolph Faircloth

Unit 5597, James Stabler

Unit 5656, Gary Ruhl

Unit 6064, Lee Smith

Unit 6798, Darwin & Pat Yoder

Unit 7098, Matthew Stone

Unit 8033, Wesley Yoder

Unit 8057, Wilfredo Ascencio, Jr.

Unit 10153, Michael Spindler

Unit 10314, Carl Douglass

Unit 10315, Kenneth Christiana

Unit 10466, Michael Shelton

Unit 10567, Lenton Tucker

Unit 10615, Terry Barton

Unit 10637, Wayne White

Unit 10696, Tim Lester

Unit 10709, Patrick Valenti

Unit 10854, Samuel Miller

Unit 11304, Ray Lewandowski

Unit 11478, Everett Allington

Unit 11149, John Alcantara

Thank you, also, to Lynn Nelson. Lynn was the agent who presented Mercer with this opportunity. She went to the loading site and spent the entire time with the trucks, making sure they were fed and well taken care of. This move wouldn’t have gone as smooth without Lynn’s time and attention.

Texting While Driving Ban is Near

Congress is currently working on a nationwide ban on texting while driving.  Apparently to enforce the law, if states don’t comply with the ban, then they will not receive their Federal Highway money.

Studies show that average drivers are 23 times more likely to have an accident while texting and driving.  Those studies also show that truck drivers are 11 times more likely to have an accident while using an on board computer device while driving.

The ban will greatly impact the trucking industry, since more and more companies are texting drivers directions and other vital information.  My question to you is, is texting while driving as dangerous for truckers as it is for the average driver?  Does your over the road experience make you a better driver while you are looking at your phone, and not looking at the road?

So far, what I have read only indicates that their will be a ban on texting with a cell phone.  But I would imagine that if this ban goes into effect, than cops will pull you over for looking distracted by any device, whether it is a phone, computer, qualcomm, or gps.  If your hands are on a keyboard of any type, then I’m sure that you will get stopped.  What if you are just dialing a phone number?  Doesn’t that look the same as texting?  When a cop is sitting on the side of the highway, and your driving 65 mph past him, how can he tell the difference?  He is going to pull you over, and even if you claim to be dialing the phone, I will bet that he is going to at least perform a level 3 inspection on you.

Don’t get me wrong…I think that texting while driving is dangerous.  I think that it should be banned.  But the question is, how heavily will it be enforced.  Will police, and DOT use it for a reason to stop you to check you out further?  Some states are trying to ban texting while driving of younger drivers, say 21 and under.  That seems a little more realistic to me.  Or if you want to ban texting across the board, then ban eating and driving, applying makeup and driving, or changing your radio station and driving.  The American Trucking Association claims that the ban is “overboard”, and I tend to agree with them.

As I get off of my soap box, let me say that everyone knows that Mercer is one of the safest companies on the road.  I think that it is our responsibility to lead the way when it comes to trucking industry safety.  So if this ban goes into place, I feel confident that all of you will do fine.  I hope that you all respect the road, and you don’t currently text or use your laptop often while driving.  Slow the truck down while you are reading this J.P.

Let me know what you think about this ban, and how you think that it will affect you on a day to day basis.  I think that the negative of it is that it will lead to the ban of other things.  Hit the comments section up and let me know what you think!

UPDATE – Effective October 26th, Ontario Canada will place a ban on use of all hand held devices while driving.  This includes talking on your cell phone!