Latest Industry News Briefing
ATA Truck Tonnage Index Rose 1.2% in March Index 4.3% Higher than March 2019
Arlington, VA… American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 1.2% in March after increasing 1.8% in February. In March, the index equaled 120.4 (2015=100) compared with 119 in February.
“March was the storm before the calm, especially for carriers hauling consumer staples, which experienced strong freight levels,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “But there was a huge divergence among freight types. While freight to grocery stores and big box retailers was strong in March, especially late March, due to surge buying by households, freight was anemic in other supply chains, like that for gasoline, restaurants, and auto factories.
“Because of this, and the continued shuttering of many parts of the economy, I would expect April tonnage to be very soft,” he said.
Compared with March 2019, the SA index increased 4.3%, which was preceded by a 2.6% year-over-year gain in February. During the first quarter, the index rose 1.5% compared with the fourth quarter of last year and 2.4% from a year earlier.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 120.9 in March, 11.8% above the February level (108.2). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015.
Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 71.4% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.49 billion tons of freight in 2018. Motor carriers collected $796.7 billion, or 80.3% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.
ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.
COVID-19 Update: Drivewyze Adds Indiana to Rest Area Alerts – Provides Number of Parking Spots Available
DALLAS, TX… Fleets utilizing Drivewyze PreClear weigh station bypass, and its included Drivewyze Safety Notifications service, now have in-cab notifications to inform drivers of the number of parking spots available at 10 rest areas throughout Indiana.
Indiana is the first state for which Drivewyze has added parking spot availability into the COVID-19 response rest area alerts initiative. The initiative, a program run voluntarily by the Drivewyze team to help drivers during this time of need, has recently produced critical parking area open/close notifications for drivers in Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona, Virginia and Ohio.
“This is a great example of delivering safety information to drivers where and when they need it most in Indiana,” said Brian Heath, CEO of Drivewyze. “Truck parking availability is a chronic problem in the trucking industry, made worse by the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve leveraged integrations with our state partner and utilized smart infrastructure data to help drivers and go one step further than previous open/close status sharing. The Drivewyze team has worked hard to add the availability of truck parking spaces statewide so that drivers now approaching rest areas in Indiana will be shown how many parking stalls are reporting availability by the state system in real-time. Advance knowledge is a stress reliever when you are a driver and allows you to plan ahead. Parking stall availability is leap forward in our continuing development of the temporary Rest Area Notifications feature and is something drivers appreciate.”
According to Heath, rest areas in Indiana are some of the most modern facilities in North America, and they incorporate truck parking detection technology that allows the Indiana DOT to monitor and share real-time parking space availability. “Drivewyzeis now providing this parking availability information directly to truck drivers via the Drivewyze service embedded in their vehicle's telematics devices,” he said.
The in-cab notification alerts are strategically placed. Most alerts are 25 miles out, then updated again at 5 miles out. “Some sites use customized distances to avoid duplication with state electronic signboards, that display parking information, or to add informational value by optimizing the time drivers can consider alternate parking areas when lots are full,” said Heath.
“The number one focus and responsibility of the Indiana Motor Truck Association is safety,” said Gary Langston, President of Indiana Motor Truck Association. “There’s no question that proper rest is an important factor in helping our industry to be safe. We appreciate this Drivewyze technology which will give drivers valuable information about available parking in rest areas and help to address the ongoing driver parking shortage issue.”
Drivewyze’s temporary Rest Area notifications will continue for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
“We’re continuing to work with our state DOT partners to support driver safety,” said Heath. “We’re not done yet; our team is committed to making a difference and improving driver safety. Driver’s do so much for all of us, this voluntary initiative is our way of giving something of value back to them.”
Both the Drivewyze PreClear weigh station bypass service, and the Drivewyze Safety Notifications service, are available to carriers on supported ELDs and other in-cab telematics devices, through the Drivewyze partner network (https://drivewyze.com/drivewyze-on-your-eld/). Subscribers interested in deploying the Drivewyze Safety Notifications Service, a feature offered at no additional cost, should contact their ELD or in-cab device provider, or their Drivewyze Customer Success Manager.
To learn more about Drivewyze, visit www.drivewyze.com.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact: Freight Activity Falls After Historic Rise with Disruption Ahead – Double Digit Impact Expected in Q2 - ABI Research Whitepaper Identifies The Short-And Long-Term Impacts The Global Pandemic Will Have On Freight Transportation And Logistics
It is no surprise that the COVID-19 outbreak has led to panic buying of items such as toilet paper and sanitizing supplies. However, this buying behavior has led to a massive need for trucks to help restock stores, shrinking the capacity available for other products. The result is a historically tight trucking market that has dropped 20% in volume in just the last two weeks, states global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research.
“Rising costs, shrinking capacity, and panicked customers are shaking up the freight transportation and logistics markets,” says Susan Beardslee, Principal Analyst at ABI Research. The American Association of Port Authorities sees 1Q volume decreased by at least 20%, including blank sailings, which may cost carriers US$1.9 billion. Rail freight is also impacted with intermodal down by approximately 50%, including from California’s Long Beach and Los Angeles ports (the leading container ports in the United States and the busiest in the Western Hemisphere). Global air cargo volumes for the last month are expected to be down 9%. New restrictions on passenger travel from much of Europe to the United States will further affect air cargo capacity. DHL alone is reporting an impact of US $79 million to February earnings. All of this adds to the already existent decreases due to the China-U.S. tariff tensions.
“In the short term, there has been more than a six-week delay in shipments for cargo sourced from China. Other markets from Vietnam to Mexico often rely on Chinese components and raw materials, creating a knock-on effect to the supply chain, including transportation and logistics. The initial loss of road transport demand has begun in the ports and is moving to the warehouses and inland routes. Cargo capacity demand in China is beginning to demonstrate some initial signs of growth, with airfreight between China and the United States growing 27% over the last 14 days, creating a demand/supply imbalance,” Beardslee explains. This capacity challenge will move to containers (stranded outside of China) and trucks. However, as the virus has continued to spread outside of China, government actions have included restrictions on travel from 26 European countries to the United States. “Belly cargo” (air cargo) is transported via passenger flights, estimated to be 50% of all air cargo. When this capacity is drastically removed between Europe and the United States, availability will be significantly impacted and spikes in pricing are expected.
“In the longer term, there is little visibility to forecast, which will have a material impact on transportation and logistics this year. The virus is now impacting the global supply chain, with a current estimate of 113 countries identified as reporting cases. Transportation requirements will be hard to predict. Both capacity and pricing swings are anticipated across transportation modes, with the associated impact to shippers worldwide,” says Beardslee.
Shippers need to evaluate options and model changes across modes of transportation, considering interruptions, delays, and significant price increases. Both manufacturers and retailers need to develop prioritization plans for customers, potentially with set limits per customer. Systems integration whenever possible (ERP, Transportation Management System (TMS), Warehouse Management System (WMS)), along with predictive analytics/scenario modeling, is ideal. “Finally, keep in mind that as some countries begin to scale up production and transportation, others may move into containment strategies to address an outbreak. This will require near-real-time visibility across modes and the flexibility to adjust everything from inventory quantities and locations to substitution whenever possible,” Beardslee advises.
For a clearer picture of the current and future ramifications of COVID-19 across technologies and industries, download the whitepaper Taking Stock of COVID-19: The Short- and Long-Term Ramifications on Technology and End Markets.
CTA Snapshot of Driver Rest Area/Service Facility Support During COVID-19
Toronto… As steadfast truck drivers roll across the country delivering essential supplies to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, how they’re treated by some shippers and their accessibility to washrooms, food services and rest areas has grabbed the attention of the nation.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) and the provincial associations have been working diligently with Ottawa to keep as many facilities as possible open and clean, with accessible washrooms and food during the crisis; while also urging respect for the dedicated women and men behind the wheel.
“Given the important role commercial drivers play as they carry out essential functions related to the COVID-19 emergency response, it is crucial that they be provided access to restroom facilities at a minimum,” says Geoff Wood, CTA’s senior VP of policy. “Accessibility remains very fluid and changing daily as more facilities across the country come online. CTA and its provincial association members appreciate the support from all levels of government to provide our hard-working truck drivers as many options as possible where they can refuel, eat and rest safely.”
Accordingly, CTA and the provincial associations have drafted a national report demonstrating where shortages of food and rest areas remain; as well as locations-facilities that have maintained or established services accommodating truck drivers. Click here for a province-by-province snapshot of available amenities and areas of need. (For more complete details, contact the provincial association responsible for a specific jurisdiction).
The report was drafted in large part by surveying CTA member carriers on their observations of availability and reported areas of need. Some common themes:
•Installation of portable clean washrooms along the provincial/territorial truck inspection station network, along with access to food trucks/food/beverages amenities.
•More access to food/drinks/bathrooms for drivers across Canada;
•The repurposing of public properties in-close proximity to highways as rest areas for truck drivers;
•The use of food trucks and other methods to create food options available 24/7 for truck drivers at these makeshift rest areas during the COVID-19 crisis;
•Assistance/enforcement for current private/public rest areas experiencing poor hygiene practices by facility users;
•Installation of portable clean washrooms along the provincial/territorial truck inspection station network, along with access to food trucks/food/beverages amenities.
The report also details potential solutions being explored involving private and public sector cooperation. The Province of Ontario, for example, announced the installation of washroom facilities at all 32 of its truck inspection locations and Alberta announced all provincially controlled rest areas would reopen to support the trucking industry.
“This type of action by government should be explored and implemented by all provinces,” says Wood. “It was clear that even prior to COVID-19 crisis that we had a shortage of rest areas; however, the crisis has certainly exacerbated the situation and we need cooperative action wherever possible.”
In addition, Transport Canada and ESDC are working with industry partners to encourage restaurants and other services providers to support commercial drivers’ needs and provide them with access to restrooms. ESDC is also developing communication campaigns with the support of Transport Canada to raise awareness of this critical need across the highway system and supply chain.
The snapshot also highlights the private companies that have stepped up (including some popular franchises that have worked with CTA and Restaurants Canada to find workarounds to drive-thru access policies so truck drivers can receive curbside food service).
Individual members of the carrier community have also taken action. Munden Ventures in BC, for example, launched a Facebook page helping local food providers and food truck operators connect with truck drivers needing to be fed.
However, despite the gracious efforts of corporate citizens and the general public, CTA is continuously receiving reports of very poor treatment of drivers at shipper/receiver facilities like inadequate or non-existent social distance policies; lack of bathroom access; or no access to food and even a place to rest.
The Alliance is hopeful its #ThankaTrucker campaign continues to propel change along the supply chain and is encouraged by the public support for respect drivers have received from top levels of government, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Trudeau.
As this remains a fluid issue, CTA will continue to update this national snapshot as the status of the rest stop and food service network changes. Be sure to visit CTA’s COVID-19 news page for all the latest updates.
CTA Welcomes CEWS Extension, but Urges More Support for Trucking
Toronto,… Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the emergency wage subsidy (CEWS) program is being extended past June to “help kickstart our economic reopening and boost jobs.” Additional details are expected next week.
This is the first federal aid program rolled out amid the COVID-19 pandemic to receive an extension and comes in light of record-high job losses, as reported by CTA earlier today.
The CEWS is aimed at incentivizing employers to keep staff on the payroll.
“Extending the CEWS will undoubtably help many carriers who are looking for ways to keep the doors open and wheels rolling,” said CTA’s Jonathon Blackham. “For many carriers this is an important program and we are eagerly awaiting additional details.”
However, the CEWS extension does not have the same impact for everyone, especially in trucking, which has very specific operating conditions. As CTA’s latest Business Conditions Survey shows, half of carriers do not believe they qualify for the subsidy. Meanwhile, carriers on average are reporting revenue decreases of 33 percent.
CTA has been working with other organizations in looking at potentially making the subsidy scalable for those that fall just below the cut off, added Blackham. “The concept of scalability is something CTA is very interested in and will be raising with the federal government.”
Meanwhile CTA continues to urge assistance from Ottawa above and beyond what the CEWS provides due to the nature of the sector and the critical need maintain a level of stability to the Canadian supply chain.
Specifically, CTA is asking the Government of Canada to introduce a Payroll Tax Deferral Program, which would provide fleets the needed cash flow to help maintain operations. Additionally, CTA wants an increase in the meal allowance for all truck drivers facing rising costs associated with operating during COVID-19.
CTA will report additional details on the CEWS extension as they become available.
CVSA Cancels 2020 North American Inspectors Championship and Reschedules 2020 CVSA Data Management, Quality and FMCSA Systems Training for January 2021
Greenbelt, MD… The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has made the decision to cancel this year's North American Inspectors Championship (NAIC) due to health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This cancellation was made in conjunction with the cancellation of the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) and National Step Van Driving Championships (NSVDC).
The 2020 CVSA Data Management, Quality and FMCSA Systems Training was also scheduled to take place simultaneously with NAIC this year. That event has been rescheduled for Jan. 27-29, 2021, in Savannah, Georgia, in conjunction with CVSA's Cooperative Hazardous Materials Enforcement Development (COHMED) Conference.
NAIC is CVSA's annual inspector competition where inspectors from each jurisdiction in Canada, Mexico and the U.S compete against other top inspectors for the ultimate title of NAIC Grand Champion. The NTDC and NSVDC is a competition of professional truck drivers hosted each year by ATA. These competitions have been held concurrently for the past 27 years.
"Although we know everyone understands why this decision was made, we still regret having to break the disappointing news," said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. "We know how much NAIC means to our commercial motor vehicle enforcement community. Enforcement personnel train, study and prepare for NAIC and look forward to the camaraderie and competitive atmosphere of the championship. We're sorry to have to cancel NAIC this year but, given the current global crisis, we know it's for the best."
NAIC was created in 1993 to recognize inspectors – the backbone of the commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement program in North America – and to promote uniformity of inspections through training and education. In addition to the competition, each inspector receives training on the latest safety information, technologies, standards and advancements.
This year's canceled NAIC was scheduled for Aug. 18-22 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Next year's NAIC, which will go on as planned, will take place Aug. 10-14, 2021, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The CVSA Data Management, Quality and FMCSA Systems Training was scheduled to take place Aug. 18-20 at the same time and location as NAIC. Instead, it will take place in January 2021 at the same time and location as the COHMED Conference.
The CVSA Data Management, Quality and FMCSA Systems Training is a three-day training event offered by CVSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to individuals who report state inspection and crash records used to support federal and state transportation safety programs.
"Quality state inspection and crash reporting information is vital to the success of our data-driven safety programs and our ultimate goal of saving lives and making our roadways safer," said Sgt. Samis. "Those safety programs would not be possible without the individuals who work hard every day to ensure the data is accurate and the data systems are reliable. Although we regret that we cannot offer training in August due to the coronavirus outbreak, CVSA and FMCSA will partner once again to offer this valuable training event early next year."
Federal Labour Force Survey Numbers Reflect Dim Findings of CTA’s Business Conditions Report
Toronto… Federal data is supporting the Canadian Trucking Alliance’s recent findings that, despite being an essential service, the trucking industry is far from immune to the economic shocks brought on by the COVID-19 crisis and that federal aid is required to provide much-needed relief to trucking companies.
Statistics Canada has released its Labour Force Survey for April, which quantifies the devastating blow various sectors like trucking have taken from the pandemic. StatsCan reports the transportation and warehousing sector saw a -14% year-over-year change in employment, illustrating just how severe the labour and operational challenges are for the industry, even though it’s being relied on to provide Canadians with food and essential products during the crisis.
Other sectors intimately tied to the trucking industry and supply chain also experienced severe job losses, including retail, manufacturing, natural resources, and hotel and food sectors.
Similarly, two recent CTA Business Conditions Surveys show how the pandemic is financially throttling carriers, particularly in drying up much-needed cash to maintain operations and labour.
The surveys reveal:
Cash-strapped carriers on average experienced a 27-percent decrease in revenue in April 2020, falling even deeper to 33 percent by early May. Many carriers also report more than a 300-percent increase in ‘empty miles’. Nearly 80 percent of carriers say they currently have major customers who are closed, and 63 percent of fleets indicated their customers have recently asked for payment deferrals or simply have not paid the trucking company for their services. More than a third of fleets have significant concerns whether they continue operations beyond the next three months unless there’s a near-term improvement in conditions.
CTA says the current situation is unsustainable for many trucking businesses and truck drivers. In order to help reinforce the security and stability of the supply chain, the Alliance is asking the Government of Canada to introduce a Payroll Tax Deferral Program – to provide fleets the needed cash to maintain operations – as well as an increase in the meal allowance for all truck drivers facing rising costs associated with operating during COVID-19.
“Simply put, our sector needs additional, directed assistance above and beyond what the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) provides due to the nature of our sector and the critical relationship it has to the supply chain,” says CTA president Stephen Laskowski. “Although the CEWS may be enough for some sectors, it does not fully stabilize the Canadian trucking industry, which is a major support column of the Canadian economy.”
Demonstrating this point, the CTA survey showed that 49 percent of carriers indicated they do not qualify for the CEWS with a significant chunk of carriers nearly missed qualifying for the subsidy, with 38% of respondents saying they qualify and have applied for the CEWS; 13% believing they may qualify but have not applied yet.
“Many trucking companies say they are peering over the ledge of a perilous freight cliff,” says Laskowski. “While many trucks are still working to move COVID-19 related products and keep store shelves stocked, they struggle to find return freight, leading to evaporating margins and the inability to cover the full cost of operation. They report customer demands for their services are disappearing while payment and collection issues are mounting.”
Laskowski commended Ottawa’s willingness to work with the industry to find solutions and provide relief during the pandemic.
“We are hopeful the government will provide our industry the crucial, tailored financial support it requires so that carriers can help steer Canada out of this crisis by continuing to execute the essential services required by all Canadians.”
FMCSA Distribution of Protective Masks for Truck Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is assisting in the distribution of one million protective masks to the nation’s commercial truck drivers.
FMCSA has been working with states, industry stakeholders, and motor carriers to distribute one million protective face masks for truckers which were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Dates and times for the distribution of masks will be updated as they are established. The masks are being distributed in the following areas:
Arkansas:
April 30, 2020
* I-30 East/West at MM 93 (2.1 miles east Hwy 84) – Social Hills Rest Area
Distribution begins at 10:30 am
* Alma - I-40 east and west at Arkansas – Oklahoma Border
* Hope - I-30 east and west at Arkansas – Texas Border
* Riverside - I-40 west at Arkansas – Tennessee Border
* Bridgeport - I-55 west at Arkansas – Tennessee Border
California:
May 4, 2020
* Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities in California Highway Patrol Field Divisions:
o Redding
o Sacramento
o Fresno
o Vallejo
o Los Angeles
o San Diego
o San Luis Obispo
o San Bernardino
May 6, 2020
* I-5 at Fort Tejon pass rest area, north of Los Angeles Distribution Hours:1000-1400
* I-5 NB at MM 203, outside of Los Angeles
Georgia:
April 30 & May 1, 2020
* I-75 SB, MM 179, in Forsyth/Juliette, GA just north of Macon, GA.
* I-85 SB at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Franklin County Inspection Station) MM 169
* I-95 SB at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Chatham County Inspection Station) MM 111
* I-75 NB at Georgia – Florida Border (Lowndes County Inspection Station) MM 23
* I-75 SB at Georgia – Tennessee Border (Catoosa County Inspection Station) MM 343
* I-85 NB at Georgia – Alabama Border (Troup County Inspection Station) MM 23
* I-95 NB at Georgia – Florida Border (McIntosh County Inspection Station) MM 55
* I-20 WB at Georgia – South Carolina Border (Columbia County Inspection Station) MM 188
* I-20 WB at Georgia – Alabama Border (Douglas County Inspection Station) MM 43
* I-16 WB from Savanah Port Area (Bryan County Inspection Station) MM 144
Illinois:
April 30, 2020
* I-80/I-294 [Tri-State Tollway] EB at MM 1. Distribution begins at 10am local time.
Indiana:
May 1, 2020
Rest Areas
* I-70 WB MM 107. Greenfield, IN Distribution Hours: 1000-1400
* I-70 EB MM 65. Plainfield, IN Distribution Hours: 1000-1400
* I-65 SB MM 150. Thorntown, IN Distribution Hours: 1000-1400
* I-65 NB MM 72. Columbus, IN Distribution Hours: 1000-1400
* I-94 WB MM 43 LaPorte County, IN Distribution Hours: 1000-1400
Nebraska:
April 30, 2020:
* Goehner Truck Parking Area Interstate 80 MM 375 WB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* Melia Hills Rest Area (Omaha) Interstate 80 MM 431 WB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* Waverly EB Interstate 80 MM 415 EB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* Waverly WB Interstate 80 MM 415 WB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* North Platte EB Interstate 80 MM 180 EB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* North Platte WB Interstate 80 MM 181WB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* Nebraska City EB/WB Hwy 2 MM 501 EB/WB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* Fremont NB/SB Hwy 77/275 MM 123 NB/SB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
* Hebron Hwy 81 NB/SB MM 4 NB/SB | Distribution Hours: 0800-1600
New York:
* New York City (Staten Island)-Global Container Terminal, N. Washington Avenue off of I-278 (temporary COVID-19 truck parking location-25 truck capacity)
May 4 & 15, 2020
* I-87 NB at MM 33. Sloatsburg Rest Area (North of NYC)
Texas:
* I-35 NB MM 362A approximately 5 miles south of Hillsboro, midway between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Waco
Texas inspection facilities:
* Mount Pleasant – I 30
* Queen City – US 59
* New Waverly – I-45
* Falfurrias – US 281
* Riviera – US 77
* Penwell – I-20
* Devine - I-35
* Seguin - I-10
To view all of FMCSA’s COVID-19 response actions, visit: www.fmcsa.dot.gov/COVID-19.
FMCSA Extends Emergency Declaration-Hours of Service Suspension until June 14th
EXTENSION OF EXPANDED EMERGENCY DECLARATION
No. 2020-002
UNDER 49 CFR § 390.25
THE FIFTY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) hereby declares that a national emergency continues to exist that warrants extension of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 issued on March 13, 2020, expanded on March 18, 2020, and extended and further expanded on April 8, 2020. This extension continues the exemption granted from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the fifty States and the District of Columbia. This Declaration extends the exemption through June 14, 2020.
Emergency Declaration 2020-002 was issued following the declaration of a national emergency by the President pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5191(b) in response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the public health emergency declared by the Health and Human Services Secretary, and the immediate risk COVID-19 presents to public health and welfare. Emergency Declaration 2020-002 is set to expire on May 15, 2020. Because the Presidentially declared COVID-19 national emergency remains in place, FMCSA is extending the Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 and associated regulatory relief in accordance with 49 CFR § 390.25. This extension of Emergency Declaration addresses national emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies, equipment and persons, and provides necessary relief from the FMCSRs for motor carriers and drivers engaged in the transport of essential supplies, equipment and persons.
By execution of this extension of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID-19 national emergency are granted emergency relief from Parts 390 through 399 of the FMCSRs, except as restricted herein. Direct assistance means transportation and other relief services provided by a motor carrier or its driver(s) incident to the immediate restoration of essential services (such as medical care) or essential supplies (such as food and fuel) related to COVID-19 during the emergency.
The extension of Emergency Declaration 2020-002 provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to COVID-19, including transportation to meet immediate needs for:
1. medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19;
2. supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants;
3. food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores;
4. immediate precursor raw materials -- such as paper, plastic or alcohol -- that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items in categories (1), (2) or (3);
5. fuel;
6. liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems;
7. equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19;
8. persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and
9. persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.
Emergency Declaration Restrictions & Limitations
By execution of this extension to Emergency Declaration 2020-002, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the national emergency are not granted emergency relief from, and must continue to comply with, the following Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and conditions:
1. 49 CFR § 392.2 related to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with State laws and regulations, including compliance with applicable speed limits and other traffic restrictions.
2. 49 CFR § 392.3 related to operation of a commercial motor vehicle while a driver's ability or alertness is so impaired, or so likely to become impaired, through fatigue, illness, or any other cause, as to make it unsafe for him/her to begin or continue to operate the motor vehicle.
3. Motor carriers shall not require or allow fatigued drivers to operate a commercial motor vehicle. A driver who informs a carrier that he/she needs immediate rest shall be given at least ten consecutive hours before the driver is required to return to service.
4. A motor carrier whose driver is involved in a crash while operating under this emergency declaration must report any recordable crash within 24 hours, by phone or in writing, to the FMCSA Division Office where the motor carrier is domiciled. The carrier must report the date, time, location, driver, vehicle identification, and brief description of the crash.
5. Nothing in this Emergency Declaration shall be construed as an exemption from the controlled substance and alcohol uses and testing requirement (49 CFR Part 382), the commercial driver’s license requirements (49 CFR Part 383), the financial responsibility (insurance) requirements (49 CFR Part 387), the hazardous material regulations (49 CFR Parts 100-180), applicable size and weight requirements, or any other portion of the regulations not specifically exempted under 49 CFR § 390.23.
6. Motor carriers or drivers currently subject to an out-of-service order are not eligible for the relief granted by this declaration until they have met the applicable conditions for its rescission and the order has been rescinded by FMCSA in writing.
7. Direct assistance terminates when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used in interstate commerce to transport cargo or provide services that are not in support of emergency relief efforts related to COVID-19 or when the motor carrier dispatches a driver or commercial motor vehicle to another location to begin operations in commerce. (49 CFR § 390.23(b)). Upon termination of direct assistance to emergency relief efforts related to COVID-19, the motor carrier and driver are subject to the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399, except that a driver may return empty to the motor carrier’s terminal or the driver’s normal work reporting location without complying with Parts 390 through 399. When a driver is moving from emergency relief efforts to normal operations a 10-hour break is required when the total time a driver operates conducting emergency relief efforts, or a combination of emergency relief and normal operations, equals 14 hours.
In accordance with 49 CFR § 390.25, this extension of Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until 11:59 P.M. (ET), June 14, 2020, or until the revocation of the Presidentially declared COVID-19 national emergency, whichever is sooner.
Free Truck Driver Training App To Schools During COVID-19
St. Petersburg, FL…. While the U.S. is still producing plenty of food and other goods, the process of delivering such supplies to consumers has been heavily affected by the coronavirus crisis.(1) Experts warn that labor problems (particularly with the growing shortage of truck drivers) could pose a serious threat to the food supply chain.(2) “We need to train more drivers as quickly as possible,” says John Kearney, CEO of Advanced Training Systems (ATS)—a leading designer and manufacturer of virtual simulators for driver training and other applications.
For some years, Kearney notes, there has been a national shortage of truckers, particularly for interstate long-haul drivers of whom the agricultural industries depend upon.(3) But over the recent months following the coronavirus outbreak, the situation has only worsened.(4) To help expedite a solution of the shortage, for the next 90 days ATS will provide its Pre-Trip Training and Evaluation Software App at no charge—not only to its simulator customers, but to the entire national community of commercial driver training institutions as well.
Before taking their place in the transportation workforce, Kearney explains that prospective new drivers must first take and pass a driver test in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). While specifics of this process somewhat vary from state to state, the driver test generally consists of three components: the pre-trip inspection checklist, basic control skills exam, and a road skills test. Of these, Kearney says the most complex in terms of detailed knowledge requirement is the pre-trip inspection checklist, in which the prospective new driver must evaluate the condition and roadworthiness of the rig’s engine compartment, driver door fuel area, coupling area, trailer, light, cab, and brakes. The engine compartment inspection alone covers 28 different items.
The pre-trip inspection checklist is traditionally taught in a classroom followed by a closely gathered group around the truck—an approach that is not possible at the moment due to the pandemic. In response, ATS launched the CDL Pre-Trip Inspection App, which can be delivered to students’ smartphones or tablets and thus enables them to study from anywhere. The challenges presented by COVID-19 led ATS to make the decision to provide the app for free over the next 90 days to the company’s own simulator customers as well as the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA—the largest association representing commercial truck driver training institutions) and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS—the national association for community colleges and other publicly funded programs).
“There is a significant startup cost associated with new applications, but we feel it is critical at this time in history to ensure its widespread availability,” Kearney says. “This will enable students to study at their own pace in solitary locations, online, and safe from the spread of the virus—and give them the knowledge needed to pass the CDL exam and become a thoroughly trained and safety-conscious driver.”
About Advanced Training Systems:
Advanced Training Systems (ATS) is a high-tech simulator technology and engineering firm that has revolutionized the design and manufacture of advanced training systems to improve training and create safer drivers. ATS—the holder of multiple patents in high-tech training using simulation—makes its mission to provide this cutting-edge adaptive training to all involved in the transportation industry at an affordable cost, resulting in safer drivers/ operators. For more information, visit www.atstrainingsystems.com.
Corkery, Michael, et al., “There Is Plenty of Food in the Country,” New York Times, March 15, 2020, nyti.ms/38WDuPT
1. Splitter, Jenny, “COVID-19 And Truck Driver Shortage May Threaten Food Supply Chain,” forbes.com/sites/jennysplitter/2020/03/18/covid-19-and-truck-driver-shortage-may-threaten-food-supply-chain/#4ede0790523e
2. Black, Thomas, “U.S. Truck Driver Shortage Is On Course to Double in a Decade,” Bloomberg, July 7, 2019, bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-24/u-s-truck-driver-shortage-is-on-course-to-double-in-a-decade.
3. “'Without the Trucks, Nothing Happens': Trucking Companies in Desperate Need of Drivers,” FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV, 29 Mar. 2020, fox4kc.com/news/without-the-trucks-nothing-happens-trucking-companies-in-desperate-need-of-drivers/.
NATSO Partners With International Franchise Association to Help Feed Drivers
Alexandria, VA… NATSO, the national association representing truckstops and travel plazas, today announced that it has partnered with the International Franchise Association (IFA) to share information with truck drivers about available food options at truckstops and travel plazas nationwide.
Thousands of truckstops and travel centers house restaurant franchises that have adapted their operations to offer food for truck drivers through take-out and curbside delivery as many state and local governments have restricted sit-down dining.
“NATSO and its members are committed to ensuring that the heroic truck drivers serving America during this national pandemic have access to as many food options as possible,” said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. “We are proud to feed the nation’s truck drivers, and through this partnership, truck drivers can more readily find food and meals in specific geographic areas.”
Travel centers remain committed to remaining open 24 hours per day to provide food, fuel, parking, and the other essential amenities professional drivers need as long as state, local and federal governments permit them to do so.
“Franchise businesses represent some of America’s most loved and trusted brands,” said Robert Cresanti, IFA President and CEO. “America’s truckers are keeping our economy moving during COVID-19, and we’re excited to partner with NATSO to increase their access to meals while on the road.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on the restaurant industry, has resulted in more limited options for fresh, hot meals for truck drivers. Chester’s is able to fill that void, and we are committed to serving fresh fried chicken and homestyle sides in our truckstop and travel plaza locations whenever possible,” said William Culpepper, Vice President of Marketing at Chester’s. “During the COVID-19 crisis, we have worked hard and fast to support our operators by developing marketing assets uniquely suited to this new world where dining rooms are closed and purchasing behaviors are changing. Some examples of our efforts include our ‘Curbside Pickup’ signage, ‘Open for Chicken’ exterior banners, and our ‘10 Tenders for $10 promotion.’”
“We are grateful for our nation’s truck drivers, believe that they are vital to our economy, and they need access to food while on the road delivering critical supplies to hospitals, retailers, restaurants and other essential businesses,” said Kurt Kane, President, U.S. and Chief Commercial Officer of The Wendy’s Company. “Several weeks ago, Wendy’s introduced a new walk-up curbside ordering procedure to accommodate customers with oversized vehicles, like truck drivers and first responders, while many of our dining rooms are temporarily closed. To further communicate this option, we added a pop-up window with this information to the Wendy’s app. These changes have helped truck drivers and others with oversized vehicles gain access to our restaurants.”
Visit NATSO's website at https://www.natso.com/truckstopfood for a listing of many travel centers that are open throughout the United States.
Or Visit the IFA website at www.franchise.org/trucking.
Nevada DMV Reopen CDL Offices
The DMV is very excited to reopen their CDL offices in Sparks and Las Vegas (Donovan) as of Monday, May 11 at 8 a.m.
The opening is for Sparks and Donovan CDL offices only. Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(The DMV will look at expanded hours as things move along)
No skills tests at this time, no date when skills tests will resume. The FMCSA must approve a new COVID-19 plan for the skills test.
Order of priority of transactions:
-CLP Converted to CDL with skills test already completed
-CLP Written Testing
-Reinstatement without a drive needed
-CDL Renewals as a low priority, as they have the extension
-The DMV has been and will continue to process medicals. Customers are highly encourage to email these in at: [email protected]
For your safety and ours:
-Staff will wear face coverings, customer are encouraged to wear face coverings, but we will not deny service for no face covering.
-Sneeze barriers and proper PPE and cleaning protocols in place.
-If customers have another transaction to do along with something in the list above, we will assist. (Not opening Donovan kiosk)
-Only 10 customers allowed in the building, with 6 feet social distancing in play. No guests will be allowed in with the customer.
-Cleaning crew is back on and keeping our office clean.
Things to expect, and the most important items that need the assistance of all involved:
-First Come, First Serve
-They will do their best to keep an internal list of customers waiting, and call or text them when it is time for them to come into the office. At some point in time during the day they will know that they are at max capacity to serve who is waiting, and may have to stop the list before 5 p.m. to be able to serve those waiting.
-They may have to turn away customers that are there for a CDL renewal (covered under Governors Extension) so that they can serve those that have to be at DMV to get or stay on the road.
Nevada Phase 1 Guidance Issued-Masks/Face Coverings Required
All essential and "non-essential businesses" opening or continuing operations in Phase One must adopt measures promulgated by the Nevada State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NV OSHA) to minimize the risk of spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and sanitation measures, and abide by all other guidance promulgated pursuant to the Phase One directive.
All employers shall require employees who interact with the public to wear FACE COVERINGS, to the maximum extent practicable.
FMCSA Crash Preventability Determination Changes to Methodology
The FMCSA announced it will be making the Crash Preventability Determination Program permanent and expanding the types of crashes that may be considered. FMCSA’s notice modifies the Safety Measurement System scoring methodology to exclude crashes with “not preventable” determinations, notes such determinations in the Pre-Employment Screening Program, and expands the number of eligible crash types eligible for review.
The following 10 crash types are eligible for participation in the program:
1. Struck in the Rear; or on the side at the rear.
2. Wrong Direction or Illegal Turns by a motorist driving in the wrong direction; or by another motorist in a crash when a driver was operating in the wrong direction; or by a vehicle that was making a U-turn or illegal turn.
3. Parked or Legally Stopped while legally stopped at a traffic control device; or while parked, including while the vehicle was unattended.
4. Failure of the other vehicle to Stop by a vehicle that did not stop or slow in traffic; or by a vehicle that failed to stop at a traffic control device.
5. Under the Influence by an individual under the influence (or related violation, such as operating while intoxicated), according to the legal standard of the jurisdiction where the crash occurred; or by another motorist in a crash where an individual was under the influence (or related violation such as operating while intoxicated), according to the legal standard of the jurisdiction where the crash occurred.
6. Medical Issues, Falling Asleep, or Distracted Driving by a driver who experienced a medical issue which contributed to the crash; or by a driver who admitted falling asleep or admitted distracted driving.
7. Cargo/Equipment/Debris or Infrastructure Failure by cargo, equipment, or debris; or crash was a result of an infrastructure failure.
8. Animal Strike.
9. Suicide.
10. Rare or Unusual when the crash does not meet another eligible crash type.
The CPDP is officially open for submissions at its new website.
Operation Safe Driver Week is July 12-18 With a Focus on Speeding
Greenbelt, MD… The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week will go on as scheduled, July 12-18. During this week-long traffic enforcement safety initiative, law enforcement personnel throughout North America will be looking for drivers who are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors on our roadways. Identified drivers will be pulled over by law enforcement and may be issued a warning or citation.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, less traffic may be encouraging some drivers to ignore traffic safety laws, including speed limits. Despite there being far fewer vehicles on the road due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, many jurisdictions are seeing a severe spike in speeding.
As the number of vehicles on roadways decreased in March and April, average speeds measured during the first week of April increased significantly in the five largest U.S. metropolitan areas. According to recent data, the average speed on interstate highways, state highways and expressways in those areas increased by as much as 75% compared to January and February.
* In New York City, transportation officials reported an increase of more than 60% in the number of speed camera tickets issued in March compared to a year ago. At the same time, traffic was down more than 90% compared to January.
* In Washington, D.C., traffic decreased 80% in March compared to January, while officials recorded a 20% increase in March speeding tickets. Of those tickets, violations for driving 21-25 mph over the speed limit rose by nearly 40%.
* Over just one weekend, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, police charged 18 drivers with stunt driving, with speeds of 80-106 mph on the Don Valley Parkway, a major freeway that's limited to 55 mph.
* California reported an increase in speeding violations and although the California Highway Patrol’s call volume has decreased, the crashes they have recently responded to have been worse.
* Tucson Police reported a 40% increase in one-vehicle wrecks, which usually happens when a driver's going so fast they lose control.
* In Minnesota, motor vehicle crashes and fatalities more than doubled compared to the same time period in previous years. Half those deaths were related to speeding or careless or negligent driving.
* In Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska and Utah, police have clocked highway speeds of more than 100 mph.
* Chicago and Los Angeles went from travel speed increases of 35-38% above average to 74-75% above average in just one week.
To address this alarming trend of increased speeding on our roadways during the pandemic, CVSA selected speeding as the focus area for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week.
“It’s essential that this enforcement initiative, which focuses on identifying and deterring unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, go on as scheduled,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “As passenger vehicle drivers are limiting their travel to necessary trips and many commercial motor vehicle drivers are busy transporting vital goods to stores, it’s more important than ever to monitor our roadways for safe transport.”
Historically, drivers’ actions have contributed to 94% of all traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts report. And although NHTSA’s 2018 highway crash fatality data showed a 2.4% decline in overall fatalities, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 0.9%.
“While, of course, we’re pleased to see a decrease in the overall number of fatalities, it was also devastating to learn that the number of fatalities involving large trucks increased. Any increase whatsoever in roadway fatalities is unacceptable,” said Sgt. Samis.
Data shows that traffic enforcement interactions between drivers and law enforcement reduces targeted problematic behaviors. CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week aims to reduce high-risk driving behaviors through traffic enforcement strategies.
In addition to a focus on speeding, examples of other dangerous driver behaviors that law enforcement will track during Operation Safe Driver Week include distracted driving, failure to use a seatbelt, following too closely, improper lane change, reckless or aggressive driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, evidence of drunk or drugged driving, etc.
To find out about Operation Safe Driver Week enforcement events going on in your area, contact the agency or department responsible for overseeing commercial motor vehicle safety within your jurisdiction.
PennDOT Reopens Additional Roadside Rest Areas
Harrisburg, PA … The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reopening indoor facilities at three additional rest areas statewide.
PennDOT's rest areas were temporarily closed statewide on March 17 in response to Governor Tom Wolf's mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19 to ensure that proper safety and sanitation protocols were in place. Many rest areas across Pennsylvania have since reopened.
Additional cleaning and maintenance will be performed at all reopened locations. Tourism services are not available at this time.
The below locations have reopened:
•Interstate 70 westbound in Fulton County, 1 mile west of the Maryland state line;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Columbia County, 3.5 miles east of Exit 242; and
•Interstate 80 westbound in Columbia County, 10 miles west of Exit 256.
The below locations were previously reopened:
•Interstate 79 northbound in Allegheny County, 8 miles north of Exit 45;
•Interstate 79 northbound in Crawford County, 8 miles north of Exit 154;
•Interstate 79 southbound in Crawford County, 3 miles south of Exit 166;
•Interstate 79 northbound in Greene County, 5 miles north of Exit 1;
•Interstate 79 northbound in Lawrence County, 3.5 miles north of Exit 105;
•Interstate 79 southbound in Lawrence County, 3.5 miles south of Exit 113;
•Interstate 79 northbound in Mercer County, 5 miles south of Exit 141;
•Interstate 79 southbound in Mercer County, 6 miles north of Exit 130;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Centre County, 13 miles east of Exit 133;
•Interstate 80 westbound in Centre County, .5 miles west of Exit 147;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Jefferson County, 1 mile east of Exit 86;
•Interstate 80 westbound in Jefferson County, 10 miles west of Exit 97;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Luzerne County, 8.5 miles east of Exit 262;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Monroe County, 1 mile east of I-80/I-380;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Montour County, 4.5 miles east of Exit 215;
•Interstate 80 westbound in Montour County, 4.5 miles west of Exit 224;
•Interstate 80 eastbound in Venango County, .5 miles east of Exit 29;
•Interstate 80 westbound in Venango County, 4 miles west of Exit 35;
•Interstate 81 northbound in Cumberland County, .5 miles north of Exit 37;
•Interstate 81 southbound in Cumberland County, 5.5 miles south of Exit 44;
•Interstate 81 northbound in Lackawanna County, .5 miles north of Exit 202;
•Interstate 81 northbound in Luzerne County, 1.5 miles north of Exit 155;
•Interstate 81 southbound in Luzerne County, 1.5 miles south of Exit 159;
•Interstate 81 southbound in Susquehanna County, 4 miles south of Exit 211;
•Interstate 83 northbound in York County, 2.5 miles north of the Maryland state line;
•Interstate 84 eastbound in Pike County, 6 miles east of Exit 20;
•Interstate 84 westbound in Pike County, 1 mile west of Exit 26;
•Interstate 90 eastbound in Erie County, 3 miles east of the Ohio state line;
•Interstate 70 eastbound in Washington County, 3.5 miles east of Exit 1;
•Interstate 81 northbound in Franklin County, 1 mile north of the Maryland state line;
•Interstate 81 southbound in Susquehanna County, .5 miles south of the New York state line;
•Interstate 90 westbound in Erie County, .5 miles west of the New York state line; and
•U.S. 15 southbound in Tioga County, 7 miles south of the New York state line.
The department will continue to evaluate and will determine whether additional locations can be reopened.
More COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.
PennDot Reopens Drivers License Centers For CDL Services By Appointment
PennDOT has reopened a limited number of driver license centers that will provide Commercial Driver Licensing (CDL) services by appointment only, as of April 28, 2020. Available services for commercial drivers at these locations will include CDL knowledge and skills testing, hazmat renewals and security threat assessments.
These locations will reopen for CDL services ONLY:
• Lehigh Valley – Address: 1710 Hoover Ave, Allentown;
• Somerset – Address: 5593 Glades Pike, Somerset;
• Lewistown – Address: 13217 Ferguson Valley Rd, Yeagertown; and
• Selinsgrove – Address: 1015 US-522, Selinsgrove.
Please note that Lehigh Valley only tests Class B and C. All other sites listed test Class A, B, and C.
Appointments will be scheduled based on demand and schedule availability. Individuals seeking CDL testing may call PennDOT’s Call Center at 717.412.5300 or email [email protected] to request an appointment. When a request is received PennDOT staff will contact you within 1 business day to schedule an appointment.
In an abundance of caution to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, new safety measures must be followed when arriving for a CDL appointment at the Driver License Center: Details of the requirements will be supplied once the customer is contacted during the scheduling process.
Trucking Industry Comes Together to #ThankATrucker & Provide for the Frontlines
Arlington, VA… American Trucking Associations, along with OneBeacon, U.S. Bank, Michelin and Hydro-Chem Systems, will be providing additional hand sanitizer stations, along with meals for professional truck drivers, through a new initiative: Providing for the Frontlines.
This new initiative aims to celebrate unsung heroes in the trucking industry who continue to bravely deliver America’s goods throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as well as provide relief to the hard working men and women behind the wheel.
“OneBeacon Insurance is proud of truckers and their unwavering determination to continue to deliver much needed goods and services during COVID-19,” said Lori A. Cernera, president of OneBeacon’s Accident & Health group. “In their honor, we are excited to be able to sponsor a program that provides drivers with hand sanitizer and gift cards for meals during this difficult time.”
To further show dedication, Platinum Sponsor OneBeacon created a Highway Heroes videoto honor and thank professional truck drivers.
As part of the Providing for the Frontline initiative, there will be a photo contest for drivers to submit a fun photo of themselves and their rig. Once submitted, they will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a $25 electronic gift card for a meal of their choice while on the road. Multiple winners will be selected daily. The industry is also encouraged to use the #thankatrucker hashtag on social media. To enter or view the daily winners, please visit www.trucking.org/thankatrucker.
“Throughout this crisis, professional truck drivers have been there, delivering for all of us,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “They have delivered to hospitals, markets and homes, keeping our nation moving forward. It is unfortunate that it took a global pandemic for these heroes to get the recognition they so richly deserve, but we are pleased to see them receive it now and we’re proud to have this opportunity recognize them as the heroes they are.”
In May, ATA teamed up with Protective Insurance and ABF Freight to supply 550 gallons of hand sanitizer to eight states across the country. To date, thousands of drivers have been able to refill their personal supply at no cost to them.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward
Women in Trucking Association (WIT) Announces Partnership with Espyr to Support Professional Driver Health
Plover, WI… Women in Trucking Association (WIT), a non-profit organization with the mission to promote the employment and recognition of women in the trucking industry, and Espyr®, the leading provider of customized behavioral health solutions, have announced a partnership to support professional driver health. The partnership will provide truck drivers who are members of WIT with 90 days free access to Espyr’s Fit to Pass℠ coaching program and iResolve℠, Espyr’s CDL Driver Support Hotline.
America depends on the trucking industry to provide food, medical supplies and other essential goods despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even in normal times, truck driving can be taxing on driver’s physical and mental health. Add the impacts of COVID-19 – fear of contagion, closed restaurants, limited availability of restrooms and showers – and the toll on drivers’ health is substantial.
Espyr’s Fit to Pass℠ is a customized coaching program designed to improve the health of professional drivers and help them meet the physical requirements of the DOT recertification exam. iResolve™ is a tele-mental health solution that provides immediate support for driver mental health and work-life related issues. Drivers and their family members can speak with an Espyr mental health professional without an appointment and without waiting.
Espyr’s professional driver health services will be provided to all current WIT members who are drivers thanks to the generosity of Amazon. “Our concern is for the nation’s drivers who have to cope with the added challenges brought on by COVID-19 on a daily basis and need the support these programs can provide,” said Chris Heine, Amazon’s Director of Transportation and WIT Board member. “Drivers have always kept America moving. Now more than ever we need to care for them like they care for the products they haul.”
“We are so pleased to be able to provide this much needed support to our driver members,” said Ellen Voie, President and CEO of WIT. “Professional drivers are among the many unsung heroes helping us to live through these difficult times and we’re very grateful to Amazon for providing the funding for these programs.”
“Thank you, WIT and Amazon, for helping us support professional driver health,” added Rick Taweel, CEO of Espyr. “While COVID-19 has created a mental health strain for everyone, the impact on professional drivers is especially significant because we all rely on them for the essentials of everyday life.”
For more information, visit www.womenintrucking.org or call 888-464-9482.
For more information on Espyr, go to espyr.com.