Brake Safety Week
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced Aug. 21-27 as the dates for this year’s Brake Safety Week. Brake Safety Week is an annual commercial motor vehicle brake-safety inspection, enforcement and education initiative conducted by law enforcement jurisdictions in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will conduct their usual North American Standard Level I and V Inspections and capture and report brake-related data to CVSA. The results will be released in the fall. Brake-related violations comprise the largest percentage of all out-of-service vehicle violations cited during roadside inspections, and according to last year’s three-day International Roadcheck data, brake systems and brake adjustment violations accounted for 38.9% of all vehicle out-of-service violations, the most of any category of vehicle violations. To address this, CVSA’s Brake Safety Week seeks ... READ MORE
Truck Driver Appreciation
On September 14, 2022 Montana Trucking Association will be hosting two (2) Driver Appreciation events. One will be at the Laurel scales and the other will be at the Haugan scales. Thank you to all of you that have singed up as a volunteer and / or to sponsor the event.
We still can use help in the following areas:
Become a Sponsor
Volunteer to cook and/or hand out food (anytime between 10:30 am - 2:00 pm)
Donate your company's swag (it will be given to the drivers)
If you have questions or can help in any way email Karen at karen@mttrucking.org Click HERE for the sign-up form
Team of truckers park on Interstate 680 in Omaha as law enforcement rescues woman
A team of truckers parked on Interstate 680 in Omaha as first responders helped someone suffering a mental health crisis.
The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. Monday morning near Blondo Street on I-680 when officers saw a woman holding onto the fence on the interstate bridge, according to authorities.
Omaha police said they worked with the Nebraska State Patrol and semi-truck drivers to shut down the interstate.
A firefighter used a ladder on top of one of the trucks to help the woman down.
The woman was not injured, but first responders took her to the hospital where she was placed under protective custody, according to authorities.
"Par for the course. It's really not surprising when I see photos or videos in social media of truck drivers doing the right thing," said Kent Grisham.... READ MORE
Trucking endures ‘costliest year ever’
Despite spike in costs led by fuel price increases, American Transportation Research Institute points out the industry’s financial health stayed strong in 2021. The total marginal cost of trucking grew by 12.7% in 2021 to $1.855 per mile, the highest on record, according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s (ATRI) 2022 Operational Costs of Trucking analysis. Leading contributors to this increase were fuel (35.4% higher than in 2020), repair and maintenance (18.2% higher than in 2020), and driver wages (10.8% higher than in 2020). On a cost-per-hour basis, costs increased to $74.65. ATRI’s report focuses on for-hire carriers, which hold 52.6% of the total trucking market share, compared to private carriers’ 43% market share. Although private fleets utilize different business models than for-hire fleets, private carriers are impacted by many of the same external factors as for-hire carriers, and there is some market overlap, with 55% of private fleets acquiring for-hire authority in 2021, the report notes. The trucking industry experienced many new, atypical market conditions in 2021 and their effects are seen in ATRI’s latest data. Overall, fleets with 100 or fewer trucks ... READ MORE
FMCSA updates guidance for truck driver medical examiners
For the first time in seven years, physicians have reliable guidance they can use to help determine if commercial truck drivers are physically fit to operate their vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday published a draft of its new Medical Examiner’s Handbook (MEH). The handbook provides information on driver health requirements and guidelines used by medical examiners (MEs) listed on FMCSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to interpret regulations on physical qualifications for commercial drivers. An ME is licensed, certified, and/or registered in accordance with state laws and regulations to perform physical examinations and must also be knowledgeable of the physical and mental demands associated with operating a truck. “Other health care professionals, such as treating providers and specialists, may provide additional medical information or consultation, but the ME ultimately decides whether the driver meets the physical qualification standards of FMCSA,” according to the agency. FMCSA also emphasized that, unlike regulations, the recommendations and guidance in the handbook “do not have the force ... READ MORE
FMCSA & Sleep Apnea Training is THIS WEEK. Are you registered?
Fall Trainings 11:00 to 1:00 August 22-24, 2022 11:00 - Bruce Holmes, Montana Administrator of FMCSA – Bruce (in person!!) will be sharing some updates and changes to keep you current and in compliance. You’ll have plenty of time to talk with Bruce and he’ll be available to answer all your questions. Lunch Served 12:15 - Dr. Karen Underwood of Drowzle.com – Information and training on the effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Commercial truck operations. In addition, Representatives of Drowzle will be on site to talk with you about a low-cost diagnostic tool to diagnose OSA. Drowzle is offering special pricing for those in attendance. Tuesday August 23 at 11:00, PayneWest (405 3rd St NW, Ste. 301), Great Falls Wednesday August 24, at 11:00, Hampton (5110 Southgate Dr) Billings Trainings will be from 1100 – 1300, with a working lunch. Lunch will be provided. If your interested in sponsoring a lunch for these trainings, please contact: mgehl@mttrucking.org Our registration is open at: https://www.mttrucking.org/events or email Karen at karen@mttrucking.org This will be a FREE training for all MTA members. Non-members $25.
Our Sponsors
If you would like to be a Sponsor, please contact Karen at 406-442-6600 or karen@mttrucking.org
Mike's Safety Tip
Brake Safety Week CVSA Brake Safety week is this week! Its always a good time to inspect your brakes! Your trucks brakes are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment. Make sure your maintenance is up to par and make sure your brakes are in good working order. Over 1/3 of all out of service violations is a result of brakes being out of adjustment. Have a safe week, Mike
2022 Annual Inspection Decals
Call MTA to order the 2022 Inspection Decals 406-442-6600 Or you can Email Karen: karen@mttrucking.org
Upcoming Events
August 21 - 27, 2022 Brake Safety Week August 23, 2022 Truckers Against Trafficking Delta Hotel by Marriott - Helena Colonial 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Click HERE to register August 23, 2022 Fall Training PayneWest (405 3rd St NW, Ste. 301) Great Falls Click HERE to register August 24, 2022 Fall Training Hampton (5110 Southgate Dr) Billings Click HERE to register August 25, 2022 MTA Billings Golf Tournament 2022 Pryor Creek Golf Course (1292 Pryor Creek Rd) Huntley September 11 - 17, 2022 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week September 14, 2022 Montana Truck Driver Appreciation Day Volunteers and Sponsors needed September 22, 2022 Board of Directors Meeting DSV Road Transport (7211 Two Smokes Way) Missoula, MT September 25 - 29, 2022 National SuperTech Competition Huntington Convention Center Cleveland, OH
Have you gotten your annual MVR's yet?
If not, Motor Carriers of Montana can run your Montana annual MVR's (Motor Vehicle Report) for you.
The cost is $10.25 per MVR.
All you need to provide is:
Employees name
Employees Montana driver license number
Employees date of birth
So if you would like us to help you with your annual MVR's, send an email to karen@mttrucking.org or call 406-442-6600
Montana Trucking Association 501 N. Sanders, Suite 201 Helena, MT 59601 406-442-6600
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