Why do Brake Defects Put so Many Trucks Out of Service?
Brake safety is a big deal and always has been — but it’s probably safe to say we take our brake systems largely for granted these days. And why not? They are robust and reliable, and with automatic brake adjusters and now air disc brakes, we don’t really need to pay a lot of attention to them.... Or do we? The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance conducts two major brake inspection initiatives each year. Year over year, the brake defect out-of-service rate remains about the same. The puzzling question is, why aren’t we making progress in bringing those numbers down? Will Schaefer, CVSA's director of safety programs, has some thoughts on why the OOS rate isn’t improving. It’s got little to do with the brakes themselves, he says. I posed that question to Schaefer for a recent ... 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
HDT Fact Book 2022: Trucking Fleets Focus on Preventive Maintenance
Continued supply chain disruptions, scarce capacity, surging customer demand and the continued growth of e-commerce has driven freight rates higher, but also has pushed shippers to depend more on third-party logistics companies and develop private or dedicated fleets. The average fleet participating in the ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council and FleetNet America Vertical Benchmarking Program operated 42,459 miles between unscheduled repairs in the fourth quarter of 2021, which is highest it has been in the past two years. The increase in miles signifies fleets are paying more attention to preventive maintenance, according to the report. This could spell good news for fleets, because while average repair and maintenance costs declined in 2020 to the lowest level since 2013, maintenance costs ... READ MORE
Axe Throwing, Eats & Drinks
TRUCKING INDUSTRY ASKED TO RANK TOP CONCERNS
Atlanta, GA – The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, today launched the 2022 Top Industry Issues Survey. The annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with potential strategies for addressing each issue. Now in its 18th year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides insights into how critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and professional drivers. The report also allows stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality. “The annual Top Industry Issues Survey has long been a crucial part of understanding the issues facing our country’s supply chain. ATRI’s research provides a chance for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most important topics that affect trucking and collectively decide on the best strategies for addressing each,” said ATA Chair Harold Sumerford, Jr., CEO of J & M Tank Lines, Inc. “I encourage my fellow drivers to take a few minutes and complete the Top Industry Issues Survey. Whether your top issue is truck parking, driver compensation, detention, traffic congestion or something else, it only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard and for us collectively to let the industry know what drivers are most concerned about,” said Steve Fields, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for Yellow. The results of the 2022 survey will be released October 22, 2022 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in San Diego, California. Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the 2022 survey available by clicking here. The survey will remain open through October 7, 2022.
GWCC's Annual Safety & Risk Management Seminar
On October 11, 2022 Great West Casualty Company is holding their Annual Safety and Risk Management Seminar in Billings from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Big Horn Resort. This is free to anyone who would like to attend, and lunch included. Click HERE to register.
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
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month Now that school is back in session in most school districts, its also time to talk about pedestrians. October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. We need to do our part to pay careful attention to pedestrians. In 2020 there were 6,516 pedestrians killed in the United States. That is 18 pedestrians a day and 125 pedestrians a week. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes and injured every 10 minutes in traffic crashes in 2020. Lets be extra vigilant and make sure everyone goes home safely. Have a great 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
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 & Ax Throwing Get Together DSV Road Transport (7211 Two Smokes Way) Missoula, MT September 25 - 29, 2022 National SuperTech Competition Huntington Convention Center Cleveland, OH October 11, 2022 Great West Casualty Safety Seminar 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Big Horn Resort Registration
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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