Final Week to Sign-up For the TDC
June 9 - 11, 2022 We will be hosting the annual Convention, the Truck Driving Championship, the SuperTech Competition, & Inspectors Challenge all at once. We are in the planning stage for a huge event full of exciting and entertaining competition. We hope you will join us! As soon as the agenda has been finalized, we will let you know. To find out about Sponsorship / Booth opportunities, click HERE For Registration click HERE For draft Agenda click HERE We need help to put on this great event! So if you know of anyone that can help, please have them contact Volunteer Committee: Contact Lance Zanto - Lzanto2@mt.gov or Karen at 406-442-6600 or karen@mttrucking.org This event will be successful when we have the right people in the right places. Thank you in advance for your help putting on this great event! Volunteer Registration Form click HERE Each year we have a Silent Auction and the proceeds go to either MOTPAC or the MTA Education Fund. Click HERE for the Silent Auction Donation form
5 Things Fleets Should Know About DOT Audits
It’s no secret to anyone in trucking that highway transportation is one of the heaviest regulated industries in the U.S. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the federal agency charged with that regulation. For years, its primary enforcement mechanism for ensuring that regulated carriers comply with the multitude of safety-related regulations has been the compliance review, or safety audit. Because FMCSA is a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation, it’s commonly called a DOT audit. There are few things more nerve-racking for a motor carrier, and for good reason. For one, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A DOT audit can result in significant fines, a downgraded safety rating, and even a company-wide out-of-service order, depending on the nature and extent of regulatory violations uncovered. For another, when the DOT selects a carrier for an audit, it typically only has 48 hours to prepare. No motor carrier expects to be audited, and most do little to prepare until it’s too late. But simply understanding the process goes a long way to ensuring a positive outcome should an audit ever come. ... READ MORE
Taking it Slow in Work Zones Can Save Lives
Spring is here, and with many colors in full bloom, the color orange takes on an important signal of safety while on the road. As construction season kicks off, we will see more orange signs on our Montana roads reminding motorists that "Work zones are a sign to slow down." National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 11-15, is hosted annually each spring to raise awareness of work zone safety. According to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse, work zone accidents led to 762 fatal crashes and resulted in 842 deaths in one year. It may surprise you to know that most victims of work zone crashes are the motorists and their passengers. In fact, over 707 of the 842 fatalities were drivers or passengers. As we all travel together on the roads this spring – whether we're driving a car or a truck – it's important to stay focused while behind the wheel, especially as you approach those orange signs and drive through a roadway work zone. Drivers should slow down, remain alert and proceed with caution while scanning one's surroundings. In the trucking industry, road safety is our highest priority. As America's 3.36 million truck drivers travel across the country hauling all the goods that our communities rely on; food, clothing, medicine, and everything you need for your favorite activities, safety comes first to ensure on-time deliveries. Through company and industry training programs, drivers are empowered with the tools, resources and technology they need to stay safe on the roads. In fact, at least $10 billion is invested each year into safety programs and training for trucks. America's professional truck drivers recognize the responsibility they have while sharing the road with the individuals and families driving alongside them, as well as to their families back at home. In fact, many truckers work with the public to educate them on how to drive with trucks on the road. One example is the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Share the Road program, which is comprised of drivers who volunteer to help educate the motoring public on how to safely drive alongside 18-wheelers through hands-on demonstrations. While sharing the road with trucks, motorists can do their part to drive safely. When passing a truck, automobile drivers should signal, provide enough room ahead of the truck, and be aware of a truck driver's blind spots. Trucks need more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. If you visualize a football field, that's the length it takes a fully loaded tractor trailer to stop. As the weather warms in Montana and more motorists hit the road, we must all take heed. Driving responsibly, especially through work zones, will keep ourselves, our families and those driving next to us, safe. Join with the Montana trucking industry and help keep our roadways safer for all drivers this spring.
Thank You!!
Another 192 students went through a Share the Road presentation in Billings this last week. They learned how to safely drive around semi's. This would not have been possible without the help of volunteers! We would like to thank the following volunteers: Frank Molodecki / Diversified Truck Leasing Cross Country Solutions Tanya Hauptman / Motor Power Equipment
Scholarship Application
MTA is now accepting scholarship applications from Montana students completing their senior year in high school or currently enrolled in a Montana College, University, Trade school, or other educational institution and working toward an undergraduate degree. Students must be an employee (or the dependent of an employee) of a Montana Trucking Association Member to be eligible. The student must be a Montana resident planning to attend a Montana College, University, Trade school, or other educational institution. The Scholarship Committee will decide the amount of each individual award at the time of selection. Grades are a part of the process used in determining our recipients, but they are not the deciding factor. The selection criteria are fully outlined in the enclosed scholarship application: ... READ MORE
Fleet Safety
The MTA Fleet Safety Contest year runs from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. The Fleet Safety Contest is based on Montana miles and DOT recordable accidents that occurred in Montana. CRITERIA FOR DOT RECORDABLE ACCIDENTS ARE: 1) Death. 2) Bodily injury requiring medical attention away from the scene. 3) One or more vehicles incurring disabling damage and requiring transport or towing from the scene. The six categories of competition are listed on the entry form. The Grand Trophy Award is open to all current MTA carrier members that have a minimum of 200,000 Montana miles. You may e-mail karen@mttrucking.org or call the MTA Office at 406-442-6600 to request additional applications. First, second and third place winners will be selected in each category. Plaques and certificates, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company, are presented to winners in each category at the MTA Annual Convention in Helena, MT June 9 - 11, 2022. This program is designed to honor those who put safety first. Retain a copy of your entry form and mail the original to the MTA office at 501 North Sanders #201, Helena, MT 59601. READ MORE
Safety Supervisor of the Year
The winner of this year’s award will be recognized at the MTA Convention in Helena, as well as being submitted as a nominee to the Rocky Mountain Regional Safety Rendezvous Safety Supervisor of the Year selection committee. The RMRSR winner will be recognized during the awards ceremony. Complete the form to nominate your safety person. You may e-mail karen@mttrucking.org or telephone the MTA Office at 406-442-6600 to request additional applications. Retain a copy of the application for your files prior to mailing the original to MTA at 501 North Sanders #201, Helena, MT 59601. ... READ MORE
Mike's Safety Tip
Driving 101 – Part two of four Did you know fatigue is also a contributor to traffic accidents? A tired driver is just as dangerous as an intoxicated driver. After a long day's work, or perhaps a morning when you did not rest well the night before, you are likely to feel tired. Feeling tired causes you to become distracted easily and slows your reflexes. Make sure you get plenty of quality sleep before driving, and when you feel tired, pull over. Have a great week, Thanks Mike
Save The Date
July 13th - 15th, 2022
Park City, Utah
Click HERE for a larger view
2022 Annual Inspection Decals
Call MTA to order the 2022 Inspection Decals 406-442-6600 Or you can Email Karen: karen@mttrucking.org
Our Sponsors
If you would like to be a Sponsor, please contact Karen at 406-442-6600 or karen@mttrucking.org
Upcoming Events
April 15, 2022 Final day to sign up for TDC June 9 - 11, 2022 Convention, TDC, SuperTech Helena, MT June 30, 2022 Share the Road @ the Distracted Driving Event 7 AM - 4 PM Butte, MT July 13 - 15, 2022 Rocky Mountain Regional Safety Rendezvous (RMRSR) Park City, Utah August 16 - 19, 2022 National Truck Driving Championship Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, IN 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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