08-1-2023 | Issue 15

We are now taking commitments for the 2023 Newsline Sponsorships. If your company would like to be a sponsor, please contact Carol Foster at (615) 777-2882 or email [email protected] to reserve your edition. The cost will be $300.00 per edition with your logo and a link to your website. If you would like a banner ad linked to your website it would be $500.00 per edition. There will be a total of 24 editions this year.

THANK YOU to those that sponsored in 2022!!!

In Today's Newsletter:

• Bozac Transportation - Presented Platinum Award
• Why am I stuck in traffic? - A Tennessee project could provide answers
• Transport Topics - How Fleets Are Attracting The Next Generation of Drivers
• Marty Pollock Discusses - Hazardous Materials Regulations and How to Comply

August 2nd - Mongoose Method Part 2

August 4th - Greeneville Roadside Inspection

August 14th - WTN Big Rigs for Little Kids

August 29th - NATMI Driver Retention Strategies

September 17th-19th - TTA 93rd Annual Convention

September 28th - Knoxville Scales Roadside Event

More Events

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Sylvia Davis, Marketing Communications Specialist

Air-Weigh

1720 Willow Creek Circle

Eugene, OR 97402

Phone: (541) 431-3031

Email: [email protected]

https://www.air-weigh.com/vac/

Zachary Jacob, Director of Corporate Safety

Genesis Intermodal Services, LLC

5545 Mineral Wells Road

Memphis, TN 38141

Phone: (901) 366-0909

Fax: (901) 366-0029

Email: [email protected]

https://new.genesisintermodal.com/

Jacob Shumaker, Owner

Sparkle Wash of Tennessee

2509 Cayer Lane

Columbia, TN 38401

Phone: (615) 250-7866

Email: [email protected]

https://sparklewash.com/

Sharae Moore, Founder & President

S.H.E. Trucking

P. O. Box 2644

Chattanooga, TN 37409

Phone: (901) 506-2907

Email: [email protected]

https://www.shetrucking.com/

Happy August! Despite it being hot, I hope everyone has had a good summer so far and enjoyed plenty of well-earned vacation time. I certainly enjoyed getting to take a bit of time off to travel with my family. Turning the page to August has caused quite the collision of world for me however as my daughter turned 15 late last month and is the brand new holder of a Tennessee Graduated Drivers License or a good old fashioned Learner’s Permit to most of us. While my daughter might not totally agree with me, I think spending some class time in August learning skills like Smith Systems and what the No Zone is will be of great benefit to her safety and my nerves!

Despite a quiet summer event-wise for the Association, the staff has been hard at work planning and preparing for Convention as well as a busy slate of activity in August. From part 2 of the Mongoose Theory training this week to the Greenville Roadside on August 4^th, the month launches with a bang. If you’re in West Tennessee, you still have time to register for the West TN Big Rigs Tournament Monday, August 14^th. It would be a great way to support a good cause and cap off a long weekend if you are in Memphis for the St Jude Championship final round Sunday, August 13^th!

Finally, on August 29^th, there will be a NATMI course at the office focused on Innovative Driver Retention Strategies. 

Have news you want to share? Submit your story today!

2023 ANNUAL CONVENTION DIAMOND, PLATINUM & AUCTION PARTY SPONSORS

For all our Convention Premier Golf, Diamond, Platinum & Auction Party Sponsors, we are again adding this benefit in 2023. In addition to the benefits listed on your Sponsorship form, you will have your logo with a link to your website in each bi-monthly Newsline for the remaining issues this year starting with the July 1 edition. Thank you so much for your generous support!

2023 ANNUAL CONVENTION EXPO SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 EXHIBITORS

If your company offers products or services for the commercial motor vehicle community, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our premier audience. We are very excited to offer our Sponsors an exhibition this year at our Convention to showcase your services. We will have 25 spaces available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Your company will be listed on our website as an exhibitor. There will be Networking events in the Exhibit Hall.

Reserve your space before they are all spoken for. The spaces are offered at $1,200.00 each to anyone that does a Silver Sponsorship ($2,000.00) or above. (this includes one (1) free registration).  

Hazardous Materials shipping is one of the most dangerous jobs in trucking today and requires special handling to minimize the risks. The materials are among the most complicated, regulation-heavy, and expensive to ship. Because they could pose a danger to people, property, or the environment, there are many rules and regulations required to transport them. While most people associate hazmat with batteries, fireworks, or flammable goods, it can also include ordinary items like dry ice, dry shampoo, perfume, and e-cigarettes.  

Following the safety guidelines of each class can safeguard life and property. When shipping hazmat materials, a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a standard element guide on how products should be handled and includes information like the properties of each chemical, its hazards, first aid, and clean-up procedures. There is a correct method of transportation and goods must be packaged in such a way that poses no threat during their journey, so they arrive in good condition. The importance of training for the skills to handle any emergency cannot be understated! And DON’T FORGET the personal protective equipment (PPE) that helps you remain healthy, despite exposure, and prevents harm if accidents occur.

Here are some of the most frequent HazMat Violations from roadside inspections:

• Package not secured
• No copy of USDOT HazMat Registration Number
• No or improper shipping papers (carrier)
• No Placards/Markings when required
• Placard is damaged, deteriorated, or obscured
• Failing to register with PHMSA prior to transporting

For more information related to Hazardous Materials Regulations and How to Comply, click on the link: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hazardous-materials/how-comply-federal-hazardous-materials-regulations

For more specific requirements, carriers and drivers should use the most current edition of the eCFR to familiarize themselves with 49 CFR Parts 100-185: eCFR :: 49 CFR Chapter I -- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation

Marty Pollock, Director of Safety

Tennessee Trucking Association

Dale Allen, Adams and Reese, LLP

The legislature is expected to return for a special session in Nashville on August 28, 2023 to address gun safety and security issues that arose out of the Covenant School shooting tragedy that occurred in March 2023. Governor Lee has been a proponent of enacting legislation that will address issues that are specifically related to how to limit individuals who are facing mental health issues from possessing certain firearms. Many members of the legislature, including those from rural areas, are taking a less active position on addressing gun-related issues. There have been many groups that have become very active, especially in Middle Tennessee, including parents of the Covenant School. These groups are advocating for the legislature to address issues regarding individuals with mental health issues possessing firearms, tightening up laws related to individuals who have been involved in domestic violence episodes from possessing firearms, as well as addressing the major issue related to individuals failing to keep their firearms properly secured when left in vehicles. The Nashville police department and other groups have estimated that over 70% of the violent crimes committed with guns in Nashville involve guns that have been stolen from vehicles. 

As a result of the upcoming special session, there has been very little fundraising activity this summer. TTA through its Truck PAC has been active in a few events and will continue to remain active throughout the year. The Tennessee Journal noted that TTA was active in assisting Senator Ferrell Haile recently, as well as Tim Hill, who is a former state Representative from East Tennessee. Tim Hill was reappointed to serve out the remaining term of Representative Scotty Campbell and recently won a special election. Tim was the former Chairman of the House Commerce Committee and decided not to run for re-election when he ran for Congress a few years ago. 

There is a recent article that was published and written by Adam Friedman for the Tennessee Lookout related to political spending in Tennessee since 2009. A link to the information is: https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/07/24/cash-for-clout-tennessees-million-dollar-club/. The information is related to different trade associations, firms, companies, etc., who have not only spent PAC contributions but also on employing lobbyists since 2009. For what it is worth, TTA comes in at No. 98 out of the top 100, which is about where I expected TTA to be. Please remember, over the past 6 or 7 years TTA has increased its Truck PAC fundraising and contributions significantly, so the above article is somewhat skewed in regards to TTA. Note that many of the other companies employ several lobbyists at times, where TTA over the past 30 plus years has employed one lobbyist. This information is interesting and I just wanted to provide this to you so you can see that it is a big business at the legislature when it comes to hiring lobbyists and making PAC contributions. Since TTA has spent an estimated $1.5 million since 2009, it is important more than ever to support TTA and its legislative activities, especially by contributing to Truck PAC.

I hope you have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you at the convention in San Destin, Florida.  

FOUNDATION NEWS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO TENNESSEE TRUCKING FOUNDATION IN MEMORY OF...

A. J. England

Contributions were made by: Dale Allen, John Walton, Tommy Hodges, Carol Foster, Dave Huneryager, Kimble Coaker, J.B. Baker, Greg Shipman

 Acknowledgement sent to: Allen England

Billie Jean Hurt Edwards

Contributions were made by: J.B. Baker

 Acknowledgement sent to: Phillip Edwards

Road Team in Action

L to R: Pete Lovan (Titan Transfer) Trinton Nevette, Kevin Carter, Paula Harper (FedEx Freight), Daniel Spratlin (Old Dominion Freight Line), David Hughes (FedEx Freight) at the Clay County Annual Health and Safety Day on July 22, 2023.

Tennessee Trucking Foundation Contribution

Want to make a contribution to our Foundation? You can easily donate to the foundation on our website. Thank you to all that support our Foundation's mission. 



• Advancing highway safety
• Educating the public through programs designed to make our roads safer
• Providing Tennessee children’s charities with funds to improve the lives of our state’s children
• The TTF Scholarship, administered annually by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Visit the website to donate.