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Newsline

3-1-2024 | Issue 5

We are now taking commitments for the 2024 Newsline Sponsorships. If your company would like to be a sponsor, please contact Carol Foster at (615) 777-2882 or email cfoster@tntrucking.org 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 2023!!!

Sponsorship Information

TODAY'S TOPICS

In Today's Newsletter:

  • Legislative Report: State of the State Recap
  • Transport Topics: Who's Still in Autonomous Trucking?
  • Safety Spotlight with Marty Pollock: Hazardous Materials shipping

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 12 - Manchester Roadside Scales Event

March 19-20 - Call on Washington

March 26 - Giles Co. Roadside Event

April 4 - Technician Skills Competition (Register Today!)

April 9-10 - NATMI Safety & DOT Compliance Series (Chattanooga)

May 3-4 Truck Driving Championships

May 7 - 2024 Greeneville Scales Roadside Inspection


More Events

Refer A Friend to the Tennessee Trucking Association

Every new member brings a wealth of knowledge and opportunities. By expanding our community, you’re directly contributing to a broader, more diverse network of professionals. Imagine the possibilities!

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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Crash Prevention and Reduction: A Gathering of Minds for Safety

Get the inside scoop on the groundbreaking CPR Safety Coalition Meeting that took place at McKee Foods in Collegedale, TN. With a focus on crash prevention and reduction, this event, in conjunction with the FMCSA, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Tennessee Trucking Association, brought together top industry experts to drive forward safety initiatives in trucking.

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Webinar: Mastering Insurance Audits: A Tactical Guide for Trucking and Logistics Executives and Safety Professionals

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.


What you will learn:

· What auditors zero in on, how to prepare meticulously, and common mistakes to avoid.

· How to demonstrate to the auditor your commitment to safety and compliance through a well-organized presentation of driver documentation.

· The link between CSA scores, safety measures, and insurance premiums and ways to demonstrate to your carrier that you are a lower risk.

· Your Questions Answered: Here’s the chance to submit a question to an expert. The interactive Q&A is your chance to get personalized advice and put your mind at ease. 

Register Here

Averitt Takes Center Stage at 'Oscars of the Live Events Industry'


Averitt recently received the Trucking Company of the Year award at the annual Parnelli Awards for its On Tour Logistics (OTL) service. A first-time win in this category for the company, this prestigious accolade recognizes On Tour Logistics’ unwavering commitment to excellence in the production and event logistics industry.


The Parnelli Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the Live Events Industry,” are presented annually by Production, Lights and Staging News magazine and Front of House magazine. Nominations and votes for the Parnelli Awards are exclusive to industry professionals, ensuring the recognition comes from industry peers. For more information about the awards, visit parnelliawards.com. 


“We've been nominated before, but winning this time is truly an honor. All the nominees are phenomenal, so even being included on the short list is a remarkable achievement,” said Chris Sheppard, the Director of On Tour Logistics Sales at Averitt. “Our vendors and tours support us year after year. They are the reason we have this opportunity, and our goal is to make transportation the last thing they need to worry about.”


This accolade not only underscores On Tour Logistics’ dedication to exceptional service and quality, but also highlights the industry-wide support that propels Averitt to be the very best in event logistics. 


On Tour Logistics is a premier provider of live event logistics solutions. The team of highly skilled drivers equipped with industry-leading expertise and uniformed in show black, are meticulously trained to handle a diverse range of production gear. Averitt’s On Tour Logistics is the go-to choice for seamless transportation in the entertainment industry. To learn more about Averitt’s OTL services and clients, visit OnTourLogisticsServices.com."

Autonomous trucks delivering restaurant food for Martin Brower - Truck News

Autonomous trucking provider Kodiak Robotics is working with Martin Brower to make autonomous deliveries of quick service restaurant food between Dallas

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EAST TN Young Professional Council

East Tennessee YPC meeting in Knoxville on February 29, 2024 was a landmark moment – celebrating one year as a chapter! Thank you MHC Kenworth, PACCAR Parts, and Fleetguard for sponsoring this meeting. Kristin Rakoczy, Konexial did a great job leading the meeting.


We're excited to see another year of growth, learning, and YPC community in ETN!

About East TN YPC 

Share your company news! Submit your story today.

NEWSLETTER POLL

We recognize the dedication and hard work that comes from being in this industry, whether you're navigating the open road or orchestrating operations from the office. As the weekend draws near, we hope you take some well-deserved time for yourself. In light of this, we're curious to know how you like to recharge after a long week.

What's Your Favorite Way to Unwind After a Busy Week?
Enjoying the great outdoors (hiking, fishing, camping, etc.)
Diving into a hobby (model building, gardening, playing an instrument, etc.)
Spending quality time with family and friends
Indulging in some quiet time (reading, meditating, solo road trips)

Thank you for participating in our last newsletters poll, where we explored what industry updates interest you most. Here are the poll results from the last newsletter.


  • 38.9% are interested in the complexity of Regulatory Changes and Compliance.
  • 22.2% like to stay on the cutting edge with Technological Advancements.
  • 22.2% are keeping watch on Economic Trends and Market Insights.
  • 16.7% are focused on Safety Innovations and Practices.
INDUSTRY NEWS

FMCSA and PHMSA Issue Safety Advisory for Nurse Tanks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issue this safety advisory to provide notice of the possibility of catastrophic failure of certain hazardous materials packages commonly known as “nurse tanks.”

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Groups Support Werner in Legal Filing Over 'Nuclear' Verdict | Transport Topics

The Texas Trucking Association and another advocacy group have filed a "friend of the court" brief with the Texas Supreme Court asking that it reject a $100 million lower-court accident verdict against Werner Enterprises.

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ATA Applauds Introduction of Bill to Cut Red Tape for Deliveries During Emergencies

Washington - Today, with the strong support of the American Trucking Associations, Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Jim Costa (D-CA) introduced the Modernizing Operatio

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FMCSA Renews Warning Flag Waiver for Auto Transporters Following ATA's Advocacy

Washington - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today announced a six-month provisional extension of a warning flag waiver for stinger-steered automobile transporters,

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Who's Still In Autonomous Trucking? | Transport Topics

The crowded field of developers in the autonomous truck space has winnowed during the past year. Those that remain continue to lay the foundation for large-scale industry adoption.

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SAFETY SPOTLIGHT

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. HazMat Truckers are typically experienced drivers who have proper training in handling and delivering toxic items.


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 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 an exposure, and prevents harm if accidents occur.


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


Ø Package not secured

Ø No copy of USDOT HazMat Registration Number

Ø No or improper shipping papers

Ø No Placards/Markings when required

Ø Placard is damaged, deteriorated, or obscured

Ø Failing to register with PHMSA prior to transporting


Being a HazMat truck driver is not a walk in the park, and it takes a lot of attention to detail. Having a successful driving career is all about dedication to the job.


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. Specific requirements are found in 49 CFR Parts 100-185.


REMINDER: On January 1, 2024, Tennessee adopted new legislation and Commercial Driver License with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement expires every five (5) years. You renew your CDL, take the HM test, and obtain a TSA background check with the implementation of the new renewal schedule.  

Marty Pollock, Director of Safety

Tennessee Trucking Association

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Dale Allen

Adams and Reese LLP


Ashley Harbin,

Adams and Reese LLP



State of the State Recap: Governor Lee Emphasizes Education Freedom, Maintaining Foundation of Past Accomplishments


Governor Bill Lee delivered his sixth State of the State address to a packed House Chamber on February 5th. As is customary, the Governor used the speech as a vehicle to set out his legislative priorities and spending proposals for the year, signaling what will be the front-burner issues for the 2024 session. Unlike recent years where the state’s revenues greatly exceeded budgeted projections, this year the state’s revenue is lagging substantially behind projections; thus, with the exception of an educational freedom bill to expand the use of educational vouchers across the state and a handful of other proposals, several new initiatives were either comparatively low cost, or utilized savings realized in prior years. 

 

The Governor reiterated that he has three years remaining in office and emphasized that there is much still to be done. He also stated his belief that Tennessee’s job is to “fortify that which has been built over the years, and to remember the work it took to get here.” Along those lines, the Governor said the state’s firm foundation is possible due to its legacy of fiscal responsibility. And while he described the state’s revenue growth as returning to normal, Governor Lee stated that the “new normal” is still 40% higher than three years ago.

 

The speech was also memorable for its distractions, as a number of protestors and hecklers in the gallery often made it difficult to deliver the speech in a normal rhythm. The hecklers seemed to argue with every point that the Governor made, but despite the distraction, no one was removed from the gallery. At one point the Governor indirectly addressed the protestors, stating that “civility is not a weakness.” That line drew a lengthy standing ovation from most of the General Assembly. 

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FOUNDATION NEWS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO TENNESSEE TRUCKING FOUNDATION IN MEMORY OF...


 

 

Jerry Lee Mayberry

 

Contributions were made by: J.B. Baker

 

 Acknowledgement sent to: Drazon Mayberry



Sherry Hiett Mofield

 

Contributions were made by: J.B. Baker

 

 Acknowledgement sent to: Benny Mofield


TTF Logo

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 who 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.

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