TODAY'S NEWSLETTER IS SPONSORED BY: | |
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FEATURED ARTICLE:
Averitt Recognized for Commitment to Disability Employment Awareness
Cookeville, Tenn. — In October, Averitt was honored with a certificate of appreciation from Vocational Rehab, signed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. The presentation celebrated Averitt’s efforts to support and promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The recognition coincided with National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual initiative to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities. First observed in 1946, NDEAM expanded to a month-long event in 1988.
"We are proud to be part of a program that emphasizes the value and perspectives of individuals with disabilities," said Elise Leeson, vice president of human resources. "This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and equity."
For more information about Averitt’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit Averitt.com/CSR.
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We are now taking commitments for the 2025 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 2024!!!
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Welcome to the first edition of Tennessee Newsline for 2025!
A new year is always an exciting time to look ahead, and 2025 is no exception. This year marks 25 years into the 21st century. When reflecting on the changes we’ve seen over the past quarter-century, it’s truly incredible. From advances in technology to shifts in transportation, agriculture, and beyond, the progress we’ve made is a testament to our ability to adapt and grow.
As we move into 2025, the landscape continues to shift. New policies, regulations, and technologies are on the horizon, and it’s clear that the pace of change isn’t slowing down. This year presents a unique opportunity to build on what we’ve already accomplished and position ourselves for even greater success.
Will Rogers once said, “A man only learns in two ways: one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people.” It’s a powerful reminder of the value of surrounding ourselves with those who challenge us, inspire us, and help us become better at what we do. That’s the true power of this Association—it’s a place where we learn, grow, and share knowledge, and that continues to drive us forward.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited to continue learning with and from all of you. Here’s to a year of progress and collaboration. Together, let’s make 2025 a year to remember.
Sincerely,
Mike McFarlin
M & W Transportation Co., Inc.
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Haulin’ for the Holidays: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Community and Sponsors! | |
You won’t want to miss this! Jessie Merritt’s reflection on the 2024 Haulin’ for the Holidays event shines a spotlight on the incredible Tennessee Trucking Association community that made it all happen. From over $90,000 worth of toys and supplies donated to children across Tennessee, to the generosity of our corporate sponsors, this year’s toy drive was a huge success—and it’s all thanks to YOU!
This annual event is so much more than collecting toys—it’s about supporting the non-profits we serve, rallying together as an industry, and making a real difference in our community.
A special thank you to the companies who made this possible, including Ascend Transportation, LLC, Big G Express, Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs, Christenson Transportation, Covenant, Cumberland International, Drivewyze, Dunavant Global Logistics, FLS Transportation Services, Fifth Third Bank, FirstFleet, Inc., Fleetco, Inc., HEC Leasing LLC, Highway, Industrial Pressure Works, Konexial, Inc., Lytx, M&W Transportation, M-S Logistics, MHC Kenworth, Nashville, McGriff Tire Company, Ozark Motor Lines, Inc., Pemberton Truck Lines, Performance Food Group, Pilot Company, R. E. West, Inc., Reliance Partners, Inc., Rush Truck Center - Nashville, Sadler Brothers, TCW, Inc., TRC Freight, Inc., TT Wilson Company, Tennessee Freight Company, and Titan Transfer.
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Understanding Future Changes to FMCSA's Safety Measurement System – Part 1 | |
Register Now: Public Q&A Webinar
FMCSA will be hosting a series of webinars on the approved changes to SMS. Learn more and register here.
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ATA Truck Tonnage Index Contracted 1.9% in November | Measure of Trucking Activity Continues a Seesaw Pattern | | | |
Credentialing Reform Bill Championed by ATA to be Signed into Law | Washington - Today, the American Trucking Associations applauded the House passage of the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act. | | | |
Trucking's Annual Congestion Costs Rise to $108.8 Billion | Traffic congestion on U.S. highways added $108.8 billion in costs to the trucking industry in 2022 according to the latest Cost of Congestion study published by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). This finding, part of ATRI's ongoing highway performance measurement research, marks a new record-high national congestion cost. | | | |
FMCSA Opens Application Window for CDLPI and CMVOST Grants | Two discretionary grants could total over $90 million and make obtaining a CDL easier for Veterans and others WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced Notices of Funding Opportunity for two discretionary grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2025 application cycle. | | | |
Area agencies preparing for winter weather in East Tennessee | CAMPBELL COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) - As air temperatures continue to fall, so do the road temperatures which could lead to freezing on the roadways. With freezing rain in the forecast for Sunday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Campbell County Highway Department will be keeping an eye on the changing conditions. | | | |
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Winter weather is here, and road conditions can change without notice due to several causes. To help alleviate violations of hours-of-service regulations, it is important to know the FMCSA adverse driving conditions exceptions.
The FMCSA adverse driving condition definition can be found in 49 CFR 395.1. The exception is a rule that allows commercial drivers to extend their driving and on-duty hours when they encounter unexpected and hazardous conditions:
Adverse conditions include snow, ice, sleet, fog, and other challenging weather conditions, as well as unusual road or traffic conditions.
Drivers can extend their daily 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty window by up to 2 hours.
The exception is designed to help drivers safely travel to their destinations without making rash decisions to stay under traditional hours-of-service restrictions.
Drivers must record delays in their ELD with details like the reason and proof of the unexpected conditions. This documentation should include the following information:
- Date and time: The date and time that the adverse driving conditions occurred, and the exception was used.
- Description of conditions: A description of the adverse conditions, such as weather, road closures, or other exceptional circumstances.
- Location: The location where the adverse conditions occurred.
- Signature: The driver’s signature or some other form of identification to confirm that the record is accurate, and the driver was involved in the situation.
To qualify for the exception, drivers must:
- Be able to prove that they were faced with conditions that were beyond their control.
- The adverse condition must also make it unsafe for the driver to continue driving.
- The driver must take into account the safety of other drivers on the road.
Some advantages of the exception include reduced likelihood of speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors, limiting fatigue that could compromise driver safety, Avoiding potential accidents, and better risk management.
As you can see, adverse driving conditions can provide a good bit of additional flexibility if you or your drivers run into unexpected trouble. Use it wisely and above all, STAY SAFE THIS WINTER!
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Marty Pollock, Director of Safety
Tennessee Trucking Association
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Road Team Captain Spotlight | |
Meet Karen Partin, a professional driver with McKee Foods | Keep reading to learn more about our Road Team Captains, spotlighted today for their outstanding contributions. To nominate a Captain, visit tntrucking.org/Nominate. | | | |
Meet Jon Coulson, a professional truck driver with 24 years of experience. | Keep reading to learn more about our Road Team Captains, spotlighted today for their outstanding contributions. To nominate a 2025 Captain, visit tntrucking.org/Nominate. | | | |
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TENNESSEE TRUCKING FOUNDATION IN MEMORY OF... | | |
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Lisa Rouse
Contributions were made by: Dave Huneryager
Acknowledgement sent to: Justin Rouse
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Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Scholarship Applications Open Now! | |
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee scholarship application is now open!
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to secure financial support for their educational goals. The application will remain open until February 1, 2025, so be sure to spread the word to eligible students in your network!
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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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