View as Webpage | August 20, 2024

MMTA Mobile Safety Unit Donated to Maine Technical Schools

MMTA

A steadfast fixture in MMTA’s safety resources has been our 1998 Volvo 770 road tractor towing our 1988 Fruehauf trailer, practically referred to as our Mobile Safety Unit (MSU). Originally the MSU was used as a self-contained mobile classroom and to educate the public on the importance of highway safety and “How to Share the Road with Trucks”. This unit has made countless appearances at Driver Education Classes, School Career Days, Civic Events, the Maine Statehouse, Convoy for Kids, Truckers Drive for Kids in New Hampshire, and of course at our Championship Saturday event each spring, used as a mobile command center for the MMTA Professional Truck Driving Championships.

Due to the age of the tractor and the trailer, the time has come to decommission the old girl for our purposes. But we are pleased to report that both components are going to good use. MMTA has donated the tractor to Hancock County Technical Center for their diesel technician students to learn their craft. And the trailer has been donated to the Somerset Career & Technical Center for their CDL program to use to train the next generation of professional drivers. Both donations were made on August 14th – see the pictures to the right. After decades of service to the Maine trucking industry, we are happy that the truck and the trailer will continue their service to developing our industry’s future workforce.

MMTA’s Executive Committee is now developing the plan for what comes next. We expect an announcement soon as it relates to an updated strategy (and investment) that pivots towards our industry’s workforce development efforts and the importance of the trucking industry’s image. Exciting things are happening so stay tuned!

Randy DeVault (MMTA) and Vicki Kimball (SCTC)

Randy DeVault (MMTA) and Andrew Trowbridge (HCTC)

Registration is Now Open for the APTA/MMTA Transportation Safety Conference!

(Click on image for more info)

2024 MMTA FLEET SAFETY AWARDS

The 2024 Maine Motor Transport Fleet Safety Award information has been released and can be found at https://www.mmta.com/fsarules/. To compete in this safety competition, companies must submit an online application and supporting information by September 1, 2024. Once completed, you will be assigned to a carrier category, where statistics will determine whether you place in the top three within that category or qualify for a Wild Card with no recordable crashes.

We will then verify the information for the carriers who will compete for one of the two coveted Grand Champion Awards (Intermediate Carrier Groups 1-2 and Large Carrier Groups 3-4) through an additional submission that is due by November 8, 2024.

The entire purpose of this program is to honor the safest motor carrier members and we hope everyone will participate. For complete rules and eligibility, as well as to access the necessary online forms, please see our website at https://www.mmta.com/fsarules/.

Road to NTDC Spotlight: Nate Lewis

Transport Topics

In the early part of the year, Nate Lewis, a transportation executive with Tyson Foods, joined colleagues on the National Truck Driving Championships’ organizing committee to formally kick off preparations for the event.

Approaching its 87th annual iteration, which in recent decades expanded to include the step van, the precision-driving contest is a way for people, such as Lewis, to embrace family.

Read more...

Senate Panel Approves TSA Clearance Bill for Truckers

Transport Topics

A committee in the U.S. Senate recently approved a bill that would facilitate commercial drivers’ applications for security credentials.

The bipartisan Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, introduced by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), is meant to standardize the security application process for individuals affiliated with the freight sector. The bill, advanced to the Senate floor July 31, would specifically facilitate access to multiple credentials.

Other co-lead sponsors include Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.)

Read more...

Industry faces challenges amidst 2027 emissions standards and freight recession

Fleet Owner

With prebuy activity already starting for fleets looking to get ahead of 2027’s more stringent emissions regulations, the next couple of years could be challenging for the industry with latent capacity and underutilized equipment affecting demand.

Read More...

DOT’s Oral Fluid Testing Stalls Due to Lack of Labs, Testers

Transport Topics

U.S. Department of Transportation drug testing of truck drivers using oral fluid collections was approved more than a year ago, but a lack of certified lab testing facilities and trained testers has indefinitely stalled use of the alternative method.

“This additional methodology for drug testing will give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the program,” DOT said in the final rule posted in the Federal Register in May 2023. “In order for an employer to implement oral fluid testing under the department’s regulation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will need to certify at least two laboratories for oral fluid testing.”

Read more...

Truckers With Dogs Returning From Outside US Need New Form

Transport Topics

Truckers who take their dogs back and forth between the United States and either Canada or Mexico will soon be required to complete a federal form that asserts their pets are at low risk of carrying rabies back into the country.

Starting Aug. 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of a rabies prevention measure will require that all dogs crossing into the U.S. be accompanied by the new Dog Import Form. All dogs entering the U.S. after that date also must have a microchip and be over 6 months of age.

Read more...

US Trucking Embraces Renewable Diesel for Cleaner Operations

Transport Topics

Renewable diesel as a drop-in fuel for diesel combustion engines is starting to gain traction in the U.S. trucking industry, said suppliers, distributors and federal energy researchers.

Industry interest has sparked based on the benefits that renewable diesel delivers, such as reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions compared to petroleum diesel, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory said.

Renewable diesel also reduces carbon intensity on average by 65% when compared with petroleum diesel, according to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Certified Carbon Intensities.

Read more...

CVSA promotes education, outreach and safe equipment during Brake Safety Week

The Trucker

Brake safety week will be here before you know it! The Commercial Vehicle Training Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled this year’s event for Aug. 25-31.

During this inspection blitz, safety checks — including a large number of Level IV inspections — will be conducted on large trucks and buses across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Read more...

Phishing attack seeks to steal sensitive fleet data

Fleet Owner

There has been an 856% increase in malicious emails sent within the past year, according to a report by SlashNext Security, and U.S. fleets were the target of a recent nationwide phishing attempt, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

Generative AI has only made it easier for perpetrators to perform these attacks. Since the launch of ChatGPT and other advanced language models, malicious emails have increased by 4,151%, the SlashNext report noted. 

FMCSA emailed media outlets last week to request help in informing registered entities about a “new phishing fake email.”

Read more...

APTA/MMTA Transportation Safety Conference

September 22-24, 2024

St. John, New Brunswick CA

FMI and Registration

Hazardous Materials Training

September 27, 2024

8:30am

MMTA Office, Augusta

FMI and Registration

NATMI Fleet Certification

Sep. 30 to Oct. 4, 2024

8:00am

MMTA Office, Augusta

FMI and Registration