TODAY'S NEWSLETTER IS SPONSORED BY: | |
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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!!!
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Members in the News: Big Rigs for Little Kids donations and Tennessee NTDC participant feature.
Industry News: Industry surveys, new driver IDs, and Nashville transportation updates.
Legislative Corner: Recap of August’s primary election results and significant upsets.
Safety Spotlight: Tips for managing and avoiding road rage.
Foundation News: Scholarship & cash raffle now open!
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Click below to learn more about our new members! | |
Tennessee Trucking Foundation Presents $10,000 to East Tennessee Children's Hospital | The Tennessee Trucking Foundation presented a $10,000 check to East TN Children's Hospital, raised through the Big Rigs for Little Kids Golf Classic. Learn about their impact. | | | |
Hobie Eirich Takes Tennessee Gold | Transport Topics | FedEx Freight 4-axle driver Hobie Eirich in May added a state grand champion title for Tennessee to the one he claimed in California six years ago. | | | |
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Thank You for Supporting the Middle Tennessee Big Rigs for Little Kids Event!
Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Middle Tennessee Big Rigs for Little Kids event. Thanks to your incredible support, Troy Dickens of Rush Enterprises proudly presented the largest check to date to the Nashville Ronald McDonald House. The Big Rigs for Little Kids events play a vital role in supporting children’s charities across Tennessee, as well as the Foundation Scholarship fund.
This year, we're awarding up to $45,000 in scholarships to 15 deserving students across the state. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference, and together, we are creating brighter futures for our children.
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Averitt Named 2024 Workplace Giving Partner of the Year for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® | Averitt was recognized as the 2024 Workplace Giving Partner of the Year by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. | | | |
Another National Truck Driving Championship is in the books! | Another National Truck Driving Championship is in the books, and what a great competition it was! Thank you to all the incredible drivers who represented T represented Tennessee proudly in Indianapolis. | | | |
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Averitt promotes Brown to Director of Marketing and Communications
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Averitt recently promoted Cookeville native Brad Brown to director of marketing and communications.
Prior to the promotion, Brown was already leading a team of associates who are responsible for internal communications, customer marketing, branding and engagement, recruitment marketing, training, social media and digital media for Averitt. Brown will now also take a lead role in the company’s associate recruiting efforts.
Brown has spent his entire 25-year Averitt career with the company’s Marketing and Communications team.
"We’re thrilled to have Brad take on this expanded role," said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. "Brad’s dedication and vision have been instrumental in reinforcing our culture and beliefs. We’re confident that under his leadership, our Marketing and Communications team will continue to excel."
Averitt’s corporate campus is located at 1415 Neal Street in Cookeville.
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TTA Members, Don't Forget To Setup Your New Membership Account!
We have recently implemented a new online Member Center and Website. The Member Center is where you will log in and realize many benefits of being a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association.
If you have not already done so, don't forget to:
- Create your login here.
- Visit your portal and register for upcoming events.
- Login to the Member Center to update your contact information (i.e. company logo, profile photo, and address) and add your payment profile.
Once you're logged in, you'll see the many benefits of the Member Center.
Billing Update: All billing moving forward will be done through the new system. This means that all invoices received can be paid via check as usual or by clicking the link at the bottom of the invoice.
For any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to the TTA team.
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 CONVENTION EXHIBITORS | |
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2024 ANNUAL CONVENTION DIAMOND, PLATINUM & AUCTION PARTY SPONSORS
For all our Convention Diamond, Platinum, and Auction Party Sponsors, we have added a new benefit for 2024. 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 15 edition. Thank you so much for your generous support!
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2024 Top Industry Issues Survey | |
This year has been marked by challenges for our industry. Costs have continued to climb, while freight demand has yet to return to profitable levels. Meanwhile, perpetual political dysfunction in Washington further complicates the ability to advance our policy agenda.
Despite these challenges, our industry has kept delivering for America, and ATA remains seated at the table with the key decision-makers in Washington. Our influence – both economically and politically – is derived from the undeniable fact that our country cannot function, let alone thrive, without a strong trucking industry.
In challenging environments like this one, it is ever more important to understand the issues facing fleets and our workforce so that ATA and its Federation partners can identify and press for solutions. The American Transportation Research Institute’s annual top industry issues survey has long been crucial to that effort, providing the opportunity for thousands of trucking industry professionals – from drivers to executives – to weigh in on the most important topics affecting the industry.
Completing this survey only takes a few minutes, but its impact is far-reaching. The data ATRI derives from this survey will chart the course for ATA and the industry at large as America prepares to elect new political leadership. Join me in completing the survey here to ensure your voice is heard, and please encourage your employees and colleagues to do the same.
Your input is critical, so thank you for your contributions.
Andrew Boyle, Co-President
Boyle Transportation
ATA Chairman of the Board
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US Economic Growth for Q2 Is Revised Up to 3% Annual Rate | Transport Topics | WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy grew last quarter at a healthy 3% annual pace, fueled by strong consumer spending and business investment, the government said Aug. 29. | | | |
ATA Crowns National Truck Driving Champions at 'Super Bowl of Safety' | Known as the "Super Bowl of Safety," ATA's National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships took place from August 21-24 here in Indianapolis, bringing together 422 drivers from 49 states with a combined total of nearly 685 million accident-free miles. | | |
Trucking Cares Foundation Donates $40,000 to Support Truck Driver Training | Washington-The Trucking Cares Foundation, the trucking industry's charitable arm, donated $40,000 to the Next Generation in Trucking Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to engaging and training the next generation of trucking industry professionals. The grant from Trucking Cares Foundation will be used to develop TruckFit and incorporate it into CDL training curriculums that the organization provides to high schools, community/technical colleges, and private schools around North America. | | | |
FMCSA Removes Two Devices from List of Registered ELDs | WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) removed BLUE STAR ELD and RELIABLE ELD devices from the list of registered Electronic Logging Devices (ELD). FMCSA placed these ELDs on the Revoked Devices list due to the companies' failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A. | | | |
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Newly Designed Drivers License
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will start issuing Driver Licenses and ID Cards with a new design and enhanced security features at select Driver Services Centers on (date). The new credentials will roll out to all Driver Service Centers this fall.
The new driver's license and ID cards have upgraded security features including a poly-carbonate card composition with laser engraved information. The new design prominently features the Tennessee State Capitol and state flag with its iconic three-star design representing the state’s three grand divisions.
The new design will apply to all licenses and ID cards issued by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security including the Regular Driver’s License, Teen/Graduated Driver’s License, Commercial Driver’s License, Motorcycle License, ID Only License, REAL IDs, and Handgun Carry Permits. All current licenses and ID cards are valid until their expiration date.
For more information on Tennessee Driver Licenses and ID cards visit tn.gov/safety/driver-services.html.
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Mayor Freddie O'Connell celebrates big week for Nashville's transportation future - The Tennessee Tribune | NASHVILLE, TN - Friday caps a big week for how Nashvillians move around the city today and in the future. | | | |
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Dale Allen
Adams and Reese LLP
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Ashley Harbin,
Adams and Reese LLP
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Legislative Corner - Primary Election Recap
Tennessee voters went to the polls August 1st, 2024, for the state’s August primary elections, which included races for all state and federal House seats, half of state Senate seats, and one U.S. Senate seat. With so many districts now being either solidly Republican or Democrat, in most cases much of the drama and intrigue is played out in the August primaries, thus often rendering November’s general election as being a bit anticlimactic, outside of a few races.
While there were few surprises at the federal level, as all incumbents won easily—including freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN5), who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and cruised to a ten-point win over well-funded challenger Courtney Johnston—the state legislative races were very different. Several notable and influential incumbents saw their time in Nashville come to an end, some in surprising outcomes.
Harshbarger Rides Trump Endorsement to Upset Win Over Education Chairman Lundberg; Haile, Massey Roll to Resounding Victories; School-Choice Ads Fuel Niceley Defeat
The Senate experienced several upsets, the most significant being Bobby Harshbarger's 52-48 victory over Education Chairman Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol). Lundberg, who has served in the legislature since 2006 on both the House and Senate sides, faced his first contested race since 2016. Harshbarger, the son of United States Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-Kingsport) and endorsed by former President Donald Trump, announced his decision to run on April 4th, just one day before the qualifying deadline, and quickly began his campaign. The race was contentious from start to finish, with allegations ranging from ethics violations to stolen yard signs, and outside groups pouring a significant amount of money into the two campaigns. Governor Bill Lee strongly supported Lundberg, who sponsored the Senate version of the Governor’s education voucher bill, a fact Trump noted in more than one social media post regarding the success of his endorsed candidates in Tennessee. For all intents and purposes, this win guarantees Harshbarger a seat, as there is no Democrat running in November.
Lundberg wasn’t the only longtime Senator to suffer a primary defeat however, as Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) was outpaced by his opponent, Jessie Seal. Niceley has represented the district since 2012 and previously served in the state House of Representatives. In a similar vein to other candidates, Niceley was targeted by the School Freedom Fund’s negative ad blitz, which aimed to attack members for opposing publicly funded school voucher programs. Seal will go on to face the democratic candidate R. E. Ellison in the general election. Ellison is a retired computer science professional, who ran unopposed in the democratic primary. She faces long odds against Seal in a strongly Republican district.
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Avoiding Angry Drivers
Professional truck drivers spend much more time on the road than the public. As a result, they are more likely to be confronted with aggressive situations involving other drivers. Here are a few tips for avoiding or managing road rage.
Managing someone with road rage starts with a calm and relaxed attitude. Give yourself as much time as possible to make your trip and remember that you’re going to get there anyway, so make the trip safe. Be resilient and don’t overreact to other drivers’ mistakes.
If someone makes an inappropriate gesture, cuts you off, or tries to pull you into some kind of action, don’t react. If necessary, slow down or change your route to avoid the other driver’s anger. You have no control over their behavior; however, you can manage your reaction.
If you notice another driver starting to show signs of aggression, leave space between your vehicles and avoid eye contact. Lead by example and show courtesy and politeness on the road. Let your intentions be known. Use turn signals, don’t follow too closely behind the vehicle in front of you, don’t hang around too much in the passing lane, don’t hog the lane, and drive at a steady speed.
A driver who has not had enough sleep will be more irritable and may get carried away more easily. Hunger also has a negative effect on mood, ever been ‘Hangry”? Good rest and good nutrition help you stay calm in the face of bad situations on the road.
If there is a conflict and it seems it may get out of hand, call 911 immediately. Be sure to lock your doors and close your windows. Never get out of your vehicle to try to calm the person who is angry. Just wait for the police to arrive. Write down the vehicle’s license plate number, make, type, and color. This will greatly assist the police if the suspect leaves the scene before they arrive.
ANGER is one letter away from DANGER.
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Marty Pollock, Director of Safety
Tennessee Trucking Association
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Road Team Captains Take on the National Stage
Congratulations to Timothy Blair and Hobie Eirich for representing Tennessee's Road Team at this year's National Truck Driving Championships.
Timothy, from FedEx Freight, Inc., competed in the Five-Axle Van category, while Hobie, also from FedEx Freight, Inc., took on the Four-Axle Van category. Their achievement of securing first place in the state championships is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and commitment to safety.
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Tennessee Trucking Foundation Tommy Hodges Scholarship Now Open! | |
Open to students 18 years and older, who are college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Must be attending an accredited University or College in Tennessee. High School students with dual enrollment are eligible too.
15 Winners will be selected: Fifteen (15) Awards of $2,500 each.
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We're thrilled to announce that our annual cash raffle is back and better than ever! Don’t miss your chance to win one of three incredible cash prizes: $15,000, $5,000, or $3,500.
This year’s raffle is generously sponsored by Titan Transfer, Goggins Warehousing, and TCW. Enter today at tntrucking.org/raffle!
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CONTRIBUTIONS TO TENNESSEE TRUCKING FOUNDATION IN MEMORY OF... | | |
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Todd Darnell
Contributions were made by: Tommy Hodges
Acknowledgement sent to: Laura Darnell
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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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