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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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We deliver continuous growth for our customers, team members, suppliers and shareholders through our partnership and innovation. | | | |
Kim Lunceford, VP of Customer Supply Chain & Logistics
Monogram Foods
530 Oak Court Dr., Suite 400
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: (916) 532-4628
Email: klunceford@monogramfoods.com
http://www.monogramfoods.com/
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In Today's Newsletter:
- TTA Member Drivers Named 2024 TCA Professional Drivers of the Year
- Safety Spotlight: Marty Pollock Discusses Truck Break Systems
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Advocacy At the Capitol: Call on Washington Recap
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James White of P&S Transportation and Tim Chelette of Big G Express, Inc. Named 2024 TCA Professional Drivers of the Year! | James White of P&S Transportation and Tim Chelette of Big G Express, Inc. were honored as 2024 TCA Professional Drivers of the Year for their outstanding commitment to safety, leadership, and community impact. Read more about their achievements on our LinkedIn post | | | |
John Lemmons Honored as America's Road Team Captain by UPS Knoxville, TN | |
We're thrilled to share a special moment as John Lemmons was recently honored by UPS in Knoxville, TN for being selected as America's Road Team Captain by the American Trucking Associations. Congratulations, John, for this well-deserved recognition. | |
Tennessee Trucking Leaders Visit Washington, D.C., to Discuss Top Issues Facing the Industry | Fourteen members of the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) traveled to Washington, D.C., last month to meet with the state’s congressional delegation. | | | |
Rep. David Kustoff Shares Tweet on The Tennessee Trucking Association at the Call on Washington. | Representative David Kustoff took to Twitter to express his gratitude after meeting with Tennessee Trucking Association representatives during the Call on Washington event. Kustoff commended their advocacy efforts, highlighting the importance of their contributions to the nation's supply chain. | | | |
Tennessee Trucking News Magazine Now Available Online! | We're excited to share that the magazine link is now live! Learn about the YPC's record-breaking Haulin' for the Holidays fundraiser & other updates inside! | | | |
Driving Sustainability: Averitt's Contribution Ignites Collaboration with Tennessee State Parks | Averitt has taken a significant step in fostering community ties and promoting sustainability by establishing a partnership with Tennessee State Parks. | | | |
UT Baseball Porch Night with the YPC, Tennessee Trucking Association | Join the YPC for an unforgettable evening at the UT Baseball Porch Night on Tuesday, April 9, at 6 PM. Only 40 tickets are available at $25 each, Tickets sold further the mission of East TN Haulin for the Holidays. | | | |
| What technology do you believe will have the biggest impact on trucking in five years? | | | |
Protecting Trucking's Independent Contractors | A new rule from the U.S. Department of Labor undermines the livelihood of 350,000 truckers across the U.S. who choose to operate as independent contractors. In this episode, the ATA explores the rule's impact on small trucking business owners and how ATA is fighting back in the courts and through the legislative process. | | | |
With Just 90 Seconds of Warning, Countless Lives Were Saved | Transport Topics | BALTIMORE - Within about 90 seconds of a dispatcher's warning of an impending crash, police officers who happened to be near the Francis Scott Key Bridge stopped traffic in both directions. | | |
Updates Regarding the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore, MD | At approximately 1:30 a.m. ET on March 26, 2024, a cargo ship leaving the Port of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD struck the (I-695) Francis Scott Key Bridge. This caused a collapse of the bridge. You can continue to check the linked FMCSA page regularly for related updates affecting commercial motor vehicles, including traffic alerts and emergency declarations. | | | |
ATA Truck Tonnage Index Increased 4.3% in February | American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 4.3% in February after decreasing 3.2% in January. | | |
Work Zone Safety Campaign | Save the date for National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW): April 15-19! We are committed to bringing national attention to safety issues seen across the country and how together we can help decrease work zone related crashes and deaths. | | | |
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TENNESSEE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE LAUNCHES ‘OPERATION HANDS FREE’
Tennessee Hosts Distracted-Driving Enforcement Bus Tour Campaign April 1
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The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is launching 'Operation Hands Free' on April 1 to crack down on distracted driving in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), and other agencies. The initiative includes bus tours across Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville | |
Update: Federal Funds to Finance Baltimore Bridge Reconstruction | Transport Topics | Secretary Buttigieg revealed the U.S. Department of Transportation is processing a quick release transportation emergency grant to Maryland for the reconstruction of Baltimore's collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which is causing supply chain disruptions since it was struck by a cargo ship. | | | |
New Report Pegs Cost of Electrifying U.S. Commercial Truck Fleet at $1 Trillion | Full electrification of the U.S. commercial truck fleet would require nearly $1 trillion in infrastructure investment alone, according to a new report from Roland Berger released by the Clean Freight Coalition. | | |
EVs Pass the Tipping Point to Mass Adoption in 31 Countries | Transport Topics | By the end of last year, 31 countries had surpassed what has become a pivotal EV tipping point: when 5% of new car sales are purely electric. | | | |
Some states urge truck drivers to avoid working during upcoming eclipse | Millions of people are expected to travel for the April 8 total solar eclipse, causing major traffic jams that could impact truck drivers' routes. | | | |
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One of the essential tools for improving safety is a truck’s brake system. Unfortunately, brakes do suffer wear and tear over time, which can result in brake failure, which is why proper maintenance and testing are so necessary. It is crucial that truck drivers and trucking companies take every precaution in maintaining their vehicles properly to avoid unnecessary and preventable breakdowns.
Trucks can weigh as much as 50-60,000 pounds or more when fully loaded; this means they take longer to come to a full stop. When a regular passenger car is traveling at 55 miles per hour, it takes about 135 feet to come to a complete stop. However, a fully loaded semi-truck can take as much as 300 feet or more to stop. If the truck’s brakes are “hot”—meaning the driver has been using them for a while—the vehicle may take up to 450 feet to come to a halt.
Any wear or tear on the brakes adds to the time it takes to stop a truck. That is why brake maintenance is so essential. Most brake issues are caused by improper or deficient maintenance of them. Braking systems that are up to ‘code’ can help truck businesses save money from costly OOS incidents and repairs.
Trailers that have been exposed to weather can suffer from corrosion, and moisture getting into the brake system will impact lines and can cause brakes to freeze. Trailers can be dragged which will damage tires, so careful inspection of trailers is necessary for safety when stopping. The best practice is to replace all necessary brake parts at the same time when you schedule your maintenance to ensure the lifespan of parts is similar. If replacing brake shoes, also replace other interrelated parts like drums, bushings, pins, and springs. Also, monitor your air hoses connected to the brake areas to ensure proper attachment and if any wear issues are occurring.
“Brakes are one of the most important components of truck maintenance. Check the system thoroughly and often” said Kevin Lindsey with TA-Petro.
In Tennessee, every 40 minutes, 58 seconds in 2023, a large truck was involved in a crash. Learn more at https://www.tn.gov/safety/stats/dashboards/large-truck-crashes.html.
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Marty Pollock, Director of Safety
Tennessee Trucking Association
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Dale Allen
Adams and Reese LLP
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Ashley Harbin,
Adams and Reese LLP
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SB1692/HB1731 the “MOTION” Act is the TTA 2024 legislative package that continues to move through the legislature. The legislation sponsored by Senator Jack Johnson and Representative Jake McCalmon modernizes the current towing laws and addresses storage fees, notices, creates a state portal, etc. It also addresses the predatory booting practices in Tennessee. The booting of trucks and trailers with USDOT numbers and plates will be illegal. Other major changes are included.
Tennessee Franchise Tax Passes the Senate Floor, Set for House Debate Next Week
Last week, the Senate heard discussions on the $1.9 billion dollar franchise tax break, a bill aimed at providing refunds and tax breaks to certain businesses within Tennessee. SB2103, also known as the Tennessee franchise tax bill, sparked extensive deliberation during the floor session. Senators Ken Yager (R-Kingston) and Bo Watson (R-Hixson) passionately advocated for the bill’s approval, while Senators Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) and Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) voiced strong opposition. Following extensive debate, SB2103 passed the Senate, receiving party-line-votes of Aye-25 and No-6.
On the other hand, progress on the House side has been limited. HB1893 is currently scheduled to be heard in the House Finance Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tuesday, April 2nd.
Bill to Bar Local Governments from Reappointing Expelled Lawmakers Passes House Floor
A bill aimed at preventing a local legislative body from reappointing lawmakers who were expelled from the legislature due to disorderly conduct successfully passed the House Floor. This legislation, sponsored by Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) in the House and Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) in the Senate, was filed in response to the prompt reappointments the Nashville and Memphis City Councils made last April of Reps. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) following House expulsion proceedings. Jones and Pearson, who became known nationwide as two members of the “Tennessee Three,” were expelled from the House for disorderly conduct in a largely party-line vote, only to be promptly reappointed to their House seats by their respective city councils. On Monday night, Democrats proposed four separate amendments on the floor, but all failed to pass.
Although House Republicans showed their support with a 69-22 party-line vote on Monday night, testimony from legal counsel during the State Government Committee indicated potential constitutional concerns with the bill. Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) has also expressed reservations about the bill, citing possible constitutional issues. Earlier this month, McNally stated, “while I am aware of the serious issues the bill attempts to solve, I may have concerns about the constitutional questions the legislation presents.” He commented that he will be able to make a better assessment of the bill once the bill starts moving through the Senate committee process. Despite the bill’s success in the House, it was deferred to Summer Study in the Senate, which means the upper chamber will not take up the measure this year.
Read More
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Welcome 2024 Road Team Captains! | 2024 Road Team Captain training is complete, and our captains are now on the move to promote safety across Tennessee! | | | |
Predators Grant Empowers Road Safety Education | |
Thanks to a generous grant from the Nashville Predators, TTF Road Team Captains introduced Kahoot quizzes to schools! Engaging students in road safety and a chance to win 4 Preds tickets.
Last weekend, a lucky quiz winner enjoyed the Red Wings vs. Preds game up close! Thank you to the Preds for supporting the Foundation and its mission to share road safety across Tennessee!
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Road Team Captains Visit Bartlett High School
Last week, Tennessee's Road Team Captains visited Bartlett High School to share road safety tips with students. Students learned firsthand about safe driving practices. Even the safety officers joined in on the fun! A big thank you to our Captains for their dedication and to Bartlett High for hosting us and prioritizing the safety education of their students.
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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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