Trucking news and briefs for Friday, April 19, 2024:
Driver fined $19K for overweight violation, later arrested for violating OOS order
The driver of a tractor-trailer found to be 63,000 pounds overweight on an Oregon roadway was fined more than $19,000, placed out of service due to insufficient rest and fatigue, and later arrested for continuing to operate.
According to the Washington County (Oregon) Sheriff’s Office, deputies specializing in commercial motor carrier enforcement on April 10 conducted a traffic stop of the truck at the intersection of NW Jackson School Road and NW Shadybrook Road -- a section of roadway with a weight limit of 13 tons.
During the stop, deputies discovered that the tractor-trailer exceeded this limit by a significant margin, weighing in at 89,000 pounds -- 63,000 pounds over the permissible weight. This violation resulted in a fine totaling $19,400.
Further inspection revealed that the driver, 23-year-old David Barbacar from Tacoma, Washington, had also falsified his logbook, according to police. Barbacar additionally seemed “extremely fatigued and was observed dozing off during the stop,” the sheriff’s office wrote, which led to him being placed out of service. Barbacar was then arrested for knowingly violating the OOS order less than two hours later by another motor carrier enforcement deputy.
The sheriff’s office encouraged drivers needing to exceed standard vehicle size and weight limits to consult with Oregon’s Land Use & Transportation (LUT) department or the Oregon DOT for necessary permits and exceptions.
[Related: CDL testing scheme: School owner gets 5 years for bribery]
New non-recourse factoring service available
1st Commercial Credit has launched a new affiliate, Nationwide Commercial Credit, dedicated to enhancing the financial operations of the trucking industry through advanced cash flow solutions on receivables and fuel advances, the company said.
Nationwide Commercial Credit will provide specialized non-recourse factoring and fuel advance services to a range of trucking companies, from individual owner-operators to larger fleets. The service offers non-recourse credit protection against the insolvency of freight brokers and shippers, covering even those nonpayment scenarios typically not included in traditional factoring agreements, the company noted.
To bolster the initiative, 1st Commercial Credit has increased its trade credit insurance by an additional $36 million, elevating the total protection to $206 million. This expansion supports the new trucking-related receivables managed by Nationwide Commercial Credit and its affiliates.
"Supporting small trucking operators can be demanding without the right systems and technology in place,” said Raul Esqueda, company president. “They require quick access to funds with minimal paperwork, a need our system addresses by enabling funding with just a rate confirmation and bill of lading, and even automates invoice generation for the trucking company.”
Esqueda added that Nationwide Commercial Credit also offers “online credit checks for brokers, fuel advances, fuel card discounts, and mobile uploading capabilities.” For larger fleets, Nationwide offers “QuickBooks and TMS integrations that streamline the upload process,” he said.
Nationwide is also offering a referral program designed for financial consultants, finance brokers, dispatchers, freight brokers, and trucking companies.
[Related: Sharing risk: Load factoring can offer strategic value]
In-the-works Mojave Truck Stop partners with Phillips 66 for biodiesel
A new truck stop is planned to open in Mojave, California, next to the Mojave Inland Port and across from the Mojave Air & Space Port. The Mojave Truck Stop announced it has entered into an exclusive biodiesel partnership with Phillips 66.
The stop will be located strategically off U.S. Highway 58 and Minard Trail in Mojave.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Mojave Truck Stop will exclusively pump Phillips 66 biodiesel at its fueling stations, ensuring that customers have access to high-quality, renewable fuel. This commitment signifies the Mojave Truck Stop's dedication to reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy solutions, the company said.
"We are excited to join forces with Phillips 66 to offer our customers access to high-quality renewable fuels," said Rich Marshall, co-founder of The Little Red Hen Travel Centers. "This partnership aligns with our mission to provide sustainable solutions while delivering top-notch services to truckers."
Co-founder Amir Faquir estimated the Mojave Truck Stop would serve 2,120 customers daily at its location and sell more than 14,850,000 gallons annually. The Mojave Truck Stop will include fuel, food, shop, hot foods, restaurant, truck scales, truck service, truck wash, lounges, showers, charging stations, and solar energy generation.
