Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019:
Registration opens in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Fleets and drivers can now register for user accounts in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, which creates a database of drivers who’ve failed or refused a drug test or have been cited for alcohol violations. Fleets will be required to query the database when making new hires and once a year for existing drivers.
Drivers will need an account to consent to fleets’ queries of the database. Accounts can be created at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov.
WABCO debuts TailGuard blind spot detection
Wabco introduced Wednesday a new blind spot detection system for trailers, dubbed TailGuard, that will deploy active braking to prevent rearward collisions.
TailGuard monitors stationary and moving objects behind the trailer, such as pedestrians, vehicles, cargo and infrastructure, to activate vehicle brakes to slow or stop the vehicle to prevent impending collisions. Sensors mounted to the trailer monitor an approximately six feet radius, and activate if the brakes are not applied within two or more feet of the object.
Slow roll planned in South Dakota, truckers meeting with legislators in Indiana in support of 10-4 on D.C. event
Groups of truck drivers in South Dakota and Indiana will show their support for this week’s That’s a Big 10-4 on D.C. event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. by meeting with state lawmakers and conducting a slow roll demonstration. The events are meant to bring more awareness to the trucking industry and the challenges drivers and other industry stakeholders face.
The group in Indiana will meet Friday, Oct. 4, with state representatives to discuss autonomous trucks and the impact they will have on the workforce.
The South Dakota group is planning a slow roll for Thursday, Oct. 3, beginning at 7 a.m. at the Countryside Travel Plaza at exit 62 of I-29, south of Sioux Falls.
Cooper Tire’s Roadmaster RM832 EM steer tireCooper Tire announces new steer tire
Cooper Tire’s Roadmaster brand has a new tire in its long-haul lineup – the Roadmaster RM832 EM steer tire. The tire is SmartWay verified and features 18/32nds of tread depth. Gary Schroeder, executive director of Cooper’s global truck and bus tire business, says the company “completely revamped [its] prior-generation Roadmaster steer tire,” giving the new tire “a wider footprint and redesigned tread pattern to help ensure even wear.”
The new Roadmaster steer tire comes with a six-year, two-retread warranty, and is available in seven sizes: 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5, 11R24.5 in Load Range G or H, plus in 285/75R24.5 (Load Range H).
Michelin’s new X Line Energy D+ dual-drive long-haul tire.Michelin rolls out new drive tire
Michelin has launched its new ultra-low rolling resistance dual-drive line-haul tire – the Michelin X Line Energy D+ tire. The company says the tire was developed through an advanced-engineering project over three years aimed at reducing fuel consumption for Freightliner’s next-gen Cascadia.
The tire is offered in 275/80R22.5 size and meets SmartWay requirements. It comes with a manufacturer’s limited casing warranty with coverage against defects in workmanship and materials for 700,000 miles, seven years or three retreads from the manufacture date.
