Trucking news & briefs for Friday, July 24, 2020:
Another large truck stop chain to require masks; NATSO urges more to follow suit
Pilot Company is the second major truck stop chain to announce it will require customers to wear masks at all locations to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The requirement begins Tuesday, July 28.
“This policy is in accordance with several states and counties already requiring face coverings and will not apply to children or to persons with a medical condition that prevent wearing a face covering,” Pilot said in a statement. “For professional drivers that do not have a face covering, we offer them for purchase and are working to make them available upon request as supplies last.”
In a message to member truck stops, National Association of Truck Stop President and CEO Lisa Mullings said NATSO’s board of directors had “adopted a resolution encouraging all truck stops and travel centers to require masks or other facial coverings for employees, customers and vendors” and post signage about the policy at entrances and other locations.
Notification of the resolution follows news earlier this week that Love’s Travel Stops had implemented a required-mask policy network-wide, and the Centers for Disease Control’s own long-in-place mask recommendations for Americans in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
As Mullings noted, “Many travel centers have already implemented nationwide mask requirements. … Unfortunately, many parts of the country have seen an increase in the number of cases; more governors and local governments are responding by requiring facial masks or coverings.
“By mandating masks at your location, you will once again be taking the lead in protecting the health of your customers and team. In addition, mask policies will prevent truck drivers from navigating differing policy requirements as they cross state and even county lines, which has caused them unnecessary confusion.”
Mullings also noted her organization’s outreach to major trucking associations, including ATA, OOIDA and the Truckload Carriers Association, to ask that “they urge professional drivers to help us protect them by wearing masks in truck stops.”
OHIO PETERBILT’S 2021 CALENDAR PHOTO CHALLENGE | The 13-location network of sales and service facilities that is Ohio Peterbilt is asking for photo submissions for a chance to be featured in its 2021 calendar. Only Peterbilt trucks are eligible for consideration, the company says, and entries must be received by September 15 to be considered via this link.Drivewyze bypass service expanded in Alberta, Canada
Drivewyze announced Thursday its weigh station bypass opportunities are being expanded in Alberta, Canada.
The province, in partnership with Drivewyze, had been offering trucking companies bypass services for several years, but enrollment had been limited to members of the Alberta Partners in Compliance (PIC) program.
Alberta has now expanded the bypass program eligibility to include all motor carriers that meet designated Alberta Transportation Fitness Rating requirements, removing the Alberta PIC requirement to subscribe to the Drivewyze PreClear service in the province.
PreClear offers bypass opportunities at all of Alberta’s 57 fixed and mobile inspection sites. For Alberta-based carriers travelling into the United States, Drivewyze offers an additional U.S. subscription package, which provides bypasses at more than 750 locations, in 45 states.
Love’s opens new locations in Illinois, Utah
Love’s Travel Stops this week opened new locations in Wadsworth, Illinois, and Green River, Utah.
The Illinois store, located on U.S. Highway 41, offers 107 truck parking spaces, an Arby’s restaurant, eight diesel lanes, eight showers, Love’s Truck Care with on-site Speedco and more.
The Utah location, off U.S. Highway 191, features 80 truck parking spaces, an Arby’s restaurant, five diesel lanes, four showers and more.
