Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Sept. 9, 2024:
Traffic fatalities continuing to decline
Traffic fatality estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the first half of 2024 showed continued signs of improvement in highway safety.
An estimated 18,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first half of the year, a decrease of about 3.2% as compared to 19,330 fatalities estimated for the first half of 2023. Fatalities declined in both the first and second quarters of 2024, marking nine straight quarters that's happened.
The decrease in fatalities comes alongside an increase in overall vehicle miles traveled, based on Federal Highway Administration data. Vehicle miles traveled in the first half of 2024 increased by about 13.1 billion miles, or roughly 0.8% higher than the same time period last year.
More miles driven combined with fewer traffic deaths resulted in a fatality rate of 1.17 fatalities per 100 million VMT, down from the estimated rate of 1.21 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2023.
“Reversing the rise in roadway deaths has been a top priority for this Department, so we’re encouraged to see continued reductions in traffic fatalities -- yet the overall proportions of this issue remain at crisis levels and there is much more work to do,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Safety is at the core of our mission, and we are using funds from the Biden-Harris infrastructure package to deliver lifesaving resources to communities across the country so that roads become safer for everyone.”
Looking at different regions of the U.S., six out of 10 regions saw year-over-year decreases in traffic fatalities. Three regions saw year-over-year increases, while one region was flat.NHTSA
[Related: ELDs and highway safety: Crashes, injuries and fatalities rise post-mandate]
Great Dane recalling certain reefer trailers
Great Dane Trailers is recalling approximately 453 model year 2025 Everest SS refrigerated trailers in which the support gear bracing mounts may have been welded improperly, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
An improperly welded support gear bracing mount can lead to the trailer collapsing, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair the support gear bracing mount as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 22. Owners can contact Great Dane customer service at 877-369-3493. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-637.
[Related: Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors recalled]
FMCSA grants securement waiver for certain Wisconsin loggers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a waiver to allow an alternate securement method for log haulers in Wisconsin.
The waiver, requested by Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) on behalf of motor carriers in Wisconsin, allows the use of cargo securement methods that do not comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for securing shortwood logs transported lengthwise in crib-type vehicles that have been modified or manufactured without front structures, rear structures, or which have a center-mounted crane for loading and unloading.
In its request, GLTPA proposed specific tiedown requirements based on the structural configuration of the crib-type trailer:
- In instances where a crib-type trailer lacks a front structure, at least two tiedowns are required on the foremost stack, while other stacks are exempt if loaded in accordance with 49 CFR 393.116(b)(2) and 49 CFR 393.116(c).
- Similarly, if a crib-type trailer lacks a rear structure, a minimum of one tiedown is required on the rearmost stack, with the same exception for other stacks meeting FMCSR requirements.
- For vehicles with an internal gap between stacks, potentially allowing logs to move without continual contact with stakes, bunks, bolsters, or standards, at least one tiedown is necessary on the respective stack.
- In cases where a single tiedown is used, proper positioning is emphasized -- either midway between stakes or diagonally from front to rear, crossing over the stack at its midpoint.
FMCSA said it received 10 comments on GLTPA’s request, all in support of granting the exemption.
“The common comment across all submissions was the established safety and efficiency of using crib-type trailers for transporting wood products,” the agency said. “They emphasize the positive safety record, incident-free history, and the benefits of the crib-type trailer configuration for wood log securement.”
The agency found that the alternate securement methods would ensure a level of safety equal to or greater than current regulations. The waiver is limited to motor carriers in Wisconsin transporting shortwood logs loaded length-wise using crib-style vehicles that have been modified or manufactured as described above.
Fuel card service expands to RaceTrac, RaceWay locations
Multi Service Fuel Card, a fuel transaction processor serving the trucking industry, has added more than 75 RaceTrac and RaceWay locations to its card acceptance network.
Multi Service Fuel Card users will now be able to fuel at high-flow diesel canopies under the RaceTrac and RaceWay brands across the Southeast with additional locations planned to open in Texas, Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio within the next year.
“We are excited to bring RaceTrac and RaceWay into the Multi Service Fuel Card network,” said Aaron Decker, CEO of Multi Service Fuel Card. “Their legacy has been built upon providing extraordinary service to each guest that visits their stores. This customer-centricity aligns with our core values and is exactly what we look for when expanding our merchant network.”
As a fuel card initially founded by a former over-the-road truck driver, MS Fuel Card has specifically designed its fuel management program to support heavy-duty truck fleets with purchasing controls that protect against fraud and discount programs that help fleets manage one of their top operational expenses, the company said.
