Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022:
Nebraska waives HOS for fuel haulers
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Tuesday issued an emergency declaration related to “fuel shortages due to high demand for petroleum products,” waiving hours of service regulations for certain fuel haulers.
The declaration allows for a temporary waiver of Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations “for the limited purpose of hauling gasoline or gasoline blends, diesel, fuel oil, ethanol, propane, and biodiesel.”
Drivers operating under the waiver are required to carry a copy of the declaration with them “as evidence of their direct support to the state of Nebraska during this emergency period.”
The waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect through Nov. 30.
A similar waiver is in effect in the state of South Dakota.
[Related: Only 25 days of diesel left?]
Mark your calendars for CVSA’s 2023 inspection blitzes
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has scheduled several of its enforcement efforts for 2023, including International Roadcheck.
Those programs and their dates include:
- A Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is scheduled for Jan. 9-13 in the U.S. and Feb. 20-24 in Canada. This program seeks to reduce human trafficking in North America through coordinated enforcement and educational measures within the trucking industry.
- International Roadcheck is set for May 16-18. Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world.
- Operation Safe Driver Week will be held July 9-15. During Operation Safe Driver Week, law enforcement personnel look for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in risky driving behaviors such as speeding.
- Brake Safety Week will run from Aug. 20-26. During Brake Safety Week, commercial motor vehicle inspectors conduct brake system inspections (primarily Level IV Inspections) on large trucks and buses throughout North America to identify brake-system violations.
An unannounced one-day brake safety enforcement initiative, often held in the Spring time frame, can nonetheless take place at any time during the year, CVSA said, and also involves inspectors checking brakes to identify brake violations.
Related coverage from this year in the CSA's Data Trail series:
**The toughest states for brakes violations -- getting prepped for Brake Safety Week
**A sharp rise in moving violations, as inspection numbers inch back toward pre-COVID levels
**The five most-common reasons wheel seals fail, and other Roadcheck-ready resources
OOIDA’s Truckers for Troops kicks off next week
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is getting ready to launch its annual Truckers for Troops care package campaign, which is scheduled for the week of Nov. 7-14, the same week as Veterans Day.
The fundraising effort has been an OOIDA tradition since 2007, dedicated to sending care packages to service personnel stationed in combat zones. Truckers for Troops has also helped a variety of veterans facilities in the U.S., including those assisting or housing wounded, disabled or homeless service members.
Over the past 15 years, OOIDA has raised more than $729,000 and sent more than 3,200 care packages, serving more than 39,252 members of the military. The organization has also sent aid packages to 65 different facilities caring for wounded, disabled and homeless veterans, working with the Veterans Community Project.
During Truckers for Troops week, a broadcast is planned for each day on OOIDA’s Land Line Now satellite radio show on Sirius XM’s Road Dog channel 146. During that week, truckers can join OOIDA or renew their membership for $35, with 10% of that money going toward care packages. OOIDA matches the 10% dollar for dollar.
Individual tax-deductible contributions to the Truckers for Troops fund are also accepted and can be paid to the OOIDA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Truckers can also visit OOIDA’s tour truck, The Spirit of the American Trucker, during the campaign and sign up or renew their membership.
To contribute, join or renew, individuals can call OOIDA’s main number, 816-229-5791. Drivers can join over the phone during business hours or online at OOIDA’s website. OOIDA also has a page for donations only and more information.
Anyone who has a family member or friend serving with the U.S. military, and who would like for them to get a care package, can send the name and complete address to [email protected] and be sure to include projected stateside return date.
Cards and letters can be sent to:
Attention: Truckers for Troops
P.O. Box 1000
Grain Valley, MO 64029
Towns or school names can be included, but do not include last names or other personal information. All ages are welcome. Packages go out in January or February 2023, and veterans packages are done throughout the year.
