Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Dec. 16, 2022:
Texas stepping up inspections at border
On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) began conducting enhanced commercial vehicle safety inspections at border crossings into Texas.
This is the second round of such inspections. In April, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state police to perform similar inspections. They only lasted for about two weeks and caused lengthy backups at the borders.
Texas DPS said this time around, the enhanced inspections are being conducted at random. Abbott's order in April called on DPS "to conduct enhanced safety inspections of vehicles as they cross international ports of entry into Texas," but it's unclear if those were conducted on a random basis.
“We are committed to enforcing compliance with safety standards, and one of our department’s primary functions is to ensure Texas roadways are safe for all Texans and visitors to our great state,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Cartels do not care about the condition of the vehicles they send into Texas any more than they do about the human lives they cram into tractor-trailers or those lost to a fentanyl overdose.”
McCraw added that DPS will not discuss operational specifics for security reasons, “but we hope that frequent enhanced commercial vehicle safety inspections will help deter cartel smuggling activity along our southern border while increasing the safety of our roadways.”
[Related: New Texas border inspection directive slowing cross-border operations]
Omnitracs, XRS devices now Canada-certified for its ELD mandate
The Solera company, provider of electronic-logging-device and telematics platforms, announced it has completed the required third-party certification of four devices to satisfy the Canadian ELD mandate, set to take effect Jan. 1 if not delayed.
The devices are: Omnitracs’ Intelligent Vehicle Gateway, XRS with Relay, Omnitracs One with XRS Relay, and Omnitracs One with AMGC ELDs. All were certified by FP Innovations for compliance with the Mandate.
Solera’s Canada-based and U.S.-based customers that do business in Canada are fully covered under terms of the mandate, the company said.
“Our products meet strict performance and design standards, underscoring Solera’s dedication to provide quality and compliant technology to customers,” said Florence Dougherty, director of product management at Omnitracs. “We are focused and committed to safety and compliance, and we’re proud to continue providing a high-level of service to our customers operating in Canada.”
[Related: Canadian ELD mandate set for January 1 enforcement deadline]
Yokohama recalling 6,000 drive, trailer tires
Yokohama Tire Corporation has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is voluntarily recalling two sizes of commercial tires.
The 295/75R22.5 TY517 MC2 drive tire and BluEarth 109L trailer tire in the same size were manufactured at Yokohama’s plant in West Point, Mississippi, between May 29 and June 4, 2022.
A total 68 TY517 MC2 and three BluEarth 109L tires are believed to be affected, but out of an abundance of caution, 6,125 tires are being recalled.
The recall, initiated in accordance with NHTSA regulations, was issued because the tires may have been manufactured with an improperly formulated compound. Yokohama said there is potential for a portion of the tread to separate from the casing of the tire, increasing the risk of a crash.
Three new Love’s now open
Truck drivers hauling through eastern Iowa, central California and central Illinois now have new options for parking, fueling and more with the opening of three new Love’s Travel Stops.
A new Love’s in Muscatine, Iowa, near the Illinois border is open with 29 truck parking spaces, Chester’s Chicken and Godfather’s Pizza restaurants, five diesel bays, four showers and more.
In Patterson, California, a new Love’s offers 91 truck parking spaces, an Arby’s restaurant, eight diesel bays, eight showers, a Speedco and more.
Finally, in Normal, Illinois, Love’s opened a new location that features 111 truck parking spaces, a Bojangles restaurant, nine diesel bays, 10 showers, a Speedco and more.
