Mileage Matters | February 27, 2024

FMCSA issues active phishing alert: Scammers push fake safety audit claims

Commercial Carriers Journal- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published an alert for motor carriers with authority about phishing attempts by criminals posing as agency auditors via email.

The "fake safety audit" attempt is taking the form of emails to registered entities, including motor carriers, "pretending to be FMCSA" notifying you of the "need to schedule a safety audit," the agency said.

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Federal & State Regulations

FMCSA planning new study on detention time

Transport Topics- Federal trucking regulators are planning an in-depth research study that will analyze data collected by approximately 80 carriers and 2,500 commercial motor vehicle drivers to help determine the frequency and severity of detention time drivers face when making deliveries.

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Truck drivers: FMCSA wants to see your leasing agreement

Freight Waves- If you’re a truck driver and have a lease agreement with a trucking company, federal regulators want to see your contract — especially if you feel it’s predatory or fraudulent.

The request is part of a data collection that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is requesting on behalf of its Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF) in an effort to crack down on deceptive leasing practices that can affect a truck driver’s health and safety.

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FMCSA renews warning-flag exemption for stinger-trailer car haulers

Commercial Carriers Journal- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is provisionally renewing an exemption to relieve motor carriers operating stinger-steered car-haul equipment from the requirement to place warning flags on projecting loads of new and used motor vehicles.

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FMCSA issues warning after chemical nurse tank ‘rockets’ hundreds of feet

Freight Waves- Federal regulators “strongly recommend” that owners of “nurse tanks,” used typically to transport anhydrous ammonia over public roadways and farm fields, conduct voluntary tests due to the potential for catastrophic failure based on new test results.

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Illinois bill to copy California emission regs draws heat

Transport Topics- A wave of opposition is mounting in the Illinois General Assembly to a bill that would have the state follow California’s lead in adoption of strict emissions laws that would eventually prohibit sales of diesel-powered trucks in favor of zero-emission options such as electric vehicles.

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Teamsters, California lawmakers reintroduce push for bill to require human operators in AV trucks

Commercial Carriers Journal- As autonomous trucking regulations gain momentum, California lawmakers and labor unions, led by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, continue to push for a bill reining in its acceleration.



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Business

J.B. Hunt forges intermodal agreement with Walmart

Transport Topics- J.B. Hunt Transport Services announced February 22 that subsidiary J.B. Hunt Transport has entered into a multiyear intermodal service agreement with Walmart Inc. that includes purchasing its intermodal assets.

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New tax plan could ease investment burden for truckers

Freight Waves- The Senate may soon consider a three-year tax package that includes financial benefits for both large and small trucking companies. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support.



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Training

New: Reasonable Suspicion Supervisor Drug & Alcohol Training

March 26

New: Accident

Prevention, Management & Investigation

April 9

Periodic Inspection Training (PIT)

May 16

Have an emergency at a rail crossing?

Michigan Railroad Association- The Michigan Railroad Association (MRA) is raising awareness of its Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) at highway-rail grade crossings.

An ENS sign gives the public critical emergency contact information at every highway-rail grade crossing. The information on the ENS sign enables the public to reach the railroad responsible for the crossing and to identify the specific crossing in the event of an emergency.

Download EMS flyer

MTA seeks Decision Driving Skid Pad Instructor 

Michigan Trucking Association is excited to announce the reopening of their Skid Pad Training Program. The

training facility is located on Eaton Corporation Proving Grounds in Marshall, MI.

MTA is hiring a qualified Skid Pad Training Instructor. This is a full-time, competitive salaried position with an excellent medical, dental, 401(k) and vacation package.

The position requires:

• Commercial motor vehicle experience e.g., driver, driver instructor, safety director, etc.
• A current Michigan CDL and valid medical card
• Ability to pass DOT drug/alcohol testing

This position will spend three days on site in Marshall conducting skid pad training exercises and two days at the MTA Lansing office. 

To apply, please email resume to: Michelle Zemla, Project Director, MTA Education Center, Inc.

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