The Tennessee legislature is entering its final few days of this session and several major committees have either shut down or on their final calendars.  Over the past few days, the following actions have taken place:

 

1.       $3 Billion Infrastructure Plan. On March 30, 2023 the Senate and House passed the $3 Billion Infrastructure Plan.  Highlights of the plan include fees on electric vehicles to offset the foregone fuel tax revenue, as well as the establishment of public-private partnerships to construct “choice lanes.” Choice lanes allow drivers to proceed in certain lanes on the interstate for a fee, such as is commonly seen in states such as Georgia and Florida. While some critics call the lanes “toll roads,” which is something Tennessee has never pursued, proponents argue that it simply gives motorists a choice of traveling a less congested express lane for a fee, while the remaining lanes remain free as they always have.

 

2.       Three-Year License Plate.  The House passed HB675 with a unanimous floor vote.  This will allow rental car companies who currently have two-year license plates to obtain three-year license plates.  This has been done as a result of vehicles remaining in fleets for a longer period of time because of the pandemic and supply chain issues. 

 

3.       Towing Statutes.  On March 30, 2023 the House and Senate passed HB87/SB1337 which is this year’s revisions to the towing statutes in Tennessee.  The towing statutes in Tennessee are antiquated as they were first enacted in 1938.  This legislation was drafted with input from rental car companies, insurance companies and the Towing Association.  Among other things, this legislation will streamline notification by allowing towing companies to send notifications by overnight mail such as UPS and FedEx.  It clarifies that rental companies include motor vehicle rental companies and requires that notifications under public tows are applicable to private tows, which requires use of the TIES system to identify and notify owners of vehicles.  There are other changes that are enacted in an attempt to modernize the statute, as well.

 

Please remember the TTA Day on the Hill is April 5, 2023 and we hope to see you there.  Also, TTA will host its popular reception with bourbon and cigars at 4:30 pm that same day at Adams and Reese, 1600 West End Avenue, Suite 1400, Nashville Tennessee and we hope you will find time to attend that, as well. 

 

The Memphis PD is having issues with CMV trucks going through the city because of GPS navigation issues.  

The majority of the CMV trucks are going north on I-55 near the river, but the GPS often says to keep going straight and not stay on I-55 and head West over the river.  However, going straight means running straight into the construction (in red) on Riverside Drive. Memphis PD has seen many CMV trucks driving through the city because they are lost and trying to turn around. See the photo attached. 

The best route to take is I-240 North (physical signs say I-240, but Google Maps shows the updated I-69).  This Riverside Drive closure will be well into 2024, so it will be long-term.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Memphis PD or Tennessee Trucking Association if you have any questions, or need further information.  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/29/2023

TENNESSEE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION

 

NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Trucking Foundation & Association is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for “Slow Down Tennessee.” During April 14 – 28, Tennessee Trucking Association will increase education, awareness, and enforcement efforts to help reduce speeding-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities statewide.

 

According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were nearly 23,000 speeding-related crashes in Tennessee from 2017 to 2019. 36% of those crashes involved drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 years old.

 

Tennessee Trucking Foundation’s Road Team Captains plan to share the dangers of speeding and the importance of road safety and education throughout the community at various events, schools, and conferences. The Tennessee Trucking Association will share these initiatives and information on the “Slow Down Tennessee” program online.

 

The State of Tennessee requires motorists to always exercise due care and maintain a safe speed while driving. Speed limits may vary depending on the county and road conditions; therefore, drivers must always pay attention and adhere to posted speed limits to ensure the safety of all roadway users.

For more information about speeding, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/speeding.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Truck drivers and other employees of Averitt Express recently set a new standard for their largest donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as they raised $1,200,001 in 2022.

 

The contribution was recently presented to St. Jude, and it marked the fourth consecutive year Averitt has given at least $1 million. It’s also the eighth consecutive year Averitt employees have either matched or broken their fundraising record. As has become the tradition for the last several years, the extra $1 represents what Averitt calls “The Power of One,” showing the difference every person can make.

 

The milestone was made possible by contributions from Averitt employees and retirees participating in Averitt Cares for Kids, the company’s charitable employee-giving program. More than 94% of Averitt associates are members of Averitt Cares for Kids, giving $1 per week to help St. Jude and other important causes. The donation was also bolstered by a company contribution of $750,000 in honor of associates’ accomplishments, life events and participation in community service projects.

 

“I’m humbled by the way our associates come together to support the good works of St. Jude,” said Gary Sasser, Averitt’s chairman and chief executive officer. “For more than 50 years, we’ve been committed to helping others, and I’m even more excited about how we can help the children of St. Jude in the future through Averitt Cares for Kids.”

 

Averitt Cares for Kids began in 1987 and has contributed more than $14 million to numerous charities, including over $11 million to St. Jude. Since 1990, Averitt Cares for Kids contributions have been designated to St. Jude as part of their special partnership. And in 1997, Averitt Cares for Kids completed a $1.5 million endowment to help fund the initial construction of the St. Jude Leukemia and Lymphoma Clinic – 80% of all St. Jude patients visit the clinic at some point during their treatment.

 

For more information about Averitt Cares for Kids, its special relationship with St. Jude and other ways Averitt associates give back, visit Averitt.com/AverittCares.

 

About Averitt Express

Serving shippers for over 50 years, Averitt is a leading provider of freight transportation and supply chain management solutions with an international reach to 100+ countries. Averitt’s LTL, Truckload, Dedicated, Distribution & Fulfillment, and Integrated services provide shippers access to a wide array of services and customized solutions that cover every link in the supply chain. Together, these services and technology offerings provide “The Power of One” to shippers, allowing them access to multiple transportation solutions from a single provider. Averitt’s 9,000+ associates are dedicated to delivering the most reliable services within the industry, and to promoting a company culture that is centered around people, communities and giving back. For more information, call 1-800-AVERITT (283-7488) or visit Averitt.com.

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On March 7, 2023 M&W Transportation Co. was awarded the 3rd place Division II Fleet Safety Award at TCA’s annual convention.

Director of Safety Chris Woody accepted the award on behalf of M&W. Entries in this category included fleets with 5-14.99 million miles from all of North America.

“These annual awards identify truckload carriers that have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to safety through presenting the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles in each of six mileage-based divisions.” https://truckload.org/news/2022-fleet-safety-winners/

 

 

 

Query Notifications

 

The Clearinghouse will now notify employers if there is a change to a driver’s Clearinghouserecord up to 12 months following a driver query. 

Previously, after conducting a pre-employment query, an employer received a notification from the Clearinghouse if there was a change to that driver’s Clearinghouse record within 30 days. FMCSA has expanded employer notifications, as explained below. 

As of March 8, 2023, an employer will be notified via email when a driver they have queried has new information recorded in their Clearinghouse record within 12 months of a pre-employment or annual query. The Query History will also be updated to reflect when new information is available, as illustrated in the screenshot below. 

 

Example of a notification of new information in a driver’s record on the Query History page.

Follow-on query is needed to view new driver information.

Note that new information in a Clearinghouse record may include changes such as an update in return-to-duty status, a removed violation, or a new violation. A full follow-on query is needed to determine if the new information results in the driver having a “Prohibited” Clearinghouse status.

The employer should complete a full follow-on query, which requires the driver’s specific consent, within 24 hours to determine if the new information prohibits the driver from performing safety-sensitive functions, such as operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

If the employer uses the “Send Consent Request” prompt on the Query History screen, they will not be charged for the follow-on query. The follow-on query will also satisfy the employer’s annual query requirement, and employers will receive notifications of changes to the driver’s record within 12 months of a follow-on query.

For more details, see these new and updated frequently asked questions which are on the Clearinghouse website:

How is an employer notified of changes to a driver’s Clearinghouse record?

What actions should an employer take if notified of a change to a driver’s Clearinghouse record?

Which Clearinghouse users are notified when there is a change to a driver’s Clearinghouse record?

What is the annual requirement for employee queries and how is it tracked?

 

Are you up to date on your annual queries?

Log in to the Clearinghouse and visit your Query History page to see if your annual queries are due. For instructions on conducting annual queries, download the How to Conduct a Limited Query job aid. LOG IN TO THE CLEARINGHOUSE.

 

 

 

The J. J. Keller Center for Market insights is the research arm of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. The center conducts studies that are then shared with the public to further awareness of and conversation about important safety and compliance topics.

 

Currently, we are fielding an anonymous survey about in-cab technology, specifically focused on light and medium-duty fleets. I am not certain if you have many members in this category. However, if you are so inclined and want to share this survey link, we would welcome your members’ participation.

 

The survey is open from through Monday, March 20.

 

Anonymous Survey Link: https://jjkeller.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_71njb4UTsTGr4QS