It is very important during this unprecedented time we are experiencing to realize how important security methods are to our drivers. We would like to think that during this emergency crisis that no one would use this opportunity to harm a driver, steal cargo, or sabotage our cyber system.

Unfortunately, that is not the situation. A criminal will use any method they can. Also, emergencies like this, makes individuals react in desperation.

Here are some reminders to help secure your safety:

1. Driver safety is First Priority.
2. Do not discuss on the CB or social media sites where you are, or, what you are hauling.
3. When stopping for a rest break, do not disclose on CB or social media that location.
4. If you are approached by someone identifying themselves as law enforcement, ask for ID if you are uncertain to the validity of the officer. (i.e. plain clothed, unmarked car etc.)
5. If you are approached by anyone remain in the truck. The best protection is the LOCKED door between you and the outside.
6. Lock your trailers if possible. Some trailers will have the security seal, in addition you can also padlock your trailers.
7. If you are approached while walking in or out of a rest area, limit your conversation with individuals and use the social distancing that we are practicing.  If someone approaches you, it is acceptable for you to ask them to stop and not come any closer because of the emergency declaration.
8. If you are detained or held up by force or weapon etc., do what the person is requesting. Call 911 as soon as possible, with your location and information. Please remember you are not to be the hero and save the day.
9. If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately and give as much information to the operator as possible. Monitoring from a distance is sometimes asked but follow the 911 operator’s instruction.
10. Please note that conceal carry is not allowed in every state. You must adhere to the state laws.

Despite Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyear having elected to idle their plants in the wake of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, that does not impact TA/Petro’s ability to service customers, according to a company statement and inventory update.

TA/Petro says they have plenty of tire inventory on hand and are able to order as usual from the distribution centers until their plants return to operation.

The company stated they have a 30 day supply on hand and are monitoring tire inventory daily. TA/Petro locations are ramping up their retread inventory as well.

“Our retread plant in Bowling Green is staying open. If you have any questions or concerns, please advise.  Thanks for all your company and drivers are doing during these challenging times. Stay safe,” said Louis Ule, Fleet Solutions Specialist in a mass company email.

Questions? Contact Medallion Transport & Logistics

Medallion Transport & Logistics is committed to driver/owner-operator support, especially when it comes to weather, health and travel tips. We offer our freight agents and owner operators the most resources we possibly can. For questions about driver safety, give us a call at 704-235-0460 or send us an email to info@medalliontrans.com.

The 2020 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, scheduled for May 5 – 7, will no longer take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CVSA sets inspection and enforcement initiatives, such as International Roadcheck, which is scheduled for May 5-7. However, with public health and safety as its top concern, CVSA has decided to postpone International Roadcheck to later in the year. The Alliance will monitor the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and appropriately select the new dates when it’s safe and reasonable to do so. Once the rescheduled dates have been selected, CVSA will notify the commercial motor vehicle enforcement community, the motor carrier industry, the press and the public.

It is important to note that International Roadcheck, as a high-visibility, high-volume inspection and regulatory enforcement event, will no longer take place on May 5-7; however, roadside safety inspections and traffic enforcement will continue to be conducted every day, with enforcement personnel following their departmental health and safety policies and procedures, as appropriate.

“As we urgently respond to this time-sensitive crisis, we must remain diligent and committed to ensuring that the commercial motor vehicles and drivers providing essential goods and services to our communities are following motor carrier safety regulations,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “Safety doesn’t take a break. It is always our top priority.”

“International Roadcheck has run on-schedule for the past 32 years so its postponement was thoroughly and thoughtfully discussed before we made this decision, but it wasn’t a difficult decision to make,” said Sgt. Samis. “This experience is unprecedented in our modern society and we need to do all that we can to help stop the spread of this global pandemic.”

At this time, International Roadcheck is the only public enforcement initiative that has been postponed.Operation Safe Driver Week is still scheduled for July 12-18 and Brake Safety Week is still set for Aug. 23-29.

CVSA will closely monitor the coronavirus outbreak, follow guidance from public health expert leadership, and promptly notify the membership and industry stakeholders of the rescheduled International Roadcheck dates and the status of future scheduled enforcement campaigns.

For up-to-date information on coronavirus and guidance on this rapidly evolving situation, visit the website for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For Canada, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’swebsite. In Mexico, visit the government of Mexico’s website. Visit the World Health Organization’s websitefor a worldwide update on the coronavirus pandemic.

Are loads that include supplies related to direct assistance under the emergency declaration mixed with other, un-related materials covered under the declaration?

Generally, yes, however, mixed loads with only a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration are not covered.

Is a driver required to take a 30-minute break?

No, none of the hours of service regulations apply while the driver is engaged with providing direct assistance under the emergency relief exemption.

How do the hours a driver worked under the emergency exemption impact the 60/70-hour rule when the driver goes back to normal operations?

The hours worked providing direct assistance under the emergency relief exemption do not count toward the 60/70- hour rule.

Is a 34-hour restart required after providing direct assistance under the emergency declaration?

No, however, upon completion of the direct assistance and prior to returning to normal operations, the driver is required to meet the requirements of §§ 395.3(a) and (c) and 395.5(a), which include, for example, the requirement to take 10 hours off duty (8 hours for passenger carriers) and to comply with the on-duty limit of 60/70 hours in 7/8 days before returning to driving.

US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

EMERGENCY DECLARATION

Frequently Asked Questions Related to the FMCSA Emergency Declaration

Version 1.0 (March 19, 2020)

LINK: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/expanded-emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002

Is the driver required to use a paper logbook or ELD?

No, the emergency exemption includes relief from all the hours-of service regulations in 49 CFR part 395, including the recordkeeping requirements (i.e., records of duty status (RODS)).

If there is an ELD in the truck, what should a driver do to account for the miles driven?

There are three options:

1. Use the “authorized personal use” (personal conveyance) function of the ELD to record all of the time providing direct assistance under the exemption. Use of this function will result in the time being recorded as off duty and requires an annotation.

Use the ELD in its normal mode and annotate the ELD record to indicate they were driving under the emergency relief exemption; or

3. Turn off the ELD, in which case the carrier would address the unassigned miles in accordance with the current regulation.

What does a driver need to do if taking a backhaul not covered by the exemption after transporting an exempt load?

Upon completion of the direct assistance activities and prior to returning to normal operations, the driver is required to take 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving. All the time the driver spends engaged in work-related activities that are not associated with providing direct assistance must be counted under the HOS rules.

Are livestock a covered commodity under the terms of the emergency declaration?

Yes, Livestock are covered as a precursor to food. The emergency declaration covers “immediate precursor raw materials—such as paper, plastic or alcohol—that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items” including food needed for the emergency restocking of stores.

Are haulers of household waste and medical waste covered under the terms of the declaration?

Yes, transportation for removal of both household and medical waste is covered as “supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19.”

What documentation is needed to verify that the driver is operating under the exemption?

There is no specific documentation required for verification. Retention of ordinary business records, such as the bill of lading, may be useful later for the convenience of the motor carrier and driver, to document use of the exemption during a future inspection or enforcement action.

Does FMCSA have preemptive authority over states that decide/attempt to close highway rest stops?

No, however FMCSA is working closely with the States to ensure adequate truck parking and facilities are available.

Travel Centers of America (TA Petro) is working with its partners like Medallion Transport & Logistics to keep drivers informed on its protocols during the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to a company news release, they are  following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization updates, guidelines and recommendations and taking extra precautions and measures with their already strict cleaning protocols for sanitation. They’re also increasing cleaning frequency and continue to use best-in-class chemicals to disinfect and sanitize common touch points for employees and customers at all sites.

Fuel – Fuel islands are open and running across the country – we are not shutting down Truck Service – Open all published hours and here to help when needed.

RoadSquad – Up and running with no plans to shut down. Know if your driver is stranded we will get them up and running as quickly as possible.

Restaurants – Some of our food services in mandated states were ordered to close.  We are currently working through ways to still serve your drivers with takeout and options that would allow them to eat over-the-road. Buffets, soup and salad bar offerings are temporarily suspended, although restaurants remain open as of Tuesday, March 17.

Facilities – As many of you may have already seen we are taking extra precaution to keep facilities clean and safe.  We will continue to do this and please reassure your drivers TA is here for them.

We will continue to work with partners like these to provide all drivers with updates during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read TA’s direct response to COVID-19 here.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a 50-state waiver to the Hours of Service Rule for commercial vehicle drivers transporting goods related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

This declaration is the first time the FMCSA has issued nationwide relief and follows President Trump’s issuing of a national emergency declaration in response to the virus.

FMCSA’s declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:

• Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.
• Supplies and equipment, including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants, necessary for healthcare worker, patient and community safety, sanitation, and prevention of COVID-19 spread in communities.
• Food for emergency restocking of stores.
• Equipment, supplies and persons necessary for establishment and management of temporary housing and quarantine facilities related to COVID-19.
• Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for transport for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes.
• Personnel to provide medical or other emergency services.

To ensure continue safety on the nation’s roadways, the emergency declaration stipulates that once a driver has completed his or her delivery, the driver must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty if transporting property, and 8 hours if transporting passengers.

To read FMCSA’s national emergency declaration, visit: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/emergency-declaration-under-49-cfr-ss-39023-no-2020-002

Questions? Contact Medallion Transport & Logistics

Medallion Transport & Logistics is committed to driver support, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. For questions about driver safety, give us a call at 704-235-0460 or send us an email to info@medalliontrans.com.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (DOT) released a trucking advisory for ramp closures I-84 EB & WB Exit 137 on- and off-ramp.

Beginning Friday, April 3, the I-84 Exit 137 off-ramp to OR19 & I-84 WB on-ramp from OR19 will be closed Friday through Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The ramp closures are necessary for milling and paving. The estimated completion date for this project is April 5.

For more information: (503) 373-0000, option 1 for information about over-dimension loads; (503) 378-6699 for information about registration services.

Detour

No local detour available. Motor carriers will need to avoid traveling through this area during the restricted days/hours, or use authorized alternate routes, such as Exit 147.

For help determining authorized alternate routes, contact the agency’s Over Dimension Permit Unit, (503) 373-0000, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m, or contact your permit service company.

For current construction and travel information, visit https://tripcheck.com/or dial 511.

While we all can’t stop living our every day lives of trucking, which means time spent on the road at truck stops and ports, we can take extra precaution to protect ourselves from Coronavirus.

Both ports and truck stops are full of busy people who carry germs and contagious illnesses so right now doing a few things extra or different will make an impact.

Take these additional precautions and follow these preventative tips to protect yourself from coming in contact with the virus while out on the road trucking.

• Wear rubber gloves
• Carry masks and consider wearing them at ports
• Wash hands frequently
• Use alcohol based hand washing products such as GermX
• Where gloves or immediately wash your hands after pumping fuel (you don’t know who the last person was who used the pump)
• Lysol is better than Clorox – keep these wipes in the truck with you
• Wipe steering wheels often
• Wear gloves when tarping or chaining loads, especially any that contain anything imported

Here are more tips from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Questions? Contact Medallion Transport & Logistics

Medallion Transport & Logistics is committed to driver/owner-operator support, especially when it comes to weather, health and travel tips. We offer our freight agents and owner operators the most resources we possibly can. For questions about driver safety, give us a call at 704-235-0460 or send us an email to info@medalliontrans.com.

Spring weight restrictions will be enforced with specifics to oversize/overweight travel in a some states and counties.

Michigan

Update:

Effective 6:00 am Monday, March 2nd 2020 weight restrictions will be imposed and enforced on all state trunk line highways within an area of Michigan described as follows. Highways north of a line on M-43 in the City of South Haven east to US-131 in Kalamazoo County then south to I-94 in Kalamazoo County then east to I-69 in Calhoun County, then north to Lansing then continuing east on I-69 to Port Huron in St. Clair County. Highways south of a line on M-55 from the US-31 intersection in Manistee County east to M-66 in Missaukee County then north on M-66 to M-55 in Missaukee County then east on M-55 to the intersection of US-23 in City of Tawas, Iosco County. All state trunk lines between these two lines will have weight restrictions imposed and enforced.

Weight restriction information and updates may be obtained by calling 800-787-8960. For companies located in Canada and New Jersey, information may be obtained by calling 517-373-6256.

On routes designated as “All Season Routes” (green and fold on MDOT Truck Operators Map) there will be no reduction in legal axle weight, On routes designated as “Seasonal” (solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be a reduction of 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements.

Extended permits will be valid for oversize only in the weight restricted area.

Single trip permits will not be issued overweight or loads exceeding 14′ wide, 11 axles and 150′ in overall length in the weight restricted area.

Detailed weigh restriction information may be obtained at www.michigan.gov/truckers.