Truck Drivers News Blog

A blog for truck drivers news, and a watchdog site for the trucking industry.

Archive for April, 2009

Speed cameras for school zones advances

April 30th, 2009

Intending to show once and for all that using cameras to ticket speeding drivers is only about safety, a suburban state senator on Thursday changed his plan allowing speed cameras on nearly any road to only permit speed cameras to be used in school, park and hospital zones.

“We feel that these are areas where our children and vulnerable individuals are walking and we are very concerned about them,” said state Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat. “I think this will meet the safety concerns of what we’re talking about.”

Under the revised plan, cities and villages would be allowed to contract with speed camera companies that would install equipment, watch for speeders and issue tickets in the specific zones.

“I think we took the concerns about revenue enhancements out of here to make this bill what it was: truly a safety bill,” Link said.

But several state senators said they were still not convinced by Link’s safety claims and believe speed camera enforcement is only about making money.

“I just fundamentally disagree with the principle of having the cameras, where they’re used and why they’re used and what their real purpose is. The kind of money they generate is just incredible,” said state Sen. Dan Duffy, a Lake Barrington Republican. “In suburban areas they definitely use them as Cash Station machines.”

State Sen. Tim Bivins, a Dixon Republican, agreed with Duffy. “I’m all about safety, but I think this is more about revenue and I can’t support the bill,” he said.

A trucking industry spokesman said truck drivers also oppose the speed camera plan because truckers are sick of getting tickets due to misread license plates by tollway enforcement cameras.

“We just don’t think the technology is up there yet. We don’t think this is a good way to go about enforcement. We prefer that law enforcement officers we do have out there enforce the laws,” said Matt Hart, associate director of the Mid-West Truckers Association.

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U.S. Foodservice Delivers 16,000 Pounds of Food to Mid-Michigan Food Bank

April 30th, 2009

U.S. Foodservice’s Detroit distribution center delivered 16,000 pounds – 8 tons – of canned, fresh and packaged food this week to the Mid-Michigan Food Bank in Lansing, MI. The food bank is part of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. In 2008, U.S. Foodservice donated more than $4 million in food and financial support to Feeding America.

But before delivering its load of food to the Mid-Michigan food bank, the 42-foot U.S. Foodservice truck made a stop in Mt. Pleasant, where the company’s gleaming white 18-wheeler delivery truck was featured in Good Morning America’s “At Your House” series showing how U.S. communities are coping with the recession.

At the wheel of the U.S. Foodservice truck was Tim Allen, a 14-year career driver for the company.

“It was really exciting to support the good work of Feeding America, and to see the Good Morning America team in action. Special thanks to Tim Allen for taking on this special assignment to help an organization that is serving millions of Americans during these difficult economic times,” said Steve Preston, president of the Detroit Division.

“Our company works every day to help our customers win–today we got to help the people of central Michigan win,” he said.

U.S. Foodservice is a dedicated supporter of Feeding America and its member food banks. 2008 marked the launch of their Full Plates, Full Lives campaign featuring both national and local initiatives to help support the fight against hunger.

Each year, the Feeding America network provides food assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.

Please visit the company’s website at www.usfoodservice.com.

Saftey at loading sites

April 30th, 2009

As some of you know from this weeks tweets, I was hurt at a loading site. I won’t get into much discussion about my situation as there may be some legal issues in the future. All I will say is that I was loading a load of cement, and pulled out of the silo to shut my lids, and when I climbed down off my trailer my foot went between the concrete and railroad tracks and I sprained my ankle.

Be sure of your footing when you have to climb up or down. I have loaded at this same place 10,000 times, not really but it sure seems like it anyway. Always be aware of your surroundings while walking the dock area. Some of these company’s are old and have been around for years, they could stand to be renovated sometimes.

If you are hurt while at a customer, report to your dispatcher at once, then the plant officials. In my case this company was extremely nice, I am thinking it might be because of legal matters scare them. Get yourself checked out as soon as possible. That is why companies have insurance.

There are so many hazards to keep an eye out for. It makes it difficult to keep 100% safe.

Trailer helps raise breast-cancer awareness

April 30th, 2009

HOUMA — More than 53 feet long and splashed in bright-pink paint, it’s about the loudest message you could put on wheels.

About a year ago, Saia Inc. dedicated a decorated trailer to raise awareness of breast cancer, partnering with Susan G. Komen for The Cure, a network of breast-cancer survivors and activists.

Since then the trailer has been trucked through 34 states, with the goal of getting bystanders to

go to www.saia.com and click on the picture of the pink trailer on the page.

Every click on the truck means Saia will donate 10 cents to the Komen group, which is the largest source of nonprofit money dedicated to fighting breast cancer, including money for community health programs and hundreds of research grants.

Full Story

Runaway UPS Truck Hits Pedestrian

April 30th, 2009

West Hollywood, California (Thursday, April 30, 2009) – A UPS truck parked above Sunset Boulevard on Clark Street broke away and plunged downhill onto San Vicente Boulevard last Friday, striking two cars and a pedestrian.

The victim, a 72-year old West Hollywood man, suffered contusions, cuts and broken ribs, according to Sgt. Kris Aloma, WeHo Sheriff Traffic Sergeant.

The collision took place around 11 o’clock in the morning while the UPS driver made a delivery.

Sgt Aloma said the driver stated that he had curbed his wheels, so how the truck broke loose remained a mystery.

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Truck driver charged in death of highway worker

April 30th, 2009

Police have arrested a truck driver in the death of a state Department of Transportation worker in a work zone on a southern Indiana highway.

62-year-old William Hurt of Boonville was released on bond from the Vanderburgh County Jail Monday. He faces felony charges of reckless driving in a highway work zone and disregarding traffic control in a work zone resulting in death.

49-year-old Mark Shepherdson of Newburgh died after his INDOT truck was struck from behind by a dump truck filled with gravel.

The crash happened March 27 on Interstate 164 on Evansville’s east side.

Pulled From

Ruling Supports LA/LB Emission Goals

April 30th, 2009

Environmental group applauds decision in clean-trucks case

A U.S. district court ruling this week allowing Los Angeles and Long Beach to enforce a clean-trucks program should help the ports achieve their truck emission goals, at least in the short term, according to an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“We are pleased with the ruling,” David Pettit, the environmental organization’s lead attorney in Los Angeles, told a meeting of the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce.

The ruling by Los Angeles District Court Judge Christina A. Snyder allows the ports to enforce concession requirements that mandate the expedited retirement of old, polluting trucks and require that motor carriers adhere to truck maintenance and driver credentialing standards.

Judge Snyder, however, also issued a preliminary injunction against a Port of Los Angeles provision that motor carriers must hire drivers as direct employees. Pettit said that injunction raises questions as to the long-term sustainability of the truck maintenance and repair requirements, but it should not interfere with the short-term goal of reducing pollution in the harbor.

Now that the elements of a viable clean-trucks program are falling into place, the NRDC is likely to visit other ports to ensure they are taking steps to reduce truck pollution. Pettit said the NRDC, a national organization, will focus on the top 10 U.S. container ports and their clean-air programs.

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Don’s truck stop sees uptick as closing nears

April 30th, 2009

DIMONDALE – The decision by the owner of Don’s Windmill Truck Stop to close the business after 54 years seems to be a sign of the times.

The truck stop near the junction of Interstate 96 and Interstate 69 will serve its last meal Friday. A store and fueling station will remain open a while longer until business winds down.

The landmark truck stop provided jobs to four generations of the Millisor family and thousands of employees, current General Manager Daniel Millisor said.

“It’s the failure of Michigan’s economy that did it,” Millisor said. “It’s very sad to see it happen.”

Truck stops nationwide have struggled in the past two years, said Marsha Bird, CEO of the North American Truck Stop Network, which represents 165 independently owned truck stops. Don’s wasn’t among the members.

Bird said high fuel prices, which peaked last year, hurt truck stops. Operators typically make little or no money on fuel sales, and rely instead on restaurant and store sales to make a profit. Truckers cut back on food and other purchases when diesel prices soared above $4 per gallon last year.

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ABF Freight System’s Latest Change of Operations

April 30th, 2009

ABF Freight System is planning to close Teamsters’ road board operations in six locales. It says it is doing this because of declining freight volumes and to consolidate operations. The proposal means a loss of 127 Teamsters jobs.

Arkansas Best Corp.’s largest unit, ABF Freight System, is requesting a change of operations from the Teamsters union that will mean a loss of 127 jobs through consolidation at six terminals. The move is a reaction to declining freight volumes at the company.

The proposed change of operations is expected to be approved by the union at a meeting in Las Vegas on May 13. That much is known. What isn’t known is what is going on behind the scenes in the executive suites at ABF and, perhaps, at YRC Worldwide, the nation’s largest LTL carrier.

With analysts clamoring that there could be as much as 10 to 15 percent overcapacity in the LTL industry, some moves have to be made. ABF’s first-quarter operating results were dismal–the parent company lost $18.2 million in the first quarter compared with $8.2 million profit in the year-ago first quarter as truckers cope with lingering effects of the recession.

What is startling about ABF’s results was the whopping 23.3 percent decline in tonnage. That caused ABF’s operating ratio to balloon to a whopping 108.3 in the first quarter, compared with a 97.3 OR in the year-ago first quarter.

Clearly, this latest nominal change of operations is not going to turn around those dismal results.
So, what would?

There are rampant rumors within the trucking industry that ABF may be preparing a bid for YRC’s troubled regional freight unit, the former USF Corp. companies.

Full Story

Geesh, give us a break

April 26th, 2009

She must be doing something right, for all you whiners to keep bitching about her…..damn. Seems all you whiners just want to bitch about something….oh I forgot just a bunch of whiny ass truck drivers, now using twitter like a CB radio. I tell ya sounds like a lot of Twitter Rambo’s have found the new improved CB Radio…Twitter!

Opinions are like assholes, everybody has them. My opinion of @TruckerDesiree is that she is very out spoken…something this industry needs today! My opinions of other so claimed to be advocates are well let’s say I would probably need to password protect this post in order to really say what needs to be said, I’m sure they will comment…I don’t need to call any names.

The threats need to stop, she evidently is not scared by them which I am truely amazed by this. She is but one small person that has a very loud voice. I for one am proud of how she has taken on so much from everyone. She is out here everyday doing the same job as you whiners are doing. Probably a little better than most I’ve seen on the road lately.

I know we have OOIDA out here as a so called voice for truckers, but really I have not seen a whole lot they accomplish. What I am trying to say is, I think they could do a lot more but are afraid to try it. Afraid they will lose their anual money they get from their followers. I know it takes money to get things done, BUT it also takes voices NOT afraid to say what needs to be said.

@SIlverSurfer_Tx and his brother JB also have loud voices and I commend them for standing up for what they know is right. They have been battling the battle for along time, and thankfully they have not given up. Just because they have been out here for a lot longer than @TruckerDesiree they don’t get as much flack as she does.

@DanielAudet I am happy to say is one with a voice also. I thank you for standing strong and allowing all of us to have a voice and way for ones who don’t to listen in.

@askthetrucker is another one not afraid to say what needs to be said. Also, has given the trucking community a place to voice what needs to be talked about in this day and age. I thank you for all you have done, and for what you are doing!

Just to mention a few, I know there are more if I left you out don’t hold it against me I could list thousands of names. You whiners reading this right now, take your little comments elsewhere. You want to bitch and complain about one voice, and run it into the ground. Don’t bring that shit in here. I don’t care if you follow me on twitter or not…here’s a idea…BLOCK her, or me or the others I mentioned. But, no you would be scared if you missed something. Geesh give us a break STFU, we are all adults here not a bunch of little school kids.

I bitch about the junky Pilot showers as well. The biggest reason I PAY to shower else where. If I could fuel elsewhere I would do that as well. Maybe, you whiners should start to. Instead of making threats start listening, start voicing your opinions about other things instead of bitching about one tiny voice.

One last thing, don’t bother wasting my time posting a rude comment because I own this site, I PAY for it myself, I can and will EDIT or DELETE it.

Truck Drivers News Blog

Archive for April, 2009

Speed cameras for school zones advances

Related Posts:

U.S. Foodservice Delivers 16,000 Pounds of Food to Mid-Michigan Food Bank

Related Posts:

Saftey at loading sites

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Trailer helps raise breast-cancer awareness

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Runaway UPS Truck Hits Pedestrian

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Truck driver charged in death of highway worker

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Ruling Supports LA/LB Emission Goals

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Don’s truck stop sees uptick as closing nears

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ABF Freight System’s Latest Change of Operations

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Geesh, give us a break

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