Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020:
ATA President Chris Spear touts trucking’s efforts amid COVID-19 pandemic
In his annual address to the American Trucking Associations’ Management & Exhibition Conference on Monday, ATA President and CEO Chris Spear highlighted the challenges presented to motor carriers by the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding state shutdown orders — and lauded the industry’s response to those trials.
“Our combined efforts have helped put America on a path to full recovery… and the numbers prove it,” he said. “Throughout this pandemic, trucking has done what it does best – care. We restocked depleted shelves and delivered medical supplies and test kits to first responders. At the same time, we kept our own safe… distributing nearly 1,000 gallons of hand sanitizer, 250,000 KN-95 masks and helped FMCSA distribute over one million more, free of charge.”
Spear also spelled out ATA’s top regulatory and policy priorities for the year ahead, including continuing to back carriers against what he called “frivolous lawsuits” that lead to massive court-ordered payouts against trucking companies; working with legislators on passing a long-term infrastructure bill; fighting trucks-only toll efforts at the state level; and working with law enforcement to stop human trafficking.
“It’s no surprise that America has awakened to the trucking industry. Together, we inspire others. Together, we will win and grow. And we’ll always answer the call when our country needs us most. Trucking isn’t just the backbone of our economy, it’s the heartbeat of this nation.”
5,100 trucks placed out-of-service during Brake Safety Week
More than 5,100 trucks were sidelined for various brakes-related violations during the annual Brake Safety Week, which was held Aug. 23-29.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspectors across the U.S., Canada and Mexico removed 5,156 trucks from highways with out-of-service violations, accounting for 12% of the 43,565 trucks inspected during the week-long blitz.
