Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024:
DOT amends oral fluid drug testing procedures
The U.S. Department of Transportation is revising its drug and alcohol testing procedures that were finalized in May 2023 that authorized oral fluid drug testing as an additional methodology for employers to use as a means of achieving the safety goals of the program.
The DOT said it has determined that various aspects of last year’s rule “need to be further amended due to unforeseen circumstances that have rendered it impossible to comply with requirements for mock oral fluid collection observers, for consistency with regard to privacy during the specimen collection, and to clarify the means by which collectors document that a sufficient volume of oral fluid was collected.”
According to DOT, the amended final rule:
- Provides temporary qualification requirements for mock oral fluid monitors
- Provides for consistent requirements by identifying which individuals may be present during an oral fluid collection
- Clarifies how collectors are to document that a sufficient volume of oral fluid was collected
The full text of the amended final rule can be read here.
While the new final rule clarifies concerns around oral fluid collection, DOT-regulated entities still have to wait before using oral fluid drug testing. DOT noted that oral fluid specimens cannot be collected, and DOT oral fluid testing cannot be implemented, until the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certifies at least two laboratories – one to serve as a primary laboratory, and a second to serve as a split specimen laboratory – and until there is a device that meets DOT requirements per Appendix B of Part 40.
To date, HHS has not yet certified any laboratories for oral fluid drug testing with a device that meets DOT standards.
[Related: Oral fluid testing a significant shift in the drug screening landscape]
Ryder recognizes top carriers
Ryder System (CCJ Top 250, No. 8) has announced its top carrier selections for the company’s 27th annual Ryder Carrier Quality Awards.
The award program recognizes United States and Canada carriers for service quality and operational excellence based on a variety of metrics, including on-time performance, customer service, economic value, claims handling, and commitment to innovation.
“We manage a network of 87,500 qualified carriers under contract to move more than $11 billion in freight on behalf of our customers annually,” said Kendra Phillips, vice president of transportation management and brokerage for Ryder. “One thing that sets this year’s honorees apart is their commitment to technology and innovation to find efficiencies, drive productivity, and ultimately improve resiliency in an often unpredictable market.”
The recipients of this year’s Ryder Carrier Quality Awards are:
- National Dry Van Carrier of the Year – Mesilla Valley Transportation (No. 67)
- Regional Dry Van Carrier of the Year – GP Transportation
- Intermodal Carrier of the Year – Alliance Shippers
- Refrigerated Carrier of the Year – Prime, Inc. (No. 16)
- Flatbed Carrier of the Year – Melton Truck Lines (No. 72)
- National LTL Carrier of the Year – Estes Express Lines (No. 11)
- Regional LTL Carrier of the Year – Dayton Freight Lines (No. 48)
- Oil & Gas Carrier of the Year – Press Energy Services
- Canadian Truckload Carrier of the Year – Charger Logistics (No. 175)
- Canadian LTL Carrier of the Year – Midland Transport Ltd. (No. 236)
- Freight Forwarder of the Year – Imperative Logistics
- Maritime Carrier of the Year – VinLog USA
- Drayage Carrier of the Year – Romar Transportation
Transition Trucking voting open through Veterans Day
Public voting for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award finalists is open through Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
The prestigious award, coordinated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, Kenworth and Fastport, honors military veterans who have made an outstanding transition into the commercial trucking industry.
The Transition Trucking Award finalists are, clockwise from top left to bottom left: Douglas Couch, Cory Troxell, Shawn Haley, and Billy Taylor.Kenworth
The general public can cast their vote online. Finalists for 2024 are summarized below in alphabetical order by last name:
- Douglas Couch, U.S. Navy (E-5), Roehl Transport, Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 60), Roehl Transport Training: Couch served in the Navy from 2012-2016, onboard the USS Nimitz CVN 68. He worked as a Culinary Specialist 2nd Class. In this role, he oversaw 50 sailors, feeding more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines while being forward deployed. Since transitioning into the trucking industry, Douglas has driven more than 150,000 miles and has shown a true and relentless dedication to safety.
- Shawn Haley, U.S. Marine Corps (E-4), Veriha Trucking LLC, Truck Driving Institute: Haley served in the Marine Corps from 1987 to 1991. During this time, he served as security for President Ronald Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, President George H. W. Bush, and First Lady Barbara Bush. He became an entrepreneur who ran a successful business for 20 years. After that time, he pursued a new challenge, becoming a regional truck driver at Veriha.
- Billy Taylor, U.S. Coast Guard (E-7), Werner Enterprises (No. 14), Roadmaster Drivers School: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Taylor lived in many locations across the United States during his parents’ U.S. Navy careers. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 2000 and served in various assignments, including Port Security and Harbor Defense, Search and Rescue, Coast Guard Cutter deployments for drug interdiction/maritime defense, and served as a recruiter. He retired with 20 years of service in 2020 as a Chief Petty Officer, Machinery Technician. He now drives for Werner Enterprises on the Anheuser-Busch account in Columbus, Ohio.
- Cory Troxell, U.S. Army (E-7), Stevens Transport (No. 52), Phoenix Truck Driving Institute: Troxell was born into service with his grandfather, father and uncle serving with distinguished careers in the Army. Motivated by a strong sense of family pride, service and patriotism following the events of 9/11, he enlisted into the Army in 2004. In 2009, he was severely wounded in an enemy IED attack, eventually earning him the Purple Heart. He continued to serve until his retirement in 2024. Drawing similarities to his decision to join the Army, he followed a trucking driving career path already cut by his family.
