Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024:
Commercial drivers received 4K tickets, warnings for unsafe driving in summer blitz
Law enforcement officers across the U.S. and Canada issued more than 4,000 tickets/citations and warnings to commercial vehicle operators during Operation Safe Driver Week, a pre-announced safe-driving initiative that was held July 7-13. Passenger vehicle drivers, likewise, were issued just shy of 2,000 tickets/citations and warnings for unsafe driving behaviors.
During the initiative, officers issued 2,439 warnings and 1,583 tickets/citations to commercial motor vehicle drivers and 789 warnings and 1,129 tickets/citations to passenger vehicle drivers for unsafe driving behaviors.
Reckless/careless/dangerous driving was the focus area for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. Five warnings and 31 citations were given to drivers for reckless, careless or dangerous driving. Any person who drives a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is driving recklessly. Careless/dangerous driving is defined as operating a vehicle without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other motorists or people on the road.
[Related: Roadcheck finds U.S. vehicle violations slightly higher than North American average]
Speeding was a top infraction during Operation Safe Driver Week. A total of 1,694 warnings and 1,226 citations/tickets were issued for speeding. Commercial motor vehicle drivers received 1,221 warnings and 502 tickets/citations, and passenger vehicle drivers received 473 warnings and 724 citations/tickets for speed-related infractions.
Another top unsafe driving behavior identified during Operation Safe Driver Week was failure to wear a seat belt. A total of 354 warnings and 554 tickets/citations were issued -- the vast majority of which were issued to truck drivers. Commercial motor vehicle drivers received 328 warnings and 473 tickets/citations for not wearing their seat belt. According to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an estimated 14% of commercial motor vehicle drivers do not wear their seat belt.
Texting or using a handheld device was another top violation. A total of 158 warnings and 169 tickets/citations were issued to drivers who were texting or using a mobile device while driving. CMV drivers received 91 of those warnings and 115 of those tickets/citations for texting/using a handheld device.
[Related: Unannounced hazmat inspection blitz puts 576 trucks out-of-service]
Memphis fleet owner sentenced for COVID loan fraud
A Memphis, Tennessee, man was recently sentenced to federal prison in connection with his scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal program intended to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence Nov. 15.
According to information presented in court, Herman Shaw, 44, used an accomplice to assist him in submitting a fraudulent PPP loan application in the name of “Freight Masters, Inc.,” his small trucking business, to a United States Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved lending institution.
The application contained numerous false statements, including false information about the number of persons Freight Masters employed. Shaw received $782,212 in loans to be used for approved purposes such as paying his purported employees. Instead, Shaw used the loans to pay gambling debts and other personal expenses and to provide his accomplice with a $262,000 kickback.
On Aug. 2, 2024, Shaw pled guilty to a one-count information that charged him with wire fraud. United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Shaw to 30 months in federal prison on Nov. 6. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the SBA in the amount of $782,212.
“Individuals preying on the generosity provided by the Paycheck Protection Program stole money from U.S. taxpayers for personal gain without regard to the economic losses felt around the country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Fondren. “This sentencing reflects the severity of thefts from COVID-19 relief programs.”
The case was investigated by the SBA, the U.S. Secret Service, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the FDIC, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
[Related: Trucking Ponzi scheme nets prison time for fleet owner]
Averitt names new VP of International Solutions
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 24) has appointed Rich Egan as the its new vice president of international solutions.
Richard Egan
Since joining Averitt in 2019 as director of international solutions, Egan has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s global logistics strategy. His expertise and commitment to service excellence have contributed significantly to Averitt’s growth in this sector, the company said.
In his new role, Egan will lead the international solutions team and drive strategic initiatives to enhance Averitt's global logistics offerings.
“We’re excited to welcome Rich into this role,” said Kent Williams, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Averitt. “His extensive background in international logistics and proven leadership are invaluable as we continue expanding our global services to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Landstar opens new regional facility in Indiana
Landstar System (CCJ Top 250, No. 10) celebrated the grand opening of a new 8,000-square-foot field operations center in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on Friday, Nov. 15.
Newly built on 14 acres of property at Exit 39 off I-74, the new company location is designed with Landstar’s thousands of independent truck owner-operators in mind. The facility includes classrooms, a conference room and several convenient amenities for owner-operators leased to Landstar, such as a business center with free Wi-Fi, laundry and shower facilities, and a breakroom.
It also features access to secured parking more than 100 tractor-trailer combinations, 15 drop-trailer spots and more than 50 additional passenger vehicle parking spaces. Landstar said this gated parking area also has a 24-hour security guard on-site.
“We’re excited to open this new field operations center in Crawfordsville,” said Rocco Davanzo, Landstar Transportation Logistics executive vice president of capacity development. “This new facility reinforces Landstar’s commitment to maintaining a network of regional facilities across the United States and in Canada for our leased owner-operators. These locations are designed and staffed so that Landstar’s independent owner-operators can easily connect with advisors, network with peers, and participate in continuous professional education to keep their businesses running smoothly.”
