Last Updated: April 26, 2012

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Roemer Report – October 2011

BE ON THE LOOK OUT for companies who approach you to sell supervisor training for drug and alcohol testing programs.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted a warning on their website regarding numerous complaints they have received over companies who use aggressive marketing techniques to sell FMCSA compliant drug and alcohol testing training programs.  The FMCA warns that they do not certify or pre-approve trainers or training company’s curriculums so those who purport to be “certified” are not and are attempting to defraud carriers.  If you would like more information on the training requirements from the FMSCA under 49 CFR 382.603, go to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or to the www.fmcsa.dot.gov website and search under “Training for supervisors.”

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.  Although it doesn’t seem that Washington can get their act together as far as federal funding is concerned, there has been some welcome news from the Department of Transportation as over $417 million dollars in grant money is being released, part of which for Interstate improvements.  To demonstrate just how antiquated the Interstate system is in some areas—one of the grant recipients, North Carolina, received over $3 million to improve the I-40/I-77 interchange which was originally designed to handle 5000 vehicles daily—it now handles nearly 70,000/day.  The grants still are not enough, but they are a step in the right direction.

THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE which links Detroit to Windsor and is the #1 most heavily trafficked international crossing in the nation has been the subject of controversy for decades.  First, it is privately owned by a trucking magnate who has fought state and Canadian efforts for its replacement, an issue that continues to be sorted out.  Secondly, it is 80+ years old and is in desperate need of repair.  As the only viable crossing for truck traffic between Canada and the U.S. in the western Great Lakes region, it is now being repaired while the 10,000 or so vehicles a day are still using the structure.  Engineers from around the world have been observing the repairs—major deck repairs—as traffic is maintained, a unique engineering feat as bridge repair goes.  The repairs are scheduled to be completed by March 2012.

CONVOY FOR A CURE.  The third annual “Convoy for a Cure” will be held at the Texas Motor Speedway on October 21-22, 2011.  Convoy for a Cure - USA is an event to celebrate female truck drivers and raise awareness of Breast Cancer, while raising funds for continuing education and funding for the cure of Breast Cancer.  Both female and male drivers may participate in the event in two separate convoys (sorry men, but you’re in the secondary convoy for this event).  For more information go to www.convoyforacureusa.com.

STABILITY CONTROL HERE TO STAY.  While many new tractors are already equipped with stability control systems, soon the systems may be required by the NHTSA.  A proposal to be published will specify a system standard, but there is not likely to be a retrofit requirement.  The American Trucking Associations, which represent the interests of the large and small carriers in all segments of the business, supports the technology but is not ready to say that it will support a federal requirement.The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association opposes a mandate because it adds costs to those who have a safe driving record.  Stay tuned for more information as the proposal is released.

WATCH THOSE WEENIES.  The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington DC group that promotes preventive medicine, is sponsoring a billboard campaign comparing hot dogs to cigarettes when it comes to deleterious health effects. Their campaign is meant to bring attention to the dangers of processed meats and is based on a 2007 report by the American Institute for Cancer Research that showed consuming 1.7 ounces of processed meat (about the amount in one hot dog) per day can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent.  Better to go with an apple a day instead of a dog…

A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.  -Yogi Berra