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Economic weakness stalls truckers, despite the drop in fuel prices
Kansas City Star, MO - Nov 25, 2008
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association in Grain Valley has 160500 members, and they’re dealing with lower rates — sometimes not even enough to ...
Volvo Group responds to OOIDA plea to ease engine deadline
The Trucker, USA - Nov 24, 2008
OOIDA said it would like the Bush Administration and Congress to push for a restructured timeline, phasing in the new emission standards to allow ample ...
Got your ears on Barack?
Today's Trucking News - Nov 24, 2008
True to form, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is wasting no time in bending Washington’s legislative ear. ...
Local trucker reaches safety milestone
Cumberland Times-News – Maryland
CORRIGANVILLE – James DeHaven of Corriganville has been recognized by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association for three years of safe, accident-free driving of a commercial tractor-trailer.
New engine standards will leave trucking industry on the side of the road
MarketWatch
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is asking U.S. policymakers to step up and take action in response to new research predicting a dramatic drop in new truck and engine purchases which will ultimately lead to a break down in the trucking industry.
Truckers warn pending emissions standards could hurt already-ailing industry
AHN – AllHeadlineNews.com
Washington, DC – A trucking industry group is warning that pending federal regulations for new diesel engines will result in less companies buying new trucks, and could have a negative economic and environmental impact ... But Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the trade group the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the new regulation will add up to $10,000 to the price of a new truck and could lead to a breakdown in the trucking industry.
OOIDA calls for postponement of 2010 emissions standards
TruckNews.com
OOIDA said Washington should push for a restructured timeline to allow for more breathing room and time to build confidence within the industry. “With more time, the solutions will become much clearer and environmentally much cleaner,” added Spencer. “... There is a disincentive to purchasing the new technology. Truckers and fleets are simply going to hold onto their equipment for a longer period of time, if they are able to hold onto it at all.” The NERA study, which can be reviewed on www.ooida.com, suggested that: trucks will cost considerably more in 2010 (US$7,000-$10,000).
Ontario speed limiter law on the books; Jan. 1 start date
TodaysTrucking.com
The U.S. based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) vows to press on in its battle to have the rule revoked. The group is preparing a federal legal challenge, arguing mandatory speed limiters violate NAFTA as it puts Ontario on a competitive island.
HOS opponents speak out
FleetOwner.com
“The inability to ‘stop the clock’ really has a negative effect on drivers because there needs to be flexibility if a driver needs to rest,” Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vp, told FleetOwner ...” Spencer said that the passage of the final rule was not unexpected, and while OOIDA certainly does not agree with FMCSA on the issue, they have to accept it, although he said bringing another suit was “an option on the table.” OOIDA “certainly” will contact FMCSA after the new leadership goes into office on January 20th, Spencer added, although he doesn’t believe the issue will addressed early in the term, noting that he expects them to take a long look at on-board recorders as well.
Teamsters: Hours-of-service rule a dangerous midnight move
MarketWatch
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today said the Bush administration is undermining highway safety with its last-minute regulation that lets truckers drive longer hours ... On July 24, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit for the second time threw out the rule that increased driving time to 11 hours from 10 hours and allowed drivers to go back to work after being off duty for only 34 hours. ... The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was a party in the case, joining Public Citizen and the Owner-Operator Independent Driver's Association.
OOIDA fears 2010 emission standards
trafficworld online
The (NERA) study concluded that trucks that meet the new standard will have substantially higher purchase prices and entail technological uncertainties from the perspective of the customer, including uncertain increases in operating and maintenance costs. Customers would react, said NERA, by pre-buying non-compliant equipment just before the deadline and low-buying newer equipment. The net result of these customer reactions to the 2010 standards would be reduced environmental benefits and less cost-effective standards, said OOIDA.
OOIDA concerned with new engine standards
TodaysTrucking.com
“With record-high diesel fuel prices earlier this year, trucking companies have already faced nearly insurmountable challenges trying to stay in business,” said Todd Spencer, executive vice-president of OOIDA. “It’s the worst possible time for the trucking industry to take on a high stakes gamble with no known level of reliability of the technologies or return on investment.”
Truckers see signs of weak holiday season
KMBC-TV Channel 9 – Kansas City, MO
When the economy goes bad, truck drivers are among the first to feel it, sometimes months before the rest of us, according to the television reporter who interviewed OOIDA’s Regulatory Affairs Specialist Joe Rajkovacz. A former trucker himself, Rajkovacz discussed the connection between trucking and the economy in this television news feature.
Panel says not enough trucks part of test
San Antonio Express – Texas
“There shouldn’t be an extension as long as there are problems,” added (OOIDA) spokeswoman Norita Taylor. “There are no certified labs doing drug-and-alcohol testing in Mexico. Mexico’s commercial driver’s license program is not equivalent to the one in the United States, and Mexico’s system for background checks is not the same. As long as these exceptions are being made (by the Department of Transportation), it is not safe for this program to go forward.”
Report: Mexican trucks found safe
eTrucker
... But the report – required by legislation enacted in May 2007 – found that the level of participation fell far short of what DOT had projected: Only 29 Mexico-domiciled carriers were granted operating authority, 27 remained in the project, and 25 participated. Because the 27 carriers represented about 4 percent of the 700 carriers that applied initially, the sample size was too small for making a statistically significant comparison of safety performance.
OOIDA blasts PQ Minister for reneging on speed limiters; promises to sue
Today’s Trucking News
Quebec’s Transport Minister Julie Boulet has backed out of a promise to hold off on mandatory speed limiters until other Canadian jurisdictions jump on board the bandwagon, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is complaining. ... The 160,000-trucker strong, Missouri-based group – backed by its Canadian counterpart, the Owner-Operators Business Association of Canada – is forging ahead with plans to sue the provinces if they go through with the enforcement of speed limiters. OOIDA says the rules are an affront to NAFTA.
OOIDA protests speed-limiter plan
eTrucker.com
Quebec will begin requiring speed limiters set to 65 mph for heavy trucks starting Jan. 1, a move denounced by the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association. OOIDA says it is ready to file a Notice of Intent to Submit a Claim to Arbitration for breach of Canada’s obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement if it becomes effective.
Quebec speed limiters due in Jan.
TrafficWorld Online
“OOIDA is prepared to file a Notice of Intent to Submit a Claim to Arbitration for breach of Canada’s obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement upon implementation of the speed limiter mandate.”
US truckers angry over Quebec speed limiters
CanadianDriver – Canada
“The study, released last spring, ‘by no means conveyed a glowing evaluation of mandated speed limiters in Canada,’ according to a statement released by the OOIDA.”
U.S. truckers to oppose regulation
The Gazette (Montreal) – Quebec, Canada
“The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said it ‘is prepared to file a notice of intent to submit a claim for arbitration for breach of Canada’s obligations ...”
Quebec Minister Boulet reneges on speed limiter commitment
Truck.Net
“Our members are furious,” said Rick Craig, OOIDA’s director of regulatory affairs. “Not only is Minister Boulet going back on her word, she is also disregarding the grim implications this decision will have on trade at a time when Canada and the U.S. can least afford it.”
The Other Side of Speed Debate
Heavy-Duty Trucking
The October issue (print version) of Heavy Duty Trucking includes an editorial about mandatory speed limiters by Rick Craig, OOIDA’s director of regulatory affairs: “Out of all the things that go on or in a truck, the safest and most efficient possible component is a well-trained, experienced driver.” |