Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, April 22, 2020:
FMCSA gives states more time to report driver violations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is waiving the requirement that state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) report driver disqualifications or convictions within 10 days due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FMCSA says states will not be deemed non-compliant if they do not report drivers’ disqualifications within 10 days, as required by federal law. Instead, states will have until 90 days past June 30 – the end of the effective period of the notice – to return to compliance with the 10-day rule.
By law, states are required to post a driver’s disqualification or conviction to the driver’s record, transmit notification of the disqualification or conviction to the driver’s state of record and report a driver’s conviction to the Federal Conviction and Withdrawal Database within 10 days.
Daimler recalls more than 63,000 trucks
An issue with rear reflective tape on a number of Freightliner, Western Star and Sterling trucks has prompted a recall from Daimler Trucks North America that includes more than 63,000 power units.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents say the rear reflective tape on the affected trucks may be covered by the mudflap hanger bracket, which could reduce the vehicle’s visibility to other drivers on the road.
The recall includes 63,175 of the following truck models:
- 2006-2020 Freightliner Columbia
- 2006-2021 Freightliner Business Class M2
- 2007-2020 Freightliner Coronado
- 2014-2021 Freightliner 122SD
- 2007 Sterling A9500
- 2006 Freightliner Argosy
- 2006-2007 Sterling AT9500
- 2007-2021 Freightliner Cascadia
- 2006-2008 Freightliner Classic
- 2006-2011 Freightliner Century Class
- 2006-2010 Freightliner FLD
- 2017 Western Star 5700
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the reflective tape to make sure it’s completely visible. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number FL848. NHTSA’s recall number is 20V-214.
A separate recall from DTNA affects approximately 89 model year 2020 Freightliner 108SD and model year 2020-2021 Freightliner Coronado, 114SD and Western Star 4700 and 4900 trucks. In the affected trucks, the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the trucks being overloaded.
DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will update the GAWR labels for free. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number FL847. NHTSA’s recall number is 20V-211.
Covenant closing Southern Refrigerated terminal in Arkansas
Chattanooga-based Covenant Transport Group Monday, April 20, announced it is closing the Southern Refrigerated Transport terminal in Texarkana, Arkansas, as of May 1 and laying off some 150 office workers. Operations will be relocated to one of three sites in Tennessee.
In a statement from Chairman and CEO David R. Parker, the company said the Texarkana terminal primarily served as the operating center for solo-driven Southern Refrigerated Transport. Covenant will continue to provide solo-driven refrigerated service.
“This action, while regrettable and extremely painful to many in our enterprise and especially to those directly impacted, is necessary to focus our staffing and capital towards our targeted business units and to lower overhead costs,” said Parker’s statement.
Covenant has owned SRT since 1989. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SAFER database shows SRT has some 846 power units and 740 drivers.
Volvo, Mack parts available through online store
Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks are encouraging customers to use each the OEMs’ online parts stores, Volvo Select Part Store and Mack Select Part Store, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The stores allow Volvo and Mack owners to order parts without the need to visit a dealership to pick them up. Owners can sign up for the services at their respective websites. Volvo says it plans to introduce a new e-commerce platform this fall the expanded features and more.
Additionally, Mack says its dealers are offering digital training to technicians through webinars to help promote social distancing during the pandemic.
