CCJ Daily Dispatch, May 13: CVSA sets Operation Safe Driver Week for July with focus on speeding

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Updated May 14, 2020

Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, May 13, 2020:

Operation Safe Driver Week to focus on speeding
Law enforcement will be paying closer attention to unsafe driving behaviors of both truck and car drivers July 12-18 as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Operation Safe Driver Week.

CVSA says less traffic on the roads due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be encouraging some drivers to ignore traffic safety laws, including speed limits. A number of jurisdictions, CVSA says, have seen “a severe spike in speeding” during the pandemic.

To combat that trend, CVSA has selected speeding as the focus area for Operation Safe Driver Week.

“It’s essential that this enforcement initiative, which focuses on identifying and deterring unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, go on as scheduled,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “As passenger vehicle drivers are limiting their travel to necessary trips and many commercial motor vehicle drivers are busy transporting vital goods to stores, it’s more important than ever to monitor our roadways for safe transport.”

In addition to the focus on speeding, law enforcement will also be on the lookout for distracted driving, seat belt use, following too closely, improper lane change, reckless or aggressive driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, evidence of impaired driving and more.

Employees from Overdrive’s parent company, Randall-Reilly, teamed up with Chick-fil-A employees to hand out free lunches to truck drivers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tuesday.Employees from Overdrive’s parent company, Randall-Reilly, teamed up with Chick-fil-A employees to hand out free lunches to truck drivers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tuesday.

CCJ parent company Randall-Reilly feeds truckers with Chick-fil-A
Randall-Reilly, the parent company of CCJ, partnered with Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola to provide truck drivers with a free meal, bottled water and more Tuesday at the I-20/59 rest area near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Drivers could either park and walk to the Chick-fil-A tent, have food brought to their truck or drive through the rest area and have their care package handed to them in their cab near the rest area’s exit. Truckers received a boxed lunch from Chick-fil-A, bottled water donated by Coca-Cola and a care package from Randall-Reilly that included several snacks and goodies.

The event came together after Randall-Reilly reached out to the Chick-Fil-A franchise in Northport, Alabama. Ashley Gill, franchise owner of the location, said she had just met with other Chick-fil-A franchisees in the Tuscaloosa area about doing something for truck drivers when Randall-Reilly reached out.

“Truck drivers keep us in business,” Gill said. “We have them deliver all of our food and supplies overnight. Our locations tend to stay busy, and our lots are small, so we know it’s a hard job. We’re grateful for the continuity and consistency of truckers’ service all the time, but especially right now.”

The companies also partnered with the Alabama Department of Transportation to set up signs on the interstate to alert drivers of the free food at the rest area.

Landstar extends load bonuses for drivers, agents
Landstar announced Monday it has extended its load bonuses for its owner-operators for another week through May 22.

The company is paying owner-operators and agents an extra $50 for each load delivered with a confirmed delivery date. The bonus has been in effect since April 1.

Make-A-Wish moves annual Mother’s Day Convoy to virtual event in August
The Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley organization and members of its Mother’s Day Convoy Committee have rescheduled and reinvented the annual fundraising event that was to have been held on Mother’s Day, May 10. The new 2020 Virtual Convoy will be Sunday, Aug. 16.

A statement from the organization says there will be what it is calling “a modified, small truck convoy with the top 30 drivers and key sponsors,” broadcast live on its Facebook page.

For the past 30 years, the annual Mother’s Day Convoy was held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This year was to be its first at a new location, the Manheim Auto Auction.

While there will not be a carnival as at past convoys, Make-A-Wish says it will create ways for supporters to still experience convoy traditions safely at home. It will be announcing these updates on a weekly basis each Sunday on the Mother’s Day Truck Convoy Facebook event page starting May 17th.

The organization says it is still counting on the truck event to raise funds, which typically support over 75% of the wishes granted in Susquehanna Valley each year. There are nearly 500 local children with critical illnesses waiting for their wishes to come true, according to the organization. Last year’s convoy, which was sponsored by the RoadPro Family of Brands, raised $600,542 and attracted some 550 trucks.