Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, June 13, 2023:
TIA establishes anti-freight-fraud task force
In response to the rise in fraudulent activities within the transportation sector in recent years, brokerage trade group Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) has announced the establishment of the TIA Fraud Task Force.
The task force is comprised of industry executives within the third-party logistics industry and technology companies that are focused on tech-driven solutions to combat fraud.
“TIA is excited to unveil our internal Fraud Task Force, which will examine the latest marketplace trends, develop strategies to address fraud internally within brokerage operations, and work on legislative and regulatory solutions in the short, medium, and long term,” said Anne Reinke, TIA President & CEO. “We hear from our members on a daily basis about rampant fraudulent activity within the industry.”
To address the issue of fraud in freight transactions, TIA has collaborated with carrier organizations to elevate the matter on Capitol Hill and has engaged with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
To that end, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana) and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) recently sent a letter to FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson and the Department of Transportation Inspector General’s office imploring the agency to establish a task force to oversee this issue of fraud and address the thousands of complaints currently lodged with the federal agency.
TIA added that it has disseminated industry best practices and the most up-to-date information to assist its broker members in combatting fraud.
TIA’s task force will convene regularly to fulfill its mission and goals, which include reducing fraudulent activities in the marketplace and actively engaging the FMCSA to address these concerns. At present, the agency’s response has been minimal, necessitating urgent action, TIA added.
[Related: Technology drives major increase in double-brokering scams]
Potential brake fluid leak, fire risk prompts Navistar recall
Navistar is recalling more than 6,700 International trucks and IC Bus models for an issue with in which the brake pressure switch assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch's electrical components and cause an electrical short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents note that an electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.
Affected units include:
- 2019-‘24 International MV
- 2016 International DuraStar
- 2018-‘20 and 2023-’24 International 1300FBC stripped chassis
- 2019-’22 IC Bus CE
- 2019-’24 IC Bus TC
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the brake pressure switch and if necessary, the wire harness or fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 1. Owners may contact Navistar's customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 23517. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-397.
Electric Mack, Volvo trucks recalled
Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks are recalling some of their battery-electric trucks because the power cables that connect to the windscreen heater relay may have a loose connection and cause the relay to fail. The recall states that a relay that fails in the closed position will continue to power the cabin heater, overheating the relay and increasing the risk of a fire.
Affected units include approximately 243 model year 2019-’23 Volvo VNR Electric and approximately 47 model year 2019-’23 Mack LR Electric trucks.
Dealers will tighten the power cable to relay connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 4. Volvo owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2306. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-401. Mack owners can contact Mack's customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with recall number SCC0444. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-402.
Volvo trucks recalled for seat issue
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling approximately 29 model year 2022-’24 Volvo VNL and VHD models equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.
Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Aug. 4. Owners can contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX2305. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-403.
Wabash recalls van trailers for improperly welded kingpins
Wabash National Corporation is recalling approximately 40 model year 2024 DVDBHPC and DVCVHPC dry van trailers in which the king pin was not welded properly, which can result in the king pin detaching within the upper coupler.
Dealers will replace the upper coupler assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 28. Owners can contact Wabash customer service at 1-765-771-5404. NHTSA’s recall number is 23V-383.
ATA’s Trucking Cares Foundation donates to disaster response organization
The Trucking Cares Foundation, the American Trucking Associations’ charitable arm, donated $25,000 to Virginia Task Force-1, a leading disaster response resource.
“One of the things the Trucking Cares Foundation was established to do was support those in need, domestically and internationally, following natural disasters,” said TCF Chairman Phil Byrd, president and CEO of Bulldog Hiway Express. “The work Virginia Task Force-1 does in post-disaster search and rescue is a critical component in helping people get back on their feet and we are proud to support their efforts.”
Byrd added that TCF’s contribution was made “to help fund the acquisition of special equipment that falls outside normal budget appropriations.”
Virginia Task Force-1 is an elite team of emergency managers and planners, physicians and paramedics, and includes specialists in the fields of structural engineering, heavy rigging, collapse rescue, emergency medicine, logistics, hazardous materials, communications, canine and technical search. The team is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, and is sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.
Through partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the team assists in search and rescue operations around the world and across the country.
While Virginia Task Force-1 is funded for their missions through their partnerships, according to the team, the TCF contribution “is greatly appreciated and will be immediately used for acquisitions to increase effectiveness. Supplemental funding allows for equipment flexibility that otherwise we would not have.”
“When disasters strike, trucks filled with water, food and fuel are often among the first things people see as they begin picking up the pieces,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear, who also serves as vice chairman of the Trucking Cares Foundation. “But our work can’t begin until groups like Virginia Task Force 1 get on the ground and begin rescue and recovery efforts. We are pleased to help this tremendous organization prepare for the next time the unthinkable happens.”
