Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024:
FMCSA issues regional emergency declaration for Helene response
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration determined that an emergency exists in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene that warrants issuance of a Regional Emergency Declaration and extension of emergency declarations issued by state governors to continue emergency relief granted from certain regulatory requirements.
Between Sept. 23-27, the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia issued emergency declarations related to Hurricane Helene; each declaration granting up to 14 days of emergency relief from the maximum driving time hours of service regulations in 49 CFR Part 395.3. President Joe Biden also issued major disaster and/or emergency declarations for the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Those declarations resulted in up to 30 days of emergency relief from federal regulations in 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399.
Now, FMCSA’s regional declaration for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia grants emergency relief from 49 CFR Parts 390-399 through Oct. 27 or until the end of the emergency, whichever is earlier.
The regulatory relief only applies to drivers and motor carriers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts in the affected states. The regulatory relief applies regardless of the origin of the trip, so long as the carrier or driver is providing direct assistance to the affected states.
FMCSA noted that direct assistance does not include transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure after the initial threat to life and property has passed, nor does it include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of the declaration.
FMCSA also issued a notice of enforcement discretion to note that it has determined not to enforce the Temporary Operating Authority Registration fee provisions against motor carriers requesting Temporary Operating Authority Registration to provide direct assistance to emergency relief efforts in the affected states. The discretion does not apply to motor carriers whose operating authority registration is revoked.
[Related: Averitt donates $100K to Hurricane Helene relief]
Trucks recalled in wake of Cummins engine recall
Last week, Cummins announced a recall of more than 9,000 X15 diesel engines with certain fuel pump barrels that can fracture and cause a fuel leak.
Following that recall notice published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two truck manufacturers have issued recalls of trucks equipped with X15 engines with the potentially faulty fuel pumps.
Navistar, which recently announced it would be shedding the Navistar name in favor of International Motors, is recalling approximately 1,086 model year 2025 International LT and HX trucks with Cummins X15 engines.
International will work with Cummins to replace the fuel pump barrels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 22. Owners can contact International customer service at 331-332-1590 or Cummins customer service at 812-377-5000. Cummins' number for the recall is C7083. NHTSA’s recall number for the International recall is 24V-734.
Additionally, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling approximately 588 model year 2025 Freightliner Cascadia, Western Star 49X, Freightliner Custom Chassis XCM and Freightliner Custom Chassis XCP units equipped with the Cummins fuel pumps.
Cummins will replace the fuel pump barrels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 22. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000 with recall number F1010. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-736.
[Related: Cummins X15 engines recalled for fuel pump issue]
Saia recognizes safest employees
Saia Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 19) announced that Saia LTL Freight honored its drivers, dockworkers, mechanics and other select personnel for their 2023 safety achievements.
More than 6,800 awards were distributed to personnel who met a safety goal or reached a career milestone. Saia’s safety award program is designed to recognize employees for their individual years or miles of accident-free driving or injury-free work.
“We were honored to recognize over 4,800 drivers with a safety award. In addition, nearly 2,000 awards were presented to our tremendous dock personnel and mechanics,” said Saia Vice President of Safety Steve Greenhill. “It goes without saying that working for an entire year without an accident or injury is an incredible achievement and it is evident that every employee at the company continues to be invested in our core values, most especially safety.”
Along with special pins and certificates, many employees received custom jackets, rings or watches. Drivers with 3 million miles, or 24 years, of accident-free driving were given a custom gold watch. This year, 54 drivers received a watch. Diamonds are added for each additional 500,000 miles, or four years, of accident-free driving. This year, 40 drivers received diamonds in their watches.
Five drivers, including Knoxville, Tennessee, City Driver David Davidson; New Orleans City Driver Kevin Gilbert; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Line Driver Evertt Kimble; Houston Line Driver Stafford Moses; and Shreveport, Louisiana, Line Driver James Green, all received a third diamond for their watches, respectively. Dallas Line Driver Jack Ikey received his fourth diamond for safely driving at Saia for 40 years.
Drivers with 1 million miles, or eight years, of accident-free driving received a custom, personalized gold ring. For each additional 500,000 miles, or four years, of accident-free driving, a diamond is added to the ring. Up to three diamonds can be added for a driver who has reached 2.5 million miles or 20 years of accident-free driving. This year, 172 drivers received their million-mile rings and 40 individuals had a diamond added to their rings.
For the second year, Saia presented awards for injury-free work to its mechanics and dock team. Custom backpacks were awarded to 110 dockworkers and mechanics to honor five years of injury-free service. Additionally, 56 individuals were presented with a watch to honor 10 years of injury-free work. Of note, 67 dockworkers and mechanics have achieved 25 or more years of safe work. Two individuals, Houma, Louisiana, Dockworker Harold Castell Jr. and Phoenix, Arizona, Dockworker Kenneth Ball have worked safely for over 40 years at Saia.
