Log Book
10 Overdrive JUNE 2009 Log Book Professional Drivers Medical Depots permanently closed its five clinics. Dr. John McElligott, who helped found PDMD, says other parties are inter-ested in the locations, but he won't be involved if they reopen. McElligott says he will continue to refer truckers to any of about a dozen clinics when they call (865) 862-8902. PDMD locations were at truck stops in West Memphis, Ark.; Knoxville; El Paso and Laredo, Texas; and Atlanta. Staff reports The battle over whether federal laws should expand truck weights and lengths or keep the present limitations heated up this spring. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the Teamsters and safety groups support the current limits of 80,000 pounds and 53 feet for trac-tor-trailers on interstate highways to the National Highway System. The NHS covers some 160,000 miles of highway, while interstates represent 44,000 miles. The American Trucking Associations, the National Private Truck Council and some shipping orga-nizations favor expanding these limits. They support the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2009, or H.R. 1799. It was introduced by Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) March 30 and was referred to a House subcom-mittee with 12 co-sponsors. That legislation would allow trucks a maximum gross weight of 97,000 pounds, provided the vehicle has at least six axles, including a tridem axle group with a weight limit of 51,000 pounds. The heavier weight limit, as well as axle weight increases of up to 2,000 pounds, would be allowed only if approved by a state legislature. The bill would increase the annual Heavy Vehicle Use Tax to a maxi-mum of $800. Funds generated by the increase would be dedicated to pay for bridge projects in states allowing the operation of the heavier vehicles. The NPTC commissioned the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute to study the issue. That research indicates heavier, longer trucks would yield significant improve-ments in fuel consumption, cost, congestion, distribution efficiency and driver availability. On the other side of the issue, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.) introduced The Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act, or S. 779 and H.R. 1618, March 19. This would extend the current limit of 80,000 pounds and 53 feet on interstate highways. It was referred to a House subcommittee the next day and had 67 sponsors. On May 4, safety advocates launched the StopBiggerTrucks.org grassroots campaign to ask Congress to reject size and weight increases for trucks. They noted a new poll by Lake Research Partners that indicates 80 per-cent of Americans believe bigger trucks will decrease highway safety. Only 16 percent would support Congress approving bigger overweight trucks and rolling back the 1991 congressionally mandated freeze on double and triple trailer trucks. Jill dunn industry debates bigger trucks Truck stop medical clinics close CLASS 8 NET ORDERS for all major North American truck manufactur-ers totaled 7,935 units in April, down 9 percent from March, according to FTR Associates. The figure includes orders for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports. FTR said the weak April orders were down 57 percent from April 2008. March sales were 32 percent higher than February. TRUCK DRIVERS lose the most work days per musculoskeletal disorder incident, according to a recent Atlas Ergonomics study that shows long hours behind the wheel put certain drivers at especially high risk of developing mus-culoskeletal injuries. The study is avail-able at www.atlasergo.com A POSTAL and shipping guide to pre-pare for a possible flu pandemic has been prepared by the federal gov-ernment, with the assistance of the American Trucking Associations. It is aimed partly at motor carrier manag-ers, who are urged to ask drivers to take precautions, such as washing hands frequently. SHORT HAULS Preparing for 2010 Travelcenters of America added a diesel exhaust fluid dispens-ing unit at its Ann Arbor, Mich., location. The company says it believes this unit is the first retail bulk dispensing unit oper-ating in the country. DEF will be used with 2010 heavy-duty engines.