KENTUCKY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE KENTUCKY TRUCKING ASSOCIATION KYTRUCKING.NET | PUB. 4 ISSUE 1 KTA’S NICK SCHADE: A FAMILY COMMITMENT TO TONY’S WRECKER SERVICE EXTREME “NET-ZERO” CARBON TIMELINES ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH REALITY
Rail Services Ryan Usher President Bill Usher, Jr. CEO USHER TRANSPORT, INC Louisville, KY 800-777-2741 www.ushertransport.com Usher Transport has the experience to handle a diverse range of your bulk product transportation needs. Our customers range from Fortune 500 chemical and oil companies to a number of smaller distributors and jobbers. “Our Only Product Is Service” Chemicals Petroleum
KyTrucking.net 3 Publisher The newsLINK Group, LLC. Ad Sales The newsLINK Group, LLC. 855.747.4003 KTA STAFF President/ CEO Rick Taylor rtaylor@kytrucking.net Staff Assistant Tristan Truesdell ttruesdell@kytrucking.net “To promote the trucking industry by educating government entities, the general public, customers and related industry groups through advocacy, career development, and the support of valueadded programs that enhance industry safety and productivity.” Kentucky Trucking Association PO Box 818 Frankfort, KY 40602 502.227.0848 FAX 502.227.0849 kytrucking.net CONTENTS @ 2023 Kentucky Trucker is published four times each year by The newsLINK Group, LLC for the Kentucky Trucking Association (KTA) and is the official publication for this association. All Rights Reserved. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Kentucky Trucking Association, its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. The Kentucky Trucker is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of KTA. While Kentucky Trucker encourages a first-print policy; in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at 855.747.4003. kytrucking.net | Pub. 3 Issue 1 Official Publication of the Kentucky Trucking Association KENTUCKY President's Message 2023 Events Calendar Meet Your New Chairman: Shad Daubard KTA's Nick Schade: A Family Commitment to Tony's Wrecker Service From Under the Truck to Behind the Wheel Vol. 2 My Free Pharmacy Extreme "Net-Zero" Carbon Timelines Are on A Collision Course With Reality Truesdell's Safety Tips KTA Bourbon Raffle Preparing Your Truck for Winter Driving Annual Conference & Expo Recap Thank You Sponsors 4 5 6 10 14 16 18 22 25 26 28 30
4 Kentucky Trucker PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE RICK TAYLOR, PRESIDENT Kentucky Trucking Association The new year has arrived and with it comes the hope for another great year for truckers everywhere, specifically for those in our beautiful state of Kentucky. First of all, I want to welcome our new chairman, Shad Daubard, who comes to us from Irving Materials, Inc. We are glad he’ll be filling the role for the upcoming term. Shad has been a valuable member of KTA for years, and we look forward to his strong leadership. We were able to sit down with him and discuss his upcoming goals for the association. We hope you enjoy getting to know Shad better in the brief article about him in this edition of the magazine. I, for one, am glad he’s here and willing to get 2023 off to a great new start. In addition to our new chairman, we have a great lineup of meetings, events, You make this association’s future bright. Hopefully, the days of the pandemic are long in the past, and newer, greater challenges are on the horizon. and activities planned for the year: our regular chapter meetings, KTA Truckers Day at the Capitol, the Mid-America Truck Show & Seminars, our annual golf classic, and our KTA/ATA Call on Washington, just to name a few. I look forward to seeing all of you at one event or another this calendar year. Part of what your association plans to do for you this year is to ensure that the funding set aside for truckers in the infrastructure bill (passed by Congress and signed by President Biden) continues to be used in the best way possible for Kentucky and its truckers. We also want to keep our eye on supply chain issues, making sure what occurred in this area over the past few years does not reoccur. But if it does, we aim to be ready with the strategies we’ve implemented. We encourage you to participate in this year’s Bourbon Raffle to help support the Kentucky Trucking Educational Foundation. And please take a look at the My FREE Pharmacy information, a valuable resource we are excited to bring to you. More detailed information is included in this edition of the magazine and on our website. You make this association’s future bright. Hopefully, the days of the pandemic are long in the past, and newer, greater challenges are on the horizon. We will continue to look out for our members. Should you need to reach out to us, please do so. We want to hear from you and are here to assist you. Happy New Year! Rick
KyTrucking.net 5 2023Meetings, Events & Activities jan march april may june aug feb 10 Louisville SMC Chapter; TBD; Wildwood Country Club Louisville, KY 9 Bowling Green SMC – TAZ Trucking Conference Center Bowling Green, KY 3 – 5 Certified Director of Maintenance; Indiana Wesleyan Campus Louisville, KY 22 KTA Annual Golf Classic Wildwood Country Club Louisville, KY 8 – 11 KTA Annual Conference Marriott/Griffin Gate Lexington, KY 16 – 19 ATA Truck Driving Championships Columbus, OH 19 – 20 Kentucky Truck Driving Championships: KY Speedway & Belterra Casino Sparta, KY TBD KTA/ATA Call on Washington Washington, D.C. May – August No SMCMeetings 11 Louisville SMC Chapter; TBD; Wildwood Country Club Louisville, KY TBD Louisville & N. KY SMC Chapters: Truck Safety Inspection I-75 S. (Walton Scales) Walton, KY 14 Louisville SMC Chapter; TBD; Wildwood Country Club Louisville, KY March 30 – April 1 Mid America Truck Show & Seminars; Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville, KY 14 Louisville SMC Chapter; TBD; Wildwood Country Club Louisville, KY TBD KTA Truckers Day at The Capitol Frankfort, KY
6 Kentucky Trucker The Kentucky Trucker Association had the chance to sit down with Shad Daubard, the new chairman, to learn more about him, his experience in the trucking industry, and his goals for the future of the association. We’re excited to have him on board, and we hope you enjoy our discussion as much as we did. How did you fall into the trucking industry? Well, a good friend at IMI, a ready-mix concrete company, recommended me for a dispatch position for the Louisville market. I was fortunate enough to be hired, and from there, I have been blessed to grow my career in many areas of the concrete and logistics business. Did you always want to work in trucking? Any family members in the industry with you? I never had any specific intention of working in the trucking industry. My previous background was in automotive service management. It was just by chance that I was looking for a change and a friend that was working at IMI recommended me. While I was unsure of a new direction in my career, after 26-plus years, all I can say is it has been an awesome ride. I have always believed that God will always place you where he needs you. While every day is not What has been the most rewarding part of your career? I think of the famous Truman quote, “It's amazing what you can accomplish when you do not care who gets the credit.” It always amazes me how strong a team is when you put together folks with similar goals. I tell my guys we are in this together. We are together more waking hours than they are with their own families, which in itself is somewhat sad, but that is the trucking business. Having fellow workers that get it, being a team, and working as a team is truly rewarding and sure makes the day go by with a little less worry. The people I work with are my daily reward. What do you think will be some of the more dominant trends in trucking in the next five to 10 years? Workforce development of the younger generations will be more prominent with the need for drivers as the industry continues to struggle with a retiring workforce and increased demand. With technology coming into its own, it will be the development of the younger generation that will bring it mainstream. Drivers, technicians, and office staff that understand and utilize the benefits of the new software and equipment coming out will be vital. rainbows and waterfalls, I never wake up regretting going to work and facing the daily challenges the transportation industry regularly hands out. What is your educational background? What did you study? The school of hard knocks and hard work is definitely what I would consider my base of education. Early on, I attended the University of Louisville, and later in my career, I finished my degree in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Did anyone specifically impact your career? Any specific mentor or mentors? What did they teach you? I would have to say if any one person impacted my career, it would be Earl Kessler. He knew more about the concrete industry than most people would learn during their career. Earl was my VP of Operations, and I spent many days debating that what looks good on paper does not work that well in the real world. No matter the topic of the debate, Earl would always go back to the numbers and typically prove that the numbers don’t lie no matter how many of us felt they were wrong. Because of those conversations, I feel it has made me a better leader in many aspects of our business. Meet Your New Chairman SHAD DAUBARD
KyTrucking.net 7 Also, electric fleets will become more widespread, but this will only happen as our utility infrastructure catches up with this technology. Charging stations for these fleets will require as much power as a small town and most cities are not ready for that to happen. Tell us about any civic or charitable organizations that are special to you and your company. My wife and I enjoy volunteering at church when they coordinate community help days, whether it is shingling a tool shed for an elderly couple or helping paint and clean up around the local schools. It is amazing to watch how much gets done by a group of people just wanting to give their time and not wanting anything in return. Can you tell us about a particularly proud moment in your profession? Not sure I have any particular proud moment, but I am proud of being called adaptable. Working at IMI has allowed me to learn different areas of the industry without changing companies, starting in dispatch in our Louisville office and moving to regional IT manager, regional VP of Operations, and my current role as GM of BML IMI’s pneumatic bulk hauling division. Being adaptable and learning from my peers has always helped me be able to fill roles, take on special projects, and lead departments until permanent managers have been put in place. Knowing that my leaders have faith in me to take on new tasks makes me proud, and I am proud of where I have made my career. What is the importance of being a KTA member? What makes it beneficial? The association allows all sizes of companies to have a voice. We have to have the voice to get things done. We need to be the 800-pound gorilla in the room, and currently, I do not believe we are. It is frustrating when people from companies that are not active in the KTA complain about rules and regulations that got passed. It is important that non-members realize that the KTA needs their voice and assistance. The KTA cannot move the compliance or political needle without the support of everyone in the trucking business. Having a go-to source for information with all the changes that are happening in our business is invaluable. When you have questions on how to manage some new compliance regulation or law, it is pretty nice to know you have that go-to resource just a call away. Having access to association programs such as tire, fuel, insurance, and others helps trucking companies of all sizes lower expenses. If companies compared current costs to utilizing just a few of the programs available to members, the savings would more than cover membership dues. What inspired you to be a leader in the association? How does membership benefit you? I’ve been involved since 2008 and I’m guessing it was my time to do my part to help lead the association. Over the years, being a member has been immensely educational, especially as regulations While every day is not rainbows and waterfalls, I never wake up regretting going to work and facing the daily challenges the transportation industry regularly hands out. change. KTA has always been a great resource for how new regulations are going to impact a company. The networking among peers and vendors at council meetings and membership conferences is worth the price of admission, but you get so much more. What are your goals for the association this year? Increasing membership is one of my main goals. I also want to continue to promote the Safety and HR meetings. The growth that the safety council meetings have experienced over the past few years shows that with solid communications and intriguing topics members and non-members seek to attend. We need to mimic this approach and use it to promote membership growth. Supporting leadership is important in improving constant communication with real numbers showcasing the benefits of membership in the KTA and collaborating with the allied members better illustrates the financial savings of membership to company owners. The ability to efficiently show all the intellectual, educational, political, and financial benefits is key to having a strong association.
Georgetown London Somerset SCAN CODE DOWNLOAD OUR NEW MOBILE APP!
10 Kentucky Trucker Nick Schade and his family run Tony’s Wrecker Service. They are also strong KTA supporters. KTA recently interviewed Nick about the company’s history. He also talked about his family, life, and interests. The company website says William H. (Tony) Voelker began working in the towing industry in 1937 and founded Tony’s Wrecker Service in 1956. Please tell us more, including where you fit into this fifth-generation family business. Mr. Voelker was my great-grandfather. Everyone called him Tony. He started operating a wrecker in 1937 for the first towing company in Louisville, Kentucky, called LeRoy Miles, then worked for Floyd & Son. In the 40s and 50s, my father Jerry began riding with his grandfather Tony. My father also spent a lot of time around the wreckers. In 1956, Tony started his own company, Tony’s Wrecker Service, in St. Matthews, Kentucky. St. Matthews is a suburb of Louisville. When Tony passed away in 1959, Jerry was a student at the University of Louisville J.B. Speed School for mechanical engineering. He left school to take over running the family business, which is Louisville’s oldest wrecker service. Dad married my mom, Martha, in 1962. My brother Lee was born in 1964, and I came along in 1978. My brother and I are the fourth generation. My niece, my son and my stepdaughter are the fifth generation. The website also has photos of many vehicles or other items being towed or moved. They include photos of a fire engine, school bus and cannon. Are these sorts of projects typical for towing companies, or is this a specialty? We perform towing and recovery on all types of vehicles. We also perform truck and trailer repairs both in shop and as road service. The cannon was a special restoration project that we transported. KTA’S NICK SCHADE A Family Commitment to Tony’s Wrecker Service
KyTrucking.net 11 The specialty work is a small portion of our business. Requests like moving the cannon, a train car, or decorative rocks don’t happen daily. However, it is very enjoyable when the opportunity arises to make someone happy by moving a piece of history or something of sentimental value to a family or group of people. How long have you been a KTA member? Approximately 25 years. We were also members of the KMTA Maintenance Council. What is your involvement in the association? I am a regular member, advertise in the KTA publications and support other advertisers. What makes membership valuable? KTA gives members a voice in legislation about transportation. It is also a onestop shop for all things related to truck transportation in Kentucky. Please tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? I grew up in St. Matthews, Kentucky and played baseball and softball when I wasn’t in the wrecker or at the office with Dad. I umpired Little League as a teenager; that was my only other job. I continue to live in St. Matthews today. What is your educational background? I graduated in 1996 from Louisville Male High School and graduated in 2000 from Bellarmine University with a B.A. in business administration. I am also a certified Wreckmaster Level 8-9 with A&R endorsements. Did you always aspire to be the owner of a towing company? I wanted to be part of the family business from a young age, and I understood it from a young age because I grew up in it. I was towing at 16. At 18, I acquired my Class A license and was towing in the Heavy-Duty Wrecker. After graduating from college in 2000, I worked full-time in the family business. Going to college was a must to work in the family business. It was a safety net that Mom and Dad wanted me to have, just in case. I based school projects in science and math on the towing industry and became intrigued by how the equipment and rigging worked. I wanted to understand the physics and math behind how the wrecker worked. As a teenager, I would answer the phone and work in the office. That education helped me get where I am today. But most of all, the time I spent with Mom and Dad in the business made me realize what needed to be done to be successful and that this is what I wanted to do. It is a demanding industry, and sure, I may have to take care of a customer’s vehicle at odd hours. The hours can be long. But even today, after 28 years, I still have a passion for this business and the towing and recovery industry. Mom passed away in 2017, and Dad passed in 2018. Since then, my brother and I have continued to grow and expand the business. I wanted to understand the physics and math behind how the wrecker worked.
12 Kentucky Trucker Please tell us about hosting WreckMaster classes. WreckMaster is a premier training company for the towing and recovery industry. After becoming certified with WreckMaster in 2004, I wanted to ensure that tow operators had access to the classes to further their careers and give them the knowledge to make them better operators. I began hosting them in conjunction with the Towing & Recovery Association of Kentucky. I try to host a class of some level four times a year. How have you served your community? I support our local community by donating time and resources to student events at local schools, such as “Explore a Truck” and “Transportation Days.” We also delivered Christmas presents donated by citizens of Louisville to Bowling Green and a fire apparatus to Western Kentucky after the recent tornadoes. One major contribution is to the local fire departments. We donate vehicles, and they use them to practice extrication techniques. Please tell us a little about your family. My wife and I have been married for 16 years. We work together in the business. My stepdaughter, Sophia, works as a video journalist at Oxford University in England and my son, Ryan, is a freshman at Louisville Male High School. How do you like to spend your free time? My family and I enjoy attending baseball games for major and minor league teams, traveling and concerts. Do you have any interesting hobbies? I have become a historian of antique towing and recovery-related items, old wreckers and accessories, and antique emergency lighting. I started restoring some of our emergency lights from the 40s and 50s. Now I collect all kinds. I also collect Lego Technic Machines.
Keeping You on The Road Keeping companies in compliance with DOT Regulations since 2003: • Maintaining Driver Qualification & Maintenance files • Hours of Service (HOS) auditing • Creating company safety policies • Safety training classes • Safety rating improvement • Assistance during Federal/State audits • Hazmat compliance • Drug and alcohol compliance • Filing 2290, Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), Fuel taxes, IRP • Obtaining operating authority, USDOT #, other Licensing 844.860.2707 tscc@truckingsafer.com prepass.com/KY 866.228.1424
14 Kentucky Trucker FROM UNDER THE TRUCK TO BEHIND THE WHEEL VOL. 2 By Tristan Truesdell, Staff Assistant, Kentucky Trucking Association Ihave not driven much since obtaining the CDL, but I did get some unique seat time in late August. In preparation for the KTA Annual Conference, held at the French Lick Resort and Casino in Indiana, I was given the opportunity to drive a truck that few have been allowed to drive. No, it wasn’t around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; it wasn’t even entirely outside. I drove a 2023 Kenworth, compliments of Kenworth of Louisville, inside the French Lick Resort Ballroom. As in years past, KTA had several vendors displaying trucks. Historically, the road team captains were at the event to move all the equipment inside the building, but due to a scheduling conflict (several were at the National Truck Driving Championship), this left us slightly short-handed as far as drivers. David Proctor and I were left to get the equipment inside the building. The French Lick facility can have several truck tractors and a couple of trailers positioned inside the ballroom area. Entry is made via a set of extremely large garage-type doors at the rear of the building. Once David positioned the two semi-trailers, it was time to bring the display truck tractors. David brought the first one in, and I had already decided that if he could do it, I could too. Well, probably! To put this in perspective, as you already know, I have had limited driving experience when it comes to CMVs, and this was not the same as driving in an open lot or even the open road. These were somewhat tight spots to get into the ballroom. The trick is not to tear up the carpet tiles, something that apparently is not that difficult to do. So, with David as my co-pilot, I began to drive this on-the-upper-side-of-$100,000 truck into essentially a ballroom/parking garage. I made it with room to spare. Years ago, I heard someone describing an endeavor to park or drive a vehicle through a tight space. I distinctly remember the person saying, “Oh, you could drive a tractortrailer through there;” maybe you’ve heard the saying. It’s usually used to describe an instance where there was ample room, even
KyTrucking.net 15 if there wasn’t. For some reason, that saying has stuck with me through the years, and I’ve made that very same statement when talking about a tight spot or questionable parking space. Well, with this driving experience, I think it has come to be. On the subject of “driving in general,” I hope you will allow me a small indulgence of a paragraph to thank the person that taught me how to drive. That person would be my dad, who turned 80 in October. Dad is responsible for turning me into a car guy, and all that implies, of which I am certainly proud. My first stint at driving something with a gas engine was at age six. Dad built me a go-cart with a Briggs-Stratton engine, and the cart was maroon. To put my excitement in perspective, imagine yourself winning a brand-new Peterbilt! My very first lap in the yard included a helmet for safety and a fence post. As I neared the fence, I got confused about the gas pedal and the brake. I hit the fence post and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I quickly figured out which pedal was which, and I was off to the races. My grandmother was certain that dad had provided me with a vehicle that would bring certain death. Her words: “You’re going to kill that baby!” Luckily, I survived and lived to tell the tale some 45 years later. I just wanted to say, “Thanks, Dad!” for teaching me how to drive. Back behind the wheel of the big trucks, all said equipment displayed at the conference remained damage free, as did the carpet tiles. I must admit, it was fun to say I drove a big truck inside a ballroom. Again, something I most certainly would never accomplish at my former occupation, not to mention that not every truck driver can attest. I want to thank all the vendors for providing the equipment, and a big shout out to both David Proctor for his guidance and Rick Taylor for having the confidence to turn me loose in a big truck in such a confined space. You really could drive a tractor-trailer through there! Until next time, “From Under the Truck to Behind the Wheel!” MATCHED DIAMETER AcuTread® tires are cured in a segmented mold which produces a fixed diameter every time — just like new tires. Each tire — regardless of brand — is within 1/32” in diameter. This important feature allows even distribution of load extending mileage and reducing heat build-up. A simple tread depth measurement is all that is required to match AcuTread® retreading tires in dual wheel positions.
16 Kentucky Trucker THE FUTURE OF PHARMACY TODAY. Attention Kentucky Trucking Association, Get Free Prescriptions for Everyone! 64,000 Pharmacies in our Network Top 90% Of the most utilized medications in America 50 Licensed in ALL 50 States $0 Free Shipping – 3 Business Days Acute Medications 21-day Supply – FREE! Chronic Care Medications 90-day Supply – FREE! OTC Medications Half Price of Big Box Stores and Retail Pharmacies Diabetes Medications FREE Starter Kit Glucometer, Test Strips, Lancing Device, & Lancets PHARMACY HELPLINE Our experienced team of customer service and Licensed Pharmacists provide the highest level of care when members need it most. Visit MyFreePharmacy.com/Kentucky-Trucking-Association or call 800.257.8420 to learn more!
Medley’s Auto and Truck Repair Service Inc. COMPLETE TRUCK & TRAILER ALIGNMENTS TRACKING & TRAM D.O.T. INSPECTIONS U-BOLTS STEERING REPAIRS FRAME ALTERATIONS TRUCK FABRICATIONS LEAF & AIR SPRINGS AIR RIDE SUSPENSION ANY SUSPENSION REPAIRS FIFTH WHEEL WHEEL BALANCING/ TIRE REPLACEMENT DRIVE AXEL REPAIRS & REPLACEMENT 3913 Shepherdsville Road • Louisvile, KY 40218 • 502-459-5740 Email us at quote@medleystruck.com • Visit us at medleystruck.com At Medley’s Truck, we get you back up and running. AFTERMARKET PARTS (270) 813-3000 WWW.NACARATOTRUCKCENTERS.COM COME SEE US AT ANY ONE OF OUR 5 LOCATIONS! FRANKLIN, KY LAVERGNE, TN CLARKSVILLE, TN ATLANTA, GA TIFTON, GA
18 Kentucky Trucker EXTREME “NET-ZERO” CARBON TIMELINES ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH REALITY By Chris Spear, President and CEO, American Trucking Associations Real climate solutions will be driven by innovation. Fairytale mandates only set us further back.
KyTrucking.net 19 Some groups in the climate debate are misleading the public over how and when our transportation sector can successfully and securely transition away from carbon-based fuels. The trucking industry shares the goal of cleaner vehicles and has the record to prove it: These gains show the power of innovation and are a testament to what’s possible when the industry’s brightest minds get to work. Truck manufacturers continue to lead research and development into technologies that will define the zero-carbon future for freight transportation, with real promise in the areas of clean diesel, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cells. The issue with government-mandated “net-zero” carbon timelines is that they kick innovation and reality to the curb — both of which are necessary to develop viable solutions that can actually be sustained over the long-term. When states like California jump the shark in banning gas-powered cars by 2035, they stifle innovation by forcing technologies to market without the necessary infrastructure and before they are scalable. The American people should know that a haphazard mad dash to decarbonization will exact human, social, economic and environmental costs. Such an approach doesn’t accelerate the arrival of a solution — it prolongs it. Take battery-electric vehicles, for example, which many regulators see as the go-to replacement for internal combustible engines. A new study from the American Transportation Research Institute raises profound questions for any official selling the idea that the U.S. vehicle fleet can soon transition to BEVs. Electrification of the U.S. vehicle fleet would consume 40.3 percent of the current total electricity usage at a time when our aging grid can hardly sustain current demand. California, whose residents already experience rolling blackouts, would need to generate an additional 57% its current total electricity output. Where does California plan to get all this extra power? To mass produce lithium-ion batteries, tens of millions of tons of cobalt, graphite, lithium and nickel will be needed, which could take as long as 35 years to acquire given current levels of global production. Expanding that capacity carries a giant environmental footprint, producing considerably more CO2 and pollution than the manufacture of internal combustible engines. In some operations, a minimum of one million gallons of water are used to produce a single pound of lithium. Moreover, child and other exploitive labor practices are common in many of the countries that produce these minerals. In the Congo Republic, which exports more than half of the world’s total Cobalt, at least 40,000 children are enslaved in the labor trade according to the United Nations.
20 Kentucky Trucker From Amnesty International: “Children told Amnesty International they worked for up to 12 hours a day in the mines, carrying heavy loads to earn between one and two dollars a day ... Paul, a 14-year-old orphan, started mining at the age of 12. He told researchers that prolonged time underground made him constantly ill: “I would spend 24 hours down in the tunnels. I arrived in the morning and would leave the following morning … I had to relieve myself down in the tunnels … My foster mother planned to send me to school, but my foster father was against it, he exploited me by making me work in the mine.” Sourcing these minerals in the United States would be considerably more expensive. And if the environmental lobby is unwilling to grant new mining permits in our country, is it willing to subsidize the expansion of child labor industry across Congo and other less developed countries to advance its “Net Zero” carbon agenda? A sheer lack of charging infrastructure presents another major hurdle. The trucking industry already faces a chronic and severe shortage of commercial truck parking nationwide, which strains the supply chain and jeopardizes highway safety. Electrifying the nation’s truck fleet would require more chargers than there are parking spaces currently. Bear in mind that the truck charging needs at a single rural rest area would require enough daily electricity to power more than 5,000 homes. While tractor-trailers account for only one percent of vehicles on our nation’s roads, our freight truck fleet would consume 35% of the additional electricity needed to convert the U.S. vehicle fleet to BEVs. Lithium-ion batteries also dramatically increase the weight of trucks, meaning less freight and revenue per truck, putting even more trucks on the road. Electric trucks are also significantly more expensive; a typical new Class 8 diesel tractor costs around $135,000 compared to a Class 8 BEV that prices around $400,000 on the low end. Considering 96% of U.S. trucking companies are small businesses that own 10 trucks or fewer, these prohibitive cost increases would decimate countless trucking fleets across the country — sending shipping rates soaring to astronomical highs, and triggering a supply chain apocalypse that would make the crisis of these last couple years seem like a fond memory. This inflationary hellscape would raise poverty rates across our country and push life’s basic essentials out of reach for many. We must be clear-eyed about these realities as our nation works toward a viable climate strategy. If we let innovation drive this process, we can navigate the myriad of obstacles that must be overcome. But if we allow the government to dictate premature solutions without the right conditions and necessary support, we’ll only delay the arrival of our shared end goal. The trucking industry is doing its part in this effort, and we seek more partners in government who are willing to lead with facts, not fairytales. To learn more about cobalt mining in the Congo, scan the QR code to watch the video:
KyTrucking.net 21 MARCH 30 - APRIL 1, 2023 KENTUCKY EXPOSITION CENTER 850+ EXHIBITORS MATS, Where the entire industry gathers to see the newest industry products, experience hands-on demonstrations, talk with product experts and engineers, participate in education and special events, engage and network with peers. Improve your career, grow your business, and connect with the entire industry! 20+ SPECIAL EVENTS 40+ EDUCATION SESSIONS FREE REGISTRATION ONLINE TRUCKINGSHOW.COM/REGISTRATION LOUISVILLE
22 Kentucky Trucker Will a thorough pre-trip inspection prevent a violation? In this edition of Truesdell’s Safety Tips, I would like to discuss the correlation between a thorough pre-trip inspection and the “Top 5” most cited or discovered violations as listed by FMCSA. Said violations are grouped or listed at a national level, as well as the “Top 5” as cited here in Kentucky. There are both similarities and differences between the lists. As of this writing in late September, I gathered the numbers from FMCSA’s Analysis & Information dated Aug. 26, 2022. (Note: FMCSA operates on a fiscal year of October 1 – September 30, but these numbers were calculated from the calendar year January through August). Obviously, just like everything that evolves around commercial trucking and regulations, things tend to change from time to time. So, it is no surprise that these violations, as they are discovered and cited, go up and down the list from time to time. I went with this topic to show how a simple pre-trip inspection could reduce some of these violations. Not to say that any condition can be encountered while in transit, but some of these violations could easily be eliminated with a simple but thorough pre-trip inspection process. The data gathered is either listed as “National,” which will encompass enforcement efforts for the entire country or “KY,” for those listed/discovered from Kentucky enforcement inspections. So, with that, let’s jump into this list and see if you think any of these "Top 5" violations could be eliminated with even the quickest glance by the driver. NUMBER 1: National – (393.9) Inoperable Required Lamp KY – (393.47E) Clamp or Roto-type brake out-of-adjustment Regarding the lamp, I will gladly admit that a lamp can go out anytime. However, if the lamp had been inoperative before the driver began the trip, it could have been repaired, which may have eliminated a 393 violation. TRUESDELL’S SAFETY TIPS By Tristan Truesdell, Staff Assistant, Kentucky Trucking Association
KyTrucking.net 23 As to the out-of-adjustment brake, that has been in the top three violations, as far as I know, since they started measuring brakes. There is not too much a driver can do in that regard, but a robust maintenance program may have caught it before it became a violation. It is just one of those things that are difficult to prevent. NUMBER 2: National – (396.17C) Operating a CMV without proof of a periodic inspection KY – (393.9TS) Inoperative Turn Signal As my old buddy would say about an annual inspection, this is a “no-brainer.” An annual inspection violation is something that can easily be prevented. Again, a simple pre-trip inspection should catch those obvious issues. On the Kentucky side, the inoperative turn signal could easily go either way. If it were inoperative before the trip, it might have been discovered, but as stated before, a lamp can go out at any time, so again, this one would be difficult to prevent in every instance. NUMBER 3: National – (393.47E) Clamp or Roto type brake out-of-adjustment KY – (393.75A3) Tire-flat and/or audible air leak As stated before, it is difficult for a driver to check his own brakes properly, so a PTI might not catch this violation. We’ll leave this one to the maintenance folks. Below are the lists with the violations from numbers 1-20. If you’d like to keep an eye on the list, it can be found at: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SafetyProgram/RoadsideInspections.aspx References: FMCSA (Analysis & Information/Roadside Inspections, Vehicle Violations: www.fmcsa.dot.gov)
24 Kentucky Trucker Flat tire, well, I have discussed this one in the past. The driver is very seldom the direct cause of a flat tire. It’s one of those things that just happens. My only suggestion on this violation would be this: if the driver does discover a leak and/ or flat tire, he should stop as soon as possible and call to get a repair. I do not recommend continued driving to the next truck stop or a favorite tire shop to save $2.00. If they are stopped while operating with a flat tire, it will certainly become an OOS violation. NUMBER 4: National – (393.95A) No/discharged/unsecured fire extinguisher KY – (393.75A3) Tire flat and/or audible air leak An unsecured fire extinguisher seems like one of those things that could be prevented by the pre-trip check. Is it present, fully charged, and secured? All could be checked in less time than it took to read this paragraph. There could always be some outliers, but I’ll leave that up to you. Flat tire already discussed. NUMBER 5: National – (393.9TS) Inoperative turn signal KY – (396.17C) Operating a CMV w/o proof of periodic inspection Both have already been discussed as they’ve already hit one list or the other, and we are only on number five! So, you can already see the pattern. Regardless, if you are in Bismark, ND or Georgetown, KY, these violations will make the inspection report if observed during a roadside inspection. The moral of the story is, are your drivers conducting a thorough pre-trip in an attempt to prevent some of the aforementioned violations? You will be amazed at what you can find if you just take a quick look. A pre-trip inspection is a process, and like most other processes, the more you get in the habit of doing them, the better you become at them. As stated previously, can a pre-trip inspection prevent every violation or catch every flat tire? Certainly not. But as you will notice, some of the top five and even top 10 or 20 violations are items that could be prevented or, at the very least, be noted during a PTI. Are you ready for growth? Advertise in this magazine and watch your revenue soar. A place where your company gets wings! Space is limited. Contact us today to get your spot. 801.676.9722 | 855.747.4003 sales@thenewslinkgroup.com
KyTrucking.net 25 In conjunction with the Kentucky Trucking Educational Foundation, we would like to announce our Bourbon Raffle for 2023. The featured spirit will be from Starlight Distillery. Raffle donations are $100. 00* each with proceeds going to the Kentucky Trucking Education Foundation’s Scholarship Program. Winning ticket will be drawn at the 2023 KTA Annual Golf Classic June 22, 2023. Scan the QR code or visit kytrucking.net/bourbon_raffle to purchase tickets: *All applicable credit card fees apply The WINNER receives the following: VIP Tour of Starlight Distillery Facilities Lunch for 10 (winner + 9 guests) Barrel Selection / Bourbon Tasting – You choose the bourbon you win! MUST BE 21 TO PURCHASE Charitable Gaming Lic# 0001921 BOURBON RAFFLE
26 Kentucky Trucker PREPARING YOUR TRUCK FOR WINTER DRIVING The Winter driving season is upon us. Trucking can be a pretty straightforward occupation, provided you enjoy what you are doing, know what you are doing and are prepared to do it. However, when road conditions become icy, wet, snowy or just basically out of your control, you may want to ensure you are ready for your next trip when you hit the winter highway. It’s always smart to prepare long before you are tasked to haul a load, even if it’s a load you take on a regular basis. Part of preparing is making sure you have everything you need prior to leaving port, especially during the winter months. An emergency kit is always a good idea, but make sure to check its contents often so you are certain of what’s inside. A good truck driver’s emergency kit contains the following: • Non-perishable food • Plenty of water • Flashlights • Snow chains • Matches • Extra blankets, space blankets • Warm clothing • Road flares • Sleeping bag(s) • Telephone chargers • Battery-powered radio Rotate these items as they are used to ensure everything is upto-date when (if) needed.
KyTrucking.net 27 The next task before you leave for your winter trip is to inspect your vehicle. Top off fluids, clean mirrors and windows, and make sure your defroster and heater work properly. And check your tires. This is vital. Check the condition and tread depth of all tires, including spares kept on your vehicle. And because of winter conditions, it’s possible you may have to chain your tires sometime during trips. You may want to practice chaining up prior to leaving for a run. This can save you time, and – if you happen to have a need on the road to chain up – you will be ready. Another good tip for winter driving is to pack large bags of sand and/or cat litter and road salt. These can be used if you get hung up on an icy patch and need to gain traction under the tires. Don’t forget the extra washer fluid. It’s amazing how fast a driver can drain a washer fluid tank during and after a storm. If you think one gallon of fluid will be enough, bring two. Or even three. Stay ahead of the weather whenever possible by checking every available source. These could include weather apps on your phone, radio and television stations, or you could even call those on the other end of your destination to have them check how directly they are being hit at the approximate time you arrive to deliver or retrieve their product. Safety always comes first. While on the road, pay attention. Keep your lights clear of dirty snow and slush. Do not drive distracted. Don’t follow too closely to those ahead of you. Stay hydrated, and fuel yourself just as you fuel your truck. Remember what you were taught when you learned how to drive these “big rigs.” Your instructors knew their stuff when they said you could never be too careful. Enjoy the open road, but remember you must respect it to be a part of it. Driving can be fun; after all, seeing the country is why a lot of people become truckers in the first place. Being prepared during the cold weather months can help you to see the country under a very different landscape than in spring, summer or fall.
28 Kentucky Trucker ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO RECAP The Annual Membership Conference and Expo took place August 18 – 20 at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. This was our third and final year at the resort. In 2023, we will hold this event at the Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington, Kentucky. The Conference kicked off at the Donald Ross Golf Course. It was a perfect late summer day when the team of Troy Beyl, Larry Glasscock, Shad Daubard, and Dale Peay won the scramble. The Rogers Trucking team of Kristeena Breeding, Charles Breeding, Kate Breeding, and Chaz Giles finished second with Kate Breeding winning both closest-to-the-pin holes. Registration began on Thursday afternoon followed by our Welcome Reception that evening, both sponsored by The Larson Group. During the reception, we recognized all of our All-Event Sponsors. Thank you for supporting your Association. Friday morning, our breakfast was sponsored by Trivista. We began the conference with the National Anthem, which was followed by our first speaker, Mr. Lee Demis with Doran Tire Technology. Mr. Demis shared his knowledge on the latest in tire pressure monitoring systems. Our next speaker was Klint Crawford with Solera/Omnitracs. Klint presented on the advantage of integrating your total fleet solutions such as ELD, telematics, asset monitoring, and driver coaching/training. Our break was sponsored by Acuity Insurance. After the break, we heard from KimMenke with TMMK on the future of hydrogen as a fuel source. Then, James Murphy with Locamation and Ariel Wolf with the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association talked about possible model legislation for the 2023 legislative session. After the morning education sessions, we had lunch, which was sponsored by IMI and Valvoline Heavy Duty Fleet Services. During lunch, Mr. Harold Sumerford with J &M Tank Lines and the American Trucking Association Chair gave us an update on ATA and discussed their priorities for the year. After lunch, Joe Crabtree and Andrew Martin with the University of Kentucky’s Transportation Center provided an overview of universal I.D. and the study (proof of concept) they are working on under a federal grant they received. Our last session of the day featured a member panel of Billy Hill, Don Hayden, Dewell Gossett, and Ryan Usher. Mr. Sumerford moderated the session and asked them about their experiences in the trucking industry. This session provided
KyTrucking.net 29 some great information and humor, and it highlighted the comradery within the industry. Following this session, we had time to visit with our exhibitors: Kentucky Truck Sales, PrePass, Trivista, Cottingham & Butler, The Larson Group, JB&B Capital, Beyond Trucks, Solera/Omnitracs, Phil Brown Insurance, Apex Trailer Service & Sales, Thermo King Midwest, Netradyne, and Doran Tire Solutions. The evening began with our Chair’s reception sponsored by Hill Transportation Services, Inc., followed by dinner sponsored by Usher Transport. After dinner, we listened to Mr. Edward Gallrein III, a former career Navy Seal and a current farmer and beef producer from Shelby County, speak on the Navy Seals, leadership, and culture within the workplace. To finish out the night, we presented the 2022 Safety Awards sponsored by Great West Casualty. Our number one priority in the industry is safety and we look forward to recognizing our member companies and individuals that have performed at the highest level each year. The 2022 Safety Award Winners are: Industrial Safety Award 101 to 300 employees: Rogers Trucking Company, Inc. Industrial Safety Award 301 or more employees: Usher Transport, Inc. Less Than Truckload (LTL) Division 0 to 10 million miles: AAA Cooper Transportation Less Than Truckload (LTL) Division 10 to 20 million miles: Old Dominion Freight Lines, Inc. Tank Truck Division: Usher Transport, Inc. Truckload Division: Rogers Trucking Company, Inc. Flatbed Division: Mercer Transportation Company Safety Professional of the Year/Safety Director: Christine Estes, Usher Transport, Inc. Driver of the Year: Dale Blackwell, Rogers Trucking Company, Inc. Fleet Safety Grand Champion: Usher Transport, Inc. Congratulations to all our 2022 Safety Award Winners!
30 Kentucky Trucker THANK YOU SPONSORS EMERALD PLATINUM GOLD SILVER
Knowledge is Power 800.228.8602 gwccnet.com Not All Trucking Companies Are Alike Trucking is all we do. When you choose Great West Casualty Company to insure your trucking business, you are getting over 60 years of experience serving the trucking industry. Our agents work with you. We selectively choose agents with a keen focus on the trucking industry. Our agents are knowledgeable, dependable, and responsive. They understand your needs and work with you to match the right coverage and level of service for your trucking operation. Do one thing, and do it right. Our agents can guide you through the process and customize a plan to provide you the broadest protection possible. You can be confident knowing that our service begins, not ends, with the issuance of your policy. Great West Casualty Company – No matter where the road takes you, you will discover that at Great West, The Difference is Service®.
512 Capital Avenue Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 This magazine is designed and published by The newsLINK Group, LLC | 855.747.4003 The Source for Truck Insurance Marvin Johnson & Associates, Inc. has been writing truck insurance for over 45 years. Over the years, we have established ourselves as one of the most stable sources for truck insurance in the Midwest. We have several exclusive contracts and have access to virtually every insurance company writing trucking insurance. We Offer: • Fleet Physical Damage and Bobtail Programs for Owner/Operator • Instant Quotes for 1-15 Power Units • Primary Liability • Collision and Fire; Theft/CAC • Cargo • Workers’ Compensation • Safety / Loss control Visit us at: www. mjai.com Before you renew, call (800) 457-5255 Specializing in Trucking Insurance
www.thenewslinkgroup.orgRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQxMjUw