Q: May drivers who work split shifts take advantage of the 100-air-mile radius exemption found at Sec.395.1(e)?

A: Yes. Drivers who work split shifts may take advantage of the 100-air-mile radius exemption if: 1) The drivers operate within a 100-air-mile radius of their normal work reporting locations; 2) The drivers return to their work-reporting locations, are released from work at the end of each shift, and each shift is less than 12 consecutive hours; 3) The drivers are off-duty for more than 8 consecutive hours before reporting for their shift of the day and spend less than 12 hours, in the aggregate, on-duty each day; 4) The drivers do not exceed a total of 10 hours driving time and are afforded 8 or more consecutive hours off-duty prior to their first shift; and 5) The employing motor carrier maintains and retains the time records required by 395.1(e)(5).

ALAMEDA CORRIDOR & PORT IDLING BILL

The Alameda Corridor opened on time but with only a few trains a day. We are just going to have to wait a while to see what kind of effect this is going to have on the intermodal market. The Port Idling Bill is being hacked around in Sacramento, so we will have to wait to see what develops there also. You won’t want to miss any upcoming editions of 10-4 for the latest news on these subjects.

DRUG & ALCOHOL MEETING IN TEXAS

Recently, I was asked to be a speaker at this year's annual Drug & Alcohol Meeting in San Antonio, TX, when one of the regular speakers fell unexpectedly ill. The subject was, “What Auditors Look for During a Motor Carrier Review”. The response I got from the 300+ audience was fantastic, so I decided to make available a special report that details exactly what items are covered in a DOT Audit, which items are critical, acute and out of service. If you want a copy, send a SASE to NTA along with $1.00 to cover the cost.

ANOTHER INSURANCE SCAM UNCOVERED

It seems that every time truck insurance goes up there is always someone out there who tries to sell phony coverage. A small Texas-based insurance company has asked the FMCSA to call all filings placed under its name – Universal Insurance Exchange.

Universal Insurance is only authorized to sell insurance for private and commercial automobiles (taxi’s) in Texas. Apparently, some unscrupulous person or persons unknown are selling trucking insurance in Alabama, Oklahoma and California. One filing for a group of truckers in California listed $55 million in liability coverage, more than 25 times the insurance company’s surplus.

Insurance industry sources say they have seen approximately 180 truck insurance filings from a variety of sources that improperly list Universal Insurance as the carrier. The policies typically offer bodily injury and property damage insurance – something that all truck operators must have – for annual premiums of $2,000 to $3,000 per tractor. That's about half the going rate for legitimate insurance.

Premiums for trucking insurance have risen sharply in the past couple of years because of poor underwriting results and lower profits on investments. The recent terrorist attacks of 9/11 have made the situation worse by making umbrella policies harder to find and priced beyond the means of most truckers.

If you have one of these Universal Insurance Exchange policies or know of someone who does, have them send or fax it to the NTA at 562-630-7639.

NEW CARRIER ENTRY RULES

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has reserved the right to withhold permanent operating authority from new trucking companies if they find, in an audit, that a company is unable to comply with truck safety regulations. The rule, which was published on May 13, 2002, will not be in effect until January 2003. The safety audits required by the new entrant rule must be conducted within 18 months after a carrier gains conditional operating authority.

The agency will grant permanent operating authority if the safety audit reveals that the carrier is complying with all of the safety requirements. The same audit will be required of Mexican carriers before they can gain conditional operating authority.

Sources reveal that there may be some type of additional registration fees which must be collected from the motor carrier so that it can afford to pay for the new audits.

MORE REASONS TO JOIN THE NTA

If you are self-employed and have no health insurance, the NTA now has an alternative healthcare plan for you. Get up to 50% or more off on healthcare and pay no more than $55 per month for your entire family. Single plans start at $19.95. You save on hospitals, physicians, dental, prescriptions, vision, chiropractic and more. There are no claim forms and no limitations. All pre-existing conditions are accepted. Call Ralph Riley at 562-808-2258 for more information.

NTA will soon be offering comprehensive background checks, which will include not only employment checks but also nationwide warrants, criminal history and more. We are also adding a special Security Division, which can do Security Audits and provide security products. We are also adding an Accident Investigation Department to help drivers keep their insurance costs down. Don't miss the boat! Call the NTA today for membership information at (562) 630-7637. Until next month, "Drive Safe - Drive Smart!"