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  • December 02, 2020 9:12 AM | Anonymous

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for commercial driver licenses and commercial learner’s permits will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

    The following products’ expiration dates will be extended:

    • The expiration date for a commercial learner’s permit scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through December 31, 2020, is extended through December 31, 2020.
    • The expiration date for commercial driver licenses scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020, through December 31, 2020, is extended through December 31, 2020.

    Expiration extension deadlines on non-commercial driver license, photo identification cards, learner’s permits and camera cards ended on August 31.

    For a list of open driver license and photo license centers and the services provided, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.  

    Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver's license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and schedule a driver’s exam. There are no additional fees for using online services.

    PennDOT will continue to evaluate these processes and will communicate any changes with the public.

    Additional COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.


  • December 01, 2020 12:37 PM | Anonymous

    On November 25, 2020, Governor Wolf signed House Bill 2296 into law. This new law will require ALL drivers of ANY commercial motor vehicles holding a PA Driver’s License, to report the conviction to their employer within 15 days of the conviction.

    This Bill had the support of PMTA as all of us that employ drivers know the surprises we received when we ran our drivers MVR or PSP reports annually only to find out then that our employees received speeding tickets or other violations during the preceding year. So please notify your drivers that they are required by State Law to notify you of any conviction they receive whether it’s in the personal vehicle or a commercial truck they are operating. Failure to notify you of any convictions can carry up to a $300.00 fine for the driver depending on severity.

    Below is the current federal standard.

    49 CFR §391.27   Record of violations.

    a. Except as provided in subpart G of this part, each motor carrier shall, at least once every 12 months, require each driver it employs to prepare and furnish it with a list of all violations of motor vehicle traffic laws and ordinances (other than violations involving only parking) of which the driver has been convicted or on account of which he/she has forfeited bond or collateral during the preceding 12 months.

    Pennsylvania is permitted to establish criteria that is more stringent than the Federal Regulations. 

    “I anticipate the Federal Regulations will be amended in a similar fashion at some point," PMTA Safety Director John Rigney said. "In my professional opinion, most companies that support a safety culture require drivers to notify their managers within 24 hours of the receipt of a traffic citation. In these days of 'nuclear verdicts' it is paramount that motor carriers protect themselves by eliminating the detonators."


  • November 24, 2020 9:05 AM | Anonymous

    PMTA emailed its members a few weeks ago to inform them that the Public Private Partnership (P3) Board had made the decision to toll bridges on the interstate system and freeways. This is a decision that PMTA very strongly disagrees with. Our industry already pays more than its fair share to operate on Pennsylvania roadways and additional tolls would only add that that increasing cost.

    On Friday evening, Senator Michele Brooks and Senator Scott E. Hutchinson issued a memo to the rest of the state senate stating that they would be introducing a Concurrent Resolution to rescind the approval of the transportation projects adopted at the Nov. 12 P3 Board meeting.

    Title 74, Section 9104 (c) provides the General Assembly with the option to overturn a P3 Board decision if a Concurrent Resolution passes both chambers within 20 calendar days or nine legislative days, whichever is longer. If both the Senate and the House adopt the Concurrent Resolution within the timeline by majority vote, the transportation project shall be deemed disapproved. This concurrent resolution will need to be addressed early in the new session that beings on Jan. 5, 2021.

    Now is the time for you to make your voice heard. Contact your representatives to let them know that you support the Concurrent Resolution to Rescind the P3 Board’s Approval to Toll Bridges. You can find out who your representatives are and how to reach them here.

    PTMA will do its part but our voices are stronger when we speak together. 


  • November 17, 2020 3:50 PM | Anonymous

    HARRISBURG, PA – With the holiday season just around the corner, while travel is not recommended in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) remind Pennsylvanians who must travel of the importance of safe driving and consistent seat belt use ahead of the long Thanksgiving weekend and the start of the holiday season.

    "We can all do our part to prevent crashes and fatalities by designating a sober driver and always wearing a seat belt," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. "This holiday season may look a little different, but no matter how far or near you travel, traffic safety is always important."

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. 

    Operation Safe Holiday kicked off on November 16, with the "Click It or Ticket" Thanksgiving enforcement mobilization running through November 29, 2020. State police and local law enforcement will be on the lookout to ensure drivers and front-seat passengers are buckled up, and children are secured in properly installed child safety seats.

    In Pennsylvania, children under age 4 must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children under two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the manufacturer. Booster seats are required for children ages four to eight to keep them protected in the event of a crash.  

    Operation Safe Holiday continues with the holiday season impaired driving campaign that begins on November 25, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and runs through New Year's Day. Law enforcement will conduct impaired driving enforcement details, with zero tolerance toward drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. According to PennDOT data, there were 1,175 crashes resulting in 31 deaths during the same period in 2019.

    "DUI is a serious crime that puts Pennsylvanians at risk every day, but it is also 100 percent preventable," said Major Bruce Williams, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. "PSP and its local law enforcement partners have zero tolerance toward driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

    Drivers are also reminded to obey Pennsylvania's Move Over Law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop, or disabled vehicle. The goal of the Move Over Law is to protect law enforcement, emergency medical providers, and other first responders when responding to crashes.

    "It takes a team effort to keep traffic flowing safely," said Major Williams. "First responders – including police, emergency medical technicians, road crews, and tow truck drivers – are at risk when responding to crash scenes, and we can all do our part to keep them safe by obeying the Move Over Law and giving them space to work."

    Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

    The holiday seat belt and impaired driving enforcements are funded through PennDOT's statewide annual distribution from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For more information on PennDOT's highway safety efforts visit, www.PennDOT.gov/safety.

    The public can join the discussion on social media using the hashtags #PASafeHoliday and #BeSafePA


  • November 17, 2020 11:15 AM | Anonymous

    Greenbelt, Maryland (Nov. 17, 2020) – Commercial drivers have been working hard this year at great personal risk throughout the biggest widespread health crisis we’ve experienced in more than100 years. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is looking to recognize an exceptional professional commercial motor vehicle driver through the International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA). This annual award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond the performance of their duties as a commercial motor vehicle driver. 

    “While we always appreciate commercial drivers’ hard work and commitment to safety, this year, we’re especially excited to accept nominations for IDEA,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “This year, it is particularly important to acknowledge the professional drivers who continued to work during such challenging times and IDEA is the perfect way for a motor carrier to say ‘thank you’ and ‘I appreciate you’ to their drivers.”

    IDEA is open to the entire commercial motor vehicle industry. This includes motorcoach and large truck drivers. Individuals do not have to be a member of or affiliated with CVSA to submit a nomination.

    Nominees must have:

    • At least 25 cumulative years of crash-free driving in a commercial motor vehicle with a clean driving record for the past three years
    • No felony convictions
    • No safety-related driving suspensions in the past three years
    • No driver violations in the past three years, excluding form and manner violations

    The IDEA winner will receive $2,500 and a trophy. Assuming the 2021 CVSA Workshop continues in-person, airfare to Louisville, Kentucky, and hotel accommodations at the Louisville Marriott Downtown will be provided for the winner and one guest. The IDEA winner will be presented with their award during the general session of the CVSA Workshop on April 19, 2021.

    The deadline for receipt of nominations is Friday, Dec. 11.

    Click here for more information and to obtain the IDEA nomination form.

    Announcement of the IDEA winner will be shared nationally through a press release, as well as on the CVSA website and through social media. A feature article on the award winner will run in CVSA’s quarterly magazine, “Guardian.”

    Check out past years’ IDEA winners.

    PrePass Safety Alliance, sponsor of 2021 IDEA, aims to make highways safer and more efficient through innovative data-driven solutions. Its services help increase safety, reduce delays and costs, and enhance the economic and environmental benefits that the freight sector contributes to the nation.


  • November 10, 2020 2:20 PM | Anonymous

    The FMCSA Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) Website has been updated with the October 30, 2020 snapshot from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS).  The term "snapshot" refers to data captured from the MCMIS database as it appears on a particular date.

    Request an Updated Report

    You may now check your latest PSP record at: https://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov.


  • November 04, 2020 2:29 PM | Anonymous

    To improve the efficiency of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) processes and provide a more conducive customer service experience, PennDOT recently implemented changes that will provide CDL drivers with an additional 45 days from the expiration date of the current MEC on file to submit a new MEC prior to downgrading the CDL.

    These changes became effective on November 1, 2020 and apply to CDL drivers whose MECs expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1, 2020. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) waiver period for these CDL drivers ended October 31, 2020. The FMCSA waiver period for CDL drivers whose MECs expired on June 1, 2020 or after goes out until December 31, 2020. Starting January 1, 2021, the changes will apply to all CDL drivers with a MEC requirement.

    Whereas the prior processes changed the CDL driver’s medical certification status to not-certified, completed the downgrade, and generated a non-CDL upon the expiration date of the MEC, the new processes will change the medical certification status to not-certified and just initiate (not complete) the downgrade upon the expiration date of the MEC. Upon the expiration date of the MEC, the CDL designation will not be removed. CDL drivers will be mailed a new 45-day notice informing them that their medical certification status has been changed to not-certified and that their CDL designation will be removed (downgrade) if a new MEC is not submitted and processed within 45 days of the mail date of the notice.

    The 90- and 30-day MEC reminder letters that CDL drivers receive will continue to go out. The new 45-day notice will be sent upon the expiration date (following day) of the MEC on file.

    The options available to submit a new MEC to PennDOT are as follows:

    · Fax a copy to 717-783-5429 or email a copy to [email protected]. Please allow at least 10 processing days for MECs submitted by fax or email.

    · Mail a copy to: PennDOT, Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 69008, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9008. Please allow at least 15 processing days for MECs submitted through mail.

    · Hand-deliver a copy to your local Driver License Center.


  • November 03, 2020 9:21 AM | Anonymous

    Jacob “Jack” Floyd Conrad, 82 years, of Port Deposit, MD, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2020 in Havre de Grace, MD. Born March 2, 1938 in Rothsville Pennsylvania he was the son of the late Robert and Alice Floyd Conrad.

    Jack is survived by his loving wife, Diane L. Conrad of Port Deposit, MD; son, John J. Conrad and wife, Gretchen; two grandchildren, John “Jace” J. Conrad, Jr. and Jackson “Jack” A. Conrad.

    In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Richard H. Conrad.

    Jack lived his first 50 + years in Rothsville where he worked for Daffin Mfg. Co. in Lancaster along with serving for the National Guard Reserves in the early 60’s. In 1969 he started Eastern Mobile Mills in Lititz PA after Daffin sold out to a company from the mid-west. Jack was quick to recognize the need to diversify into bulk feed trucks as times were changing in the agricultural sector. He teamed up with Walinga, Inc. in 1974 and became their first dealer / service center in the US. As Jack focused on superior customer service with quality equipment he changed the company name to EMM Sales & Service, Inc. in the early 80’s. Positioning the company for the next generation he purchased a much larger facility in Brownstown PA which is where the company remains today. Jack served on several industry related boards throughout the years including President at Penn Ag Industries Associations. He always had a love for the water and boats so he ventured south to be on the water in MD in 1998.

    Jack came to Port Deposit seeking the enjoyment of the Susquehanna River. Not long after his arrival, he and his partner, Bob Dommel, completed the development of the Tome’s Landing Condominiums. Together with David Read, he went on to establish Tome’s Landing Marina.

    Jack was a community minded true friend of the Town of Port Deposit and the Water Witch Fire Company. His first donation was to the Conowingo Fire Station in 1998. His concern for the Water Witch Fire Company brought about his organization of a Poker Run and Crab Feast which over several years raised over $100,000.00. Thinking of the community, Jack donated the Tome Gashouse and the parking lot for the Port Deposit Town Hall. Most recently, he donated a boat slip at Tome’s Landing Yacht Club to the Water Witch Fire Company for their fire rescue boat.

    Jack spent the majority of his free time on the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean fishing and boating with friends and family.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Water Witch Fire Company of Port Deposit and the Rothsville Volunteer Fire Company of Rothsville, PA, in care of the Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 766, Perryville, MD 21903-0766.

    A visitation has been scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2020, 4 PM until 8 PM, at the Pleasant View Baptist Church, 150 Downin Lane, Port Deposit, MD. Interment will be private.

    Arrangements By Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., Perryville, MD

    www.pattersonfuneralhomemd.com

    Pleasant View Baptist Church

    150 Downin Lane, Port Deposit, MD 21904


  • November 02, 2020 2:18 PM | Anonymous

    Arlington, Virginia – Last week, the American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, released its 16th Top Industry Issues report, which identifies a number of the industry’s key concerns including the driver shortage, truck parking, driver compensation and retention and for the first time since 2005, insurance costs.

    “For a number of reasons, 2020 has been a tremendously challenging one for our industry and our country, but as ATRI’s survey lays out, there are a number of issues we must address in addition to the ones put in front of us by this pandemic,” said ATA Chairman Randy Guillot, president and CEO of Southeastern Motor Freight and Triple G Express Inc. “From finding and keeping qualified drivers to the increased costs of insurance and burdens imposed on our industry by unwarranted lawsuits, ATRI has identified the issues our industry cares most about and outlines plans for how we can solve them.”

    For the fourth year in a row, the driver shortage was the top industry issue overall, as well as topping the motor carrier list of concerns, highlighting the challenges fleets face in recruiting new talent and keeping their current drivers. In fact, driver retention was carriers’ number two issue, and sixth on the combined list.

    Among the 1,000+ truck drivers who responded to the survey, truck parking, driver compensation and detention issues were their top concerns.

    In all, ATRI received responses from 3,122 truck drivers, motor carriers, and other industry stakeholders – an all-time record for the 16-year-old survey.

    “Having such a robust sample gives us a very accurate picture of what issues are of most concern to the trucking industry,” said ATRI President and COO Rebecca Brewster. “With this information, the industry can best target its resources to address trucking’s concerns.”

    This year, for the first time since 2005, insurance cost and availability appeared in the top concerns – hitting fifth in the combined top 10 and fourth in the carrier concern list. In addition, tort reform appeared in the survey’s top 10 for the first time since 2011 – hitting seventh in the combined list and fifth in the carrier list.

    “The impacts of litigation and growth of nuclear verdicts in the trucking industry was really apparent in this year’s list of concerns,” Brewster said. “Earlier this year, ATRI quantified the growth in nuclear verdicts in the trucking industry, but even without that critical research, the fact that tort reform and insurance issues have resurfaced in the survey are a clear sign the industry is being impacted by rising costs related to litigation and insurance.”

    The complete results of the annual survey were released as part of 2020 American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition. The full report can be found at ATRI’s website – here.


  • October 30, 2020 1:09 PM | Anonymous
    Senate Bill 995 (Laughlin-R) amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to increase the width of multipurpose agricultural vehicles.

    1. Specifically, it amends the definition of "multipurpose agricultural vehicle" to increase the width by four inches (from 62 to 66) to reflect the type of equipment that is now being manufactured.
    2. Pertinent definitions: Multipurpose Agricultural Vehicle: A motor vehicle which is used exclusively for agricultural operations and only incidentally operated or moved upon the highways.
    3. Effective date: 60 days.
    4. Status:  Passed Senate, 50-0, 6/9/2020 – Passed House, 202-0, 10/19/2020 – Signed into law as Act 103 of 2020, 10/29/2020 


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