PMTA's Safety Management Council proudly recognized the safest carriers in Pennsylvania at PMTA's annual Fleet Safety Luncheon, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. The luncheon took place at PMTA's Annual Membership Conference (AMC) on April 19 in Bedford Springs. 

This year, companies were recognized based on mileage-based categories instead of the divisions that were used in the past, with first, second, and third place awarded to the top three companies in each category. 

The prestigious Fleet Safety President's Trophy is presented annually to the motor carrier that exceeds the stringent safety criteria established by the SMC for accidents based on miles traveled. This year, the President's Trophy was presented to PGT Trucking. 

2022 PMTA FLEET SAFETY AWARD WINNERS

1 million miles to 4 million miles

First place           GFI Transport

Second place     CVS Transportation

Third place         CLI/Sheetz

4 million miles to 9 million miles

First place           Magnolia Logistics, Inc.

Second place     Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.

Third place         Southern Pines Trucking, Inc.

Over 9 million miles

First place           Sherwin-Williams/CTS

Second place     CLI, Inc.

Third Place         PGT Trucking

President’s Trophy

PGT Trucking

Congratulations to the safest fleets in Pennsylvania!

No entries were received for the 100,000 - 1 million mile category this year. Next year, all fleets, including PMTA's smallest, are encouraged to apply for this recognition so that PMTA can continue to highlight our members for their stellar records of safety on the road.

At an April 19 session at PMTA’s Annual Membership Conference in Bedford Springs, Director of Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office Matt Knittel shared a state economic and budget update with attendees and later posted his presentation on the office’s website (www.ifo.state.pa.us). The presentation shared information relevant to the PA trucking industry of interest to members, including statewide economic trends, industry trends, and state revenue proposals. Please see Knittel’s presentation below. 

Statewide effort will support local programs while honoring and remembering our nation’s veterans laid to rest at Arlington

HARRISBURG, PA and COLUMBIA FALLS, ME — April 25, 2023 — The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association is proud to announce its participation in a statewide Virtual Convoy in partnership with national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA).

The Virtual Convoy kicks off this month across the country. The goal is simple, help raise awareness for WAA’s year-round mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom, while helping each raise funds to support for local programs important to the people of Pennsylvania. Through WAA’s Group Sponsorship Program, PMTA is registered as a $5 pay back Sponsorship Group supporting Arlington National Cemetery – where more than 400,000 servicemembers, representing every U.S. conflict, are laid to rest.

Through this effort, PMTA will be working to fill (virtually) one trailer load of sponsored veterans’ wreaths to send to Arlington National Cemetery this December. This is approximately 5,000 wreaths which will be laid on the final resting place of servicemembers from our state. With each $17 veteran’s wreath sponsored an American hero receives a wreath and the year-round mission of WAA is supported.

“PMTA is excited to announce our partnership with Wreaths Across America,” said President and CEO Rebecca Oyler. “We fully support their mission and are always thrilled to see our members volunteer each year to help haul wreaths and even place them. Our association is happy to support WAA and all they do to honor America’s heroes.”

“Each year, WAA partners with more than 300 transportation companies who help us “move the mission.” These companies donate equipment, fuel, staffing, and time to deliver loads of sponsored veterans’ wreaths to their final resting places on the headstones of our nation’s servicemembers laid to rest at more than 3,700 participating cemeteries nationwide,” said Courtney George, Manager of Transportation and Industry Relations, WAA. “The Virtual Convoy which will help expand this reach within the industry through the partnership and support of State Trucking Associations across the country.”

To support PMTA reach its goal, please consider sponsoring a wreath at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pennsylvaniamotor. 

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About Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association was organized in 1928. As part of a national integrated network of trucking associations and affiliates, we identify the key issues that impact the trucking industry and fight to preserve and strengthen the trucking industry and its jobs in each of the 67 counties and 2,560 municipalities in Pennsylvania, and with our elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. We also provide an array of tangible business services to our members, delivering education and awareness programs, up-to-the-minute industry news and trends, and money saving services.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Press contacts:

Megan Magensky
PMTA

[email protected] 

717-761-7122

Sean Sullivan
Wreaths Across America
[email protected]
(207) 230-4599

All truck and bus technicians in Pennsylvania and Virginia are invited to compete in "Supertech Maryland" on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Center of Applied Technology – North in Severn, MD. This event is a hands-on contest where technicians gather to test their abilities against their peers.  It showcases the knowledge, training and skill needed by today’s maintenance professionals.

Since Pennsylvania and Virginia do not have their own competitions, and Maryland does, technicians in VA and PA can compete in Maryland’s event. If at least 5 techs from PA and VA compete, the winners will be recognized as their states’ champions and eligible to compete at the national Supertech event. Any truck or bus technician in Maryland, Pennsylvania or Virginia is invited and winners receive over $5,000 in cash and prizes such as tools, trophies, a trip to the national TMC competition and more. All contestants receive lunch, an event t-shirt, and a goody bag.

The entry deadline is May 19, 2023.  For more information, call Maryland Motor Truck Association at 410-644-4600 or go to:

www.mdtrucking.org/files/2023SuperTechRegistrationFormContestants.pdf to register.

The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) was established in 2001 by an act of the state legislature. Act 90 of 2022 expanded the MCSAC to 31 members, adding six representatives from the transport industry and retaining the two positions held by the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.

Members of the MCSAC include representatives of government agencies, including the General Assembly, PennDOT, the PUC, Turnpike Commission, and State Police and twenty-three public members that are appointed by the Governor to 3-year terms.  The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association hold two positions on MCSAC and currently has two staff members appointed: Rebecca Oyler, President and CEO, and John Rigney, Director of Safety.  There are also PMTA members appointed to the committee.  They are Mr. Robert Smith, CLI Sheetz; Gregg Troian, PGT Trucking; Dennis McGee, McGee and Associates; Bob Dolan, Vorzik Transportation; and Mr. Rick Varner. 

There are four vacancies currently listed representing the Motor Carrier Manufacturing Industry, Natural Gas Transportation, Independent Trucker Interests and Construction Material Transportation.  Interested parties wishing to fill a vacancy should contact PMTA for instructions on how to do so. 

The committee is tasked with reviewing and commenting on standards for the safe operation of commercial vehicles on the highways of the Commonwealth.  The following is a list of issues examined by MCSAC:  Improving highway safety and freight transportation; Motor Carrier Safety initiatives for the Pennsylvania State Police and Public Utilities Commission; Provide advice and recommendations to stakeholders related to the motor carrier industry and safety; “Develop and maintain a forum for the exchange of ideas, needs, objectives, plans and accomplishments related to motor carrier safety.”

MCSAC has a good cross-section of members from all aspects of the motor carrier industry.  Issues relevant to the safe operation of large trucks on the highway are discussed at length, and the result is a better understanding of the challenges companies and their drivers face every day as they go about their business. 

One issue that has been discussed for many years is parking.  The lack of available truck parking puts a strain on the drivers who must be mindful of the hours-of-service regulations, keep their freight moving in a positive direction towards their destination and have the ability to find a safe area to shut down when they get to the limit of their on-duty hours.  This has a ripple affect up the supply chain. 

The good news is funding for projects is available, and Pennsylvania is moving forward in this area.  There was consensus in the February MCSAC meeting that the topic has been discussed for thirty or more years, and the time for action is now.  FHWA has acknowledged that Pennsylvania is in a good position now with an updated Freight Movement Plan that  opens the door for funding.  A  study commencing currently by the Transportation Advisory Committee will provide information on specific sites to consider for development of parking for commercial vehicles.

Other issues such as the move over law, the snow and ice law, distracted driving and other proposed Federal regulations are reviewed and discussed, and all of the stakeholders are there to comment.  The meetings are held quarterly, and the committee submits annual reports to the Governor, the Secretary of Transportation and members of the General Assembly.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, is seeking truck driver input on the impact of marijuana legalization on their trucking operations.

Current CDL holders are asked to share their input here.  The data collected will be kept completely confidential.  The final report will only be presented in an aggregated, non-identifying format. 

 

If you have any questions about this survey and research, please contact Jeff Short at [email protected].

ATA Chairman Dan Van Alstine

Dan Van Alstine is President and Chief Operating Officer at Ruan Transportation Management Systems, headquartered in Des Moines, IA. Ruan, started in 1932, is a family-owned asset-based 3PL with more than 300 operations and 5,600 team members across the U.S. Through Dedicated Contract Transportation, Managed Transportation, Brokerage Services, and Valued-added Warehousing, Ruan partners with customers to deliver tailored, integrated solutions. Ruan prides itself on being a great place to work with a focus on safety, transformative technology, customer satisfaction, driver engagement, team member involvement, and giving back to the communities it serves.

Dan will speak on Thursday morning of the conference, April 20. This year's conference is set for April 18-20 at the Omni Resort at Bedford Springs. More information on the conference can be found here. 

CAMP HILL -- The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association honored 12 Drivers of the Month and named the 2022 Driver of the Year on March 22 at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill. The Driver of the Year Banquet is sponsored by Sentry Insurance. 

This year’s 12 drivers have combined to drive more than 24 million miles – literally to the moon and back 50 times. It would take the International Space Station, which travels at about 17,500 MPH, nearly TWO MONTHS to travel that many miles.

The 12 Drivers of the Month are as follows:

January: Michael Cable – Ward Trucking
February: Jordan Weber – Lester R. Summers, Inc
March: James Roseberry – Vorzik Transport, Inc
April: John Maiorano – Pitt Ohio
May: Bryan Horninger – Ward Trucking
June: Bernard Paul Wanyo, Jr. – UPS
July: David Wilt – Lester R. Summers, Inc
August: Christopher  Hodle – Walmart Transportation
September: John McClinton – FedEx Ground
October: Donald Weaver – Vorzik Transport, Inc.
November: Michael Zinz – Klapec Trucking Co.
December: Michael Weingartner – Pitt Ohio

The 2022 Driver of the Year is Donald Ray Weaver from Vorzik Transport, Inc., pictured below.

Weaver, of Duncanville, has been a professional driver since 1978 and has been with Vorzik Transportation since 2019. In his 44 years on the road, he has logged more than 3.7 million and only been involved in one incident when another vehicle side swiped his trailer in 2020. He has earned a Three Year Safe Driving Award with Vorzik, a Five Year Safe Driving Award with FedEx Ground and a 10 Year Safe Driving Award with US Foods.

“Don is a very safe driver and is willing to help anyone,” said Dale Knox, Safety Specialist. “Don is no stranger to anyone, he always has a smile on his face and always will give you a handshake. Mr. Weaver has been an inspiration to the whole Vorzik Team whether it’s the dirvers or the management team. Everyone of us at Vorzik looks up to him.”

Don and his wife Dorothy have been married for 55 years and they have a son named David. Don loves spending time with his family and going to flea markets.

To nominate your drivers for the 2023 Driver of the Year Award, you can download the application here.

Click here for more photos from the event.

Washington — Today a group of truck transportation stakeholders launched the Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) to serve as a collective voice for key trucking industry stakeholders. Made up of motor carriers of every size and sector, truck manufacturers, and truck dealers, the CFC’s mission is to: Educate policy makers on the incredible progress the trucking industry has made in reducing emissions and protecting the environment;    Promote the work underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freight transportation; and    Advocate for sound public policies that transition toward a zero-emission future in a manner that assures affordable and reliable freight transportation and protects the nation's supply chain. The five founding members of CFC are the:  American Trucking Associations (ATA);    American Truck Dealers (ATD), a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association;   National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC);    Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA); and    Truckload Carriers Association (TCA).  Jim Mullen will serve as CFC’s executive director. Mullen has extensive regulatory, legislative, and legal experience within the industry, having previously served as acting administrator and chief counsel of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, chief administrative and legal officer of a publicly traded autonomous truck developer, and general counsel for a large publicly traded truck company. “Trucking is the backbone of our economy and critical to the nation’s supply chain. It is an honor to lead the CFC in its pursuit to get to zero emissions in a responsible and feasible manner,” said Mullen. “The trucking industry starts with ‘Yes,’ as we’ve demonstrated through massive emission reductions over the last three decades,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “To get to zero, we must be honest and transparent about the road ahead. Success depends on a national energy strategy that is inclusive of our industry – the most central and critical link in the supply chain.” “America’s truck dealers sell and service the newest, cleanest, and safest trucks available,” said Laura Perrotta, President of ATD. “Truck dealers are essential to turning over America’s aging truck fleet, and with nearly half of America’s trucking fleet over 10 years old, there is a lot of work this new coalition can do together to prepare the marketplace for the next generation of clean trucks.” “The tank truck industry leans into new technologies, embracing improvements to make equipment safer for the motoring public, as well as for our environment more than ever before,” stated NTTC President and CEO Ryan Streblow. “Tank trucks deliver over 1/4 of all truck tonnage in North America, much of which is providing critical energy sources to all Americans. Looking ahead, we stand ready with our partners to embrace and help implement new scalable technologies and infrastructure on a timeline which is obtainable.” “The U.S. commercial trucking industry is in the process of transforming. Truck and engine manufacturers are leading the way to cleaner air through investment, innovation, and engineering,” said EMA President Jed Mandel. “EMA members are dedicating billions of R&D dollars towards a ZEV future, but those investments won’t be enough on their own—we also need state and federal leaders to commit to building the essential infrastructures for those vehicles to operate nationwide. We are committed to working with policymakers to ensure a smooth and successful transition that aligns ZEV production to infrastructure availability.” "Truckload has long been on the road to zero—embracing new advancements in emissions-reducing technology and critical improvements to infrastructure. The key to our shared success will be in establishing a realistic timeline and multiple-solution approach that ensures productivity for drivers and reliability within the supply chain for consumers,” said Jim Ward, President of the Truckload Carriers Association. “For this to happen, we need carrier involvement in all stages of the testing process to help identify operational challenges on the ground. All modes of our industry stand ready to work together to prepare for this essential transition." Learn more at cleanfreightcoalition.org.   # # #