Trucking news and recaps for Thursday, January 11, 2024:
Bill again introduced raising the minimum for trucking insurance
In what has become something of a ritual in Congress, a bill was introduced that would, if passed and signed into law, increase the minimum liability insurance requirement for interstate carriers from $750,000 to $5 million.
Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.) and Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) introduced the “Fair Compensation for Truck Accident Victims Act” on December 22. Garcia previously authored the book “Improving National Safety by Modernizing the Required Amount of Insurance Required for Commercial Vehicles Per Occurrence (Insurance) Act.”
As with previous attempts to increase the minimum insurance for truck owners, the new legislation also ties the minimum to inflation to keep up with “the rising cost of health care and other expenses,” Garcia said in a press release.
The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to adjust minimum liability insurance every five years for Medicare-related inflation.
“For too long, truck accident victims and their families have been burdened with enormous emotional and financial consequences, facing a mountain of medical debt and shattered lives,” Garcia said. “The Fair Compensation for Truck Accident Victims Act is about justice, responsibility, and protecting our communities. It is time to make sure trucking companies have enough insurance to cover the true cost of their business and prevent families from being financially ruined by accidents they have no control over.
The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Steve Cohen (D-TN).
Previous attempts to increase the minimum insurance were halted before reaching the House of Representatives floor for a vote.
(Related: Re-introducing a draft law to link the minimum insurance to medical cost inflation)
A GoFundMe has been started to help the family of a truck driver who was killed at a Tin truck stop
The mother of truck driver David White, who was shot and killed at a Nashville-area truck stop on Sunday, has started a GoFundMe campaign to help return White to his home in North Carolina.
“My son David White was shot and killed in his truck,” Rosemary White said on the GoFundMe page. “Parked at a truck stop trying to grab a bite to eat. Trying to work for a living. He was killed in Tennessee and needs to get back to North Carolina. Any help would be appreciated. He loved his family and others. He wanted to set a good example for others. He… He loved God and wanted to live for Him. We loved him, but God loved him more.
According to Nashville Police, White was found in his truck parked on Lucas Lane, next to the Love’s Travel Stops location in East Nashville. Police asked “anyone with information about this case” to call Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. “Callers can remain anonymous and qualify for a $5,000 cash reward.”
(Related: ‘Senseless act of violence’: Driver shot and killed at Nashville truck stop)
Love celebrates its 60th anniversary
On Jan. 8, Love’s Travel Stops celebrated 60 years of operations, representing a legacy of innovation, growth and community impact since opening its first store in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964, the company said.
“That year, Tom and Judy Love were looking for a way to support their growing family,” the Love family said in a press release. – and the people-focused mentality he maintained throughout his career, led that one-stop shop to a nationally recognized brand.
Love’s said it is the only major travel station still family owned and operated and is now a national travel station and convenience store network with 637 locations in 42 states and approximately 40,000 employees in North America and Europe. Its growing portfolio of companies includes Musket Corp, Trillium Energy Solutions, Gemini and Speedco.
Tom Love was an innovator from the beginning, opening a combined store and filling station at a time when that was practically unheard of, the company said. His innovative spirit lies at the heart of every addition the company has made over the years – from the expansion of travel terminals, the addition of the Gemini Motor Transport fleet, restaurants and fresh food options, to complete truck care, alternative fuel and private label solutions. Offers, but not limited to.
“Tom Love said it best: Yesterday’s trophies don’t win tomorrow’s trophies, and even after six decades we still live by that motto, constantly innovating and improving,” said Love’s Chairman Shane Wharton. “The secret formula behind the company’s success is our people and how they model the core values upon which Love’s was built and maintain the legacy of leadership toward excellence.”
Love’s 60th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year.
ATA relaunchs Women in Motion as its council
The American Trucking Associations on Wednesday relaunched its Women in Action program as an ATA Council.
The move will allow “women in the trucking and transportation industry to join a dynamic and growing community focused on professional development and mentorship,” ATA said.
“Since its inception, Women in Motion has focused on advancing the role of women in the trucking industry,” said ATA Chief Operating Officer Sarah Rajtick, co-chair of Women in Motion. “With this shift, we hope to build on the work we’ve already done to reach a much larger group – and create more opportunities for women to connect and empower each other in order to make this great industry better for everyone.”
WIM members are eligible for a number of exclusive benefits, including:
- Access to the WIM e-Yearbook
- Quarterly newsletters containing special articles written by WIM members, upcoming events and ways to get involved
- Action alerts with legislative updates
- Member pricing on products, courses, events and more
- Determine priority when submitting speaker applications to the WIM Speakers Bureau
- Access to WIM networking events at ATA meetings
- WIM bar at ATA events
- Eligible for any WIM awards
- Corporate members are listed on the WIM website with a link to the company’s web page
- Company members received a special logo that they could use to identify themselves as affiliates
“By relaunching WIM as an ATA Council, we hope to create a community of like-minded women in the industry,” said Brenda Neville, co-chair of Women in Motion. “I encourage any woman in this industry – from drivers to technicians and dispatchers to C-suite leaders – to join us as we work to shape the future of this industry – breaking down barriers and paving the way for a new era of inclusivity, integration and leadership in trucking.”