The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently alerted CTA about a new financial scam being perpetrated on unsuspecting motor carriers. The scam involves someone calling the motor carrier and stating they are from CHP and they need documents from the carrier for a New Entrant Safety Assurance Program (NESAP) type audit, only in addition to regulatory documents, they also tell the carrier that they need financial information including bank account numbers. The reported result of these phone call scams has been two new motor carriers have had their financial information compromised and their bank accounts emptied.

 

As a reminder the CHP will never ask for financial information or financial documents when conducting a terminal/carrier safety audit or NESAP inspection. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from CHP and asking for financial information, please call your local CHP Motor Carrier Office and ask to speak to a supervisor. A list of Motor Carrier Office phone numbers can be found on CHP’s website. 

This message is sent on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

 

“EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have been working with the manufacturers of diesel vehicles and engines to address an issue related to the ongoing shortage of computer chips and the impact that has had on the availability of certain replacement parts. One part in particular, a sensor that monitors the quality of diesel emissions fluid (DEF), has been of concern because the failure of the part can lead to the vehicle being unable to operate. The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) on behalf of its member companies has proposed an industry wide approach that would provide a software solution for vehicles with failed parts to enable them to operate temporarily while the industry works to produce more replacement parts and that, long term, would provide replacement parts through a recall program. EPA and CARB have reviewed the proposed approach and believe it is appropriate for the companies to implement the proposed solution going forward as quickly as possible.

 

The manufacturers must still develop new software code and test it to ensure the software can be installed on vehicles in the field. The companies expect that they will be able to begin fixing some vehicles with failed sensors as soon as this week. The companies will also make available a similar software update for vehicles whose sensors have not failed but are among a group of vehicles where such a failure could be expected to occur to prevent a sensor failure from disabling the vehicle. This updated software is likewise expected to be available to service centers in the coming weeks.”

DLA Piper is a full service law firm with offices in over 40 countries.  DLA Piper’s Employment group is a market-leading global practice with a strong reputation for delivering solutions-based advice and supporting clients in a wide range of employment issues, including those specific to trucking. With over 300 world class legal experts across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, our global employment team is one of the largest in the world, with one of the widest geographical footprints of any international law firm.

 

Contact Richard Rahm at (415) 836-2524.

 

Build lasting connections with peers in your industry as well as listen to the latest information addressing today’s most pressing trucking issues. Meetings are open to all CTA members (unless otherwise indicated).

 

Hotel (CTA Member Rate)
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Reservation deadline: October 4, 2021

Late last week, CTA learned the passing of longtime CTA member (63 years) Mr. Jerry Wheeler (Contractors Cargo). Jerry was a pioneer in the heavy haul industry and started Wheeler Transportation with one truck in 1954. Shortly after, he secured his first major heavy haul contract with American Pipe & Construction Company (now Ameron International) to haul 1,700 loads of reinforcing steel cages for concrete pipe, 16’ in diameter for the Metropolitan Aqueduct.  On January 15, 1962, Jerry purchased Contractors Cargo Company with operating authority in the six western states.

 

Between 1977 and 1986, Jerry helped coordinate and haul all six of the NASA Space Shuttles nineteen times, including barging the “Enterprise” up the Mississippi to the New Orleans world’s fair for Rockwell and NASA. After being based in South Gate, California for 35 years, Contractors Cargo moved to Compton, California where it has continued to design, engineer and manufacture hundreds of heavy specialized hauling systems.  Aerospace, heavy construction, electrical power and petrol chemical have been and continue to be the major fields Contractors Cargo specializes in.

 

Services are pending, as soon as CTA receives details regarding his services we will let the CTA membership know. The CTA family’s thoughts are with Jerry’s family and the team at Contractors Cargo.

The American Transportation Research Institute, the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, launched the 2021 Top Industry Issues Survey. The annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with potential strategies for addressing each issue.

 

Now in its 17th year, ATRI’s annual analysis not only ranks the issues overall but also provides details on where critical topics are ranked differently by motor carriers and professional drivers. The report also allows stakeholders to monitor issues over time to better understand which issues are rising, or falling, in criticality.

 

“Completing this survey only takes a few minutes, but its impact can be immeasurable. The data ATRI provides will chart the course for the industry by providing a clear picture of the landscape we face,” said ATA Chair Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, president and CEO of Garner Transportation Group. 

 

The results of the 2021 survey will be released October 24, 2021 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in Nashville, Tennessee. 

 

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey available through ATRI’s website by clicking here. The survey will remain open through October 15, 2021.