10/17/2022 On The Horizon

Struggling to Recruit Drivers? Sign up for the MTA remote training

To sign up for this remote webinar , please contact Karen at 406-442-6600 or karen@mttrucking.org

As Electric Vehicles Shrink Gas Tax Revenue, More States May Tax Mileage

The increasing popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is shrinking revenue from gas taxes, prompting more states to consider charging fees based on miles driven to help pay for roads and bridges. This year at least eight states — Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington — considered bills that would modify existing programs or set up new pilot programs to tax drivers of electric vehicles (typically all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles) based on the miles they drive, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, which tracks the issue. States’ revenue from fuel taxes has been dropping in recent years because drivers of vehicles with better fuel efficiency pay less in per-gallon gas and diesel taxes. The growth in sales of electric and hybrid vehicles has accelerated the trend. Under some of the current programs, the state installs devices in vehicles to measure the miles driven. Other programs rely on drivers ... READ MORE

Share the Road HELP NEEDED!

We need volunteers for October 27th at Lockwood school We have another Share the Road presentations scheduled:

• 9:00 AM - need 2 Truck/Drivers

• 1:00 PM - need 1 Truck/Driver

If you can help with either or both of these presentations, please contact Karen at 406-442-6600 or karen@mttrucking.org A big shout out for helping with Share The Road presentations on 10/3, 10/4, & 10/6:

• Jay Leischner from Tri-State Truck & Equipment

• Frank Molodecki from Diversified Transfer & Storage

• Mike Gehl from Montana Trucking Association

• Diversified Truck Leasing

We really appreciate your help!!!

Truck Parking Grants

The American Trucking Associations’ Law Enforcement Advisory Board sent a letter to all 50 governors and state departments of transportation urging them to apply for federal funds to expand truck parking capacity. A nationwide shortage of commercial truck parking – widely documented in government and academic studies – has created a growing highway safety issue, as truck drivers are often forced to park in illegal or unsafe locations when authorized parking is unavailable. “Law enforcement organizations across the country, from local police departments to statewide patrols, are impacted by this issue and have seen firsthand how the truck parking shortage jeopardizes road safety for all motorists,” said Fred Fakkema, LEAB chairman and vice president of safety & compliance for Zonar Systems, who previously served 25 years in the Washington State Patrol. “The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering federal funds to help expand truck parking capacity, and we encourage states to capitalize on these resources now while they are available.” The U.S. Department of Transportation recently issued official guidance on funding eligibility requirements for states as they plan new truck parking projects. In recent weeks, Florida and Tennessee were awarded INFRA grants by USDOT totaling $37 million to expand truck parking capacity. Click HERE to read the letter to Gov. Gianforte.

More Than 6,000 Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Were Inspected During CVSA’s Unannounced Five-Day Inspection Initiative

On June 13-17, commercial motor vehicle inspectors inspected 6,204 vehicles transporting hazardous materials/dangerous goods (HM/DG) and 6,668 HM/DG packages in Canada and the U.S. for a five-day unannounced HM/DG inspection and enforcement initiative for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The total number of violations was 1,774. Drivers who transport HM/DG are specially trained in emergency safety and applicable HM/DG federal regulations. CVSA’s HM/DG Road Blitz spotlights the safety-compliant drivers, shippers and motor carriers that ensure HM/DG are always appropriately marked, placarded, packaged and secured while being transported on our roadways. Vehicles found to have HM/DG-related out-of-service violations, and/or any other driver or vehicle out-of-service violations, were ... READ MORE

Our Sponsors

If you would like to be a Sponsor, please contact Karen at 406-442-6600 or karen@mttrucking.org

We Have the 2023 Annual Inspection Decals

Call MTA to order the 2023 Inspection Decals 406-442-6600 Or you can Email Karen: karen@mttrucking.org

Upcoming Events

October 19, 2022 Truckers Against Trafficking (free event) 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Billings Hotel & Convention Center 1223 Mullowney Lane Billings, MT Registration October 27, 2022 Share The Road Presentation Lockwood School 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM Truck/Driver needed October 31, 2022 Driver of the Month nominations due November 16, 2022 MTA & Meramec Solutions Remote Webinar 11:00 AM November 24 - 25, 2022 MTA Office closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday November 30, 2022 Driver of the Month nominations due December 26, 2022 MTA Office closed for the Christmas Holiday December 31, 2022 Driver of the Month nominations due

Have you gotten your annual MVR's yet?

If not, Motor Carriers of Montana can run your Montana annual MVR's (Motor Vehicle Report) for you. The cost is $10.25 per MVR. All you need to provide is:

• Employees name

• Employees Montana driver license number

• Employees date of birth

So if you would like us to help you with your annual MVR's, send an email to karen@mttrucking.org or call 406-442-6600

Montana Trucking Association 501 N. Sanders, Suite 201 Helena, MT 59601 406-442-6600