A.M. Executive Briefing - Jan. 25
This Morning's Headlines:
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Produce Firm Executives Sentenced for Altering Driver Logs
A federal judge sentenced the president, dispatcher, and controller of a Grand Rapids, Mich., produce company to fines, community service, and probation for altering driver logs, the Grand Rapids Press reports.W.B. Produce President Gary Berenbrock pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy, and dispatcher William Berenbrock Jr. and controller Aletha Curtis entered two misdemeanor guilty pleas. Drivers told investigators that they were made to drive too many hours, and a grand jury heard their testimony.
Lasers May Aid Truck Safety
A laser system to detect speeding trucks and warn their drivers will be tested in the Houston area. A preliminary study of the system, which flashes yellow lights when a speeding truck is detected, took place at the Texas 225/Loop 610 junction. State Transportation Department transportation operations director Sally Wegmann said "a significant reduction of speed" was attained. The units note both the speed and height of the vehicle to determine that it is a truck.Texas A&M University and University of Texas researchers are looking at traffic and fatality information for major highway junctions around the city. Among the chief intersections the DOT is considering for the next study are U.S. 59/Loop 610 and Interstate 45/Loop 610.
Texas Motor Transportation Association President Bill Webb supported the study, noting the rollover risk presented by banks and curves on highway ramps. He added that trucks have a much higher risk of load shift than cars do, so the laser units should be aimed at trucks. Houston Chronicle Online (01/24/00); Asher, Ed
Police Say Truckers Don't Break Speed Limit Any More Than Other Drivers
Although it is often believed that truckers are more likely to speed than other drivers, two 1999 surveys performed by the Michigan State Police Third District Motor Carrier Division found truck speeds averaged 58 mph to 60 mph on two-lane secondary highways and 60 mph to 64 mph on expressways.The Saginaw News quoted division head Lt. Al Newell as saying people believe truckers drive faster than motorists because a speeding tractor-trailer is more noticeable and memorable.
The surveys took place in March and September, and the division conducted nine special enforcement operations in the interim. A total of 492 trucks were stopped, and speeding tickets made up close to 60% of the 393 citations issued. According to experts, there are more truckers being ticketed because the last few years have seen more trucks on the road. Associated Press (01/24/00)
Police Spread the Net in Hopes of Reforming Dangerous Truckers
Seeking a reputation for strict truck enforcement, Gwinnett County, Ga., police officers joined with state Public Service Commission officers for a truck crackdown on accident-prone portions of Interstates 85 and 985 and Georgia 316. They pulled trucks over for using the left lanes, driving too fast, going through stop lights and tailgating, after which they inspected trucks and drivers, including logbooks.The county officers performed inspections on 52 trucks between Monday and Thursday, discovering some 250 infractions, taking eight trucks off the road, and jailing a trucker whose license was suspended.
According to Public Service Commission Lt. Doug Ayers, the crackdowns aim to cut down on accidents by educating drivers about, and enforcing, the rules. Frequent violations can bring an audit by the commission to a trucking company, which can be run out of business by fines if it is a small firm.
Although the commission's sweeps only come to the county about twice a year, Gwinnett, which has ten truck inspection-certified officers and three pending, intends to maintain pressure on truckers. It dedicated one officer to truck enforcement in October and hopes to hire another for that beat. The county wants to keep out bad truckers by having the same tough reputation as Cobb County, which has some 50 truck inspection-certified officers. Atlanta Journal-Constitution (01/24/00) P. 1JJ; Shelton, Stacy
Cities Asked to Aid I-75 Study
As heavy truck traffic has made Interstate 75 North America's busiest corridor, Ohio communities are being asked for funding assistance for a $6 million study of highway issues.The Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments, representing the Cincinnati area, and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission intend to study present and future maintenance issues, congestion, parallel rail freight lines, eliminating interchanges or building new ones, and transit.
According to Warner Moore, corridor studies director at the Cincinnati-area council, the roughly two-year study is needed in order to get state and federal funding. Local governments will contributed some $800,000 toward the study, he said. Dayton Daily News (01/24/00) P. 1B; Rouse, Joann
Strong LTL Demand, Pricing Drive American Freightways Results
American Freightways said it saw fourth-quarter net income of $13.83 million, up 63.1% from the year-earlier quarter, with operating income rising 53% to $27.25 million and operating revenue gaining 20.1% to $306.48 million.For the full year, the company saw $48.116 million in net income, a 75% increase over 1998, with operating income rising 56.7% to $94.37 million and operating revenue gaining 18.3% to $1.166 billion.
The company's management attributed the results to a better pricing environment due to strong LTL demand, and better productivity and service. It also pointed to better-than-expected customer acceptance of the American Flyer service. Journal of Commerce Online (01/24/00)
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