Arkansas Trucking Association

A dearth of professional truck drivers to haul America’s freight has been a perennial concern for over a decade. However, the coronavirus has reduced demand for drivers so much that the driver shortage is no longer the top concern right now.

National industry publication Transport Topics, recently reported, “The often discussed driver shortage is over — at least for the time being — as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deepening U.S. recession and a falloff in the amount of freight being hauled by many sectors of trucking.”

In early May, Utah police reported pulling over a five-year-old boy who was driving his family’s car to California to buy a Lamborghini. A few days later, he was offered a ride in a real Lamborghini and was grounded.

Adrian Zamarripa made headlines after he had an argument with his mom when she told him that she wouldn't buy him a Lamborghini. Not willing to take no for an answer, he decided to go buy the car himself with $3 in his pocket and feet that barely reached the pedals.

The Arkansas Trucking Association today commended Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson for three Executive Orders that will provide business liability protection for Arkansas employers, medical immunity for health care workers, and workers’ compensation coverage for employees during the COVID-19 emergency.

The business liability executive order will allow businesses and their employees to be immune from civil lawsuits as a result of exposure to COVID-19. Immunity does not apply to willful, reckless or intentional, which means business owners will need to substantially comply with public health directives in order to be eligible for the liability protection.

Guy Campbell, of Arkansas Trailer Manufacturing Co. in Little Rock, Ark. passed away on Thursday, June 4. Campbell played an active role in Arkansas Trucking Association's history of advocating for trucking. In 1968, he was elected as the youngest chairman of the Board of Directors of Arkansas Motor Carriers Association (later named Arkansas Trucking Association).  

Campbell was a passionate champion of the industry in the political sphere for decades, educating policy makers on behalf of trucking.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released comprehensive research that confirms that large verdicts against trucking fleets are increasing dramatically, both in number and in size of awards. ATRI’s research is partially based on a newly created trucking litigation database that provides detailed information on 600 cases between 2006 and 2019. In the first five years of the data, there were 26 cases over $1 million, and in the last five years of the data, there were nearly 300 cases. 

In response to arguments that nuclear verdicts reflect real-world cost increases, the research documents that from 2010 to 2018, the size of verdict awards grew 51.7% annually at the same time that standard inflation grew 1.7% and healthcare costs grew 2.9%.

Safety is always the top priority at the ATA. The ongoing protests across our nation have unfortunately led to violence and looting in some areas raising concern for the safety of professional drivers. As these events continue to transpire, it is important for drivers to heighten their situational awareness as they travel. Some suggestions for our industry to maintain safe and secure operations include the following:

The Arkansas Trucking Association today commended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for publishing a final rule on changes to Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and recognizing the opportunity to improve safety and provide additional flexibility for drivers on our nation's highways.   

“Today’s rule is the result of a two-year, data-driven process, and it will result in needed flexibility for America’s professional truck drivers while maintaining the safety of our roads,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “We appreciate the time and attention President Trump, Secretary Chao and Administrator Mullen have paid to our industry and to this regulation, which, while maintaining the core limitations on drivers’ work and rest cycles, makes smart changes to portions of the rules.”

Arkansas Trucking Association member Cummins is partnering with DuPont to address the nation’s shortage of N95 respirator masks. 

Cummins, an engine manufacturer, uses DuPont’s Hybrid Membrane Technology in its filtration products, like those in heavy-duty diesel engines. The HMT can also be used in N95 respirator masks, the kind recommended for use in hospitals because they filter 95% of airborne particles that can spread COVID-19.

Truck drivers have been working harder than ever to keep shelves stocked and to bring medical supplies to hospitals, but some Arkansas healthcare professionals have been delivering products as well.

Workers with Survival Flight EMS, an emergency medical transportation company dedicated to air medical transportation, delivered groceries to people in need in Batesville, Ark.

U.S. automobile manufacturers halted production when the coronavirus began spreading across the country in March, but the factories aren’t all sitting empty.

GM has reactivated its Kokomo plant to produce Ventec ventilators as part of its partnership with that company. And Ford has teamed up with 3M and GE Healthcare to produce ventilators and personal protective gear for healthcare workers.

The airline industry has been one of the first and hardest hit by the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Major passenger airline operators—including American, Delta and United—have all run cargo-only flights.

When passenger demand dropped 90% on a flight between Fort Worth, Texas, and Frankfurt, Germany, American Airlines used the Boeing 777-300 to transport medical supplies and other cargo in place of the passengers.