BE PREPARED FOR OLD MAN WINTER!

TREAT YOUR DIESEL! –  Diesel fuel turns to gel when it gets cold, If it gels your truck won’t run! A good rule to follow is to start using an anti-gel fuel additive once temps fall to 40 degrees and below. Always add the anti-gel before you fuel up, this way it properly mixes. Be sure to use the correct amount of additive to fuel ratio.

ICE ON WINDSHIELD=ICE ON ROAD! – The ice doesn’t have to be packed on the road to be dangerous, a thin sheet is all it takes to make driving hazardous.

WATCH OUT FOR BLACK ICE! – A good rule to follow is to check for black ice when the road looks wet and also by watching the vehicle in front of you. If there is no spray coming from the tires and the road looks wet, Watch out!!! A reflective road can be a destructive road! 

DRAIN YOUR AIR TANKS! – Daily draining of air tanks is a good preventitive measure all year long, when temps are at freezing or below it’s a must to avoid ice in the air lines which is a very dangerous issue. Always check for excessive oil when draining the air tanks as this may be a warning sign that should be reported to your maintenance facility.

WATCH WHERE YOUR PARK! – Avoid leaving trucks in flood prone loading docks and where water and ice can form when bad weather is predicted. If you have a truck parked in a flooded area, and the water is above the lowest lug nut, do not start it! Avoid parking trucks where heavy snow and ice can fall on the top of trucks such as overhangs, which can cause the cargo roof to cave in. This does happen!

CHECK YOUR WIPERS! – Always check for operation of wipers & washer fluid. Ensure that the wipers remove solution without streaking. Remember, do not use water in the washer fluid holding tank! *Be sure to clear snow and ice off wipers before operating!*

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! – Always leave extra room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Be careful when driving over bridges and exit ramps. Airflow and water over and under bridges and exit/entry ramps tend to freeze first. Use caution!!

WINTER EMERGENCY ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR TRUCK DRIVER’S

• WARM SOCKS, HAT AND GLOVES – Waterproof gloves may cost more, but keep your hands from freezing, going numb, and becoming unusable. 
• BLANKET OR SLEEPING BAG
• NON – PERISHABLE FOODS – Such as dried fruit, nuts, granola.
• EXTRA MEDICATION – Check expiration dates. 
• BOTTLED WATER 
• SHOVEL – (foldable). 
• FLASHLIGHTS & BATTERIES 
• FIRST AID KIT
• MULTI – PURPOSE TOOL
• JUMPER CABLES
• TOOL KIT – Screwdrivers (flat & phillps.) pliers, box knife, small selection of wrenches, duct tape, spare bulbs & fuses. 
• WINDSHIELD DE-ICER & SCRAPER
• FULLY CHARGED CELLPHONE & CHARGER
• EXTRA WASHER FLUID

FMCSA UPDATE 

PROPOSED HOURS OF SERVICE REGULATION CHANGES

Employment opportunities available!

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NYC interactive truck route map

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Penalties Boosted for Toll Evaders

Both the New York State Thruway Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are increasing the penalties for non-payment of tolls, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York State Bridge Authority are reviewing their policies.

The penalty for non-payment of tolls on such major facilities as the Tappan Zee Bridge will jump to $100 but remain at $50 for the Thruway in general.

At the MTA, the higher penalty will apply to the Bronx-Whitestone, Triborough, Throgs Neck and Verrazano-Narrows bridges and at the Brooklyn-Battery and Queens-Midtown tunnels.

The lower penalty will apply to the Henry Hudson, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial and Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial bridges.

IF YOU RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE FMCSA...

DON'T THROW IT AWAY!!!

Correspondence sent to your place of business that specifically identifies an alerted Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) and outlines possible consequences of continued safety problems. The warning letter provides instructions for accessing carrier safety data and measurement as well as a point-of-contact. This is an early warning sign that if ignored, could lead to a DOT audit!

NON-CDL MEDICAL CARD REGULATION

In most cases, operating a Non-CDL vehicle for commercial use, requires a driver to carry a DOT medical card. Find out if your driver is required by using the link below from the NYSDOT!!!!

BUT....WHAT ABOUT THE HUT?

The NYS Highway Use Tax is required for any truck, tractor or other self-propelled vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 18,000lbs. This tax is imposed on motor carriers that operate on NYS public highways (excluding toll-paid portions of the NYS Thruway). The tax is based on mileage traveled and is computed at a rate determined by the weight of the motor vehicle and the method that you choose to report the tax.

The NYS HUT tax return must be filed on a quarterly basis, starting with the calendar year when you began operations in NYS. If your preceding calendar years total highway use tax is more than $4,000.00, you will be reclassified to a monthly filer. If your prior calendar year’s total tax is $250.00 or less, you may request permission to file once a year. The most convenient way to file is online, and the link is as follows:

http://www.tax.ny.gov/

DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE!

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS!

 To register for a free FMCSA Portal account

Click here

The portal account will provide you with access to your company's safety rating with the D.O.T.