MMTA Member NewsView Archived News

Guard Against Unemployment Insurance Fraud February 24, 2021

MMTA was recently a victim of a fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claim.  With the record number of claims filed during the COVID-19 pandemic, many states have seen an increase in fraudulent activity.  If you believe that your information has been used to fraudulently file a claim, please contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance’s Benefit Payment Control Unit (www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uibpc.shtml) by completing a “Request for Investigation of Unemployment Insurance Fraud” form and e-mailing it to ui.fraud@maryland.gov. If you are an employer and believe a fraudulent claim has been charged to your account, please file a benefit charge protest through your employer portal at https://employer.beacon.labor.md.gov/. Read More

Weather Related Emergency Declarations! February 18, 2021

In response to the winter weather, both FMCSA and the Maryland Department of Transportation have issued Emergency Declarations related to the transport of various products.  FMCSA Declaration of Regional Emergency - FMCSA's Emergency Declaration provides for regulatory relief from Parts 390 to 399 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for commercial motor vehicle operations while providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting people, supplies, goods, equipment, heating fuels (propane, natural gas, heating oil), and other fuel products into numerous affected states.  Please read the declaration carefully.  A copy is at www.mdtrucking.org/files/FMCSAEmergency021721.pdf.  This declaration is currently in effect. Maryland… Read More

Bill Nearhoof of Pitt Ohio --- Maryland’s 2020 Driver of the Year! February 9, 2021

On February 8, 2021 Willard “Bill” Nearhoof III of Pitt Ohio was selected as Maryland's 2020 Truck Driver of the Year.  Bill is the longest serving employee in the history of Pitt Ohio, having started with the company when it was formed in 1979.  He was chosen as the Driver of the Year by the Maryland State Police based on his extraordinary record, which includes: 44 years of safe driving, traveling 3.7 million miles. Training more than 100 other Pitt Ohio employees in the Smith System driver safety program. Actively contributing to charities such as the Maryland Food Bank, Colonial… Read More

Upcoming Events February 1, 2021

February 16th, 2021 Topic: Drug and Alcohol*** ONLINE Webinar ***  Summary:  DOT regulations require ALL supervisors of drivers to be trained in drug and alcohol testing rules. This seminar meets all DOT training requirements!  It includes all materials and covers pertinent rules such as: how to make a reasonable suspicion judgment, developing company policies, responding to positive tests, return-to-duty procedures and SAP requirements.  Cost: $100 members, $200 non-membersPresenter: Brenda Tharp, MMTA Safety DirectorOnline RegistrationPrintable Registration  ************************** NATMI Fleet Safety Certification Courses   Virtual Only   Motor Fleet Safety Basics – March 8-9, 2021 *** 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Managing Motor Fleet Safety Programs – March… Read More

MMTA’s Consortium can help with Your Drug Testing Needs! January 25, 2021

Your CDL drivers are required under federal law to be in a random drug & alcohol testing pool.  MMTA’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Consortium, in partnership with ARCpoint Labs of Southern Maryland, can help members comply with the federally mandated drug and alcohol testing rules.  The rules are often misunderstood and a frequent cause of violations.  Do you have problems with: Spending too much for tests? Employees waiting forever for a test? Chasing drug testing paperwork? Dialing 1-800 numbers and getting voice mail? MMTA's program is here to help.  Benefits include: Inputting and maintaining your driver pool. Random selection of… Read More

You Must Query Your Drivers in the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse! January 19, 2021

As a reminder, all motor carriers with CDL drivers were required to complete a limited query those drivers in FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse by January 5, 2021. The Clearinghouse is a record of those CDL drivers who have violated the federal drug and alcohol testing program.  Instructions are at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/Resource/Index/Conduct-Limited-Query-Employer.  For questions, call Brenda Tharp at MMTA. Read More

Truck Parking at Hollywood Casino in Perryville January 18, 2021

Did you know that trucks are allowed to park at the Hollywood Casino in Perryville?  They have food, bathrooms, and 12 designated spots for trucks with reinforced concrete.  These spaces are FREE and frequently not in use.  The location is also near the Pilot Travel Center, which has fuel and extensive other services available for drivers. Read More

Armand Patella Joins MMTA January 18, 2021

MMTA is pleased to announce the addition of Armand Patella to our staff as our new Executive Vice President.  Armand joins the Association after previously serving in key volunteer leadership roles including Chairman of the Board and Intermodal Council Chairman.  He can be reached at armand@mdtrucking.org.  Welcome aboard! Read More

FMCSA Extends Emergency Declaration January 12, 2021

Last week, FMCSA announced that they have expanded and extended the Emergency Declaration that was set to expire on December 31. The expanded declaration adds the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies/kits for the administration of the vaccines to the list of eligible commodities. The declaration is effective now and expires on February 28, 2021 or end of the national emergency, whichever is sooner.   The declaration now applies to the transportation of following commodities hauled as part of direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the pandemic.     Livestock and livestock feed; Medical supplies… Read More

MMTA Announces Safety Award Winners! December 31, 2020

MMTA is pleased to announce the winners in its 2020 Fleet Safety Competition, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. These awards recognize those companies with the lowest accident frequency rate in various mileage classes.The winners were: 0 – 250,000 Miles: Denver Companies 250,001 – 500,00 Miles: Town & Country Movers 500, 001 – 1,000,000 Miles: FTC Aggregate Supply Over 1,000,000 Miles: Pitt Ohio The Fleet Safety Grand Championship went to FTC Aggregate Supply for having the lowest overall accident frequency rating.Congratulations to all winners and thank you to Great West for sponsoring this important recognition! Read More

Maryland Toll Updates. December 28, 2020

Since March, the Maryland Transportation Authority has temporarily paused mailing Notices of Toll Due for travelers on its toll roads without E-ZPass.  However, the agency recently resumed processing and mailing toll notices for customers with unpaid trips.  On January 1, 2021 it will reinstitute video toll rates (150%) for those customers who go through a toll facility without E-ZPass.  Read More

New Baltimore County Law Outlaws Overnight Truck Parking within 1,000 Feet of Residences. December 15, 2020

As of November 2, a law passed by the Baltimore County Council prohibits the parking of any “tractor, trailer, or combination tractor-trailer” from parking or standing for more than one hour between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on any public road, street, alley or way that is within 1,000 feet of a residential zone.  Fines are $250 per day.    Read More

Expiring Background Checks for Hazmat Drivers. December 11, 2020

Last month the Transportation Security Administration extended the exemption for renewal of hazmat background checks through December 31, 2020.  This allows states to extend the expiration date of hazardous materials endorsements (HMEs) that expire between March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 for 180 days from the date when they were scheduled to expire if a background check has not been completed.  This means the expiration date is different for each driver.  For example, a driver with a HME that expired on July 1 would have 180 days from then to complete his background check and renew his HME.  Read More

2020 Emergency Response Guidebooks are Available. November 4, 2020

Hot off the presses – for the first time since 2016 new Emergency Response Guidebooks are available.  These help to satisfy 49 CFR 172.602, the Department of Transportation’s requirement that hazardous materials shipments be accompanied by emergency response information to aid in preparedness, planning, and training.  This go-to manual helps quickly identify emergency response procedures in the event of a hazmat transportation accident.  MMTA members get special pricing.  To place an order, call 410-644-4600.   Read More

Saum Elected MMTA Chairman of the Board September 25, 2020

On Thursday, September 24, Jack Saum was named the 79th Chairman of the Board of Maryland Motor Truck Association at the organization’s virtual annual meeting. Saum is the dealer principal of Beltway Companies, which operates 7 new and used truck dealerships in the Mid-Atlantic and provides leasing services through its Idealease of Baltimore location. Saum has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2013. He replaces 2019-2020 Chairman Armand Patella of Preferred Services.Also elected at the annual meeting were MMTA’s new Board of Directors and the Association’s Officers. The 2020-2021 Officers are: Chair: Jack Saum, Beltway Companies Vice… Read More

Legal Challenge to Hours of Service Filed. Rules Still Slated to Take Effect September 29, 2020! September 22, 2020

Less than two weeks before revised hours of service rules are set to take effect, a coalition of anti-trucking groups and the Teamsters union have filed a legal challenge in court.  On September 16, the groups filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit seeking to invalidate the rule. However, unless an emergency stay is granted, the rules are still slated to become effective SEPTEMBER 29, 2020.  A summary of the changes is below.   Short-Haul Operations Extends drivers’ maximum on-duty period from 12 to 14 hours. Extends the air-mile radius within which… Read More

Email Phishing Scam is NOT FROM MMTA! September 21, 2020

This morning several of our members reported receiving an email that appeared to be from Maryland Motor Truck Association with the subject "Update Invoice!".  The email indicates that MMTA is going through an audit of our bank records and asks for certain financial records to be sent.  Please be advised that this email is not from MMTA.  It is being sent from an "andrk@earthlink.net" address.  A copy of the actual text is below.  We urge you to simply delete this message should you receive it. Thank you,Louis CampionPresident & CEOMaryland Motor Truck Association ************************************************************************************************************ Fake Phishing Email Text From: Maryland… Read More

No More Cash Tolls in Maryland August 18, 2020

Earlier this week, the Maryland Transportation Authority announced that all-electronic (cashless) tolling is now permanent across Maryland.  Since the outbreak of COVID-19, no cash has been accepted at the state’s toll plazas.  The announcement means that Marylanders now must either use E-ZPass, video toll (which is a premium charge), or enroll in a new “pay-by-plate” system that will soon be available.  Using E-ZPass offers the best savings on tolls.  Companies who want to enroll in E-ZPass can do so directly through MMTA by contacting Dottie Duvall, dottie@mdtrucking.org.  Read More

Do Your Drivers Ever Need a Doctor While on the Road? December 2, 2019

MMTA is pleased to announce a new offer for members brought to you by Kelly & Associates.  Kelly has partnered with Teladoc to give our members special pricing to provide access to doctors via the internet or on the phone.  Your drivers can access a doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year from anywhere in the country.  Medications can even be prescribed from your virtual exam. Want to learn more?  Call Kelly at 443-589-1713, or go to www.mdtrucking.org/files/FinalTelaDoc.pdf. Read More

MMTA Members Now Save on Shell Lubricants! October 24, 2019

MMTA is pleased to announce its latest partnership with Shell Lubricants. Shell's coolants, engine oils and grease can help your company improve fuel economy, save on maintenance and increase equipment life. As an MMTA member, new Shell customers are eligible for special pricing with our purchasing program. Fill out the form at http://www.mdtrucking.org/files/ShellFlyerFinal.pdf and return it to MMTA to have your Shell representative contact you to discuss your product and pricing needs. Read More