Happy April Fool's Day!

It is believed that the term "April Fool" began as far back as the 1500's. It supposedly was a way to ridicule those who refused to change with the times. Now days it is a way to share a little a humor with family, friends and colleagues. Do us a favor this year and play at least one April Fool's joke on someone you know.

And, then do us another favor and be a good sport when someone plays an April Fool's joke on you.  Remember, if you can laugh at yourself,  you're not really a fool, regardless of what day it is.

The Mid-America Trucking Show is Happening Now!

The Mid-America Trucking Show is expected to draw more than 70,000 visitors to the Kentucky Exposition Center this year and will generate an estimated $14.1 million for the local economy, with much of the money going to hotels, restaurants and attractions.

The Mid-America Trucking Show is expected to attract visitors from all 50 states and 70 countries and serves as a forum where industry representatives and trucking professionals can meet face-to-face to discuss the latest products and services.

More than 1,000 exhibitors will showcase everything from tires to trailers, including major truck and engine manufacturers, trailer manufacturers and other product and service providers.

The sponsors say the show for more than 40 years has been the world's "pre-eminent annual event for the heavy-duty trucking industry. It provides exhibiting companies with an unparalleled face-to-face environment to cost-effectively reach industry professionals through exhibit displays, hands-on demonstrations, networking opportunities, and events."

Attendees will get a chance to see the latest products and services, while also "connecting with the industry to stay informed on important equipment, regulatory, and technological changes." One press release read, "no other show offers more under one roof."

Numerous seminars will be available, with topics including driver medical fitness, increasing tire life, and cargo security. Attendees will have an opportunity to test drive some trucks at the event, which will take up most of the 1.2-million square feet of space at the fairgrounds.

The event also will have numerous exhibitor-sponsored events such as press conferences on industry topics and trends, as well as activities focusing on continuing education, along with discussion groups, technical sessions and receptions.

Producers of the Mid-America Trucking Show have agreed to keep the trade show at the Kentucky Exposition Center through at least 2020.  It has been held in Louisville since it was founded in 1972 and is among the country's 20 largest trade shows.

Show hours are Thursday, March 31, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for VIPs and open to all industry professionals from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Friday, April 1, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

ATA, DriverFacts Renew ATA Featured Product Agreement

The American Trucking Associations and DriverFacts announced the renewal of their ATA Featured Product agreement, further solidifying the relationship between the two groups.

“Our industry relies on accurate data to make safer, more informed decisions about driver staffing,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “DriverFacts assists fleets with administrative functions in a manner that can enhance safety and profitability.”

“Keeping our roads safe and enabling trucking companies to be as efficient as possible are common goals between DriverFacts and ATA,” said DriverFacts President and CEO Dave Widly. “Our member companies have saved thousands of dollars and improved their data accuracy. All of which leads to a safer, more profitable trucking industry.”

DriverFacts automates Department of Transportation-mandated work history requests from prospective employers, eliminating the need for time-consuming, expensive traditional methods of processing incoming requests. By providing customized, accurate and trusted service, DriverFacts works with its members as an extension of their own compliance departments, according to Widly. DriverFacts benefits also include paperless storage, automatic image archiving, and DOT compliance, all while retaining ownership of your data.

DriverFacts’ SMART Solutions make ordering and understanding CDLIS, MVR and PSP reports easier and improves the efficiency of recruiting processes, according to Widly. Many motor carriers also rely on DriverFacts' Drug & Alcohol Management System to perform random selection, scheduling, lab interface, MRO resulting, CCF/document imaging, and DER reporting. DriverFacts is designed to drive employee efficiencies and operational cost savings, allowing trucking companies to save valuable time, money and resources.

DriverFacts is a California-based company that works with safety, HR, recruiting and compliance departments of trucking companies to process the incoming requests on their current and past drivers, for a fraction of the cost of processing them in-house, while keeping them DOT compliant. Since 1997, DriverFacts has reliably offered paperless storage, automatic image archiving, customized reporting, pre-employment reporting and a Driver Portal that allows drivers to interact with our members. For more information please call 888-844-8730 x803 or visit www.driverfacts.com. 

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

Professional Drivers Honored at FMCSA Headquarters

Groups Present Agency a Poster Recognizing Drivers with Millions of Safe Miles 

Earlier this month, a number of organizations representing the commercial truck and bus industries presented the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration with a poster honoring seventy-six professional drivers for their millions of miles of accident-free driving.

“We present this poster on behalf of the truck and bus industry recognizing these tremendous professional drivers,” Sean McNally, American Trucking Associations’ vice president of public affairs, said today in a brief ceremony at FMCSA headquarters. “There are four million professional drivers on the road and these men and women are the pinnacle of their profession. We hope this will hang in the foyer so visitors and staff of FMCSA can be reminded that they have many safety partners here, but none more important than our professional men and women who are behind the wheel of our trucks and buses.”

In addition to ATA, representatives of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the American Moving & Storage Association, the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association, presented the poster to Acting FMCSA Administrator Scott Darling.

“We congratulate all the drivers for being a part of something that the trucking industry can look to as the epitome of safe driving. Those men and women are the unsung heroes that carry the lifeblood of the nation and make it all work,” said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer.

“The American Moving & Storage Association is pleased with this recognition of the moving industry’s drivers who have driven millions of miles safely and responsibly all across the country. Making sure customers get their goods in the safest, most professional way possible is the moving industry’s top priority, and we are honored that this poster will serve as a reminder of that commitment with the public and federal officials,” said Dan Veoni, AMSA vice president of government affairs.

FMCSA said the poster will be hung in a formal event later this spring.

“We’re pleased that FMCSA has taken this step to honor the professional men and women who move America’s goods safely each day,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves, “and we look forward to seeing it hung prominently in the halls of FMCSA headquarters.”

A PDF of the poster can be downloaded here, and photos and video of today’s event can be found here.