Local News

10/27/21 – A rolled over semi-truck blocked all lanes of westbound I90 in Seattle for three hours. No injuries.

10/27/21 – Fatal collision between pickup and semi-truck. Pickup driver crossed all lanes of traffic and struck the trailer of the semi.

10/24/21 – Driver killed outside Toppenish after running stop sign, colliding with semi-truck.

Federal News

FMCSA declares New York Truck Driver to be an Imminent Hazard.

On August 4, 2021, at approximately 11:18 a.m., Kholmurodov, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder, was operating a tractor-trailer in Courtland Township, Kent County, Michigan, when he failed to stop at a red light, colliding into another vehicle. Kholmurodov left the scene of the crash, but later was located and taken into custody in adjoining Montcalm County by the Michigan State Police.

At approximately 4:54 p.m., a blood alcohol test administered by the Michigan State Police revealed Kholmurodov possessed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.17.

Feel Good News

Ray Becker, CMV driver for UPS, was awarded the National Safety Council’s Safe Driver of the Year Award for the Pacific Region.

Nominees must log a minimum consecutive 15 years or 250,000 miles driven without a preventable collision to be considered and be nominated by someone familiar with their work history.

VCT – Safety Trends

Days Since Last Unsafe Driving Violation: 150

Days Since Last Vehicle Out of Service Order: 83

Days Since Last Injury: 41

Current ISS Score: 38

For carriers with a score between 1 and 49, DOT receives the option to allow truck to “pass” a weigh station.

For carriers with a score between 50 – 74, DOT receives the “optional” status and that becomes the officer’s discretion on whether or not to pull that equipment in for inspection.

For carriers with a score between 75 – 100, DOT receives the “inspect” status and are required to pull that driver in for a roadside inspection.

Last at fault DOT recordable accident involving another vehicle: December 2019

VCT – Progress Report

VCT drivers have been performing extremely well this year regarding defensive driving and on the road safe driving habits.

Minimal citations and violations in the unsafe driving category with only three speeding violations in the past 12 months compared to ten speeding violations in the previous 12 months.

Dash Cam footage has lately been showing an increased number of events where drivers are being “recognized” for outstanding driving habits, quick thinking, and preventing collisions.

Areas for improvement: Preventable damage to equipment. VCT spends upwards of $300,000 on preventable damage per year. A majority of that is colliding with fixed objects. Please maintain a high level of situational awareness at the mills and in the yard. Keep your head on a swivel: double check your mirrors, get out and look, and be aware of where other drivers or pedestrians are. October had 13 reported incidents of preventable damage.

VCT – Helpful Tips

Medical Provider: Regence

Contact Number: (888)367-2112

Group Number: 10046973

Dental Provider: Principal

Contact Number: (800)247-4695

Account Number: 1112577-10001

Vision Provider: Principal

Contact Number: (800)877-7195

Account Number: 1112577-10001

From The Drivers – Jack Landon (Truck 2003 Tacoma, WA)

Jack Landon has been with Veneer Chip Transport since February 2020, starting his career in a sleeper cab based out of Maytown primarily loading his own loads of sawdust out of SPI Centralia to Wallula. In the fall of 2020 Jack transferred to Tacoma where he enjoys having a closer relationship with the office staff and access to the shop, fuel, and supplies. It was a great relief to him being able to fuel at the end of every shift as the other drivers do and no longer need to calculate fuel weight when loading. During the spring of 2021 Jack found a new passion training new hires. He is extremely particular about ensuring the new hires build and practice strong defensive driving skills.

Jack can boast his professional driving career to be both accident and citation free.

The secret to Jack’s success? He loves his job. “It’s fun, we get to play with tonka trucks all day; and driving through the mud at DaPaul during the winter, who doesn’t love that?”

Jack says he takes great pride in working for a company that he believes strives to support the American dream. “This is a skilled trade, we’re skilled labor, and we’re able to support our families. The ownership supports the workers.”

Jack’s advice for the new team members: “Find a few veteran drivers who you believe does the job the way it’s supposed to be done, learn as much as you can from them. The guys who trained me two years ago are still training me today. It’s a commitment to success.”

Jack had a few comments about his supervisors as well. He recognizes that our dispatchers are extremely busy and doesn’t like to make the phone call to them if it’s a situation he thinks he can handle himself. That said, he knows he can count on them. “Wade, he’ll stop what he’s doing and get the problem solved. It’s a team effort.”