ROADRUNNER TOWING & RECOVERY

The Louisiana Truck Driving Championships (TDC) is a competition of professional truck drivers hosted each year by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) and the LMTA Foundation and is the regional qualifier for the National Truck Driving Championships hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). 

Our 2023 Truck Driving Championships is to be held March 3-4, 2023. The registration, testing and awards banquet will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge off of Bluebonnet Blvd. The Pre-trip inspection and driving course will be hosted in the Blue Bayou and Dixie Landing Amusement Park parking lot in Baton Rouge.  

VIEW MORE INFORMATION ON THE CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Below are upcoming deadlines and information for our upcoming Truck Driving Championships. 

• If you plan on volunteering, please complete the online sign-up form. All those interested in volunteering may sign up here so we can start assigning coverage. We ask that all volunteers plan to attend the 2:00 PM March 2 meeting at the LMTA Office. Please note this meeting has been moved from the originally scheduled 1:00 PM.
• The hotel block at the Renaissance Baton Rouge has closed. If you or your company is still in need of accommodations, we have listed some nearby hotels on our website.
• For those planning to attend the March 4 Award Banquet who are not volunteering or registered with a driver, attendee registration is now open. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

• 2:00 PM | Mandatory Volunteer Meeting (LMTA Office)

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

• 7:30 AM | Equipment donations can be parked on-site (Blue Bayou)
• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Driver Registration starts (Renaissance Hotel)
• 12:00 - 12:15 PM | Pre-Trip Review (Renaissance Hotel)
• 12:15 - 12:45 PM | Driving Course Overview (Renaissance Hotel)
• 12:45 - 1:45 PM | Written Exam (Renaissance Hotel)
• 1:45 - 4:00 PM | Pre-Trip Inspection (Blue Bayou)

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

• 7:00 - 7:30 AM | Course Walkthrough (Blue Bayou)
• 7:30 - 3:30 PM | Course Competition (Blue Bayou)
• 6:00 - 7:00 PM | Cocktail Reception (Renaissance Hotel)
• 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Awards Banquet (Renaissance Hotel)

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) Foundation has named Master Trooper David Bruce and Master Trooper Brett Davis as their 2023 Troopers of the Year.  Each year, this awards recognizes officers for outstanding commitment to safety, willingness to work with the trucking industry, exceptional work record, and personal work ethics.  

Master Trooper David Bruce, a Louisiana State Trooper since 1997, has served in commercial compliance review investigations since 2015, with previous service in commercial vehicle enforcement and over 20 years in the Louisiana Army National Guard. Bruce holds certifications in Part A/B, GHM, CTI, OBP, compliance review investigations, and Level VI radioactive and transuranic waste inspection. He is an extraordinary ally to the Louisiana trucking industry, known for his fair and impartial enforcement. Bruce also works to assist trucking companies in understanding and applying the often confusing and convoluted compliance-related regulations, even after his investigations are completed. A vital section member and known for his skills and courteous work, Bruce has also served in New Orleans and Cameron, Louisiana, during the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Master Trooper Brett Davis, an officer of the Louisiana State Police since 1999, has been with Region III’s Transportation and Environmental Safety Section (TESS), Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program since 2009. Davis has distinguished himself as a highly competent inspector with extensive knowledge of the FMCSR and Title 49 Hazmat Regulations, as well as an instructor for the Drug Interdiction Assistance Program and at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program National Training Center. In 2021, Davis’ inspection skills led to the seizure of over 50 pounds of a Schedule I substance.  Along with an earned reputation as a team player, Davis directly assisted displaced residents in New Orleans following Hurricane Laura, going above and beyond to service the area and other troopers.

Each officer will be recognized during the LMTA Foundation's Truck Safety Awards on March 4, 2023, at the Renaissance Baton Rouge.

The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) Cargo Tank Test & Inspection Workshop is coming to Baton Rouge April 11 - 12, 2023. The cargo tank workshops are designed to help cargo tank repair technicians, testers, and inspectors comply with current regulations – whether as a bulk carrier or as a commercial repair facility. Each workshop focuses on compliance with USDOT’s cargo tank qualification and maintenance regulations found in 49 CFR Parts 107 and 180. 

The course includes a workbook and a copy of the 55th Edition of NTTC's Bulk Hazmat Compliance Guide. Registration is limited.

LMTA members - use the promo code listed on our website to receive special membership pricing!

Cargo Tank Test & Inspection Workshop

Location: Embassy Suites Baton Rouge

Date: April 11 - 12, 2023

Registration: Complete online (LMTA promo code for special pricing available) 

LMTA's Annual Seafood Gala is the association's premier social and networking event of the year! With music, drinks, and - of course, premier Louisiana seafood - you do not want to miss this event.

This year's Gala will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Hilton Capitol Center in Baton Rouge. This historic hotel, located in downtown Baton Rouge, overlooks the Mississippi River providing amazing views of the state's capitol.

This year's tickets can be purchased online for $125.00 each. 

SPONSORSHIPS
As the Association's largest event, our annual Seafood Gala is the perfect opportunity to meet our members and get your company recognized with Louisiana's trucking business community! With several different opportunity levels, we have a sponsorship for almost any budget. Each sponsorship provides a unique sponsorship opportunity and a number of complimentary tickets for you and your business.

All sponsorships can be viewed on the event registration form, which can be accessed using the "secure sponsorships" button below or by clicking here. 

If you have questions regarding Gala sponsorships, contact the LMTA office at (225) 928-5682 or lmta@lmta.la.

ACCOMMODATIONS
A designated LMTA room rate is available at the Hilton Capitol Center starting at $159.00 per night. Members and all those attending our 2023 Gala are welcome to book the block. Booking can be completed online or by calling (225) 344-5866.  

ONLINE BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS
If you are making your reservations online, please enter in "attendee" when prompted after following the link. From here, you will be prompted to enter your desired dates.  

The 2023 LMTA Annual Convention will take place July 13-15, 2023 at the The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. We encourage all those planning to attend to book early. This resort is in demand and usually fully books before the spring! 

The Lodge at Gulf State Park
21196 E Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores, AL 36542 

The cut-off for reservations is Monday, June 12, 2023.
BOOK ONLINE or by phone (251) 540-4000 (Group Code: LMTA)

Please Note: The LMTA reserves the right to remove any guest from the room block who is not registered for the convention. Removal from the block may result in an increase in rate or cancelation of reservation by the hotel.

We are excited to share our partnership with Mengel Financial Group to bring our members our new benefit plans under LMTA Insurance Management!

Since 2005, Mengel Financial Group has been offering Voluntary Employee Benefits to meet the needs of companies and their employees. Mengel Financial Group is committed to providing our members with the best and most affordable group benefits based on their specific needs. Offering Voluntary Employee Benefits strengthens relationships with your employees and improves retention and recruitment. 

All of the benefits are offered at NO COST TO THE EMPLOYER. Mengel Financial Group has partnered with over 20 insurance carriers, which allows us to provide the best and most affordable benefits to satisfy our member's employee’s needs. Many of their benefit offerings are Guaranteed Issue requiring no medical questions or medical exam.

Mengel Financial Group has been saving companies, employees & owner operators money on benefits since 1989, working with the Georgia Motor Transport Association in recent years, providing their members with affordable benefits.

LMTA Insurance Management also has a local benefits specialist in Tiffany VanHazebroeck, located in Mandeville, LA. Tiffany is ready to help our member companies provide their employees with exclusive voluntary benefits!

For more information or inquiries on benefits - please contact Tiffany VanHazebroeck or Ted Mengel whose information is listed in their profiles here.

TIFFANY VANHAZEBROECK | Benefits Specialist
(678) 977-5175
tiffanyv@lmta.la 

TED MENGEL | CEO

(404) 314-6799

ted@lmta.la 

FROM THE LOUISIANA DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION & DEVELOPMENT

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) invites the public to an open house event offering information about the I-10 widening project through Baton Rouge. The project team will be on hand during this event to provide information and answer questions. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend to obtain project information and provide feedback.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Marriott Hotel Ballroom
5500 Hilton Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
 
Project information and exhibits will include:

• Anticipated project schedule
• Stage 2 traffic operations (2 lanes in each direction, 12-14 month duration)
• Traffic mitigation strategies during construction
• Widening of the I-10 westbound flyover (at I-110)
• I-10 eastbound braided ramps between Acadian Thruway and College Drive
• Revised noise walls between Acadian Thruway and College Drive
• Additional right-of-way
• Context Sensitive Solutions master plans throughout the corridor
• Reduced vertical clearance for Maximilian Street beneath I-10

The open house event allows area residents to drop in at any time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Should anyone require special assistance due to a disability to participate in this meeting, please contact Franklin Associates by telephone, email, or US Mail at least five working days prior to the meeting.

Comments and questions may be submitted during the open house event or sent to Franklin Associates by email or US Mail. Written comments must be received by Wednesday, March 22, 2023, (within 10 working days) following the event to be included in meeting documentation.

I-10 Project c/o Franklin Associates | 250 S. Foster Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
info@i10br.com | (225) 768-9060

FROM LOUISIANA CLEAN FUELS

Join us in Baton Rouge this April for the Gulf South's largest and most affordable clean transportation Conference & Expo covering topics from high level transportation decarbonization strategies, to real-world fleet case studies and fuel specific technology updates. Visit our website to view the most up-to-date agenda. Hosted by Louisiana Clean Fuels and the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership.

Announcing Our 2023 Keynote Speakers:

• April 19, 2023 - DOTD Secretary Dr. Shawn Wilson
• April 20, 2023 - Governor John Bel Edwards

Location: Raising Cane's River Center | Baton Rouge, LA
Date: April 19 – 20

View Registration & Agenda Details

FROM THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA)

FMCSA removed the following devices  from the list of registered ELDs due to the company’s failure to meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A.

REVOKED DEVICES:

• 1.) ELD Name: ELD ONE
  • Model number: OELD01
  • Identifier: OWLA01
  • Provider: TMS ONE
• 2.) ELD Name: Nationwide ELD
  • Model number: NWTELDV1.1
  • Identifier: NWT001
  • Provider: Nationwide Technologies Inc
• 3.) ELD Name: ONE PLUS ELD (n/k/a 1 PL Logs)
  • Model number: ORS
  • Identifier: ORS160
  • Provider: ONE PLUS ELD (n/k/a 1 PL LOGS)
  • Registration ID: 8J3V 

Motor carriers and drivers who use the device listed above must take the following actions:

1. Discontinue using the revoked device(s) and revert to paper logs or logging software to record required hours of service data.
2. Replace the revoked device(s) with compliant ELD(s) from the Registered Devices list BEFORE:
   1. April 1 (for ELD One)
   2. April 4 (for Nationwide ELD)
   3. April 10 (for ONE PLUS ELD)

Motor carriers and drivers who continue to use the revoked devices past the listed deadlines  will be in violation of 49 CFR 395.8(a)(1)—“No record of duty status” and drivers will be placed out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) OOS Criteria.

If the ELD provider corrects all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the device back on the Registered Devices list and inform the industry and the field. However, FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in the event that these deficiencies are not addressed in time.

Questions? 
Contact ELD@dot.gov 

Here is an update from our partners at the New Orleans and Baton Rouge NWS.

Main Takeaways:

• This weekend will be unseasonably warm, mostly cloudy but with a slight chance of a stray shower.

FROM SAMBA SAFETY

It’s common for companies to struggle to understand how their telematics investment fits into their safety program. While these devices provide a large quantity of data, it’s often delivered in various formats and systems, making it extremely challenging to extract valuable insights and formulate an accurate risk profile of your drivers. 

If you can relate, join us on February 28 at 1 pm ET ( as our experts explore these challenges in our latest webinar, How Telematics Data is Driving New Strategies for Safety and Risk Mitigation. You’ll discover how you can simplify your access to critical telematics data to transform how you identify and mitigate driver risk completely. 

How Telematics Data is Driving New Strategies for Safety and Risk Mitigation

Tuesday, February 28, 2023
12 p.m. CT

Register Now! 

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