Updates from Louisiana's Transportation Industry!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2026 Annual Sponsor

THIS WEEK
 

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

INDUSTRY UPDATES

MEMBER PROGRAMS 

ILMTA Association Health Plan - Exclusive Benefits for Members

We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new benefit for LMTA members — the LMTA Association Sponsored Health Plan, powered by USI Insurance Services.

This exclusive program was designed to help our members take control of one of the biggest challenges facing trucking companies today: the rising cost of employee health coverage. By joining together under one plan, LMTA members can now access lower costs, greater transparency, and trucking-specific health and wellness benefits — all while maintaining the flexibility and control you need as an employer.

Program Highlights:

  • Exclusive to LMTA members

  • Lower costs + better benefits through collective purchasing power

  • Employer-sponsored group health insurance built for trucking

  • Greater plan transparency and more control over your benefits

  • Wellness and care programs tailored to drivers

  • Powered by USI for expert guidance and support every step of the way

This new health plan gives trucking employers the tools to reduce costs, enhance employee benefits, and improve long-term financial stability — all while keeping more value within our industry and association.

If you are interested in the plan, contact Jason Roussell with USI Insurance Services at jason.roussell@usi.com. For any other questions, contact Renee Amar at renee@lmta.la.

Together, we’re helping LMTA members build stronger businesses — and healthier teams.

VIEW AFFINITY PROGRAMS IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFO HUB
 

Date Change Notice: 2026 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships - Now Jun 19 - 20, Cajundome (Lafayette, LA)

Beginning in 2026, the LMTA Truck Driving Championships will move from a spring event to a summer schedule. The Championships will now be held at the Cajundome in Lafayette, providing a climate-controlled indoor venue that improves comfort, safety, and consistency for drivers, volunteers, and spectators.

Because the Championships are closely tied to several LMTA safety awards, this schedule change also affects application deadlines.

What’s Changing

  • The Truck Driving Championships will move from spring to summer with the 2026 Truck Driving Championships being held Jun 19-20.

  • The event will be hosted at the Cajundome (climate-controlled venue)

  • Application timelines will shift from early in the year to the spring

Affected Awards

  • Safety Professional of the Year

  • Truck Driver of the Year

  • Fleet Safety Awards

Historically, applications for these awards were due at the beginning of the year. Moving forward, applications will open and be due in the spring, aligning with the new summer Championship schedule.

Updates will first be available on the event's website: 2026 Trucking Driving Championships.

The room block at the venue closest to the Cajundome campus is now open! Rooms are expected to fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to book as soon as possible.

This email serves as an early alert so your team can plan accordingly. Specific dates, application windows, and event details will be shared in upcoming LMTA communications.

If you have questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
 

ATRI Needs Your Help: Participate in New Insurance Research & Receive a Customized Peer Comparison Report

ATRI is asking motor carriers to participate in a new national study on rising commercial auto insurance costs. We encourage your company to take part.


You can complete the survey online or by PDF, and all data remains confidential.
Deadline: Today, December 19.

Insurance costs have risen 36% per mile over the past eight years, even as crashes have declined. This research will help identify which risk-management strategies—safety technology, training, coverage adjustments, captives, and more—are truly making a difference.

Why your company should participate:

  • Receive a customized report comparing your cost of risk to anonymized peers.

  • Gain insight to help reduce long-term insurance costs and strengthen your safety profile.

Why it matters for the industry:

  • Supports ATRI’s efforts to address insurance affordability and lawsuit abuse.

  • Provides stronger data to advocate for fairer and more effective reforms.

ATRI is requesting insurance coverage data for 2021–2024, along with information on safety technologies and risk-management practices. They will sign an NDA if needed.

Read ATRI’s full release here: https://truckingresearch.org/2025/11/new-atri-research-to-study-rising-commercial-auto-insurance-costs-risk-management-strategies/

Please let us know if you have any questions.

 
 
 

Year-Round Visibility: Become a 2026 LMTA Annual Sponsor

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association is excited to announce that 2026 Annual Sponsorships are now available and can be purchased online! The deadline to secure sponsorships is January 31.

 

By becoming an LMTA Annual Sponsor, your company will gain year-round visibility and exclusive recognition at every major LMTA event, including the Seafood Gala, Annual Convention, and Transportation Conference.

 

Annual Sponsors enjoy:

  • Complimentary registrations to LMTA’s signature events (depending on tier)
  • Prominent signage and recognition at all annual events
  • Features across LMTA communications—our website, Truck Talk Weekly Newsletter, LMTA app, and social media
  • Opportunities for enhanced exposure, from promotional videos to logo placement and speaker introductions (depending on tier)

With Gold, Silver, Bronze, and specialty sponsorships available, there’s a package to fit every company’s goals. Flexible monthly installment options make it simple to support LMTA and showcase your commitment to Louisiana’s trucking industry.

 

Available Packages:

For installment pricing or more information, please contact Burton Comeaux, Accounting Director – burton@lmta.la

 

Join us in supporting the voice of Louisiana’s trucking industry while promoting your company in front of industry leaders all year long.
 

Industry Update: Load Restriction Alert - Belle River Bridge (LA 70)

We want to make you aware of current conditions affecting the Belle River Bridge on LA 70 and the associated operational impacts for motor carriers traveling in the area.

Bridge Information

At this time, officials are uncertain when water levels will rise enough to fully level the pontoon with the bridge approach. As a result, enforcement assistance is being requested to ensure compliance with the posted load restrictions over the next several days.

We strongly encourage carriers and drivers operating in this corridor to:

  • Verify load weights before routing through the area
  • Plan accordingly for the extended detour, where necessary

Share this information with dispatchers and drivers to avoid delays or violations

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping ensure safety and compliance on Louisiana’s roadways.
 

Louisiana Freight & Road Safety Survey – Your Input Needed

 The University of New Orleans Transportation Institute, in partnership with the Louisiana Transportation Research Center, is conducting research to better understand how freight vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists share Louisiana roadways.

 

This brief survey seeks input from truck drivers, freight industry professionals, planners, law enforcement, and others involved in freight transportation and roadway safety. The goal is to help identify strategies that improve safety while supporting efficient freight movement.

 

The survey takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete, and longer responses are welcome. Feedback will inform recommendations to improve roadway design, policy, and planning across Louisiana. The survey will remain open through December 31, 2025.

 

TAKE SURVEY

 

Alternate Link:

https://neworleans.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Y4r25GVCWK9GYe
 

Emergency Declarations

All Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions and Permits

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations
 

LMTA Member Exclusive Affinity Programs

The LMTA currently offers a variety of exclusive business partnerships and services to members of the association. Special member-only offers for our partners are listed below and can be found through your LMTA Info Hub under the "Resources" tab.

 

LMTA ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLAN

Exclusively for LMTA members, this group health insurance program helps trucking employers reduce costs and enhance employee benefits through collective purchasing power and risk sharing. Powered by USI, it offers greater transparency, trucking specific plan options and expert guidance giving employers improved control and drivers access to specialized care.

LEARN MORE

 

LMTA & WEX CARD

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) is excited to announce a rewarding affinity program partnership with WEX and their MasterCard product. Whether you use a physical WEX MasterCard, a Ghost Card for recurring payments, a Virtual Card for one-time payments, or integrate WEX MasterCard to handle all electronic payments, you can help the LMTA earn valuable rebates.

LEARN MORE

 

APP EMBARK

App Embark specializes in creating mobile apps for companies that allow employers to organize and communicate with their employees more efficiently and effectively. As part of our partnership with App Embark, LMTA members save $500 on the cost of the build fee!  

LEARN MORE

 

TO LEARN MORE OR SCHEDULE A DEMO, SELECT THE LINK BELOW IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL.

 

Please note: Since these are exclusive member only offers, you will be directed to log into your Info Hub to view the details.
 
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