Page 14 - Arkansas Trucking Report Volume 22 Issue 6

NEWS IN BRIEF, pursue excellence in their approaches America, said the shuttle would contin-
Continued from page 13 to safety,” said American Trucking ue to operate after undergoing a com-
Associations President & CEO Chris plete diagnostic assessment. He said the
Riels started Dedicated Logistics Spear, adding, “Safety is what defines vehicle--which can communicate with
in June 2002 with his mother Ruth our industry.” traffic signals, detect other vehicles and
Riels. He is a graduate of University of “Whether it’s through educational brake for pedestrians—has data that can
Arkansas-Monticello and also owns forums for our members, or deliver- shed light on the shuttle’s first incident.
Mechanical Solutions, a truck repair ing safety presentations in high school “That’s probably the positive point
shop in Crossett. auditoriums, we’re always looking for of all this,” Bell said, “is that we have
“Alan has been an asset to our ways to raise the bar on safety,” said extensive data to be able to tell us what
association for many years. He has David O’Neal, vice president of safety occurred and what we could do in the
always been willing to advocate for poli- programs and industry engagement future to improve upon.”
cies that strengthen the entire industry for Arkansas Trucking Association.
and share his experiences with lawmak- “We’re grateful to be recognized with FOUR OPIOIDS ADDED TO DOT
ers and other members,” said Shannon the Excellence in Safety Award for our DRUG-TEST PANEL
Newton, president of the association. efforts over the past year, and look According to the Department of
forward to continued growth and Transportation, a new drug testing
ATA RECOGNIZED FOR improved safety for all drivers.” standard will go into effect on Jan.1 to
EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY add four commonly abused prescription
AUTONOMOUS SHUTTLE PROVES opioids to the drug testing panel used
HUMAN ERROR CAUSES MOST for truck drivers and all safety-sensitive
INCIDENTS transportation workers.
Within hours of its first route in The final rule, published Nov. 13,
downtown Las Vegas, an autonomous aligns DOT’s drug testing with the
electric shuttle bus was struck by a Health and Human Services testing
delivery truck (with a human driver). guidelines, which as of January 2017
The Metropolitan Police includes hydrocodone, hydromorphone,
Department determined that the shut- oxymorphone and oxycodone.
tle came to a stop when it sensed the In October, President Trump
truck was trying to back up. However, declared opioid abuse a public health
the human truck driver was found to emergency and donated his third quar-
be at fault when he continued to back ter salary of $100,000 to HHS to fight
up the truck until its tires touched the against addiction.
front of the shuttle. Damage was minor, House Transportation Committee
Arkansas Trucking Association was and no one was hurt. Democrats urged Transportation
honored with the State Excellence in Maurice Bell, vice president of Secretary Elaine Chao to act quickly on
Safety Award at the American Trucking mobility solutions for Keolis Transit 
Associations’ Safety, Security and
Human Resources National Conference
and Exhibition in Memphis on Nov. 14.
The award is given annually to
a state trucking association making
innovative and impactful progress on
promoting safety to their members.
Arkansas Trucking Association was
recognized for its variety of safety
programs, including a member-driven
safety management council, education
offerings, communications and services
that benefit both members and the gen-
eral public.
“Safety is a reward in and of itself,
but at ATA we also believe in recogniz-
ing the people and organizations who

14 Issue 6 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT