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Truck drivers with expiring licenses or medical cards have been given an extension because of difficulties renewing during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on March 24 issued a limited waiver for commercial drivers whose commercial licenses/permits and/or medical cards have expired or are set to expire after March 1, 2020. The waiver, effective immediately and valid through June 30, comes in response to state Department of Motor Vehicles and medical clinic closures that have made it difficult for commercial drivers to renew expiring licenses and medical cards in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The transportation law firm Scopelitis, Garvin, Light, Hanson & Feary points out that the waiver is not a blanket exception to the licensing or medical card requirements, meaning that commercial drivers must still hold a license of the type appropriate for the vehicles they are operating and must also have been deemed physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle by a certified medical examiner. Rather, the waiver merely extends to June 30, 2020, the expiration dates on licenses and medical cards that have expired or are set to expire between March 1 and June 30.

The waiver does not apply to:

• licenses that expired prior to March 1;
• drivers whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked;
• drivers who never obtained a medical certification in the first place;
• drivers who, since their last medical examination, have developed a medical condition that would disqualify them from operating a commercial motor vehicle; or
• drivers whose expiring medical card was valid for a period of fewer than 90 days.

The FMCSA also issued an Enforcement Notice, explaining that it will forego enforcement action against drivers and motor carriers that fall under the terms of the waiver.

“Carriers should beware that the Enforcement Notice does not necessarily preclude individual states from enforcing the prohibitions on operating a commercial motor vehicle without a valid, non-expired license, so attention should be paid to individual states, some of which have issued their own extensions of license expirations,” Scopelitis noted.

The American Trucking Associations issued a press release thanking the FMCSA for this action. “While America’s truck drivers are out delivering the essential medical supplies, food and other goods we need to combat this virus, FMCSA has taken an important step to let drivers and carriers know how to address things like expired commercial drivers’ licenses or medical cards,” said ATA Vice President of Safety Policy Dan Horvath. “With state governments moving to remote work and shuttering offices, drivers will need assistance to continue moving critical goods safely, and today’s guidance is a step toward ensuring those trucks keep moving.”

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While the U.S. and Canada have instituted restrictions on border crossing, both countries agree that the bans will not stop the commercial trucking industry from the making “essential” deliveries.

While the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are all in agreement concerning the current restrictions on border crossing, all parties also acknowledge that the bans will not stop the commercial trucking industry from the making the necessary deliveries throughout North America.

At a recent press conference in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed, “trucking will not be affected.”

“These supply chains ensure that food, fuel, and life-saving medicines reach people on both sides of the border,” Trudeau added.

He said he spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the day, and both leaders agreed to temporarily restrict all non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border as the two countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We understand that it is very important for the border to remain open because we are talking about $2 billion worth of goods that cross the border every single day,” Trudeau said.

“So, it is critical, not just for the health of our economy but for the health of our citizens that continue to be the case.”

Trudeau said he and Trump both want to ensure the smooth flow of essential goods across the border.

“That is something that we remain committed to. We will work in close collaboration on an ongoing basis to make sure that continues. And these measures will last in place as long as we feel that they need to last, we will again closely coordinate on that as well.”

On March 20th, the U.S. and Mexico jointly announced a limit to “nonessential travel” across the southern border. Exceptions include traveling for medical purposes and attending school, according to a report from CNN.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also directed the Department of Homeland Security to suspend entry of all migrants "seeking to enter the U.S. without proper travel documentation," according to acting Secretary Chad Wolf.

Drivers crossing the Canada border are also being encouraged to carry copies of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security notice that defines the movement of cargo as “essential travel.” And while the U.S. temporarily suspended hours-of-service rules (HoS) for drivers hauling COVID-19 relief items, Canada has not yet followed suit. Any driver operating in Canada must still adhere to Canadian HoS rules, according to Transport Canada, at least for the time being.

“Transport Canada is working closely with industry to be prepared to quickly provide an exemption to federal hours-of-service rules if this becomes a necessary measure,” Transport Canada indicated to Today’s Trucking.

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Stuttgart – Cameras on the roof frame and displays at the A-pillars: the new Actros is easy to recognise at first glance due to the missing rearview and wide-angle mirrors. The advantages of the new system are obvious – lower consumption due to improved aerodynamics and increased traffic safety thanks to better visibility. But how is it operated, what needs to be considered and do drivers need time to get used to the system?

What changes for drivers?

Thanks to the MirrorCam, the driver now has an unobstructed view where rearview and wide-angle mirrors previously covered large areas to the right and left of the A-pillar. An advantage above all at junctions, when manoeuvring and in tight bends. And, the driver must no longer look as far to the right or left to see traffic to the rear. Also: mirrors are mounted in a fixed position so that when cornering the driver may lose sight of the end of the semitrailer. In contrast, the MirrorCam swivels the image of the camera mounted toward the inside of the bend, so that the driver always has the end of the trailer in view. In principle, the system is set for standard semitrailers, but swivelling can be regulated individually. This happens on modern trailers automatically when they transmit their geometric data to the towing vehicle. The driver can move the swivel radius manually in the door operating unit using the side selection button and the four-way rocker switch.

What are the advantages of the MirrorCam for companies?

The optimised aerodynamics can reduce consumption: the optimised wind resistance thanks to MirrorCam can result in up to 1.5 percent less fuel.

Can dirt and rain have a negative effect on the image?

Misted or dirty mirror glass and side windows have always been a problem. Thanks to the position of the cameras high up on the vehicle, the small roof above the camera lens, a special coating and the digital transmission of the image to a display in the cab, misting and dirt hardly affect the system at all. And what is particularly helpful on cold, damp days; the camera is automatically heated at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius.

What is the advantage of the distance indicator lines on the display?

The distance indicator lines which are shown on the display of the MirrorCam system help drivers to estimate the distances behind the truck. Three fixed lines are shown together with a line that the driver can adjust precisely to mark the end of the vehicle before starting a journey. Used in combination with the information shown in the displays by the assistance systems, the driver can now better assess three typical situations in particular: when is there sufficient distance to move out to the left? When manoeuvring what is the distance at the rear of the vehicle? After overtaking, when can the driver safely merge to the right again?

Does a camera system present a disadvantage at dusk or at night?

In residual light situations, that is at dusk, the MirrorCam even has an advantage. The light transmission of the cameras is high. Thus the displays show an image that is much brighter than the natural light. So drivers receive better information about their surroundings than with a mirror. Furthermore the brightness is adjusted to the prevailing light conditions steplessly – drivers are not dazzled. All of that works both on the open road and in tunnels. If it is completely dark outside, the MirrorCam can only show the areas illuminated by the vehicle itself – just like a conventional mirror. Here, for maximum image information, the developers have selected a set-up which at present may cause a little image noise.

Can the brightness of the displays be adjusted?

Varying perception, weather conditions and times of day – there are good reasons for adjusting the brightness of displays. This is done simply via the right-hand touchscreen display or the multifunction steering wheel. If required the brightness of the right-hand and left-hand display can be adjusted differently. For this, a virtual slide controller can be accessed via the menus "Display and Brightness –> Display brightness –> MirrorCam".

Why are the monitor images not as clear as on my smartphone?

What truck drivers are used to in the way of looking in a mirror is more decisive than the pixel density: with a screen diagonal of 15.2 inches (38.6 centimetres), the MirrorCam corresponds approximately with the previous mirror form. As before the distance and speed of a vehicle to the rear can thus be estimated using size and change in size. However: many modern smartphone displays show a pixel-per-inch ratio that is often beyond the resolution power of the user's eye. Also the device lies in the user's hand, so that the distance to the eye is very small. The MirrorCam displays are considerably further away and the greater the distance, the fewer details the eye can differentiate. Therefore a pixel number similar to that of a smartphone is not at all necessary for the MirrorCam.

Another point: the MirrorCam is a central safety system and therefore designed for reliability. It has successfully completed all of the specified registration procedures. As it stands today, a smartphone would fail.

Incorrectly adjusted mirrors are a potential source of danger. What is the case with the MirrorCam?

For conventional mirrors simple physics applies: "the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection". This means that whenever drivers change their sitting position, the area that they can see changes too. For the MirrorCam this is fundamentally different. Thanks to the camera/screen combination the driver always sees the same image – in every sitting position. The field of vision can also be set individually using the door operating unit. The advantage of MirrorCam: if drivers shift the field of vision so far that legal stipulations are no longer fulfilled, they are shown a note in the display – which is not the case with mirrors. Pressing and holding the function button quickly returns the MirrorCam to the standard setting.

How well do people who wear glasses cope with the displays and can you wear sunglasses?

Anyone wearing glasses can also easily read the MirrorCam displays. Also because there is no need to look as far to the right and left to see traffic to the rear thanks to the displays being positioned at the A-pillars. However, people wearing glasses may have difficulty getting used to the new angle of vision and distances. In this case the first question should be: are these glasses still correct for these eyes? Changes to our vision advance gradually, initially they often go unnoticed and are accepted. Any problems that people wearing glasses have with the MirrorCam are usually to do with unsuitable glasses rather than with the system. Whether you're at your desk or behind a steering wheel – the same applies: glasses must fit the workplace! Sunglasses aren't usually a problem either. However how much the optical impression changes, depends very much on the quality of the sunglasses. Sunglasses always have advantages and disadvantages – regardless of whether mirrors or the MirrorCam are being used.

Why do some drivers initially find it difficult to reverse in a straight line using the MirrorCam?

The MirrorCam offers two views when manoeuvring backwards: in the standard setting the large main display shows the area directly around the truck and the lower section the further surroundings. This view proves its value particularly when the driver reverses around a bend. However if the driver is reversing in a straight line, it is often better to deactivate this function. This is very simple to do – just use the button in the door operating unit. Thus manoeuvring with MirrorCam offers further possibilities in comparison to mirrors. For this very reason the system takes a little getting used to. Also the cameras are located somewhat further beyond the outer edges of the vehicle than mirrors, whereby more can be seen than with mirrors when reversing the vehicle in a straight line. This too needs time to get used to and initially glancing alternately at both displays. Because when compared with conventional mirror systems, after looking at only one of the MirrorCam displays, some drivers, when reversing, initially feel subjectively that they are driving at an angle although they are driving in a straight line.

How do the MirrorCam and Sideguard Assist work together?

Sideguard Assist supports drivers by drawing their attention to stationary or moving objects and persons in the monitored area to the right of the truck when there is a risk of collision. The MirrorCam display shows these warnings in visual form. Thus drivers receive all information bundled together in one place.

Does MirrorCam still work when the engine is switched off?

When drivers spend their breaks in the cab, they can also activate the camera system for two minutes using a switch by the bed and on the co-driver's side when the engine is switched off and the curtains are drawn. The area surrounding the vehicle is thus in view as well as any suspicious activity involving the truck or its load. The system starts automatically when the door is opened – so that exiting the vehicle is safe at all times.

Prestigious accolade: The new Actros is "International Truck of the Year 2020"

The sustainably improved aerodynamics and safety provided by the introduction of the MirrorCam in the new Actros is one of the reasons why the vehicle won the title "International Truck of the Year 2020". In addition to the increased efficiency and safety, the jury of what is the most important European award for the truck segment also highlighted the progress made in connectivity. New features in the Actros include Active Drive Assist which enables semi-automated driving in all speed ranges, the improved Active Brake Assist 5 emergency brake assistance system, the fully networked Multimedia Cockpit, and the Predictive Powertrain Control intelligent cruise control and transmission management system. The "International Truck of the Year" award is presented annually by Europe's leading commercial vehicle journalists. Mercedes-Benz is the most frequently awarded brand in the history of the competition and has already enjoyed successes with all previous versions of the Actros.

Washington governor also asked Trump for hospital ship’s help during coronavirus pandemic

The USNS Mercy departs from Naval Base San Diego en route to the Port of Los Angeles

The USNS Mercy hospital ship sailed from San Diego on Monday to provide relief to Los Angeles-area hospitals overburdened by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This global crisis demands a whole-of-government response and we are ready to support,” said Capt. John Rotruck, Mercy’s commanding officer, in a statement from the Navy.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a video update Monday that the Mercy will “take some of the pressure off our landside hospitals so they can focus on curbing and eradicating this virus.”

The Mercy departed Naval Base San Diego for the Port of LA with more than 800 Navy medical personnel and support staff and over 70 civil service mariners on board, the Navy said.

Civil service mariners operate and navigate the ship, load and offload mission cargo, assist with repairs to mission equipment, and provide essential services to keep the hospital ship up and running.

Seroka told KABC later Monday, “We’re working very closely with the United States Navy setting up the time and location for the U.S. Navy ship Mercy to come in. That will be a thousand hospital beds that will enter Los Angeles and are meant to treat non-COVID-19 patients.”

Seroka added that “precautions will be up and down from the Department of Defense to what we do with our allied agencies on the ground here at the port to make sure it’s a safe and healthy medical environment.”

President Donald Trump said last Wednesday the Mercy would be deployed somewhere along the West Coast. California Gov. Gavin Newsom sent the president a letter dated Thursday asking that the ship be dispatched to the Port of LA.

Newsom said the state’s healthcare system had been significantly impacted by the rapid increase in confirmed coronavirus cases.

“We project that roughly 56% of our population — 25.5 million people — will be infected with the virus over an eight-week period,” he said.

Newsom said the Mercy would “help decompress the health care delivery system to allow the Los Angeles region to ensure that it has the ability to address critical acute needs, such as heart attacks and strokes or vehicle accidents, in addition to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.”

Washington Gov. Jay Islee also asked Trump to send the Mercy to his state.

In his letter, also dated Thursday, Islee asked the president to consider the area that “will have its medical system challenged the most, at the earliest point. Unfortunately, the available data suggests the Puget Sound region in Washington will be the first medical system severely challenged.”

He wrote, “In any assessment, the Washington state system will be challenged much earlier than other states, including California. When comparing the counties comprising the Bay Area to those counties making up the Puget Sound region, there are nine times as many deaths from COVID-19 in the Puget Sound. Similarly, there are over double the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the Puget Sound compared to the Bay Area.”

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last Wednesday that the president was deploying the USNS Comfort to New York Harbor.

The Comfort, with 12 operating rooms and 1,000 hospital beds, is being refitted at its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia.

Trump said during his coronavirus task force update Monday that the Comfort would be deployed to New York in the next “three to four weeks.”

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In an effort to support emergency relief efforts in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Illinois is allowing 88,000 pounds (or an additional 10% above legal loads on fewer axles) for trucks assisting with emergency relief.

The emergency declaration applies to loads not exceeding 14 feet in width and 100 feet in length, and movements are authorized 24 hours a day, seven days per week, until April 12.

Truck drivers must ensure that they are carrying a copy of the IDOT Declaration, the Presidential Declaration, and a bill of lading. There is no fee associated with the authorization, and trucking companies must review Obstructions and Restrictions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and obey all structure postings and any size or weight restrictions.

Fleets can also view a copy of the governor's order here. For a full list of all emergency declarations for Illinois and across the country, go to www.iltrucking.org and click on the red banner at the top of the website.

Other State Actions for Trucking Relief:

Illinois is not the only state providing additional regulatory exemptions for trucks transporting coronavirus relief supplies. Among others are:

Michigan: Will exempt motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks from seasonal weight restrictions. Direct assistance according to MDOT means transportation and other relief services provided by a motor carrier or its driver to the immediate restoration of essential services, such as medical care, or essential supplies such as food, related to COVID-19 outbreaks during the emergency.

Missouri: On March 15 announced an allowance for heavier-than-normal truckloads of supplies and equipment to travel on Missouri highways in the direct effort to prevent, contain, mitigate and treat the effects of the COVID-19 virus. The waiver allows private and for-hire motor carriers to haul up to 10% more than their licensed weight on Missouri highways and remains in effect through April 30.

Ohio: Hours of service rules have been suspended for motor carriers providing intrastate transportation of relief supplies — including consumer goods and medical supplies — as part of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 response. “Unless otherwise directed, drivers must keep a written or electronic copy of this notice in each vehicle affected by this grant of regulatory relief. This regulatory relief will not apply to vehicles that do not have a copy of this notice.”

Texas: Suspended three sets of statutes, subject to federal law and DMV safety limitations:

• The oversize and overweight permitting requirements under Transportation Code, Chapters 621 through 623, as well as Title 43, Chapter 219 of the Texas Administrative Code, for all divisible and non-divisible vehicles and loads;
• The International Registration Plan (IRP) vehicle registration under Transportation Code § 502.091 and 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.56, as long as the vehicle is registered in one of the 48 contiguous states of the United States; and
• The 72-hour and 144-hour temporary registration permits under Transportation Code § 502.094 and 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 217.40(b)(3), as long as the vehicle is registered in one of the states of the United States.

In response to reports that shippers and receivers are refusing to let truck drivers use their restrooms, the American Logistics Aid Network sent a request to thousands of U.S. businesses.

“We are all in this fight together. We need our truckers on the roads, so our warehouses and stores and manufacturing can stay open and so that our communities get what they need,” wrote Kathy Fulton, executive director of ALAN. “At a time when our systems are so stretched and fragile, now more than ever we need to band together the disparate parts of the supply chain to ensure our country has the nourishment, hydration, and medical care we need.”

OOIDA has been involved in reporting the refusals to ALAN, which is an industrywide organization that exists to provide supply chain assistance to disaster relief organizations. The Association has heard from numerous members that they have been not allowed to use the bathroom because of concerns involving the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“I know these are very uncertain and scary times, but we are hearing multiple reports that shippers and receivers are refusing access to bathroom facilities for truck drivers due to fears about virus transmission,” ALAN wrote. “Drivers are threatening to go home. Coupled with the fact that some state rest stops are closed, the lack of access to restrooms at shipper/receiver locations is a barrier to trucking continuity.”

ALAN is asking its members to use “informed compassion,” follow CDC guidance and practice good hygiene rather than stop all truck drivers from using the restroom.

National emergency

Truck drivers are being counted on to deliver emergency supplies across the nation as the coronavirus outbreak continues to increase. On March 14, FMCSA issued a national emergency declaration to provide hours-of-service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers transporting emergency supplies in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to Pennsylvania lawmakers on March 17, OOIDA criticized the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for shutting down its rest areas.

“We understand this decision was likely made in an effort to limit passenger vehicle movement, interaction among travelers, and the state’s administration and supervision of these facilities during an emergency declaration,” wrote Collin Long, OOIDA’s director of government affairs. “However, rest areas are vitally important to truckers, who at this time are being heavily relied upon to transport critical supplies across the country.”

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