Month: December 2011

In a single 2004 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) operation, agents arrested owners and employees of 16 Florida-based moving companies for a scam in which the companies gave a low-ball estimate, then demanded two to three times the amount in cash before they delivered the household’s possessions. Sadly, this scam is not uncommon. Fortunately, federal and state governments (along with the Better Business Bureau) offer several resources to help you verify that your mover won’t take your money and run.

Before the Move
Start by visiting Protectyourmove.gov, a website set up by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to protect consumers from moving fraud. This site is the most comprehensive resource for verifying interstate movers. Click on “Search Movers & Complaint History” on the top toolbar and search for the moving company you’re considering. This will allow you to confirm that the company has insurance and is licensed. You’ll also find the number of complaints the USDOT has received about the company, with the complaints divided by category. Write down the company’s USDOT and MC numbers and save them. If your move doesn’t cross state lines, however, you’ll need to check with your local Better Business Bureau or movers association. Find contact information for these organizations listed by state under “State/Local Resources” on the site’s top toolbar. Finally, low-ball, over-the-phone estimates are a red flag that something isn’t right, so ask for an on-site inspection before your mover gives you an estimated price.

Moving Day
When the moving truck arrives, check the USDOT and MC numbers painted on the side of the truck against the numbers you wrote down when verifying the moving company. If the numbers differ, or if you can’t find the numbers on the truck, ask the movers for an explanation before they begin loading the truck. If something seems fishy, don’t allow loading to start until you are satisfied. Read all paperwork before signing it.

Many factors can contribute to drivers becoming tired, sleepy or generally less aware of their surroundings, a condition known as driver fatigue. While the name implies tiredness, there are other things that contribute to this dangerous and preventable problem. When people drive while experiencing driver fatigue, they have decreased reaction times, less awareness and a higher likelihood for accidents.

Infrequent Breaks

While driving for extended periods of time, it is important to take breaks, even if you aren’t tired or bored. For every 80 to 90 minutes of driving, stop and get out, walk around and get something to eat. Take your mind off driving and think about something else.

Lack of Sleep

People who drive after little or no sleep have trouble focusing, staying awake and reacting to obstacles or problems on the road. For several days before a big trip, try to get plenty of sleep. This will help you feel energized and healthy so you can focus and stay alert for your drive.

Conditions

Road and driving conditions greatly affect the rate and severity of driver fatigue. Driving at night, in inclement weather or through construction zones increases stress and tires you out, lowering your alertness and ability to drive effectively. Your condition as a driver matters, too. Driving with any alcohol in your system can slow your reaction time.

Health Problems

Certain health problems or conditions can affect how quickly a driver experiences driver fatigue. Elderly or sick drivers have less driving endurance than other drivers and are more quickly affected by stress and fatigue. Chronic conditions like narcolepsy, insomnia or sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can prevent your ability to drive effectively for any period of time. If you have any medical condition that hampers your ability to drive, consult a doctor before driving long distances.

Getting a surety bond released essentially means terminating it, because you have successfully performed the duty the surety bond was meant to insure. It is fairly simple to release a surety bond: all you need to do is apply to the bond producer, or broker, who arranged the surety bond. This broker will then determine whether the surety bond has been sufficiently fulfilled, and will release the bond.
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Go to the bond producer who handled the signing of the surety bond contract. Surety bonds are handled through bond producers, who are often insurance agents.

Fill out a surety bond release request form from your agent. This request form will likely require the signatures of the obligees, or those who would have received the surety bond had you failed to perform the business service.

Wait up to ten business days until you receive a response. During this period, the agent will check that all the requirements for your service have been approved by the obligee. For instance, if you are a contractor, the broker will make sure the building owners are fully satisfied with your construction performance.

Look forward to having a larger client base. The more you release surety bonds, the more you prove to future customers that you can successfully complete your job. For instance, if you are a contractor, you can advertise that you have never once needed to default to a surety bond since you were able to fulfill your construction obligations.

The first step to getting your drivers license reinstated is to provide proof of at least liability insurance on your vehicle. I find that safe auto and progressive give the best quotes.

Once you get your proof of liability insurance, you need to print off a temporary card or wait for yours in the mail and move onto step 2.

Now you need to pay the reinstatement fee. Right now the fee is $140. You can pay the fee online at http://www.tennesseeanytime.org with any major check card or credit card. Once you pay the fee, you need to move onto step 3.

As long as you have proof of liability insurance and have paid the fee, you can now fax your proof of liability insurance with your revoked or suspended drivers license number written on it to the TN Dept of Safety. The fax number for this is (615)253-2093 .

Once you fax it over to them, you should get confirmation that they received all your required information within 3 business days. If it takes longer than that, it is best to call them to confirm that they received it. After you receive confirmation, you need to schedule a time to go to your nearest DMV and take the test to receive another license if yours is revoked and not suspended.

When you go to the DMV on your date, make sure you take 2 forms of identification. These can include your birth certificate and social security card etc… Government ID is best and unquestionable. When you get all your paperwork done and take the test, you just have to pay the small fee to get your new driver license and that’s it. Just don’t get it revoked or suspended again. Learn from your mistakes and do better next time.

Revocation of a driver’s license is a serious matter. In most cases you will have to wait until a certain period has expired before applying for reinstatement. You may also have to comply with the reinstatement procedures for all states in which your driver’s license has been revoked before any one of them will reinstate you. Nevertheless, the reinstatement maze can be navigated with a little patience and preparation.

Check your current driver’s license status to find out when you are eligible for reinstatement. Tthis varies according to the offense for which your license was revoked. If you do not have a copy of your revocation letter, an online information request form should be available from the website of your state’s DMV office. You will need to provide your name, birth date and driver’s license number or social security number.

Check your financial responsibility status shortly before becoming eligible for reinstatement by filling out the appropriate form on your state’s DMV website. This will provide you with the period of time for which you will have to file proof of insurance in order to get your driver’s license reinstated. Be prepared to provide your name, birth date and driver’s license number or social security number.

Apply and receive approval for SR-22 (high risk) auto insurance for the required period. This type of insurance is available nationwide through a variety of different insurance companies, although it is quite expensive. Once approved, your insurance company will issue you an SR-22 proof of insurance form.

Deliver the SR-22 form to your state’s local DMV office with a signed and notarized letter explaining the purpose of your filing. Some states may require you to deliver it to the Department of Transportation, so check your state’s DMV website for details.

Fill out an application for a new driver’s license at your local DMV. If you are under 18 years of age, you will need to bring a parent or legal guardian to sponsor your application. You will need to provide legal photo identification establishing your name and date of birth, proof of citizenship or legal residence in the U.S., and proof of state residence.

Take a driver examination and a road test if required. This will require payment of an additional fee.

Pay the reinstatement fee. This fee can range from around $40 to several hundred dollars, depending on the state and the offense for which your driver’s license was originally revoked

Overcrowded roads, aggressive drivers or driving during rush hour can be major sources of stress for drivers. A reduction in stress while driving can help you reach your destination safely. You can avoid stress while driving and experience a more relaxed drive by following these simple tips.

Give yourself ample time for your commute. Making allowances for traffic jams, detours or other traffic situations can make the commute less stressful.

Stay alert to traffic jams, accidents and road construction sites by getting timely traffic information. Avoiding these disruptions in your commute can save you time and stress.

Have a navigation system in your car to avoid getting lost while driving. Getting lost or being unable to find the right directions to your destination can distress most drivers.

Keep calm, cool and collected when you encounter aggressive drivers or an unexpected detour. Avoid letting another driver’s behavior or attitude affect you. Likewise, avoid being the one who drives aggressively and dangerously; courtesy is important on the road.

Avoid stress while driving by listening to calming music. Do some breathing exercise if you are stuck in traffic. Try to have a relaxed mind.

Anticipate traffic situations by keeping enough distance between you and the car ahead. This can allow you enough time to react quickly and avoid an accident. Eliminate blind spots when changing lanes by having wide-angle mirrors. When exiting the highway, try to refrain from changing lanes at the last minute.

Occupy tired and bored children by having games, toys, books or an entertainment system in the car to keep them from distracting you. Noisy or crying kids in the backseat can be stressful and make it difficult for drivers to pay attention to the road. If it is a long drive, bring drinks and snacks for yourself and the kids.

The agency had promised to release the rule no later than Dec. 28 as part of the court settlement between the FMCSA and safety advocacy groups who have successfully challenged HOS rules on three different occasions.

If released as scheduled, the final rule would be published one day short of a year from when the proposed rulemaking was announced Dec. 23, 2010.

Based on the FMCSA’s stated preference and on recent Congressional testimony of FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, most trucking industry stakeholders believe the new rule will lower the number of daily driving hours from 11 to 10.

Trucking associations, motor carriers, truck drivers and lawmakers — a vast majority of them Republicans — say the industry’s safety record since the 11-hour rule was instituted in 2004 is proof the current rule doesn’t need to be changed.

Truckers also cite lower wages they say will accompany fewer driving hours each week.

Proponents of the 10-hour rule say the current rule is unsafe.

Their argument was bolstered by the recent announcement that the number of truck-related fatalities increased 8.7 percent in 2010.

Regardless of what the new rule says, one side or the other will likely challenge it in court.

Proponents of the change also say the rule is going to save American taxpayers up to $2.4 billion in lives saved, injuries prevented and reduced health and medical costs. It also has the potential to create nearly 40,000 new jobs in the trucking industry.

Opponents counter that putting 40,000 more trucks on the road is a safety hazard in itself.

The proposed rule has at least two other changes that have brought the ire of trucking.

It would retain the “34-hour restart” provision allowing drivers to restart the clock on their weekly 60 or 70 hours by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. However, the restart period would have to include two consecutive off-duty periods from midnight to 6 a.m. Drivers would be allowed to use this restart only once during a seven-day period.

Source: LYNDON FINNEY
The Trucker Staff