“This pause allows us to ensure our team members have the right tools, training, and processes in place to safely assist professional drivers on the road,” said Kathleen Roseman, TA’s vice president of fleet sales, channel partner programs, and small fleets.

The company has not announced when the program will resume, and details on the exact reason for the suspension have not been shared. Roadside assistance on highways is affected, but services in parking lots, rest areas, and other off-road locations will continue.

This action comes after a tragic incident on October 23, when a TA service technician was killed while assisting a Freightliner on Interstate 80 in Frelinghuysen Township, New Jersey. Reports confirm he was a diesel technician for TravelCenters of America.

Roadside accidents remain a serious risk for truck drivers and service personnel. On average, 566 people die and more than 14,000 are injured each year in incidents involving disabled vehicles on highways. That risk is why move-over laws exist in all states, requiring drivers to slow down or move over when approaching stationary emergency vehicles.

Many states have expanded these protections in recent years to include all types of stopped vehicles, including commercial service and tow trucks. This year alone, California, Kansas, New Hampshire, and West Virginia updated their laws. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Wisconsin are considering similar measures. In New Jersey, where the recent fatality occurred, the current law only protects emergency, highway maintenance, tow, and sanitation vehicles. Proposed legislation A4813 would extend protection to any stationary vehicle.

For truck drivers, the temporary pause at TravelCenters of America is a reminder to have backup plans for roadside support. Safety isn’t just about rules; it’s about protecting yourself, your rig, and those helping you when trouble strikes on the road.

Source: Land Line Media

The post TravelCenters of America Suspends Roadside Assistance for Safety Review appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Interested individuals can access the applications by clicking here. The deadline for submission is April 5.

Established in 2017, the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund by ATA’s Maintenance & Technology Council aims to inspire young Arkansans to pursue careers as technicians within the trucking industry.

Named in honor of the late Carl Tapp, the Council’s inaugural chairman, known for his dedication to recognizing and empowering emerging talent in the field, the scholarship seeks to continue his legacy.

Since the inception of the scholarship fund, the organization has consistently encouraged young individuals in the state to enter the field, fostering the growth of highly knowledgeable and skilled technicians. This initiative ensures that the nation benefits from having top-notch professionals working on tractor-trailers navigating our roads.

“The Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship has already awarded $90,000 to students across Arkansas pursuing education and training for a career in trucking. We are proud to launch a new search for the next recipients,” said ATA President Shannon Newton. “Investing in a well-trained workforce is one that enhances the future of safe vehicles on our roadways, one that improves the training and preparedness to support future families of Arkansas and one that moves the economy of our state and nation forward.”

For students intending to begin coursework in August 2024 or January 2025, applications must be submitted by April 5, adhering to individual program requirements. ATA plans to announce the 2024 scholarship recipients in May.

Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors from accredited high schools planning to attend or currently attending a truck technician program with an accredited Arkansas institution.

For inquiries about the scholarship, individuals can contact Sarah Newman at sarahnewman@arkansastrucking.com. Additional details about the Scholarship Fund and the application process can be found at www.arkansastrucking.com/tech-scholarship.

Source: The Trucker

The post Tech Scholarship Applications are Being Accepted in Arkansas appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Just as there are specialized training programs for aspiring drivers, aspiring diesel technicians have a variety of options to kickstart their careers. Local community colleges and technical schools offer comprehensive programs to provide the necessary skills and knowledge. Additionally, high school trade programs often collaborate with local businesses that rely on mechanics and technicians, often leading to valuable apprenticeship opportunities.

But what about those high school students and recent graduates who haven’t yet discovered their true career path?

Love’s Travel Stops now proudly offers a new opportunity for ambitious individuals looking to launch their career in the fast lane or make a fresh start.

The Love’s Truck Care Academy is a unique program developed in collaboration with Speedco that is helping aspiring technicians get the training they need to fast track their careers.

Since its opening in April 2022, Love’s Truck Care Academy has made waves in the field. Executive Vice President Gary Price proudly shares that this program, the first of its kind, has already produced an impressive 300 graduates – a testament to its success.

Enrolled students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that blends classroom learning with hands-on experience in seven key heavy-duty truck systems. Upon completion, graduates enter the workforce equipped with a state-of-the-art tool set valued at $3,500.

Currently, Love’s Truck Care Academy operates training centers in Amarillo, Texas, and El Reno, Oklahoma and has plans to expand its reach by opening two more facilities in Arizona and Indiana. With this expansion, Love’s aims to double the number of graduates from its diesel technician program in the coming year.

“We have the largest over-the-road workforce of diesel technicians and mechanics, and we want to help them realize their career goals,” Price said. “This truly is the application of the American Dream.”

Love’s Truck Care Academy provided Keven Avalos with the essential training he needed to kickstart his career in Tolleson, Arizona. Hear firsthand why he believes it was the best choice for him to pursue his passion in the industry.

“In school, I was always getting in trouble because I had to be working on something with my hands,” Avalos said. “I also knew what it was like not having transportation because of mechanical issues.”

Avalos was inspired by his uncle’s work on cars and wanted to use his skills to help people solve mechanical problems. He was particularly drawn to the profession because he knew there were many truck drivers on the road who needed affordable mechanical services. He wanted to offer reliable and fair-priced services to those who had been overcharged by other providers.

“My plan right after high school was to go to a technical institute,” Avalos said. “It’s a trade school for all types of mechanical classes.”

Avalos faced a dilemma – trade schools were more affordable than traditional colleges, but his family couldn’t afford to send him. Luckily, Avalos’ sister, a Love’s employee, informed him about the program.

“You should look into working with Love’s,” she told her brother. “They teach you the mechanical training and how to change tires, oil changes and other jobs.”

Avalos’ future was solidified during that conversation, and now he takes great pride in his work for Love’s.

“(Drivers) come to our shop, we do the repairs for a fair price and they get back on the road, get home to their families and get back to making money,” he said. “But my favorite part of the job is meeting new people and new drivers every day. It’s great to go home knowing I helped someone. I made someone’s day better.”

Avalos credits Love’s program for paving the way to a bright future.

“It helped me so much,” he said. “I was really motivated to catch on quickly. I knew it would be going to school for four weeks, six days a week. I had to get on my horse and ‘go, go, go’. I still have a long way to go, but I’ve learned to be a better mechanic, and I want to take advantage of all the opportunities Love’s has given me.”

Source: The Trucker

The post The Unsung Heroes of the Trucking Industry: Diesel Technicians appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.