New Mexico
Trucking Association
4809 Jefferson St. N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505 884-5575
505 884-3661 (fax)
Click on ITH to link
August 1, 2008
In This Issue:
APU Tax Relief Proposal Stalled in U.S. Senate
Second Stimulus Package for Highways
Sweeping U.S. DOT Proposal Would Overhaul Federal Transportation Program
ATA VP Elisabeth Barna Receives Halladay Award
Congressional Committee Holds Hearing on Medical Oversight of Commercial Drivers
Trucking Forums a Big Success
NM DOT Website Tracks Road Status
Unsure
of State road conditions or closures?
Want to check the weather forecast. Then check out the New
Mexico Department of Transportation's website for compressive to State
traffic information. Click
here to visit the NM DOT website.
On the NM DOT site, you'll find a wide array of State maps, photo galleries, video galleries and much more.
You will also find State-wide and city specific details on:
Road Conditions
Accidents & Incidents
Road Closures
Road Construction
Commercial Vehicle Permits
Weather Alerts
Weather Forecasts
New Mexico Trucking Forum Are A Hugh Success
More than 230 companies and individuals attended our Trucking Forums that were held in Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque and Las Cruces. Our thanks go out the Federal and State agencies for their participation and commitment to make our industry a little better informed as to new and upcoming regulatory and statutory changes. Thanks to everyone who helped us stage these meetings – there are too many to name individually – you all know who you are.
Thanks Sincerely
Denver Announces Special HM Routing Rules for the DNC
The upcoming (Auguest 23-30) Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver has prompted the Colorado State Patrol and Denver Police to issue special routing requirements for hazardous materials transporters.
Route controlled quantities of hazardous materials will be restricted from downtown Denver, except for local pickup and delivery.
All truck drivers are reminded that they can expect delays if traveling through Denver during the convention. Drivers should allow extra travel time for traveling through the Denver metro area.
Click here for a detailed description of the alternative routing for Hazardous Materials.
Make Your Opinion Known on Trucking Issues
On an annual basis the American Trucking Associations surveys trucking companies so as to identify the key issues of concern to you. The survey helps to provide direction to ATA on where they need to invest their time, talent and resources to ensure the continued viability and success of the trucking industry.
You can participate in this process and express your views by clicking here and filling out the survey on line.
The results of the survey provide ATA committees and policymakers with key insights into the concerns of the overall industry. The results will be released at ATA’s Annual Management Conference and Exhibition to be held this October in New Orleans.
National Truck Driving Championships Soon to Start
Nearly 400 top professional truck drivers from across the United States will soon arrive in Houston, Texas for the 2008 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) to be held August 19-23. The "Super bowl of Safety" to be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center is sponsored by the American Trucking Associations.
New Mexico Champions along with others from across the U.S. will compete in eight classes ranging from 18-wheeled five-axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers.
The NTDC annually attracts 2,000 cheering fans, family, colleagues and spectators. Details of the event can be found by clicking here.
Diesel Prices Finally Drop
August is seeing some relief from high diesel prices, as prices fall 14.9 cents to $4.35 a gallon (as of August 11, 2007). Diesel prices have seen a 41 cent per gallon drop in the last four weeks from the high in mid July. the Department of Energy maintains that diesel fuel prices will average$4.18 per gallon and projects $4.27 in 2009.
At present diesel is $1.51 higher than the same week last year.
The Energy Information Administration says that petroleum prices are falling because of drops in spot prices of of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) which spiked at $145 per barrel on July 3 and has now dropped back to $120 per barrel. WTI averaged $72 per barrel in 2007 and is expected to average $119 per barrel in 2008. The price spike was due to futures trading and speculation that supply was short.
OPEC crude oil production has been rising and is expected to continue at current levels. Forecasts predict that OPEC oil production could increase but not enough to trigger sharp price declines.
Non-OPEC supplies are also rising, but there is evidence that various project delays coupled with declining field yield could drop output beyond 2009.
U.S. petroleum consumption has shrunk and is projected to be down by almost 500,000 bbl/day in 2008. This decline is attributed to the continuing weak economy and high product prices. Consumption tracking by the Energy Information Administration shows that U.S. consumption is extremely price sensitive and will jump quickly as prices decline.
Driver Appreciation Week Approaching
Between August 24-30, 2008 companies all over the United States will be honoring truck drivers for a job well done. New Mexico carriers will also be celebrating the critical role of the driver in keeping the big rigs rolling.
New Mexico Trucking Association Names State Champions
The Association has held its annual meeting, safety banquet and 2008 Truck Driving Championships in a spectacular blowout that celebrates the success of our organization. Members of the Association gathered in Albuquerque in the first week of May for the festival.
The annual NM Truck Driving Championships have produced a new State Champion,
Luis Hermida, FedEx
who, along with other winners from NM will compete in August at the National Truck Driving Championships in Houston, TX. Click here for a complete list of this year's champions.
Gary Trujillo, Groendke Transport
has been named top safety manager of the year for New Mexico. He wins the annual "Jim Wilcox Jr. Award".
Maralyn HIllman, Trucks West, NM
was named top Allied Member of the Year and won the Philip Snapka Award.
Each month throughout the year, safety specialists from the NM Safety Management Council select the "driver of the Month" in New Mexico. At the annual meeting they go one step further and pick the State's driver of the year from among the monthly winners. This year the driver of the year is:
Phyllis Marie Palmer, Yellow Transportation
Click here for a look at the other award winners named at this year's annual banquet.