NEWS AND INFORMATION

ATA names President
The American Trucking Associations announced that Kansas Gov. Bill Graves was chosen by the ATA Presidential Search Committee as the association’s next president and CEO. However, Graves has pledged to serve out his term as Kansas governor, which ends in 2003. In the meantime, William J. Canary, who has been serving as ATA president and CEO on an interim basis, will take over the position permanently until Graves can step in. 
Graves has a long relationship with the trucking industry, ATA and the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, having attended those organizations’ events for years with his father, who founded Graves Truck Line after losing his farm in the Great Depression.

Transportation economic outlook could improve
Oregon Highway Users Alliance conference participants got a glimpse at Oregon’s not-so-cheerful economic forecast this week. The trucking outlook is weaker by 3%, with truck registrations down. Heavy vehicle registration is expected to decline by about 2 percent in 2002. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) figures also show that the fiscal year 2000 was the first decline (down 0.8 percent) in motor vehicle fuel consumption since the 1991 national recession. Economic weakness in Oregon and the nation will pressure fuel consumption downward during 2002, but in the years following will go back to growing by about 1.4 percent a year, according to the report. 
On the brighter side, Oregon State Economist Tom Potiowsky predicts that consumer and business confidence will begin to recover in early 2002. He cautioned that the slowdown in high-tech industry revenues could be more than forecasted, but for 2003-2005 that industry could take off as in the mid-1990s. To see a complete “Summary of Transportation Economic and Revenue Forecast,” visit ODOT’s Financial Services website. 

Top truck drivers offer wintertime driving tips
Every winter, professional truck drivers for the American Trucking Associations member motor carriers can face anything from snow-packed Rocky Mountain passes to bitter winter winds on the High Plains to wet, windy nor’easters or unexpected patches of black ice in the southeast. 
But, the drivers on ATA’s America’s Road Team have learned how to handle it all. Now, with snowflakes about to fly in parts of the United States, they offer their common sense advice on how they and motorists can safely share the road this winter. 
The tips are also worthwhile for motorists coming from warmer climates into bad winter weather. 
• If you must travel in bad winter weather, begin with a “walk around” of your vehicle before leaving your driveway. Check your tires, wipers and fluids, radiator and heating system. You can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road. 
• Slow down. Increase your following distance substantially in snow and ice to help with braking and ease visibility problems from spraying snow and ice. 
• Expect the unexpected. Try to avoid situations where you have to make a quick move; your car may not stop or turn the way you want it to. 
• If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump brakes in attempting to stop. The right way is to “stomp and steer!” 
• Look further ahead in traffic than you normally do. Actions by cars and trucks will alert you quicker to problems and give you a split-second extra time to react safely. 
• Use low beam headlights for best visibility. Stop often to clean lights—especially taillights. 
• Be aware of a truck’s blind spots and spray from snow or slush. If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you. 
• Signal your intentions to change lanes well ahead of time. If a truck is signaling its intention to change lanes, allow it space to do so. Often, it may have seen a wintertime hazard, or it is trying to avoid another vehicle. 
• Remember that trucks are heavier - and especially in winter road conditions - they take longer to safely respond and come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them. 
• On highway entrance ramps, remember highway traffic has the right of way; maintain proper speed and use smooth merging techniques. Avoid slowing down in front of a truck at a ramp - all the more important in snowy and icy conditions. 
• Dress warmly. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Keep a “care package” in your vehicle. Include a snow shovel, a blanket, warm gloves, flashlight and batteries, some non-perishable snacks or food. 
• Understand that trucks cannot always stop to assist you, but most will use their radios to contact the police or highway patrol with your exact location if they see you are in trouble. 
“Wintertime is a family time for all of us,” said ATA President and CEO William Canary. “It is well worth it for all us to take that extra safety step so we can make it home safely.” - ATA

Electronic deer avoidance from down under
From Australia, where the manufacturer claims it has proven very effective against kangaroos, the Shu Roo is being launched in North America as a prevention device to avoid deer accidents.
The unit consists of a sound generator that mounts under the hood and a speaker system that attaches to the front of a car or truck. On smaller vehicles, a pair of highly specialized speakers are supplied. For larger vehicles and trucks, a four speaker installation is recommended for maximum range and effectiveness.
The Shu Roo puts out a high frequency varying signal inaudible to the human ear. However, it is pitched to scare wild animals such as kangaroos, deer and other wildlife away from the path of approaching vehicles.
According to the manufacturer, Australian testimonials tell of trucking operations that previously experienced multiple incidents with kangaroos experiencing no accidents in millions of miles once the Shu Roo was fitted. In some cases, operators have removed the heavy “Roo Bars” from the front of their trucks.
The units are to be marketed through mail order and through catalogs and parts stores. There is an introductory offer of $249 for a car kit with speakers in charcoal color and $279 for the kit with chrome speakers. The four-speaker setup for a truck is to be offered for $299 and $329 in chrome.
According to Shu Roo’s manufacturer, research shows that deer accidents in North America account for over $2 billion in insurance claims each year. It says the device is effective against deer and could all but eliminate this insurance loss.
For more information see www.shuroo.net .

Huck 620 Kit removes collars and nuts 
The Huck 620 Kit Collar Removal System eliminates cutting torches and other cumbersome equipment for fast, easy removal of collars and nuts.
The kit includes a cutter, hose kit, and power source in a protective carrying case for easy transport. For extra convenience, the kit also includes extra blades, set screws and an Allen wrench.
It removes 5/8-inch collars and nuts for both production and aftermarket applications.
The kit’s power source is the lightweight Huck Model 960, a single-speed, pedal-controlled system. The Model 960’s hydraulic pump uses compressed air to deliver a steady, safe fluid flow. 
For more information, visit www.hucktools.com , or call (800) 278-4825.

Cole Hersee offers compact connectors 
Cole Hersee has new Brylite connectors for heavy duty trucks, available in compact 12-pole and 7-pole sockets and plugs.
The Australian Brylite design offers flat, in-line contacts suited for tight spaces. The connectors feature enough contacts for every circuit linked between a truck and its trailer. The connectors come with nickel-plated brass split pins to ensure excellent electrical contact, and the spring-loaded cover protects both the plug and the socket when not in use.
For more information, visit www.colehersee.com . 

Court says licenses, insurance costs can be deducted 
A U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that trucking companies may deduct state license and permit fees and prepaid insurance premiums as current expenses in the year they are paid, even when their effective benefits extend into the next tax year.
The ruling overturns a decision by a U.S. Tax Court which said that U.S. Freightways had to capitalize the expenses over their useful life. The carrier argued that an informal one-year rule allows an expense to be deducted in the year paid when the benefit extends less than 12 months into the subsequent year. The Tax Court rejected that argument, countering that the one-year rule isn’t well established and, even it were, U.S. Freightways couldn’t use it because it uses the accrual method for financial accounting — i.e. expenses are shown in the period they are incurred. The American Trucking Associations filed an amicus brief in support of U.S. Freightways.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit sided with U.S. Freightways and ATA, ruling that “the decision to expense or capitalize a particular item should not turn on whether the taxpayer uses the cash or accrual basis of accounting.” It also concluded that the kind of expenses at issue in this case were fixed, one-year items where the benefit will never extend beyond that one-year term, and that they are ordinary, necessary and recurring expenses for the business in question. Under IRS rules, they may therefore be treated as deductible expenses in the year paid, the court said. 
The decision, U.S. Freightways Corp. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, No. 00-2668(7th Circuit. Nov 6), can be found on the Internet at www.ca7.uscourts.gov.

Peterbilt offers 530-hp Cummins ISX 
The Cummins ISX engine is now available in a 530-horsepower rating for Peterbilt Models 387, 379, 378 and 357. 
“With superb performance and more pulling power, this new Cummins ISX engine option is ideal for our customers engaged in both on-highway and high gross-weight applications, such as tanker and heavy hauls,” says Dan Sobic, Peterbilt Assistant General Manager.
The engine is uprateable to 600 horsepower with no hardware changes, enhancing resale value.