The law specifically targets the driver in control of the vehicle during the violation, ensuring they are accountable for any penalties upon conviction. Col. Tim Cameron with the Wyoming Highway Patrol stated, “We hope these new penalties will be a better deterrent for drivers who otherwise may decide to test their luck and chance the wind closures to save some time.” He emphasized that risky decisions often lead to accidents, injuries, and road closures for cleanup, which disrupts everyone’s schedules.

Not only commercial trucks but also RVs, campers, moving vans, utility trailers, and other large vehicles fall under the classification of light and high-profile under this legislation. Subsection (d) also indicates that the fines apply to other weight-based restrictions not related to wind. “Even on highways without strong wind restrictions, like Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass, drivers who willfully disregard weight restriction signage will be subject to these steeper penalties,” added Cameron.

Source: The Trucker

The post WYDOT Alerts Drivers to New Fines for Ignoring Weight-Based Road Closures appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

To celebrate, they will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Quealy Dome truck parking lot on I-80 on September 20 at 10 a.m.

“The purpose of the project is to provide safe areas for commercial drivers to rest or wait out winter storms and closures,” the news release stated. “The project also includes added truck passing lanes to increase motorist safety and improve traffic flow on steep inclines.”

New truck parking spaces along I-80 will be available soon. Specifically, they’re focusing on the Quealy Dome and Fort Steele Rest Area at mile marker 228, giving you nearly 200 spaces to choose from.

They’ve also installed truck climbing lanes at Halleck Ridge (mile markers 250.5-252.5) in the eastbound lanes, and at Cooper Cove (mile markers 279.5-281.5) in the westbound lanes.

As part of this project, they’ve also added 12 miles of wildlife fencing near Halleck Ridge, over 6 miles of pavement preservation overlay, and a brand-new salt/sand storage building at Quealy Dome.

This project has been made possible thanks to a $20 million federal BUILD grant that we received in 2018. With a total project budget of $34 million, including a state match, they’re committed to delivering on this essential infrastructure upgrade.

The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2023.

Source: The Trucker

The post Wyoming Department of Transportation to Celebrate New Truck Parking on I-80 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Columbus Technical College in Georgia has just broken ground on a new facility near Fort Moore, where military veterans and other aspiring drivers can receive top-notch CDL training.

“Columbus Tech is very excited to announce this new project in the city,” said Martha Ann Todd, college president. “We believe this addition will serve as a workforce entry point for both exiting military, veterans and residents of the Chattahoochee Valley as they receive the training and resources needed to fulfill workforce gaps in current critical fields.”

Funded by Gov. Brian Kemp’s Emergency Education Relief Fund Grant award and backed by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Jack Pezold family, the CDL range project is making strides.

“This groundbreaking represents the Columbus community’s commitment to providing access to good-paying jobs for soldiers returning to civilian life while also encouraging them to remain in the Valley area,” said Jack Pezold, a prominent longtime local businessman.

The future Veterans Education Career Resource Transition Workforce Development Center will be launched together with the CDL site. The CDL training facility has a capacity to train 350 drivers per year and is set to open this fall.

CTC received a total of $1.77 million from Kemp’s $8.32 million allocations to six technical colleges for education-to-workforce pipeline programs, which will be spent on simulators, trailers, a driving pad, and a mobile classroom. The new CDL facility aims to counter the nationwide driver shortage and improve supply chain issues.

Civic and government officials, including city councilor Gary Allen, Mayor Skip Henderson, state Rep. Vance Smith, state Sen. Ed Harbison, Chief of Staff Kenneth Cutts of the U.S. House of Representatives, Brenda Williams (staffer for U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock), Pezold, and retired Major Gen. Patrick Donahoe, attended the construction kick-off ceremony. CTC was represented by Ray Perren, deputy commissioner for the state’s technical college system, Greg Paul of the CTC Foundation, Todd, and Crystal Shahid, CTC board chair.

“These innovative facilities will be a game-changer for industry and employment opportunities in the area,” said Shahid.

Meanwhile, Laramie County Community College in Wyoming recently hosted an open house to spark interest in a truck driving career. Thanks to a Pre-Hire Economic Development Grant from the state Department of Workforce Services, the college can train over 100 students to obtain their CDL certification without any costs. This is a great opportunity for those who are motivated to start a career as a truck driver in Wyoming.

“The starting pay is one of the best for blue-collar jobs,” Michael Geissler, college CDL program director, said while promoting the open house. “This state and nation rely heavily on its trucking industry to keep our economy moving, so the job stability and competitive pay and benefits are outstanding.”

If you’re interested in LCCC’s CDL program, taking place at their Cheyenne or Laramie campuses, you’ll need a Wyoming driver license and must plan to work in the state after graduation. Don’t worry about finding a job after – LCCC offers job placement assistance to students who complete the program.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Colleges in GA and WY Expand CDL Programs to Combat Truck Driver Shortage appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“We’d really like to congratulate those drivers who received one of the 84 CVSA decals that were issued,” Wyoming Highway Patrol said in a Facebook post. “You drivers are a great help to highway safety and we appreciate it!”

About International Roadcheck

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance established the International Roadcheck program in 1988 to promote the safety of commercial motor vehicles and drivers. Every year, for 72 hours, CVSA-certified inspectors across North America conduct vehicle and driver inspections at weigh and inspection stations, designated inspection areas, and along roadways. This year’s inspection campaign particularly highlighted anti-lock braking systems and cargo securement.

If the inspector discovers any significant vehicle violations, the vehicle will be ordered out-of-service until the identified conditions have been corrected. Likewise, drivers who violate certain rules, such as lacking the necessary operating license or exhibiting signs of impairment, may be put out of service. If a commercial motor vehicle passes a Level I or Level V Inspection without any serious violations, it may be granted a valid CVSA decal for three months.

During the Roadcheck events, an average of 15 commercial trucks or buses are inspected every minute by CVSA-certified inspectors across North America. In last year’s International Roadcheck, 58,287 inspections occurred across the continent, highlighting the program’s significance in ensuring commercial vehicle safety standards.

Other upcoming 2023 CVSA inspection events:

• Operation Safe Driver Week – July 9 – July 15
• Brake Safety Week – August 20 – 26

Source: Land Line

The post Road Safety Blitz Results in over 1,000 Violations in Wyoming appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.