Chesapeake Energy Subsidiary Peake Fuel Solutions Introduces Cost-Saving Diesel Natural Gas (DNG) Conversion Kit for Heavy-Duty Trucks
Only Conversion Kit EPA Certified for 2010-12 New On-road Diesel Engines
Peake Fuel Solutions, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK), today announced the development of a new, transformative diesel natural gas (DNG) conversion kit, a product that will help heavy-duty truck operators save up to 30% on their fuel costs.
DNG allows trucks to run on a mixture of diesel and up to 70% clean, affordable, abundant, American natural gas. When compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuels are not available, trucks retain the ability to run on 100% diesel.
“The trucking industry is the backbone of our nation’s economy, and Peake Fuel Solutions’ DNG technology can help the industry slash its biggest cost — fuel,” said Kent Wilkinson, Vice President – Natural Gas Ventures, Chesapeake. “DNG will help accelerate the trucking industry’s shift to a more affordable, domestic fuel.
Long-term natural gas prices in the $4-6 per mcf range will translate into CNG and LNG prices of around $2.00 per diesel gallon equivalent, or about 50% lower than diesel prices. Assuming a typical DNG blend, truckers would save approximately $0.20 per mile on their fuel costs.
Peake’s innovative conversion kit has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a variety of engines. The certificate of conformity makes it the only dual-fuel natural gas retrofit certified by the EPA, allowing DNG kits to modify a variety of engines from model years 2010-12 that encompass power ratings from 400 to 600 horsepower .
Peake began accepting pre-orders for DNG kits in the first quarter of 2013. Fleet and truck owners can email info@peakefuelsolutions.com to learn more.
Natural gas is a reliable and cleaner-burning source of fuel for consumers of gasoline and diesel, and the return on investment for a DNG conversion kit is typically less than 18 months. Interested DNG customers can calculate their expected fuel savings and the timeline for investment payback through an online calculator at www.peakefuelsolutions.com.
Additionally, Peake offers complete natural gas fueling solutions including the unique CNG In A Box™ system, a fully integrated CNG fueling supply system offering plug-and-play simplicity for fleet and retail fueling stations; CNG fuel management modules; and fuel tank modules in frame-rail and behind-cab configurations.
Peake Fuel Solutions advances innovative fuel solutions with products and services that use clean, affordable, abundant natural gas. A significant focus of Peake is to increase CNG and LNG infrastructure across the U.S. An affiliate of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Peake leverages the expertise of other Chesapeake affiliates to implement many of its fuel solutions. Further information is available at www.peakefuelsolutions.com.
Preventable or Not: One-way ticket to bad day for Doe
An impatient Porsche driver who tried to pass John Doe’s straight truck on his right side lost control, ended up sideways and was hit by both Doe’s truck and a car pacing Doe to his left. Was this a preventable accident?
On a sunny Friday afternoon, John Doe was maneuvering his straight truck down Butafooco Boulevard, a one-way thoroughfare in Bear Paw, S.D., daydreaming about his impending weekend visit to the Harley-Davidson dealership where he planned to buy an “almost-new” bike from Billy Bob, the shop’s mechanic.
Doe had just passed some parked cars, on his right, and was cautiously approaching the intersection with Main Street, keeping an eye on the traffic signal that, for the moment, remained encouragingly green. At that instant, Mrs. Mattie Crowly-Bubkis, who was stuck behind Doe, decided that the nasty ol’ truck was moving too slowly.
Fearing that she’d be caught at the intersection by a red light, Crowly-Bubkis became impatient and accelerated her 2004 performance-tuned purple Porsche around the right side of Doe’s rig and, losing control, ended up sideways, right in front of poor Doe’s bumper! The Porsche then was stopped dead in its tracks – after impacting the right front fender of a rusty Chevy van piloted by Gramps Grumbley, who’d been pacing Doe in the left lane! Next, Doe’s truck slammed into the side of the stationary luckless sports car.
After Doe contested the preventable-accident warning letter from his safety director, the National Safety Council’s Accident Review Committee was asked to render a final decision. NSC immediately upheld the preventable judgment, noting that Doe should have kept an eye on his right-side mirror. Had he done so, he could have avoided smashing into the maniacal Crowly-Bubkis.
Career Path Profile: Driver Nathanial Blue Leaves Great Legacy At Boyd Bros.
Boyd Bros. Transportation is mourning the loss of one of its seasoned drivers, Nathanial Blue. Blue, who recently passed away at the age of 64, joined the Boyd Bros. family back in November of 1977 and spent his entire career dedicating himself to driving safely and professionally, while being a great example to other drivers. He was the only driver in the company’s history to earn four million miles of safe driving.
“Blue was not only a superior driver, but he was also a wonderful, caring person,” said Betty Nix, director of recruiting for Boyd Bros. “He was always thinking of others and watching out for other people.”
Achieving one or two million miles of safe driving is a difficult feat for any driver. It takes drivers many years of hard work, dedication and attention to detail to reach this milestone. Blue earned his four millionth mile in August 2006. Boyd Bros. honored Blue by hosting a large Nathaniel Blue Day celebration and presenting him with a sizeable check and brand new truck. Blue and his family were also invited to visit Alabama Gov. Bob Riley’s office at the state capitol for a proclamation ceremony.
Nathanial Blue and his family attend a proclamation ceremony with former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley.
“To be the kind of driver Blue was, you have to focus, be smart and be cautious,” Nix said of Blue, who retired from driving in 2009. “He was an exceptional man and a loyal employee to Boyd Bros. He’ll be greatly missed by our Boyd Bros. family.”
Boyd Bros. driver benefits include medical and life insurance plans, a referral bonus program and the opportunity to have 24-hours of home time every weekend in 80 percent of its hiring areas. The company also offers late-model equipment, substantial freight, load matching and high standards for safety and service, ensuring productivity and success. For more information about the services or career opportunities at Boyd Bros., visit www.driveforboyd.com or call 800-543-8923.
Road Ready: How Do I Get There?
Routing A Semi Requires Truck-Specific GPS Data
By Tom Kelley
While the GPS signal that allows any GPS receiver to determine its location is the same no matter what type or brand of receiver is being used, how that receiver eventually uses that signal is a critical differentiator, especially where trucks are concerned. Most GPS-based navigation systems employ extensive mapping software that includes road maps and Point-Of-Interest (POI) databases.
Generally speaking, this mapping software is very effective at getting you from here to there, whether you’re on foot, on public transit or in a car; but not if you’re in a commercial truck. Although the paths and destinations may be the same no matter how you get there, many routes are not truck-friendly, whether due to weight restrictions, bridge height clearances, or prohibition of hazardous cargo.
Much of the most direct/efficient route calculated by a standard GPS receiver may be fine for commercial truck travel, but you won’t know there’s a low-clearance bridge 20 miles down a two-lane road until you get there, and if warning signs are obscured, you might not know about that bridge until it brings you to a loud and sudden stop.
The reliance on standard GPS receivers by some truckers has been linked to an apparent increase in trucks striking low-clearance bridges. So much so that legislators and the FMCSA have recently begun outreach programs admonishing truckers to ensure that the mapping database used in their GPS devices contains full and up-to-date coverage of truck-related road restrictions.
Senator Chuck Schumer recently announced that the FMCSA would begin issuing official recommendations to members of the commercial trucking industry on the proper uses of GPS devices and incorporate GPS training into new entry-level certification programs for commercial motor vehicle operators.
Last September, Schumer called on the DOT to investigate the dramatic increase in low bridge strikes by commercial trucks across New York State as a result of the growing use of GPS by drivers. According to reports from local police organizations, GPS-related bridge strikes in New York represent over 80 percent of all such accidents.
According to the announcement, “This means that commercial drivers will be trained, and reminded, to only use GPS systems designed specifically for the industry. These specialized units take into account the specifics of the truck they’re in – including the height, weight and contents – and will then route the trucks onto appropriate roads.”
“These education and training campaigns for commercial truck drivers will be the first major steps to thwarting life-threatening bridge strikes that have been causing massive delays and imposing significant costs on taxpayers with increasing frequency in recent years,” said Schumer. “These steps will help to once again make GPS devices an asset to drivers, and not a dangerously misused tool.”
More recently, the FMCSA created and released a visor card specifically for truck and bus drivers on how to choose the right navigation system intended for them. The visor card gives tips for safe use of navigation systems, and can be downloaded free-of-charge.
One of the top truck-specific map databases for GPS systems comes from Rand McNally, a company that had been compiling truck route restrictions and incorporating them into mapping products long before in-vehicle navigation software was widely available, and even before GPS was available for civilian use. With this lengthy track record, truckers can rely on the accuracy of Rand McNally’s truck routing products.
“Rand McNally has always advocated the ‘right tool for the job’ to assist professional drivers. We understand that routing a tractor-trailer is very different from routing a car,” says Kendra Ensor, Rand McNally’s VP of Marketing. “For decades we’ve researched and published the Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, which highlights designated truck routes. And with our IntelliRoute TND truck-specific GPS devices, our GIS professionals spend thousands of hours each year further researching and updating the map database to help ensure that we have the most complete truck routing information available.
At this year’s Mid America Trucking Show, Rand McNally released its new IntelliRoute TND 520 connected GPS device for professional drivers. The TND 520, which includes a new ruggedized case, Lifetime Maps, and a host of new features, is available for a suggested retail price $299.99 of at trucking travel centers and online retail locations.
The new 5-inch device includes Wi-Fi connectivity that enables a number of new real-time data services, most of which will be standard on the device without any subscription fee. The ability to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi leverages Rand McNally’s truck GPS platform to provide information and services important to professional drivers.
Premium and standard connected services enabled for the TND 520 include:
Traffic Everywhere, weather updates, fuel prices, and local search. In addition to its connected capabilities, the TND 520 is built with software featuring updated maps and routing, a “Compare Routes” function, team driver timers, address book transfers, and fuel economy tracking.
“Our direction has always been to provide additional services and benefits to drivers who use our products,” said Rand McNally CEO Dave Muscatel. “Our first TND device wasn’t just a GPS built for trucks – it also contained tools and applications to help drivers manage their businesses. These latest connected services are an extension of that direction.”
Web Roads: Swedish Social
Volvo’s Social Media Toolbox Has Something For Everybody
By Tom Kelley
While truckers have been among the early adopters of most social media platforms, the corporate players in the trucking industry were a bit behind getting into the game. Over the last 12-15 months, many of the top OEMs and suppliers have made up for lost time. Thanks to a recent infusion of young(er) blood in its marketing and communications team, Volvo Trucks has grown to be among the most prolific truck-related participants in social media.
Like most social media marketing players, Volvo has all the conventional channels covered, with a presence on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
Where the company has gone above and beyond, however, is in the deployment of “apps” for smartphones and media tablet devices. All of the Volvo apps can be downloaded for free.
Dealer Locator
The Volvo Dealer Locator app is the easiest way for smartphone and media tablet users to access dealer information on their mobile device. The free app allows users to quickly view the nearest dealer’s contact information, address and available services, all with single-click access to connect instantly with the dealer. Users can also search an alphabetical list by state or province to find any dealer in Volvo’s North American network. With real-time location tracking, the app can identify the user’s current location and provide turn-by-turn driving directions to the selected dealership.
Driver’s Digest
Volvo’s Driver’s Digest magazine app enables iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users to access to digital editions of the company’s quarterly trucking magazine. Driver’s Digest features stories about drivers and their experiences on and off the road. The magazine also details the latest products, services and technologies offered to Volvo customers.
Fueldrop Mobile Game
“Fueldrop” is Volvo’s iPad-based fuel economy challenge game. To play the game, a player guides a drop of fuel through a Super-Mario-like path of obstacles to progress through an increasingly difficult series of levels. Along the way, the game throws random challenges to fuel economy at the player.
The object of the game is to make the most out of every drop of fuel throughout each level. Volvo engineers contributed expertise to help integrate engine-component elements into the game’s graphics, as well as helping to incorporate random hot, cold and wet obstacles – all real-life fuel-economy challenges – into the course of play.
Online Scavenger Hunt
The launch of the Fueldrop coincided with the beginning of an online scavenger hunt for US participants, highlighting Volvo’s past and present. Within the Fueldrop game are clues, which the player can use to find additional clues embedded within Volvo’s Facebook page, Twitter feed, website, videos, ads, and archived issues of Driver’s Digest. The clues eventually lead to prizes, eight iPads awarded over the course of 16 weeks.
Worldtrucker Community
The easiest way to describe the Worldtrucker online community is to call it a variation of Facebook designed specifically for truckers.
Worldtrucker.com is a place for those who want to share their passion for trucks and the life on the road with other like-minded people from all over the world. The community helps drivers keep in touch with their families, friends and colleagues.
Although Worldtrucker was created by Volvo, it is intended to be a meeting place for all truckers, regardless of what truck brand they drive or prefer. Initially launched in 2011, the online community now has more than 21,000 members representing more than 100 countries.
Worldtrucker is available in 18 languages and its members have uploaded more than 120,000 photos of trucks and life on the road.
When it was originally launched, the primary access to Worldtrucker was through the web. In March at the Mid America Trucking Show, celebrity trucker Lisa Kelly of “Ice Road Truckers” and “IRT: Deadliest Roads” fame was on hand to launch the Worldtrucker mobile app. An active member of the Worldtrucker community, Kelly was one of the first to try the app during a visit to Sweden.
“The new Worldtrucker app and website allows truckers to connect with other truckers all over the world and share their stories and passion for life on the road,” Kelly said. “The Worldtrucker app is, of course, designed for truckers, by truckers. So come on, join the family.”
The Worldtrucker mobile app optimizes the online community functions to leverage many of the features found on smartphones and media tablets.
For example, community members can share photos from the road by direct upload through their mobile phone.
Trucking Law 101: Warrantless Tracking of Cellphones Approved by 6th Circuit US Appeals Court
Recently, things changed in the states governed by the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit which include Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The court found in United States v. Skinner (http://www.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/12a0262p-06.pdf) tracking a cellphone location without a warrant using GPS technology is not the same as the government putting a GPS tracking device on a vehicle without a warrant as the Supreme Court held in United States v. Jones (http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf) .
This decision will be no big deal for you since you are not a criminal transporting drugs or stolen property (I hope). But how could this simple difference affect you?
I think this could allow law enforcement, or anyone else, to track you by tracking your cellphone. No need to attach a GPS unit to your car. Most people carry their cellphone with them at all times so not only is there the capability to track your car’s movements but your personal movements. You are carrying a GPS in your pocket or purse because you want to. I think this because the 6th Circuit said the carrier of a cellphone has no expectation of privacy for data emanating from his cellphone.
The 6th Circuit in US v Skinner said:
When criminals use modern technological devices to carry out criminal acts and to reduce the possibility of detection, they can hardly complain when the police take advantage of the inherent characteristics of those very devices to catch them. This is not a case in which the government secretly placed a tracking device in someone’s car. The drug runners in this case used pay-as-you-go (and thus presumably more difficult to trace) cell phones to communicate during the cross-country shipment of drugs. Unfortunately for the drug runners, the phones were trackable in a way they may not have suspected. The Constitution, however, does not protect their erroneous expectations regarding the undetectability of their modern tools.
Jim C. Klepper is President of Interstate Trucker Ltd., a law firm entirely dedicated to legal defense of the nation’s commercial drivers. Interstate Trucker represents truck drivers throughout the forty-eight (48) states on both moving and non-moving violations. Jim is also president of Drivers Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to his firm’s services at greatly discounted rates. Jim, a former prosecutor, is also a registered pharmacist, with considerable experience in alcohol and drug related cases. He is a lawyer that has focused on transportation law and the trucking industry in particular. He works to answer your legal questions about trucking and life over-the-road and has his Commercial Drivers License.
800-333-DRIVE (3748) or www.interstatetrucker.com and www.driverslegalplan.com
Intro to Trucking: What It’s Really Like Trucking, Part 17 – My Future in Trucking
By Timothy D. Brady
As we mark the first year our two truckers have been trucking, what do they see in their future as truckers?
List the top three reasons you’d like to continue in trucking?
Naomi: I enjoy the freedom. I love the adventure, meeting new people. I work for an amazing company; no FORCED dispatch, so if there are 8 different locations, I can pick the one to go to. I get to see my family a lot!!! I always find time to grab a bite or a large iced tea with friends and family.
Ben: It’s a good job. You get to see a lot of places. Great job security; as long as you keep your nose clean and we don’t run out of diesel, you’ll have a job. Also, it gets me out of the house and keeps me out of trouble.
List the three biggest challenges that have caused you to consider leaving truck driving?
Naomi: I met an amazing man, a driver. But being apart is agonizing, never knowing when we’ll see each other. So I was thinking about staying home. I’m so family-oriented I’d love to spend tons of time with my children and grandchildren.
I hate sitting at shippers or receivers for hours on end. But I know the industry. Life is what it is. I know what can happen, so I’ve decided to stay on the road.
Ben: The FMCSA keeps changing and adding rules that really don’t make sense. Trying to find parking at nighttime so I don’t violate the FMCSA rules, that’s almost impossible. When I’m stuck somewhere and can’t get a load, I have to wait; I make no money. But I’m going to keep truckin’.
If you could do a start-over, what would you do differently?
Naomi: Not go to a big-name school for training. It was horrendous. And I never would’ve teamed with my best friend of 20 years. It destroyed our friendship.
Ben: There’s probably nothing I’d change. All is good. Went to a local truck driving school where they not only taught me what I needed to pass the CDL test, but showed me how to select the right trucking company.
Has it been worth it? Why?
Naomi: I love each and every moment I’m on the road. I love the challenge. Being a small female, I’m constantly getting, “You drive that big thing?” Or, “You don’t LOOK like a truck driver.” Or, “Is there a guy in there that can help you back up?” I just hop in and get the job done. Then to see the faces of people when they’re astonished that I did the job and did it well.
Ben: Yes, definitely. I have steady work, good benefits. It has boosted my self-esteem. It’s challenging at times.
Any new challenges in the past month?
Naomi: Sitting at a shipper for 9 hours, 3 minutes. I didn’t gain any time back after 8. And I was only 57 minutes from having a reset. The shipper would NOT let me sit there and wait those few minutes. So I had to drive 25 miles in an HOS violation to get to the nearest truckstop. I was really upset. I called Safety right away and they were able to help me document everything correctly on my logs.
Ben: Was given a HazMat load and I don’t have an endorsement, so I refused the load. I had the shipper unload their goods.
Any interesting experiences?
Naomi: I was in Bloomington, Illinois, turning left. I had a green arrow. But oncoming traffic was moving at me. I was already into the intersection; all I could do was pray that people stopped so I could clear the intersection. A state trooper in the same intersection saw the whole thing. He pulled me over; asked me if I knew why he was pulling me over. I said, “No, sir. But why was your traffic going when I had a green arrow?” He stated they too had green lights. He did NOT give me a warning, or a ticket. (Instead, he did a level 3 DOT inspection.) He called the city; they came out and found the lights were out of synch. I was in the right, but so was oncoming traffic. I’m just very glad he and the others all let me clear the intersection. It could have been really ugly.
Ben: I parked on a un-level parking lot where the front of the truck was downhill. I kept rolling out of bed into the floor. Very long night.
Advice for someone just finishing driving school?
Naomi: Pay attention. Use common sense. If something doesn’t seem right, then it’s not. Cherish each moment with loved ones. Stop and smell the roses.
Ben: Things don’t always work out just perfect. When they don’t, try not to get mad and quit. Stay with your company as long as you can. It looks better on your record that you don’t jump from company to company.
Here’s to your future great loads and great roads.
The business landscape is covered with examples of this simple maxim. A small computer company only of interest to graphics professionals innovated by applying its rigorous design ethic to personal electronic devices, and in less than a decade became one of the ten most valuable companies in the history of the world. That company is Apple. A century-old giant in the world of photography that failed to innovate as digital cameras became ubiquitous had to file for bankruptcy in 2012.
That company is Kodak. Today, both companies are household names, one innovated, one did not. The results are clear.
Although less frequently than on the grand scale of Apple and Kodak, participants in the consumer electronics industry live or die by innovation. At the entry level, internal innovation is rarely lacking, but external barriers to innovation can be insurmountable. Recognizing that the overall health of its industry is highly dependent on entry-level innovation (remember, Apple didn’t invent the portable music player), the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has taken on the task of not only encouraging its 2,000 members to continually innovate, but is also working to break down many of the external barriers to innovation.
Well-known for its annual Consumer Electronics Show, officially known as the International CES, the CEA is a best case model for an industry association. Unlike many associations that split into factions (e.g.
“We’re brake guys, why should we work with the suspension guys”), or that only represent their largest members, the CEA is an inclusive organization that works equally effectively for all of its members, from Mom & Pop outfits, up to the global giants.
In June, 2009, the CEA’s President and CEO, Gary Shapiro, announced the launch of a bipartisan grassroots policy initiative, the “Innovation Movement.” Sponsored by the CEA, the Innovation Movement is comprised of more than 200,000 Americans who believe that innovation is the backbone of our economy and the foundation of our future prosperity. The Innovation Movement is working to influence government policies that encourage innovation and allow entrepreneurship to thrive in a free-market economy.
The Innovation Movement’s website, www.DeclareInnovation.com, provides a fine example of an industry advocacy site, approachable to the outsider, but still effective for more expert insiders. Explanations of the current issues are combined with up-to-date statistics and links to outside reports to quickly show a layman visitor why the issues matter as much to an end user of Consumer Electronics (CE) gadgets as they do to a major industry player. The site also provides links for YouTube, Twitter and Facebook channels.
While truckers’ longstanding love of electronic gadgets is cause enough to follow the issues facing the CE industry, two of the issues currently highlighted on the site are of particular interest to even the least tech-savvy of truckers, Internet Radio and Ubiquitous Broadband.
Internet Radio, known better by popular brands like Pandora, finally fulfills the long-promised capability of bringing truckers a nearly infinite variety of programming, instead of being stuck listening to the same few dozen songs and the same repeated newscast over, and over, and over again.
Widespread deployment of Internet Radio is being held back by antiquated programming royalty policies that unfairly advantage broadcast and satellite radio providers. The Innovation Movement is working toward the passage of a bipartisan “Internet Radio Fairness Act.” A link on the site makes it easy to contact your elected representatives in support of the act.
Similarly, the slow pace of wireless broadband deployment is holding back the development of numerous online services for truckers and others whose workplace is the open highway. Current estimates predict that mobile wireless traffic will increase to 35 times the current level within the next five years. Without additional radio spectrum (frequencies) freed up for mobile wireless traffic, digital congestion will quickly eclipse the real-world rush-hour jams experienced in the biggest of metro areas.
Currently, the FCC is prohibited from moving independently to make additional spectrum available for innovative uses. Congressional action authorizing the FCC to put more spectrum into the marketplace would spur job creation and investment, while positioning the US to be the leader in the next generation of wireless technologies. Here again, the Innovation Movement is working toward streamlining the release of radio spectrum to support innovation in wireless broadband services.
Joining the Innovation Movement is free. In addition to the news and information found on the main www.DeclareInnovation.com site, uploaded stories from a variety of innovators can be viewed at innovation.ce.org through a link on the main site.
Each year, I try to inform truck drivers on ways to protect their money and property from the Internal Revenue Service. The first and best answer is to pay your taxes in full on time every time. If that does not happen, the IRS has their “ways” to make sure they get their pound of flesh or the last drop of blood from the turnip.
My first piece of advice is to incorporate your truck if you are an owner operator. Incorporation not only protects you from liability of lawsuits but it puts a wall between you and the IRS. If you are a company driver and your income is from W2 wages from a carrier, you have a lot less protection from the IRS.
Suppose you have been unable to pay your taxes, what can you expect? First you can expect a letter notifying you the IRS has not received your tax payment or tax forms and giving you a very short time window to send in your tax forms and ALL the taxes you owe. This first notice letter is like a “trip wire” or outer ring of a bull’s eye. It says “Hey, this guy is not paying” to the IRS so you are put on their “list”. If you are unable to file or pay at this time, you need to contact them by phone or letter so they can “help” you.
Suppose you received the notice letter and still have not contacted the IRS nor filed your tax forms and paid your taxes within the short time window they gave you. What comes next from the IRS is another letter with stronger wording letting you know you are required to file tax forms even if you do not owe any taxes that unpaid or underpaid taxes will result in “late fees” plus monthly interest. You are given another very short time window to comply and again informed to contact the IRS if you are unable to file and pay your taxes now. You better start listening by this time because now you have moved from the bull’s eye outer ring into the next level down and yes you now have more attention.
Suppose you fail to respond to the first two letters. Now you have their attention and they send Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested. Again you have the same or similar information about filing and paying your taxes and another short time window to respond. Failure to comply starts the phone calls from the IRS, and then it really gets fun.
After all the offers to help you and you still have not filed or paid, the IRS now wants some money. How do they get your money? Simple, they go to where you have your money such as your bank or paycheck. Nothing there, then they look at any assets you may have such as cars or even your home. Once they get this far they send you a Notice to File a Federal Tax Lien letter. Yep, they are getting serious now.
The IRS can file a Federal Tax Lien on your property after they have determined what you owe, sent you a bill telling you how much you owe, and you refuse to pay. A lien tells any creditors for that property the Federal Government has a secured interest in that property and will take that amount out from any sale of that property, even if it comes from the sheriff’s sale.
If you still have not paid your taxes after their Final notice of Intent to Levy letter, the IRS goes from their “kindler-gentler” mood to their more serious “we will take your stuff” mood. After this last letter, the IRS may seize your property which includes your wages. The IRS can and will garnish your wages from your employer before your money ever gets to you. They tell your employer to subtract up to 25% of your income and send it to the IRS to pay your taxes. This garnishment will stay in force until you have paid all the taxes, penalties and interest due the IRS.
The IRS may also file suit for a bank levy. Once they notify your bank and freeze your money, you have 21 days to resolve the issue with the IRS or the bank will send the frozen funds to the IRS to be applied to your taxes.
Before any of the Letters to File Liens or Letters to Levy call the IRS and see what you can work out. A couple of ways to work with the IRS is to enter into an Installment Agreement or an Offer in Compromise.
The installment agreement allows up to 72 months to pay the IRS what you owe. This does not include any new taxes you owe them the following years after your agreement, only the back taxes you agreed to pay. Failure to pay each installment on time causes the agreement to become void and all taxes are due at that time.
Offer in compromise is based on your ability to pay your taxes and the likelihood the IRS can collect which may allow you to settle the total tax owed for less than you owe. Should you pick this option, I suggest you discuss your options with an accountant or attorney because this requires a lot of proof of your assets and ability to pay.
Best option is just to pay all your taxes when due because the penalty and interest due on unpaid taxes quickly become a larger and ongoing amount until all taxes are paid in full. This means you could owe thousands or millions of penalty and interest on a very small amount of taxes you failed to pay.
Jim C. Klepper is President of Interstate Trucker Ltd., a law firm entirely dedicated to legal defense of the nation’s commercial drivers. Interstate Trucker represents truck drivers throughout the forty-eight (48) states on both moving and non-moving violations. Jim is also president of Drivers Legal Plan, which allows member drivers access to his firm’s services at greatly discounted rates. Jim, a former prosecutor, is also a registered pharmacist, with considerable experience in alcohol and drug related cases. He is a lawyer that has focused on transportation law and the trucking industry in particular. He works to answer your legal questions about trucking and life over-the-road and has his Commercial Drivers License.
800-333-DRIVE (3748) or www.interstatetrucker.com and www.driverslegalplan.com
Truck School Beat: David M. Money, CDS, CDT, of Liberty Mutual Insurance, Receives Professional Truck Driver Institute’s Highest Honor
Long-time Certification Commission chairman has an unwavering commitment to the mission of PTDI
David M. Money, CDS, CDT, of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, product manager – transportation risk control services for Liberty Mutual Insurance of Boston, Massachusetts, is the 2013 recipient of the Lee J. Crittenden Memorial Award, presented by the Professional Truck Driver Institute, Inc. (PTDI). The award was bestowed March 5, 2013, at the Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the annual convention of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the organization that manages PTDI.
The Crittenden Award, sponsored by Cengage Learning, is given to a person who exemplifies the overall mission of PTDI, for which Lee Crittenden was a staunch supporter until his death in April 1998. PTDI raises the quality of truck driver training courses by establishing and promoting minimum training standards, and by certifying courses that meet those standards.
“As a long-term partner of PTDI and TCA, we are proud to sponsor this prestigious award,” said Bobby Person, executive editor, Cengage Learning. “Our company actively supports the training and development of truck drivers, and we are grateful to have someone like Dave, who has shown such a strong commitment to the industry. It’s clear that he is well-deserving of this award, and it is an honor to recognize him for his impressive career and achievements.”
Left to right: Robert Low, 2012-2013 chairman, Truckload Carriers Association; Ray Haight, immediate past chairman, Professional Truck Driver Institute; David Money, CDS, CDT; and Rachel Torres, associate marketing manager, Delmar, Cengage Learning.
Money has worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance for 35 years. He has spent much of that time with the company’s Research Institute for Safety, managing its driver training facilities, defensive driving courses, and technical resources that enhance overall road safety. He has developed and is responsible for the Liberty Mutual Decision Driving® Training programs. He also identifies and directs the development of new systems, methods, technologies and other support materials that enhance effectiveness of customer training.
A certified driver trainer and a certified director of safety, Money became involved with PTDI when he was elected to its Certification Commission in 1999. When the functions of the Commission were rolled into the Board of Directors in December 2002, Money was elected to remain as one of three commissioners and to become a Board Member. He served as the Commission’s chairman from 2004-2012, but then the Board made special provision for him to continue on after his term expired so he could work with and train the new commissioners.
Mark Johnson, PTDI’s chairman of the Standard Review Task Force and former Certification Commissioner, and training director for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Retired), praised Money’s dedication as a volunteer. “He has always been on the forefront of any PTDI Board activity and has volunteered to serve on every committee, task force or anything else that required attention,” he said. “This included the difficult task of reviewing and updating all PTDI standards while serving on the PTDI Standards Review Committee and Task Force. Dave also has traveled extensively to promote and represent PTDI at conferences and forums across the country. His integrity, unwavering commitment, his contributions, and his fair and logical approach to issues relating to the PTDI certification process make him a very deserving recipient of the Lee J. Crittenden Award.”
Virginia DeRoze, TCA’s director of education (Retired), agrees. “Dave is committed to listening to other points of view, which enables those around him to weigh options and develop intelligent, insightful courses of action,” she said. “He makes everyone feel part of the process.”
The presentation of the annual Lee J. Crittenden award keeps Crittenden’s memory alive and serves as inspiration to others who get involved with truck driver issues. Crittenden helped many important industry activities get their start. He was passionate about promoting a positive image of the nation’s professional truck drivers, and was largely responsible for the creation of America’s Road Team. He also initiated a scholarship program for drivers who participate in the National Truck Driving Championships. His greatest industry achievement is largely believed to be his part in founding the Professional Truck Driver Institute, where he served on the board of directors and also as the finance chairman during the Institute’s infancy. Crittenden worked for Associates Commercial (which later became CitiCapital), the company that was instrumental in creating this award along with the Truckload Carriers Association.
PTDI is a national nonprofit organization sponsored by the nation’s trucking industry to advance truck driver training, proficiency, safety, and professionalism. PTDI is based in Alexandria, Virginia. Visit www.ptdi.org for more information.
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