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MLOA Vice President Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet
The Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) recently held a membership meeting/webinar on Wednesday, August 24. Moderated by MLOA Vice President Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet Limousine and Bus, the Zoom event’s focus was on risk management and included risk management specialist Charlie Robertson to speak about insurance matters.
Kicking things off with some housekeeping, Latham announced that the MLOA retreat planned for September has been delayed indefinitely. Citing rising COVID rates, as well as the surge in monkey pox, he insisted that “safety is paramount” and the MLOA isn’t willing to risk its members’ health. Also, Latham revealed that the association’s website had been hacked and work is being done to get it back and running ASAP. Before the insurance discussion got underway, new member Brian Warren of TL Worldwide in Akron, Ohio, was welcomed to the organization.
Risk Management Specialist Charlie Robertson
With the MLOA taking an approach to be better students of the insurance industry, they have formed an insurance coalition (dubbed the “IC crew”) to share information and best practices relating to insurance. Ultimately, the MLOA’s goal is to create a captive insurance program that the association can offer to its membership. Having guest experts like Robertson is another way the MLOA is educating its membership on insurance matters.
Robertson shared some useful bullet points on how to avoid costly litigation. A huge factor remains driver criteria and selection, as attorneys are now often seeking “negligence” claims relating to hiring and training. Robertson advised operators to keep thorough electronic logs: “the more on file, the better.” Also, operators were instructed to avoid firing chauffeurs following an “at-fault” accident. While this may seem counter-intuitive, the thinking is that keeping them happy keeps them on your side should there be a claim against the company. Before turning the webinar over to questions, Robertson shared a few additional best practices to avoid costly claims: keep an up-to-date fleet safety handbook, regularly review driver files, conduct accident investigation training, and offer an incentive program for safe driving.
Visit mlooa.org for more information.
[08.29.22]
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Agencies Step Up Efforts to Prevent Fatal Crashes: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its early estimates of traffic fatalities for the first quarter of 2022, noting that two regions specifically were higher than crash data reported at the same time last year. According to the release, NHTSA estimates that 9,560 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in Q1 2022, representing an increase of about 7 percent as compared to 2021 and is the highest number of first-quarter fatalities since 2002.
By region, the New England area (region 1 from Maine to Mass.) saw an increase of 23 percent and the Mid-Atlantic (region 3 from Md. to N.C.) increased by more than half at 52 percent. Region 9, which comprises California, Hawaii, and Arizona, saw an 11 percent drop.
As ending traffic fatalities remains a top priority for the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Biden administration, several agencies have launched programs to help combat the problem, including the DOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy; NHTSA’s Speeding Wrecks Lives campaign and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day enforcement; and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which makes significant investments in highway safety. Sources: NHTSA, US DOT
SBA Head Reacts to Biden Bill: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is calling the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was signed into law last week by President Joe Biden, an urgent investment in America’s 33 million small businesses. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said: “This law not only tackles inflation and powers America’s transition to safer, cleaner energy, it also shrinks the budget deficit and—most importantly—drives down health care and energy costs for small businesses and their employees. Lower costs mean small business owners and entrepreneurs can focus on doing what they do best, creating jobs, developing talent, innovating, and opening doors of growth and opportunity across all of our communities—including selling more American-made goods and services to the world’s largest buyer: the U.S. Government.
However, the IRA has not been without controversy, specifically due to the $80 billion that has been pledged to dreaded IRS enforcement over 10 years. The concept is, the understaffed agency can target those businesses that have largely benefited from a generous tax code to skirt out of paying billions in taxes. Still, many are leery that middle- and low-income earners will also be targeted with as much zeal. According to the Governmental Accountability Office: “In recent years, IRS audited taxpayers with incomes below $25,000 and those with incomes of $500,000 or more at higher-than-average rates. But, audit rates have dropped for all income levels—decreasing the most for taxpayers with incomes of $200,000 or more.” Also, the Treasury Department claims that small businesses, as well as low- and middle-income earners, won't be the focus of increased IRS enforcement activity. Sources: SBA, US Treasury Department, GAO
Crisis Hotline Gets an Easier Three-Digit Number: Mental health has been a constant topic for many years, which was exacerbated by a global crisis and the following spike in inflation. To meet the needs of the growing epidemic, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is meant as an alternative to 911, has relaunched as 988. The call line isn’t new, it’s been around 2005, and it is still run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Vibrant Emotional Health. The line connects those (or loved ones of those) who are facing suicidal or depressive thoughts with qualified counselors, but privacy laws do apply to protect callers.
The newly rebranded hotline, however, recently faced scrutiny from social media users who urged sensitive communities (i.e., those vulnerable to police enforcement) not to call 988 in fear of having law enforcement dispatched to their home. A report from NPR cited that fewer than 2 percent of 988 calls resulted in a 911 dispatch, and generally only with the patient’s consent. SAMHSA Senior Medical Advisor John Palmieri said that patients aren’t required to give counselors their personal information, and 911 is only used with the patient’s permission in the most extreme and emergent cases. Sources: 988lifeline.org, NPR
[08.24.22]
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2023 Mercedes EQE
The roster of electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz is growing as the luxury German automaker is expected to release the EQE sedan and EQS SUV for the 2023 model year. The EQS, a sedan based roughly on the popular S-Class, is already available for 22MY. We also recently wrote about the upcoming EQB SUV, which can be read here. The EQ moniker is part of its electric vehicle line delineation.
2023 Mercedes EQS SUV
Information has been somewhat scant on these models, judging from the Mercedes-Benz USA website, but details have been leaked online to various automotive sites as well as press releases from the OEM. Both vehicles are slated for a late 2022 release. Range capacity is estimated and will vary based on optional equipment, terrain (flatter-than-a-pancake versus mountains and hills), temperature, and weather.
Interior of EQS SUV with Hyperscreen display
The EQS SUV is essentially a sports utility version of the EQS sedan. Like the EQS, the SUV is expected to have the Hyperscreen, a three-panel (although it gives the illusion of being seamless) information center that stretches from the driver to the passenger window and is part of the MBUX, or Mercedes-Benz User Experience. It shares the length of the sedan (201.8 inches), the SUV has an anticipated range of up to 370 miles, besting the sedan at 350 miles. The EQS SUV has a rumored max 74 cubic feet of cargo capacity (presumably with the rear seats folded), seating for up to seven, and a 107.8 kWh battery that can DC fast-charge to 80 percent in just over 30 minutes. No word yet on price, but based on its sedan counterpart, the EQS SUV is likely to ring it over $100,000.
Smaller and more economical, the EQE is akin to an E-Class sedan in the EQ lineup. Boasting an even better estimated range—up to 410 miles—the EQE has been called “the downsized EQS” by the automotive press. And early reports show that it does have a lot of available features, including the popular Hyperscreen (with Augmented Reality Navigation) and ambient lighting. It’s about 5 inches shorter than the EQS (196.6 inches) and has seating for up to five. Estimated horsepower clocks in at 288 hp and has a 90 kWh battery. Early rumors have price estimates around $70,000.
As these models are not yet available for sale, the information is subject to change.
Visit mbusa.com for more information.
[08.23.22]