ETN SAFETY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Title: ETN Safety Council Meeting
Date: August 5, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Thompson Truck Group – Knoxville, TN

Called By: Tennessee Trucking Association
Chair: Denna Mintz – Phillips & Jordan, Inc
Vice Chair: Angela Corbett – Great West Casualty Company
Secretary: Brian Fox – Morristown Drivers Service, Inc.

Call to Order

Denna Mintz welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order.

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

• Motion to Approve: Denna Mintz
• Seconded by: Craig Kendall
• Outcome: Minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Announcements (Presented by Marty Pollock)

• National Truck Driving Championship – Held in Minnesota.
• 95th Annual Convention – Scheduled for September 14–16.
• Knoxville Scales Roadside Event – Scheduled for September 30.
• Next ETN Safety Council Meeting – October 7.
• Fall Conference in Chattanooga – November 5–7, safety-oriented focus.

Discussion Topics

• Opening Remarks:
  Denna Mintz thanked everyone for attending and requested topic suggestions for the October meeting. Members were encouraged to email their suggestions, particularly regarding issues or challenges faced at their companies.
• Suggested Topic:
  Craig Kendall recommended focusing on operations and safety equipment. He proposed discussing tools such as collision avoidance systems and harsh event detection technologies.
• Medical Certificate Update:
  Discussion took place around recent updates to medical certificate regulations. Denna explained the exemption waiver and provided suggestions on addressing issues with noncompliant states.
• Driver Credential Auditing:
  Attendees discussed the importance of auditing driver credentials to prevent violations and reduce operational risks.

Guest Presentation – Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)

Presented by: Trooper Pedigo and Lieutenant Hixson

Topics Covered:

• THP’s truck-related coverage includes 34 counties.
• Lt. Hixson encouraged attending a scale house roadside inspection day.
• There are 37 steps in a proper truck inspection.
• Pre-Trip Inspections:
  • Importance of developing a routine.
  • Specific items to check: brake drums (for rust/corrosion), tire pressure and depth, breakaway devices on hotshot trucks, exhaust system, and valves.
  • Running the truck during inspections helps detect air leaks and other issues.
  • Mechanics typically take about 12 minutes for a thorough inspection.
  • Most roadside violations are preventable through proper inspections.

Closing Remarks from THP:
Trooper Pedigo and Lt. Hixson thanked all truck drivers for their service, emphasizing that nearly all goods move by truck at some point.

Attendees then moved outside for a live demonstration led by Lt. Hixson on how THP inspects a semi-truck during roadside checks.

Adjournment

Next Meeting: October 7, 2025

Meeting Minutes Prepared By:
Brian Fox – Morristown Drivers Service, Inc.