Welcome to the Garden State Towing Association, or GSTA. The GSTA was
founded in 1987 and remains dedicated to being the voice of New
Jersey's towing industry since 1987. On this site you will find all
sorts of helpful resources for towing professionals, as well as a list
of GSTA certified members. Please review the information provided on
this site, and if it is helpful to you, we'd love to have you on our
team!
GSTA has its own google calendar downlad it here
- FMCSA Restrictions on Mobile phones began 01/03/12 -
On January 3, 2012 the new US DOT Cell Phone ban went into effect for the transportation industry. The Safety Specialists at National Safety Compliance, have received a number of questions regarding this new rule. Below are some resources and clarifications you may find helpful:
Notice
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2011/Secretary-LaHood-Announces-Step-towards-Safer-Highways.aspx"
Rule
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/rulemakings/rule-programs/rule_making_details.aspx?ruleid=347"
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FAQ
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/other/faq/cellphone-ban-faqs.aspx
What kinds of communications does it cover?
This rule is restricted to Mobile Phone communications. A driver may use a cell phone but " they must be able to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button while the driver is in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt." Push To Talk phones, such as Nextel and those offered by Verizon are not allowed as they require the continuous holding of the phone and depressing of the TALK button to operate. TEXTING and DIALING your phone violates this rule.
CB Radios are NOT covered by this rule!
Who is covered by this rule?
Drivers operating Commercial Motor Vehicles engaged in Interstate Commerce or operating only Intrastate but carrying placard able amounts of HAZMAT are included. Non-CDL drivers operating vehicles over 10,000 lbs across state lines would therefore be part of this rule; The rule only applies when operating the Commercial Motor Vehicle. Tow Truck operators on an emergency police dispatch are not covered.
What are the consequences?
$2,750.00 fine to the driver per incident! Up to a maximum of $11,000 fine to the carrier!
Disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses. Additionally, states will suspend a driver's commercial driver's license (CDL) after two or more serious traffic violations
What should you do?
As an employer - inform your drivers about this rule. Modify your policies to address the new regulation. Invest in state of the art hands free devices if your business demands continued communication.
As driver - turn off your phone while driving and change your Voicemail message to say " Leave me a message and I will call you back when I pull over ".
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CHANGE IN LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHILADELPHIA
A new ordinance was passed which tightened a loophole in the previous ordinance. All tows in the City of Philadelphia now require a Towing License. You may obtain an application on their website at www.phila.gov/li. Questions may be directed to Thomas McDade, Executive Director of Development Services at the Department of Licenses and Inspections, City of Philadelphia.
The city has reviewed and reversed their decision. IF YOU ARE PICKING UP OR DROPPING OFF it is considered doing business in Philadelphia and you are required to have a license.
CINDY TURSI, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GSTA PASSES AWAY
The association extends its sincere condolences to the family of Cindy Tursi, former Executive Director of the Garden State Towing Association. Cynthia M. Novacek Tursi, 61, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2011. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia and a former resident of Hillsborough, Cynthia resided in Branchburg for 24 years. Mrs. Tursi, retiring in 2008, had been self-employed for twenty years as an Association Manager. She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Nichols Tursi. Surviving are her beloved husband of 32 years, Noel A. Tursi; her loving son, Dustin Tursi; her cherished granddaughter, Summer Ann Tursi; her dear father, Henry Novacek; her dear brother, Terry (Florence) Lunger; her niece, Tera Lunger; and her nephew, Hutch Novacek. At the request of the family, funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of
Branchburg Funeral Home
910 US Highway 202 South
Branchburg, NJ 08876
(908) 526-7638.
Please contact Mary Leigh Barbusin with any questions at 732-530-4782 or email at mlb@gsta.org
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION NEEDS OUR ATTENTION
Senate Bill 3030
Sponsored by Senator Robert M. Gordon
Increases penalties for repeated violations of Predatory Towing Prevention Act.
This bill would increase the penalties for repeated violations of the Predatory Towing Prevention Act. The bill specifies that each instance of towing a motor in violation of the Predatory Towing Prevention Act should be considered a separate and distinct violation. In addition, the bill would create the crime of a “pattern of predatory towing,” defined as having committed 10 or more violations of the towing guidelines set forth in the Predatory Towing Prevention Act or a substantially similar crime under the laws of another state or the United States.
A person convicted of a pattern of predatory towing would be guilty of a crime in the fourth degree. A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both. The bill would also require that a person convicted of a pattern of predatory towing be permanently barred from providing commercial towing services, unless the court finds that such permanent debarment would be a serious injustice which overrides the need to deter such conduct by others.
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. We encourage you to write your legislators and ask them not to support the bill. GSTA will supply you with the information on where you can contact your legislators as well as a sample letter.
The GSTA Legislative Committee is currently working on this issue. Please help us defeat this bill.
GSTA Bylaws
Article XI Record Date
For voting purposes, the record date for determining members shall be 30 days prior to the meeting wherein an election is to be held or any other action is to take place requiring a vote of the membership.
Save the Date
National Driver Certification Level III Written Re-test Now Available If you are ready to recertify for Level III and are interested in taking the written exam we need to hear from you. We would like to schedule a study group if we have enough interest. The written exam may be taken at any of the regularly scheduled certification testing dates. Currently, testing is scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month at 5:00 pm at New Jersey Motor Truck. You must be pre-registered to test. Please contact Mary Leigh if you are interested in testing or the study group. Testing datesNew Jersey Motor Truck
160 Tices Lane
East Brunswick, NJ 08816