"The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association has been in contact with the Department of Transportation and other agencies regarding OOIDA members' generosity and willingness to help in the relief efforts on the East Coast," says OOIDA's Todd Spencer. "However, because of the heartfelt outpouring of donations and volunteers responding to the disaster in New York City, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has asked the trucking industry to help stem the tide of trucks with donations coming into the disaster area."

OOIDA says the association will keep in touch with these agencies and will notify members should there become any need for assistance. Until then, OOIDA has been advised of the following: ·
(1) Please do NOT pick up any more donated loads. They are not needed at this time;
(2) Please do NOT send any volunteer drivers or equipment to the disaster area unless specifically requested, only authorized shipments that have a manifest/bill of lading will be allowed in the disaster area;
(3)For authorized deliveries into lower Manhattan: Truck traffic is now allowed south of Canal Street east of Broadway. Trucks must use Allen Street to access the area. (4) All trucks will be subject to a security check. Drivers should have identification and manifest/bill of lading.

"Additionally, there are many groups soliciting and collecting donations for the relief effort. Some names may be familiar, such as the American Red Cross, but other names may not be," says Spencer. "Unfortunately, we have heard reports of bogus collection efforts. If you are inclined to make a donation, be careful to whom you donate."