This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 27, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding economy and pay:
Economy
These are some of the most recent articles about the economy from the perspective of the trucking industry:
- ACT Research’s US Class 8 Tractor Dashboard showing ‘downbeat readings’
- As truckload rates fall, competition with intermodal intensifies
- Average Used Class 8 Price Weakens Again in July
- Canadian spot market dipped 26% in July: Loadlink
- Dropping rates, moderating truck prices on the way: ACT Research
- Durable Goods Orders Exceed Forecast
- For-hire truck tonnage dipped in July
- FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Weakened in June Amid Multiple Challenges
- Inflation Eases, Consumer Prices Rise 6.3% in July
- July Truck Tonnage Posts 5.1% Annual Gain
- Many Ports Report Record Volume Numbers in July
- Sales on the rise: Signs point to slowing market, but truck buyers keep buying
- SONAR Sightings for Aug. 23: Reefer volumes fall in Northern California
- Stormy weather: Falling load numbers and freight rates point to turbulent times ahead
- Truck tonnage down in July after June increase
- Trucking conditions continued negative trend in June | Kenworth T680s recalled
- Trucking conditions negative for second straight month
- Truckload Sector’s Q2 Slowdown Not as Bad as Feared
- What happens if we get a severe recession in 2023?
Pay
We do not endorse any of the companies listed in this section.
Before you hire on with any trucking company, be sure to do your due diligence.
- Daily Infographic: ATA survey: Truckload drivers in ’21 earned 18% more than 2 years earlier
- DHL Express boosts hourly wages by double digits at Cincinnati hub
- Regular review key to setting pay, driver recruitment, expert says
- Utah-based Pride Transport raises driver pay
2. Regarding accidents, fatalities, alcohol, and smuggling:
Accidents
In last week’s TDMST Weekly Round-Up, I expressed an opinion about the number of accidents on the roads as being related to “the jab.”
According to an August 24, 2022, article (with obvious edits):
Motor vehicle accidents surging in tandem with the rollout of C*VID-!9 vaxxines — with news accounts linking the crashes to known adverse events such as seizures and mysterious “medical episodes.”
Do you — or do you not — concur with this assessment?
Please comment through the form below.
Meanwhile, please learn what you can from the articles linked below so that you don’t get into the same kind of set-up.
- B.C. increases enforcement after trucks hit overpasses
- Crash spills logs onto Virginia highway, jams up traffic
- Driver leaps to safety just before 18-wheeler flips off overpass
- Fiery I-40 crash stranded trucker for 17 hours
- Harris County sees most commercial vehicle crashes in Texas, data shows
- Notorious KC bridge gets a “meal” on 18 wheels
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those who passed away.
Please also learn from these articles.
- $15,000 fine, license suspension for trucker whose loose wheel killed trooper
- Attempt to pass semi on curve leaves mother dead, two children injured
- Driver dead after fiery collision with train
- One dead in eight truck crash and explosion, eastbound I-40 in Arkansas still closed
- Truck driver dead following 3 tractor-trailer crash in Georgia
- Trucker killed in twisted crash with bridge columns
- Trucker whose dislodged tire killed trooper fined $15,000
- Two teens dead after merging onto Maryland interstate at high speed, striking semi
Alcohol
Never ever attempt to drink alcohol and then drive a truck commercially (or any vehicle, for that matter).
Wait to drive until you are completely sober.
Smuggling
Never ever treat human beings — made in the image of God — as if they were cattle or cargo.
3. Regarding fuel, fuel – hydrogen, fuel – ICE, fuel efficiency, and fuel price:
Fuel
- California Moves Toward Phasing Out New Gas-Fueled Vehicles
- Used cooking oil: The journey from fryers to fuel
The first article in the section just above is similar to another one just below, regarding which I wrote this post (bold faced type added) on Facebook on August 25, 2022:
—–
What could *possibly* go wrong?
Concerning this article…
California to ban new gas vehicles by 2035 in push for EVs
https://www.axios.com/2022/08/24/california-gas-vehicle-ban-electric-vehicles-evs
… I simply searched for
“average commute time in California”
and immediately found resources:
California Average Commute Time by County
https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/united-states/quick-facts/california/average-commute-time
(Undated)
“Value for California (Minutes): 29.3”
Which States Have the Longest Commutes?
https://getjerry.com/insights/which-states-have-longest-commutes
(Dated Apr. 2022)
“According to data compiled by Jerry, the five states with the longest average commutes are Maryland, New York, California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.”
Commutes in this city are the longest in the US—and it’s not NYC or San Francisco
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/commutes-in-this-california-city-are-the-longest-in-the-us.html
(Dated Feb. 2019)
“The winner is Palmdale, California, which is part of North Los Angeles County, where 35 percent of the population commutes over two hours round-trip each day.”
How many electric vehicles will run out of charge or “juice” just on the daily commute — not to mention other types of travel?
Feedback?
—–
Fuel – hydrogen
- Amazon Signs Hydrogen Deal With Plug to Cut Fossil Fuel Use
- Amazon taps Plug Power for green hydrogen supply
- Canada, Germany to Start Hydrogen Shipments in 2025
Fuel – ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
- Biz Roundup: Navistar Calls it Quits on Internal Combustion Engine, PS Logistics Buys Noble Trucking
Per my comment in the “Fuel” section above, I think that this is a foolhardy move — and one that will eventually backfire.
Just saying.
Fuel efficiency
- 6 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency while Driving
- Truck drivers matter in the fuel economy equation
Fuel price
- Benchmark diesel price drop masks underlying strength in commodity markets
- Declining fuel prices threatened
- Diesel Pinch Looms as World Seeks Relief From Pricey Natural Gas
- Diesel prices: four regions see first increase in several weeks
- Gas Prices Fall for 70 Straight Days
- POLL: What’s your view of recent fuel-price drops?
- Regional Variance Produces Tiny Drop in Diesel’s National Average
- Weekly Fuel Report: August 23, 2022
- Weekly NTI Update: August 22, 2022
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and emissions:
An August 22, 2022, article entitled “Viewpoint: The year of labor — knowing your worth” stated:
We all know trade doesn’t work without people, from the worker who makes the products to those who move the coveted cargo.
In recent months, we have seen the men and women responsible for the transport of goods mobilize and push back on wage offers. They realize their worth and their pivotal role in the world of capitalism….
This is just one reason why I disagree with “autonomous” commercial motor vehicles.
Autonomous vehicles
I totally oppose autonomous, driverless, or self-driving commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public, but list these articles so that you can stay current with the subject.
Meanwhile, I am surprised — or perhaps “shocked” is a better word — that Pilot and Flying J truck stops plan to use self-driving trucks.
Will the quality of the service at these truck stops — that are visited by humans go down?
- Autonomous trucks continue to prove themselves in pilot projects
- Briefly: Pilot teams with Kodiak to provide autonomous truck services
- Cummins to integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving tech into advanced powertrain
- Daimler, Waymo Partner on Autonomous Test in Texas
- Gatik, Cummins announce autonomous partnership
- Geodis deploying 1,000 Locus Robotics autonomous mobile robots in global warehouses
- Kodiak, Pilot Partner on Autonomous-Truck Services
- No driver needed: Startup manufacturer Solo AVT sees a future for completely autonomous, electric vehicles
- Pilot announces plans to bring ‘self-driving truck services’ to Pilot and Flying J truck stops
- Pilot Company, Kodiak Robotics partner to supply self-driving truck services
- Pilot, Flying J partner driverless tech company
- Pilot, Kodiak Partner on Autonomous Truck Services
- U.S. Xpress Cuts Nondriving Staff, Slows Spending
- Waymo to Test Freightliner Redundant Autonomous Truck on Texas Highways
- Waymo, Freightliner set to test autonomous truck
Electric vehicles
- A first of its kind, Volvo’s elaborate electric big rig study wraps up
- CARB phases out gas-powered vehicles by 2035
- Covenant Official: Range Is Factor in EV Adoption
- Daily Infographic: Congress approves incentive boost for EV truck purchases
- Electric Cars Have a Big Tire Conundrum (link no longer online)
- McLane Company integrates Volvo VNR electric trucks into Southern California supply chain logistics
- Port of Oakland Advances Toward Electric Truck Transition
Emissions
- Are California Emissions Rules on a Collision Course with Trucking Industry?
- Toyota Backs Down in Fight Against California Emission Rules
- Truck manufacturers call for investment, coordination to support zero-emission vehicle rollout
Quoting from the first article listed in the section just above:
“Twenty-three percent of current cargo volumes are handled by trucks that have 2007 through 2009 engines, which will be required at the end of this year to turn over to at least a 2014 truck model year standard here in (the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach),” Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association, reportedly said. “Of total trucks in service, it’s just around 5,000 vehicles that are registered to do business here, and those active vehicles, right around 3,500 to 3,600. Suffice to say, removing a quarter of the capacity from the system could have profound impacts on our ability to get business done and move those boxes up the dock.”
While I appreciate that the state of California wants to limit emissions, I also bear in mind another statistic, this one from a June 25, 2022, article:
2022 data for state-to-state moves shows that of California moves, for every 37 moves in there are 100 out. (Only New Jersey is seeing greater outflow.)
So, instead of having to meet California’s perhaps overly restrictive demands, truckers may simply just move to a more truck-friendly state and leave Californians to their own destiny, consequence, or fallout of their own making.
5. Regarding parking, parking – punished, and dash trash:
Parking
While I appreciate the “shopping malls” and “stadiums” ideas that the writer of the article below suggested, there’s one that I keep mentioning over and over again:
Build truck stops adjacent to already established industrial parks!
Parking – punished
The city of New York City has started cracking down on professional truck drivers!
- Hundreds of trucks parked in Queens ticketed, booted or towed
- New York City cracks down on illegal big rig parking
- ‘Nowhere to park’ — Trucking group responds to city’s war on parked trucks in Queens
- NYC cracking down on illegally parked trucks
- NYC cracks down on illegal parking; trucking group says there’s nowhere else to park
- NYC Mayor announces ticketing blitz for trucks parked in Queens
- Truck parking crackdown in NYC ‘not about going after an industry’
Dash trash
When I wrote the page on our site entitled:
Dash Trash: What a Trashy Looking Truck Says and Does,
I was referring to the trash on top of the dash that can be seen through the windshield.
Well, the situation described in the articles listed in this section refers to trash under the dash that can lead to a trucker not being able to operate the pedals on the floor!
Can you imagine the conversation between the sloppy trucker with his driver manager — after the truck was involved in an accident — because the trash impeded the trucker’s ability to step on the brake pedal and thus stop the truck?
“Sorry, Boss, but I was too lazy to go get a trash bag and pick up after myself…”
Good grief!
- Georgia DPS calls out trucker’s messy cab as ‘extremely dangerous’
- Trashy cab called out by Georgia officials as ‘extremely dangerous’
6. Regarding technology and testing:
Technology
- Could Hybrid Tech Help Future Diesels?
- Drivewyze launches severe weather alerts on Safety+ platform
- The benefits of transparency and technology in a softening market
Testing
Just curious:
Why is there such a push for testing a trucker’s hair?
Can one find trace amounts of all of the major drugs in tested hair?
- Comments sought on Trucking Alliance’s request for hair drug testing
- FMCSA takes on request to allow hair tests into drug clearinghouse
- Group requests hair drug test results be reported to Clearinghouse
- Trucking Alliance asking FMCSA to allow hair tests into drug clearinghouse
- Trucking Alliance makes another pitch for hair testing
- Trucking Alliance Presses FMCSA to Include Hair Follicle Drug Testing in Clearinghouse
7. Regarding inspections, legal, and limiters:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your truck in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Are Your Brakes Ready for CVSA’s Brake Safety Week? [Podcast]
- Are Your Brakes Ready for CVSA’s Brake Safety Week? [Video]
- Arizona DPS conducting CMV inspection detail at I-17 rest area today
- Brake Safety Week is here
- Brake Safety Week now underway
- Check Call: Stop in the name of Brake Safety Week
- How to Stay Out of Trouble During Brake Safety Week
- Safety Series: Pre-trip checks save time and cash during CVSA inspections
- Spotted lanternfly egg-laying season starts soon
- Week-long brake inspection blitz is happening now
Legal
The first article in this section is about restroom access for truckers.
You may wish to see the pages on our site having to do with a review of a portable toilet and reasons to consider having a portable toilet in one’s truck.
- Bill requiring bathroom access for truckers stalls in PA committee
- Brokers’ negligence liability impacting owner-op opportunity
- California transportation rule extension heads to governor State
- PAM Transport reaches multimillion dollar settlement
- Preventing nuclear verdicts with Bluewire
- Teamsters, Universal Settle Labor Dispute
- Why trucking is peeved at the Supreme Court
- Wisconsin troopers put the brakes on unusual vehicle combination
Limiters
I oppose speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles!
8. Regarding roads and routing:
Roads
- FDOT unveils statewide lane closure notification system
- Flood washes out eastbound Interstate 10 in California
- FreightWaves Classics/ Infrastructure: I-80 is completed
- I-10 Corridor Study seeks drivers’ input
- I-40 eastbound closed west of West Memphis, Ark., for repairs
- I-40 in eastern Arkansas open again after fiery fatal wreck; multiple big rigs involved
- I-83 closed in both directions
- One EB I-10 lane reopened after flash flooding washout
- Portion of southbound I-65 in Alabama to close for part of next week
Routing
If one uses truck routes according to a truckers’ atlas, problems like the one described in the article below would never happen.
9. Regarding shut down, theft, tolls, weather, and wildlife:
Shut down
These articles are sad, but I think that more trucking companies will be following in their wake.
- Colonial Freight Systems to close after nearly 80 years
- Lead FedEx Ground contractor says he may shut his business by Nov. 25
Theft
- Driver was asleep in truck during last month’s massive jewel heist, Brink’s admits
- Suit: Brink’s truck driver asleep during California jewelry heist at Flying J
Tolls
Weather
- Flooding in Dallas-Fort Worth area disrupts freight operations
- Heavy rain floods streets, roadways across Dallas-Fort Worth area
Wildlife
10. Regarding business and Inflation Reduction Act:
Business
- Fleet productivity rises to highest in 2022, still sits below 2021 average
- Get beyond gross revenue/cost to what really matters in trucking
- Know Your Trucking Business Numbers: Know Your Numbers Series
- Understanding your network with the right tools helps shippers navigate unknown
Inflation Reduction Act
- 4 ways the Inflation Reduction Act could impact supply chains
- Inflation Reduction Act Offers Incentives to Increase Electric Truck Adoptions
- Trucking Calls IRA a Game Changer for ZEVs
11. Regarding maintenance:
12. Regarding recognition and awards:
Recognition
We recognize truckers who helped out their fellow human being(s) in a time of need.
Awards
We congratulate truckers who have met a milestone in their trucking careers.
- B.C.’s Philbrick shines at inspectors’ championship
- California Highway Patrol to host Truck Driver Appreciation lunch at weigh station
- FedEx Driver Wins Second National Truck Driving Championship
- FedEx Express driver wins grand championship at national driving competition
- NFI honors million-mile, accident-free drivers
- Nominations reopen for Drivers of the Month program
- NTDC Ties Record for Most Female Competitors
- Roland Bolduc Captures NTDC Crown for a Second Time
- Roland Bolduc crowned 85th National Truck Driving Championships’ grand champion
My husband Mike and I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2022.08.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
