TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.02.04 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending February 4, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ELDs and autonomous vehicles:
ELDs
Regarding the articles in this section about how the FMCSA is revoking a particular Electronic Logging Device (ELD) from its list of self-certified products, you may wish to see these articles on our site:
- Electronic Logging Devices Mandate Commentary
- In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a “self-certification” product?
We’re sorry that any truckers are having to go through the process of replacing expensive ELDs or learning a new technology.
But it’s not like we didn’t see this coming…
- Carriers using this ELD should revert to paper logs until they can be replaced
- CEO of ELD ONE vows to fix platform after FMCSA revocation
- ELD mandate only increased trucker deaths & fatal crashes, multiple studies show
- FMCSA adds ELD ONE to revoked list Land Line
- FMCSA removes another ELD from its list of Registered Devices
- FMCSA removes ELD ONE from its list of approved devices
- FMCSA revokes a second ELD this week, users should switch to paper logs
- FMCSA revokes ELD ONE’s registration on list of approved devices
- FMCSA Revokes Nationwide ELD Compliance – Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
- Provinces differ in ELD enforcement penalties
Autonomous vehicles
I am most definitely opposed to the operation of self-driving, driverless, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the general motoring public, but share these articles as a courtesy to help you stay current on the topic.
Of particular interest this week are articles about how the state of California is looking to require the presence of a human being in the “autonomous” trucks running there (meaning that if that passes, these trucks will never be totally without a human being).
- Bill would outlaw the operation of self-driving trucks without a human driver on board in California
- Confessions of a self-driving truck
- Daily Infographic: Tesla expected to begin production of Cybertruck in Texas
- FMCSA asks public for comment on how to regulate self-driving trucks
- FMCSA proposes new requirements for driverless trucks
- FMCSA seeks additional comments on autonomous trucks regulations
- FMCSA Seeks Input on Regulating Autonomous Commercial Vehicle Safety
- FMCSA seeks more feedback on automated driving systems –
- FMCSA seeks more feedback on regs related to autonomous trucks
- GM’s Self-Driving Expansion Faces Challenges in San Francisco
- Pronto focusing more on off-road autonomy amid on-highway software challenges
- Q&A: Waabi’s Trucking Exec on Autonomous Technology
- Self-Driving Semis at Center of California Regulatory Conflict
- Tesla Gets Justice Department Subpoena for Self-Driving Features
- The road to TMS and autonomous truck integration
- TuSimple denies push for espionage probe
- TuSimple Says It Didn’t Share Tech With China-Linked Hydron
- Waabi: Using AI to Train Autonomous Trucks Means Faster Commercialization [Podcast]
2. Regarding accident – ejected, accident – hit and run, accident – legal, accident – weather, train crash, and truck route:
Accident – ejected
The article did not say “how” the driver was ejected, but I’ve never read an article about such an ejection where the driver was wearing a seatbelt.
My husband Michael and I know a trucker who was once involved in an accident that was so violent that the front axle of the tractor became detached.
When he was asked by law enforcement afterwards if the trucker had been wearing a seatbelt, he said yes, and the officer told him something that I will summarize like this, “Good. It saved your life.”
Yes, we know that wearing a seatbelt may be uncomfortable, but trust us when we tell you that in an emergency, there simply isn’t time to put it on!
Accident – hit and run
Please pay attention to the dimensions of your truck when you are near other vehicles!
This accident was completely preventable!
BTW, if you’re ever involved in a collision, don’t just drive off.
With all of the surveillance cameras being used around the world today, chances are good that “running” truckers will be caught and the penalties could be even worse than if they had stopped.
Accident – legal
I’m surprised that more local governments are not cracking down on companies and truckers involved in low clearance accidents like the one described in this section.
You may wish to review these pages from our website:
- Low Clearance Bridges and Overpasses: How to Watch for and Avoid
- CMV GPS Low Clearance Report Form; Low Clearance Awareness Day
Furthermore, we wish that trucking companies would:
- either issue a list of approved CMV-specific GPS units that truckers can use in their trucks;
- or just go ahead and install an approved unit in their tractors.
Here’s the article:
Accident – weather
Please practice discernment about whether or not it is safe to drive in certain winter weather conditions.
You may wish to read these articles on our site:
- Refuse to Drive a Truck When These Situations Happen
- Whistle Blowing Truckers: STAA Law on Retaliation, Vindication
Meanwhile, here are some trucking accidents that either are — or I suspect — are due to bad weather conditions.
- Fifty vehicle pileup reported on I-39/90 in Wisconsin
- I-70 near Denver shut down for hanging semi truck
- Sunday night freeze creates pile-up chaos on St. Louis highways
- UPDATE: 85 vehicles involved, 27 injuries reported in massive Wisconsin pile-up
Train crash
Every crash that occurs when a truck is on the tracks when a train is coming is completely avoidable.
Please see site: Railroad Crossing Accident Prevention for Semi Tractor Trailers
- Truck hit by train for second time within a week on North Carolina railroad track
- Truckers escape without injuries from collisions with freight trains
Truck route
The video/article in this section describes a problem with a trucker taking a non-truck route.
Please see on our site: Truckers Atlas: Compare Cost Savings of Trucker Maps.
3. Regarding fatalities, death, weather, and ice:
Fatalities
We extend our sympathies and deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the accidents described in the section immediately below.
Please do everything reasonable that you can to avoid being involved in a fatal accident!
- Banned vehicles were involved in Ohio Turnpike pileup that killed four, according to report
- Motorist’s semi truck pass attempt ends in fatal crash with second rig
- POLICE: Driver in fatal hit-and-run turned himself in
- Trucker turns self in for fatal hit-and-run
- U.S. DOT address traffic fatalities by improving local roads
- Wrong way motorist charged in Wyoming crash involving CMVs that killed 5 students, could face decades in prison
Death
If there was no foul play, I can’t help but wonder if this trucker had been jabbed.
- Trucker’s cause of death pending after being found in cab of semi truck
- UPDATE: Driver found in cab of semi truck has been identified
Weather
Please monitor weather conditions and do not drive if it is not safe to do so.
- Remember, bridges first things on road to freeze
- Treacherous driving conditions continue in southern US
- Trucker struck by lighting could only think about how he’s “not going to be able to do this no more”
- Winter storm causes 3rd day of dangerous, icy conditions
- Winter weather snarls traffic throughout Texas, Mid-South
Ice
Every winter, this issue comes up.
And every winter since they were published, I refer to these pages on our site:
- Snow And Ice Removal Questions
- Addressing Snow Removal from Semi Tractor Trailers
- No Snow Roof – A Solution for Eliminating Snow and Ice on Trailer Roofs
Perhaps someday, a manufacturer will take my idea seriously?
We hope the trucker who was struck will make a full recovery!
4. Regarding electric vehicles, fuel, and emissions:
Electric vehicles
In my opinion, this short article is worth reading:
Electric vehicles are a SCAM — here’s why.
I have also read articles about how difficult it is to put out an electric car fire and how long it will take to replace an electric car battery.
Again, please do your due diligence before you invest any money into a completely electrically-powered commercial motor vehicle.
- Automakers Eye Market for Small Electric Pickups
- Broad EV rollouts constrained by infrastructure challenges: Daimler Truck CEO
- Daimler built excess electric truck capacity in ’22
- Does Hyliion’s Hypertruck ERX Beat BEVs at Their Own Game? [Video]
- DTNA’s John O’Leary Says Infrastructure Challenges Slowing EV Expansion
- Electric trucks as-a-service provide low-cost entry into zero emissions
- Infrastructure the Greatest Barrier to EV Deployment: DTNA’s O’Leary
- Mack, Volvo Name More EV-Certified Dealers
- Paccar builds electric truck portfolio deliberately
- Proposed Exemptions for Electric Truck Transitions
- SUVs Emerge as Hot Point in EV Tax Credit Debate
- Travel Centers of America to install 1,000 chargers for battery electric vehicles
- TravelCenters and Electrify America Team Up to Install EV Charging Stations
- Treasury Expands Tax Credits to More Electric SUVs
- Volvo Trucks Expands EV Dealer Network
- Volvo, Mack electric trucks have cabin that may catch fire
Fuel
- AAA retail diesel average now $4.676 Fuel prices
- Benchmark diesel price up, but futures markets take big downturn
- Diesel fuel on the rise once again as national recession talk looms
- Diesel prices continue upward trend
- Diesel Up 1.8¢ to $4.622 in Third Increase of 2023
- Fuel giant Exxon reports unprecedented profits for 2022 as travel, war in Ukraine heated up
- Fuel tax rate changes addressed at nine statehouses
- House Republicans Seek New Restrictions on Use of Oil Stockpile
- Natural gas truck sales volatile, filling stations decrease
- Nikola CEO Talks Fuel Cells, BEVs, Hydrogen Production
- Weekly Fuel Report: January 31, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: January 30, 2023
Emissions
5. Regarding drugs, smuggling, violence, parking, and pedestrian:
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much of an incentive has been dangled in front of you.
- Brampton trucker, passenger charged after 100 kg of suspected cocaine found in trailer
- Daily Infographic: Truckers’ positive drug tests up 18% in 2022
Smuggling
Never ever transport people as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how much you’ve been promised.
Violence
- Police seeking public’s help after trucker shooting on I-70
- Trucker wounded Sunday morning in shooting on I-70 west of Denver
- UPDATE: Black pickup involved in I-70 shooting that wounded trucker
Parking
Pedestrian
6. Regarding dash cam, business, inspections, insurance, and events:
Dash cam
Having a forward-facing truck cam, smart cam, or dash cam in one’s tractor is a great idea.
One must weigh the potential invasion of privacy of having a cab-facing truck cam mounted in and running in one’s tractor.
- Evidence for Dash Cam Skeptics
- OHP dash cam video captures cable barrier ‘probably saving some lives’ from skidding semi truck
Business
- ATA sounding a little like an owner-op on trucking challenges
- The ES Advantage: Answering Your Questions On Becoming More Profitable
Inspections
Insurance
- Carriers Hoping to See Relief After Years of Insurance Premium Increases
- Don’t be lured into dishonesty with insurers to lower premiums
- HDVI Updates Offering to Help Fleets Control Insurance Costs
- The most under-appreciated insurance in trucking
- WATCH: Texting and driving or hoping for an insurance payout?
Events
7. Regarding economy, efficiency, and politics:
Economy
These are some of the most recent articles having to do with the economy from the trucking industry’s perspective.
- 2023 Top 500 For-Hire list shows tractors up 3%
- 5 takeaways: Fuller and Strickland review state of the freight market
- Class 8 new truck orders dip, but analysts discount fears –
- Class 8 orders slide for fourth straight month
- Class 8 truck orders take a timeout in January
- Daily Infographic: December trailer orders 2nd highest on record
- December sales of new trucks reach historic levels for a strong close to 2022
- Fed Lifts Rate by Quarter-Point, Signals More Hikes Ahead
- Fed? Recession? Mega-warehouse activity missed the memo
- For shippers, flexible operators key during slowdown and preparing for growth
- FTR: Truck Order Activity Healthy Despite Decline
- Inflation, Consumer Spending Cool in December
- M&A Trucking and Logistics Activity to Stay Strong in 2023
- Markets are bad, but they could be worse
- Spot markets are flatlining
- Three Companies Expand in Kentucky Distribution, Logistics Hub
- Trailer demand surges to record highs
- Truckstop, Bloomberg Intelligence survey shows carrier caution over demand, rates
- Volume returning to trucking market, but carriers aren’t feeling it (yet)
- White Paper: State of the Industry — February 2023
Efficiency
There is a never-ending quest to make vehicles more efficient.
Learn more…
- Could Hydrogen Energy be the Answer to Fuel Efficiency Challenges
- Daimler SuperTruck II showcases the future of freight efficiency
- EPA’s Clean Truck Plan Drives for More Efficient Tech in Trucking Innovation
- Freightliner’s SuperTruck II Debuts Latest Efficiency Innovations
- Trucking fleet maintenance can improve fuel efficiency
Politics
I disagree with the concept of platooning, simply because other motorist may want to cut in between platooning vehicles — and thereby raise the risk of being involved in an accident..
8. Regarding employment, home time, recruiting, retention, training, and turnover:
Employment
- Arrival cuts 800 jobs as it seeks survival
- Daily Infographic: Amazon layoffs hit drone division
- FedEx Freight announces another round of driver furloughs
- FedEx to Cut Management Jobs by More Than 10%
- January Hiring Burst Stuns Economists as Market Adds 517,000 Jobs
- Jobless Aid Filings Lowest Since April 2021
- More workers in truck transportation in 2022 than earlier estimate
- Put your best foot forward: Know what’s on your record before applying
- Rivian Cuts 6% of Workforce, Spares Blue Collar Workers
Home time
Recruiting
Retention
Training
- Effective driver training could help save lives
- More centers, more opportunities for more money: Walmart offers more driver training
Turnover
- Alchemist finds people-first approach the solution to high turnover
- How One Flatbed Carrier Empowers Truck Drivers to Stick Around
9. Regarding operations, securement, equipment, parts, tires, and weight:
Operations
Securement
Professional truck drivers are responsible for making sure that the loads on/in their trailers are secure from shifting and sliding:
Equipment
Parts
- Comments on side underride guards sought by fed agency
- CVSA petition to remove rear impact guard labeling requirement denied
- DOT to Seek Comment on Side Underride Guards for Trailers
- Fleet Focus: When buying a truck, engine size is an important consideration
- Fleet petitions FMCSA to allow pulsating brake lights
- NHTSA begins process for side trailer underride guard rulemaking
- NHTSA begins trailer side-underride-guard rule process
- NHTSA denies petition on rear-impact guard labels
Tires
- Georgia DPS calls out truck driver for using ‘NASCAR slicks’
- How to Safely Change Commercial Truck Tires
Weight
10. Regarding final mile, last mile, nearshoring, ports, and next day:
Final mile
Last mile
Nearshoring
Ports
- Borderlands: Port Laredo No. 1 for US-Mexico agricultural trade, report shows
- Moving Freight at Ports with Younger Drivers is in Discussion with New Bill
- Trucking Groups Urge Reservation Changes at Southern California Ports
Next day
11. Regarding rates, recalls, roads, and supply chains:
Rates
- Latest data from Truckstop, FTR show spot rates moving with seasonal expectations
- More rates-outlook pessimism — and more freight fraud
Recalls
- Kenworth T680, Peterbilt 579 trucks recalled
- Volvo fined $130 million by NHTSA for recall violations
- Volvo Group Hit With $130 Million Penalty Over Recall Issues
- Volvo to pay $130M for failure to issue timely recalls
Roads
- Detroit traffic on I-94 will detour in both directions this weekend
- I-80 in Wyoming closed almost immediately after reopening
- Major Detroit interstate closure coming this weekend
- Part of I-94 in Detroit to be closed during the weekend; reopens Monday
- Should federal grants favor highway repair over expansion?
Supply chains
12. Regarding recognition:
We gratefully acknowledge those folks who helped truckers this week.
- Good Samaritans struck by jackknifing semi while directing traffic around previous wreck
- VIDEO: Motorist lends hand to trucker overturned in roundabout
- WATCH: DFW Jeep club lends a hand to truckers stuck on icy roads
- WATCH: Mexican truck driver sacrifices his own truck to keep cars from passing him on busy highway
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: 2023.02.04 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
