TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.02.11 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending February 11, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding bottlenecks, theft, and fatalities:
Bottlenecks
Vicki reported this from email on our TruckDriversMoneySavingTips page on Facebook on February 8, 2023:
- Bottleneck report finds traffic conditions continue to deteriorate post-pandemic
- California roads mark 3 of America’s 10 most congested truck bottlenecks list
- Expected Bottlenecks to Watch for in 2023
- New Jersey intersection is top freight bottleneck in U.S.
- Texas again home to the worst traffic in the U.S.
- Texas again home to the worst traffic in the U.S.
- These are America’s top 10 worst trucking bottlenecks
- Top 10 Truck Bottlenecks
- Truck bottlenecks are worst at these locations
Theft
Please do everything in your power to help prevent theft of any and all kinds from your person, your possessions, your truck, and the cargo on board.
- Cargo thefts spike 15% across US, Canada in 2022
- Driver in stolen semi purposely smashes into patrol car while fleeing rest stop hiding place
- Loaded and Rolling: Cargo thefts surge 15% in 2022; LMI January data
- New report shows theft increases across supply chain in 2022
- Reported Cargo Thefts Increased 20% in 2022
- Senators Introduce Catalytic Converter Theft Bill
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those whose loved ones passed away.
- Driver dies in one-vehicle crash in northwest Oregon
- Fed Ex truck driver dies in wreck with Amtrak train in Missouri
- FedEx driver dead after crash with passenger train
- Millions pledged in fed effort to stem road deaths
- POLICE: Trucker expected to face charges for running red light in fatal crash with pickup
- Rollover crash claims the life of lumber truck driver in Oregon
2. Regarding accidents: animals, dash cam, distracted, drowsy, hit and run, hours, low clearance, pedestrian, rollover, shifting load, smoke, speeding, trapped:
Accidents
Please take a few minutes to scan through these articles to see what you might be able to avoid so as not to be involved in an accident.
- Animals: Speed limits lowered on Utah interstates due to elk collisions
- Dash cam: Dash cam captures a car getting sandwiched between a truck and a bus
- Dash cam: Dash cammer says trucker committed a ‘smoke and run,’ leading to multi-vehicle crash
- Distracted: Truck driver admits to being distracted in work zone prior to losing load
- Drowsy/distracted: WATCH: A warning against driving drowsy or distracted
- Hit and run: Truck driver arrested for hit and run, no license, after allegedly striking Ohio overpass with oversized load without permit
- Hours: Smashed truckload of Jack Daniels leads to 10+ hour cleanup
- Low clearance: Bridges, trees and low-clearance driver stories
- Low clearance: Semi stikes bridge, closes I-75 overpass in Ohio
- Low clearance: Trailer left behind after truck bed smashes into overpass
- Low clearance: Trucker “just decided to gun it” under low bridge and scraped off top of trailer, witnesses say
- Pedestrian: Man struck by tractor trailer, car while running across highway
- Rollover: VIDEO: Driver finds out that the truck rollover warning sign is there for a reason
- Shifting load: Shifting load sends steel beam through truck’s cab
- Smoke: Florida roadway closed as smoke from controlled burn causes poor visibility
- Smoke: Footage points at smoke from semi-truck as cause of multi-vehicle accident on California’s Highway 154
- Speeding: Speeding tractor-trailer collides with parked Wyoming trooper unit
- Trapped: Four rig, three vehicle crash traps infant in wrecked vehicle
3. Regarding electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, fuel, emissions, and batteries:
Electric vehicles
Before investing in an electric vehicle — especially an electric commercial motor vehicle — please do your due diligence.
- Finnish EV Fast-Charger Maker Setting Up Shop in North Carolina
- Mercedes bringing all-new electric Sprinter van to Canada
- Some Mack and Volvo electric trucks face recall for coolant heater issue
- Volvo receiving more parts shipments by electric truck
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose the operation of autonomous, self-driving, or driverless commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but share these articles as a courtesy to help you stay current with the topic.
- Electric, Autonomous Trucks Hold Promise, Executives Say
- Republican Policymakers Spotlight Autonomous Vehicles’ Benefits
Fuel
- ACT Research: Class 8 natural gas truck sales mixed, while infrastructure declines
- BMW Hopes to Ride the Wave of Hydrogen Trucking Stations
- Crude oil down $101 per barrel by 2024, EIA says
- Cummins sees billions from hydrogen electrolyzers
- Daily Infographic: US crude oil production will increase to new records in 2023 and 2024
- Diesel Drops 8.3¢ to $4.539 a Gallon
- Diesel fuel averages dip slightly
- Diesel price for U.S. drops a penny, ProMiles says; feds show hike
- DOE Encourages 33 Regional Hydrogen Hubs to Compete in Final Funding Phase
- DOE/EIA price falls as diesel market heads into Russian export restrictions
- Fleet Advantage survey gets feedback on alternate-fuel trucks, finance trends, strategies
- Gasoline Shipping Costs Soaring After Russia Sanctions
- Love’s offers ten cent auto diesel and gas discount through April 30
- Nikola receives CARB OK for Tre hydrogen fuel cell EV
- Scientific Advancements in Ammonia-to-Power Engine Tech
- Sheetz extends discounted DEF prices
- Wabtec VP: US needs to invest in hydrogen rail technologies
- Weekly Fuel Report: February 07, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: February 06, 2023
Emissions
- FHWA to Start Funding Program to Lower Truck Emissions at Ports
- Nebraska senator hoping to end EPA’s new big rig emissions standards before they begin
- Senate Republicans aim to abolish Biden’s trucking emissions rule
- Viewpoint: Culture of convenience worsens emissions, but solutions arise
Batteries
4. Regarding economy, bypass, rates, tolls, employment, and recession:
Economy
The following are some of the most recent articles about the economy from the perspective of the trucking industry:
- ACT Research: Class 8 Truck orders hit 18,400 units in January
- Bubble Wrap is deflating, thanks partially to inflation
- Check Call: What if it’s not the worst time to buy?
- Forward Air shares whacked after tonnage, shipment size and weight fall
- January Class 8 Truck Orders Continue Monthly Decline
- Lag effect: Why liner profits stay high much longer than spot rates
- Record Level Trailer Orders Point to Rising Industry Needs
- The Numbers Show Increases – But Freight Carriers Still Wait for Impact
- Truck orders skid for fourth month in a row
- Trucking demand visibility is far more important than supply
- Volkswagen Misses Full-Year Cash Target After Supply Chain Woes
- Volvo sets record for global truck deliveries, grows share
- Wabash National sales surge on new strategy, pent-up demand
Bypass
Rates
- Flatbed carrier Daseke sees industry hitting new peak for rates in 2025
- Maersk: Container shipping contract rates will sink to spot levels
Tolls
- Rising Toll Costs Creates a Unique Opportunity for Partnership – DriveWyze + BestPass
- Toll increase should be ‘last option,’ says New York state official –
- What is Happening with the Rising NE US Tolls?
Employment
- Driver Poll: Have you had to turn down a job because they didn’t have a truck for you?
- Trucking jobs increased in January
- VinFast Cuts About 80 Jobs in North America, Including US CFO
- What’s Going on with Trucking Jobs Numbers?
Recession
5. Regarding parts, Right to Repair, and liftgate:
Parts
- 3 Ways to Determine Which Truck Parts are Best for Your Fleet
- Automatic emergency braking issue coming up in March
- How owner-operators have adapted to parts shortage challenges
- Truck Parts Becoming More Accessible in 2023 Supply Shifts
Right to Repair
Liftgate
6. Regarding drugs and prescriptions:
Drugs
Never, ever agree to haul illegal drugs, no matter how much you’ve been promised.
- $5.5 million worth of meth seized from truck’s shipment of radishes
- CBSA busts trucker with 84 kg of suspected cocaine in trailer
- FMCSA plans tweaks to Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
- Rising Positive Marijuana Tests Raise Concerns About Road Safety
Prescriptions
7. Regarding flood, fraud, inspection, and last mile:
Flood
Never, ever try to drive a commercial motor vehicle through high water.
Fraud
Do not attempt to defraud anyone as a professional truck driver.
- Fraudulent bills of lading, false statements to FMSCA, and disaster fraud accusations lead to federal charges for two Kentucky residents
- Individuals face fraud charges against factoring, broker companies
- Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement calls out DIY license plate
- Kentucky duo indicted for defrauding freight companies
- Two charged in freight fraud scheme
Inspection
Last mile
8. Regarding ELDs, parking, and politics:
ELDs
Regarding the articles in this section about how the FMCSA is revoking another 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…
- Another ELD hits chopping block
- ELD removal trend continues
- FMCSA places ELD on its ‘Revoked Devices’ list; third one in recent days
- FMCSA revokes another ELD’s certification
- Third ELD revoked by FMCSA in last two weeks
- Trucker Tools, Samsara Partner to Expand ELD One Click Integration Network – Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
- Truckers should switch to paper logs as FMCSA slaps a third ELD device off the approved list
Parking
- Police in Arizona town warn of ‘zero tolerance’ enforcement for trucks parked in residential areas
- Search for Truck-Parking Solutions Continues [Commentary]
- Survey seeks participants with knowledge of Florida truck parking
Politics
Please be aware that legislation and laws concerning trucking change all the time.
- Automated ticket cameras a legislative topic in at least 19 states
- Idling rules topic of legislation in multiple statehouses
- New Mexico considers banning big rigs from the left lane
- New Mexico considers left lane ban for truckers State
- Republican senators seek to overturn new EPA truck emissions standards
- Sen. Fischer targets EPA rule on heavy-duty trucks
- Senators introduce legislation to nullify recent heavy-duty EPA regs
- Senators seek to overturn recent EPA rule on heavy-duty truck emissions
9. Regarding ports, restriction, and supply chain:
Ports
- A clean fuel alternative for heavy-duty trucks in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
- Trucking Groups Encourage Southern California Ports to Work on Efficiency with a Pilot Program to Coordinate Drivers and Docks
Restrictions
Supply chain
10. Regarding training, issues, and listening:
Training
Before you start going through any training program to get your Commercial Driver’s License, please make sure that you know what the terms are, the long-range implication of those terms, and that you will not be exploited in the process.
- 4 Things to Know About the Entry Level Driver Training Rule
- FMCSA’s under-21 driver pilot program worth the hassle?
- Missouri Feels the Strain – Offers $59mil in CDL Training Opportunities
- South Dakota Technical Colleges Get Funds for CDL, Diesel Tech Programs
- Southern Virginia community college starting CDL program in March
- Up to $20K available to train and onboard new truck drivers
Issues
Listening
11. Regarding maintenance and recalls:
Maintenance
- How to set up a winning preventive maintenance workflow
- Routine Maintenance is the Lifeblood of Your Rig
Recalls
- Mack, Volvo recalling some BEVs over fire concern
- NHTSA: Volvo Group NA Failed to Comply with Recall Requirements
12. Regarding recognition:
Recognition
This video in the article linked below reveals the actions of 3 truck drivers:
- one trucker who pulled out in the face of oncoming traffic (an extremely dangerous and unwise move);
- one trucker who managed to avoid a T-bone accident (by swinging around behind the first truck, even though he didn’t stay in his lane of travel); and
- one trucker who “hung back” to see what would happen (a good move since a T-bone accident might have happened right in front of him).
Please remember that you are driving a commercial motor vehicles with a long trailer behind you and leave room for turns and oncoming traffic.
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: 2023.02.11 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
