TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.03.11 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 11, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Daylight Saving Time, inspections, comments, and employment:
Daylight Saving Time
- Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday at 2 a.m.; be sure to spring ahead
- Daylight saving time topic of bills across country
- Why do we have daylight saving time?
On Saturday, March 11, I wrote this on my personal Facebook profile regarding Daylight Saving Time:
Spring Forward and Fall Back
Government sanctioned deceptions we tell ourselves, pretending to work more efficiently, while throwing ourselves off balance twice a a year.
It’s long past time to permanently do away with the twice-a-year clock change!
If you agree, please contact your state and federal lawmakers to tell them to stop this practice and leave the clocks alone!
Meanwhile, I’d like to know if you’ve ever encountered a problem with law enforcement as a result of a time change (either forward or back).
Inspections
If you keep your rig and yourself in a perpetual state of readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Colorado troopers plan ‘strict’ statewide traffic enforcement operation for Friday
- International Roadcheck inspectors will be out May 16-18
Comments
Especially if you drive in, to, or through California, you may want to take the time to provide a comment.
- FMCSA extends comment period on upcoming rule to crack down on unscrupulous freight brokers
- Public comment period opens on California’s Clean Mobility Investments Draft Requirements and Criteria
Employment
- Decline in truck transportation jobs 3rd biggest in last decade
- Developing, engaging employees is key with an evolving workforce
- Embark Lays Off Workers, Explores Liquidation or Sale
- February Adds 311,000 Jobs Despite Fed’s Rate Hikes
- Finding drivers getting easier; making hires harder
- Perspective: The Right Recruiting Impression
- PSP records: A driver’s resume
- Trucking jobs down significantly in February
- Want to recruit and retain drivers? Then listen to them.
2. Regarding accidents, fatalities, and violations:
Accidents
Many large truck crashes are totally preventable — by the professional truck driver.
Every accident involving the following is totally preventable:
- low clearances,
- right turns,
- following distance being too short,
- being hit by a train on a railroad crossing, and
- collapse of a bridge not designed for large trucks to cross.
Please also practice defensive driving.
- Anatomy of a truck accident, best truck stops and supply chain stress tests
- Big rig collides with snowplow on I-80 in Wyoming
- Four hurt in ‘serious’ four semi truck crash on I-80 in Wyoming
- Georgia roadway blanketed in grain after semi trailer busts open
- Parked Illinois trooper struck by truck that drove through barricades in I-74 construction zone
- Pennsylvania crash ends with tractor-trailer hanging from I-80 bridge
- SUV driver cited for crash that sent big rig plunging off bridge in Pennsylvania
- Tractor-trailer bursts, spills grain across Georgia highway
- Train, dump truck collide at Ohio crossing; conductor killed
- Truck driver cited after crashing into Wyoming DOT snow plow
- Truck driver unable to bring home bacon after accident spills entire load
- Trucker crashed, tried to flee post-crash inspection, crashed again, New Hampshire troopers say
- VIDEO: Trucker passes out behind the wheel, demolishes power poles, bushes, and bus station
Fatalities
We express our deepest sympathy and offer our condolences to the families of those who passed away.
Please review these articles and endeavor never to repeat what led up to fatal crashes.
- Child killed when semi hauling U.S. Mail rear-ends car stopped in active lane of traffic
- Connecticut DOT’s Vision Zero Council aims to create policy to stem state’s roadway deaths
- Five dead after crash with tractor-trailer at North Carolina intersection
- Five dead in big rig crash after SUV driver ran stop sign, North Carolina police say
- One dead after trucker parked and sleeping on shoulder struck by second semi
- Tanker collides with tree and explodes, killing truck driver in Maryland
- Tanker truck driver dies after rig explodes into massive fireball, rocking Maryland neighborhood
- Tractor-trailer driver dead after collision with DUI suspect
- Who pays when a truck driver dies on the road?
Violations
Regularly review what is and is not acceptable when you are a professional truck driver.
Never engage in distracted driving!
- Alabama deputies shoot out tires, unleash canine, to stop wrong way semi driver in downtown Mobile
- CHP: SUV driver arrested for DUI following fatal crash that sent semi hauling doubles down embankment
- Driver caught with tablet propped on steering wheel along I-80
- VIDEO: CMV driver caught swerving had tablet propped on steering wheel, Wyoming troopers say
3. Regarding economy, business, income, taxes, tolls, and rates:
Economy
This section contains recent articles regarding the economy from the trucking industry’s perspective:
- Canadian spot market softer in February
- Class 8 Orders Rebound in February
- Class 8 truck sales strong in February, say two data companies
- Combustion Car Sales Struggling to Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels
- Deutsche Post DHL reports strong 2022 results, moderating Q4 performance
- February Class 8 Sales Up 35% to 20,136
- Forward Air’s tonnage declines ahead of peers; March numbers improve
- FTR: Class 8 Orders May be Stabilizing
- Imports sink again as wholesale inventories remain bloated
- Truck orders climb for the first time in five months
- Used tractor inventory levels rise again in Sandhills Global marketplaces
Business
Income
The article linked below stated:
Soaring costs throughout the year led a nearly 10% drop in income for the average owner-operator business, as shown in the chart above.
If you’re an owner-operator, was this your experience?
Please comment through the form below.
Taxes
Federal Excise Tax
- Bill seeks to repeal ‘outdated’ World War I-era federal tax on truckers
- Bipartisan bill to repeal FET reintroduced in Congress
- Bipartisan bill to repeal FET reintroduced in Congress
- Effort to repeal federal excise tax on new big rigs has broad support
- House Lawmakers Propose 12% Excise Tax Repeal
- Legislation would repeal 12% excise tax on heavy-duty trucks, trailers
State Tax Rates
- Daily Infographic: State tax rates for retail gasoline and diesel increased in 13 states in 2023
- Louisiana facing $563M in fuel tax losses due to increased fuel efficiency, electric vehicles
- Navigating Connecticut’s highway use tax
Tolls
Rates
4. Regarding fuel, oil, emissions, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles:
Fuel
- AAA retail diesel average now $4.375
- Another benchmark diesel price drop, but decline may be sputtering
- Average diesel prices continue falling
- Daily Infographic: Daily Russian fossil fuel revenues still at $500M
- Diesel Dips 1.2¢ to $4.282 a Gallon
- Hydrogen, Alternative Fuels Advancing Steadily, Natso Panelists Say
- It’s all hydrogen: CERAWeek focuses on potential fuel of the future
- Reliable fuel supply to drive your business forward
Oil
Emissions
Remember that many living things “emit” gases through the process of breathing.
People, dogs, cats, and other animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
If you’re in the market for a new (or newer) truck with lower or no emissions, please do your due diligence ahead of time.
- Cummins Establishes Dedicated Zero-Emissions Business Unit
- Cummins launches Accelera, a new zero-emissions power brand
- Cummins Launches New Brand to Further Zero-Emission Goals
- FET only slows migration to cleaner trucks
- How to Reduce CO2 GHG Emissions in the Transportation Sector
- Refrigerated trailers California’s next emissions target; Ndustrial gets ready
- The Winding but Accelerating Road to Zero Emissions for Trucking
- Zero-Emission Trucks on Display at TMC’s 2023 Annual Meeting [Photos]
Electric vehicles
Please do your due diligence before buying an electric commercial motor vehicle.
- 3 makers unveil new medium-duty electric trucks
- Battery-electric truck production to triple this year
- Canada Post brings battery-electric vehicles to Nanaimo
- Canada Post unveils electric cargo van
- Daily Infographic: Ford earns Postal Service’s latest EV contract
- Electric trucks get reality check at Green Truck Summit
- Hino adds electric models
- Hino Debuts Electric Versions of M- and L-Series Medium-Duty Trucks
- Hino partners with Sea Electric on electric vehicles
- Isuzu N-Series EV comes to Canada, U.S. and Japan
- Isuzu Rolls Out Its First All-Electric Truck
- Isuzu to launch N-Series electric truck next year
- Lion surpasses 10M miles on electric vehicles
- Mack debuts MD all-electric truck
- Mack electrifies with battery-electric MD
- Mack Trucks Unveils Its First Medium-Duty EV
- Mack Unleashes All-Electric Medium-Duty Trucks
- Mack unveils midrange electric truck
- Manufacturers race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather
- Parker debuts a pair of electric PTOs
- Purolator Plans Largest Investment to Electrify Network
- Purolator to invest $1B to electrify Canadian network
- Report: Battery-electric truck production expected to triple in ’23
- Rivian Tells Staff EV Output May Be 24% More Than Forecast
- Shyft Group gets in on shift toward electric delivery vehicles
- South Carolina to Help Revival of Scout Motors as EVs
- Spec’ing EV batteries and chargers isn’t all about size
- TrovaCV, Chateau Energy Solutions Team up for Simplified, Low-Cost EV Deployment
- Trucking Rolls up its Sleeves to Address ZEVs, Autonomous Tech
- Workhorse adds third EV to lineup
- Workhorse Reveals All-Electric Medium-Duty Step Van
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose the operation of self-driving, driverless, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same road as the motoring public, but share these articles to help you stay current on the topic.
- Autonomous vehicle makers outline regulatory, legislative recommendations
- Embark Autonomous-Truck Company Could Close its Doors
- FMCSA closes investigation into autonomous truck crash
- FMCSA’s Earl Adams Stresses Collaboration for Driverless Technology
- Founders of Defunct Argo AI Launch New Self-Driving Startup
- Manufacturers of automated trucks seek warning device exemption
5. Regarding AB5, alcohol, CBD, clearinghouse, and drugs:
AB5
Alcohol
CBD
Clearinghouse
- FMCSA closes drug and alcohol clearinghouse loophole
- FMCSA closes drug and alcohol clearinghouse loophole
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter the lucrative payout it may suggest.
6. Regarding parking, roads, and hitchhiking:
Parking
- MoDOT converting rest areas into truck parking
- Two Missouri rest areas permanently closing next week, to reopen in fall 2023 as truck parking
- Two MO rest areas to close next week, reopen as truck parking in October
Roads
- I-696 work begins in Michigan
- NDOT video aims to show drivers how to navigate a Diverging Diamond Interchange
- Northern California’s mountain roads closed as winter storm slams state
Hitchhiking
Unless one has a camera on the back of one’s trailer that can see if anyone is hitching a ride on the bumper, how will a trucker ever see a hitchhiker back there?
7. Regarding distracted driving, drowsy driving, safety, truckers, and testing:
Distracted driving
Drowsy driving
Safety
Truckers
What kind of “thank you” from a trucking company means the most to you?
- Truck Drivers Appreciate Company Praise, Survey Shows
- VIDEO: Social media influencer tries driving a manual semi truck for the very first time
Testing
- FMCSA’s Hutcheson: Revised guidelines by summer for drug hair testing
- Illinois Trucking Association Urges Fix to Biometric Law
8. Regarding parts, recalls, solar energy, specs, and trailer:
Parts
Recalls
If a recall has been issued for your tractor or trailer, please get the repair or replacement done as soon as possible.
- 60K Freightliner Trucks Recalled for Potential Steering Loss
- Briefly: Steering issue prompts recall of 60,604 Freightliner trucks
- DTNA recalls certain 2019-21 Freightliner models due to potential steering issue
- Freightliners recalled for possible steering loss
- National Safety Council urges vehicle recall checks
- Steering issue prompts recall of 60,000 Daimler trucks
Solar energy
Specs
- 10 Tips for Spec’ing the Right Liftgate
- New Dealer Tools from Volvo Help Fleets Optimize Specs, Maintenance
Trailer
9. Regarding fire, supply chain, and technology:
Fire
- Fire destroys TA Express in northern Oregon near I-84
- Major structure fire reported at Oregon truck stop
- Massive fire tears through Oregon TA Express; drivers asked to avoid area
- Northern Oregon truck stop destroyed by fire
Supply chain
Technology
- The Fed’s supply chain pressure gauge just went negative
- Idaho will soon offer online renewal to CDL holders
- KLLM, FFE to Integrate Stoneridge’s Camera Monitor System
- NMFTA rolls out all-digital system to process required user codes
- OOIDA member issued violation via driver-focused cameras
- Plus One Robotics raises $50M for AI-powered parcel handling
- SMS proposal explained through FMCSA webinar
- Trucker’s dash cam captures a red light intersection crash and a dangerous shoulder pass that happened in one wild day in Kansas
- Wing to launch unique new drone delivery model
10. Regarding mile-last, mile-middle, congestion, platooning, and speeding:
Mile-last
“Last mile” is sometimes referred to as “final mile.”
Mile-middle
To the best of my memory, I do not recall ever having seen an article before the one in this section, that was dedicated to the “middle mile” a trucker may run.
Congestion
Platooning
Speeding
The faster you go, the greater the likelihood that you won’t be able to stop when you need to.
- Nebraska state trooper admonishes speeding Peterbilt driver on Twitter
- Nebraska troopers call out Peterbilt driver for triple digit speed limit violation
- Peterbilt clocked doing 101 | Senator exchanges fighting words with Teamsters pres
11. Regarding fines, fraud, and weight:
Fines
Fraud
- NY owner-operator sentenced in moving company scam
- Worker accused of embezzling more than $340,000 from trucking company
Weight
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
These articles are mixed between awards and recognition.
We wish to recognize all of those who helped out their fellow human being in a time of need.
We congratulate all professional truck drivers who proved their level of skill as a trucker.
- ABF Freight driver named Highway Angel for helping at accident scene
- Bison Transport wins TCA Fleet Safety Awards Grand Prize
- CFI driver named 2022 Highway Angel of the Year
- CFI driver presented TCA Highway Angel of the Year award
- CFI Truck Driver Honored as Highway Angel of the Year
- Chief Carriers, C.A.T. are named overall winners in Best Fleets contest
- FedEx Freight driver repeats as grand champion in Louisiana competition
- FreightWaves named finalist in 3 categories of prestigious Neal Awards
- FTC Transportation, Bison Transport win TCA Fleet Safety awards
- Highway Angel saved six victims of chain-reaction crash
- J.B. Hunt Driver Named Highway Hero for Protecting Motorcyclist
- J.B. Hunt recognized for diversity, named one of country’s best employers
- Linda Young wins first Women with Drive Leadership Award
- North Carolina trucker honored for his actions at crash of two trucks
- TCA names five truckers as its Drivers of the Year
- Trucker brings cookies to thank firefighters who extricated her from nightmare wreckage
- Trucker who helped rescue 6 people in fiery crash named Angel of the Year
- Yellow honors drivers reaching million-mile milestones in 2022
- Yellow recognizes drivers for surpassing 1 million safe miles
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: 2023.03.11 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
