TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.03.25 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 25, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding acquisition, coalition, AB5, and California:
Acquisition
Given that Mike and I used to work for both of these trucking companies, I am surprised by this acquisition.
Of course, that was a very long time ago and various circumstances may have changed since then…
- FreightWaves’ Craig Fuller on the bittersweet sale of U.S. Xpress – WTT
- In major acquisition, Knight-Swift purchases U.S. Xpress for $808 million
- Knight-Swift Agrees to Acquire U.S. Xpress
- Knight-Swift announces blockbuster $808 million acquisition of U.S. Xpress
- Knight-Swift Expected To Hit $10 Billion Mark, After Acquiring U.S. Xpress
- Knight-Swift to Acquire U.S. Xpress
- Knight-Swift to remain on M&A prowl, still looking at LTL targets
- Knight-Swift Transportation to purchase U.S. Xpress Enterprises for $808M
- Trucking giant Knight-Swift acquiring U.S. Xpress
- Trucking giant Knight-Swift acquiring U.S. Xpress
- U.S. Xpress is bought by Knight-Swift
- U.S. Xpress’ multiyear struggle ends with acquisition by Knight-Swift
Coalition
According to the first bulleted article linked below in this section:
The creation of the organization comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules limiting emissions from heavy-duty trucks, and California announced its own, even stricter proposed standards, which mandate zero-emission trucks, including the elimination of medium- and heavy-duty trucks powered by diesel or gasoline by 2040.
Please be discerning regarding terms like “no emissions”, “zero emissions”, and “clean energy” because humans, many animals, and even plants “emit gas” every time we “exhale”.
According to a March 9, 2023, resource:
Pursuing the so-called “net zero” agenda to reduce emissions to nothing by 2050 is extremely dangerous and would be devastating to American families, aside from being totally impossible to achieve, warned retired chemist Marty Cornell…
If you plan to buy an electric commercial motor vehicle in order to supposedly “be a good steward of the earth”, please do your full due diligence.
- Coalition forms to advance trucking industry’s positions on clean energy
- Five Trucking Associations Launch Clean Freight Coalition
- New Trucking Coalition Focuses on Clean Energy
- Trucking groups launch coalition aimed at realistic zero-emission goals
- Trucking stakeholders launch Clean Freight Coalition
AB5
Quote from the article linked just above:
The exemptions of Uber, Lyft, and Door Dash drivers add insult to the injury hard-working truckers suffered. While ride-share and food deliveries may make a life for Californians more convenient, truckers deliver 72 percent of America’s goods and materials. Denying CDL holders the right to work for themselves appears wholly inconsistent with how other occupations have been treated.
California
- California floods mean weak produce season for truckers
- Future of $900B US trucking industry could be decided in California
- White House reportedly fast-tracking California’s plans to phase out diesel engines
Corroborating with the first article in the section just above,
Summarizing from the article linked just above, the California counties hit hard by flooding include:
- Kern County: the nation’s #1 county in agricultural production;
- Tulare County: second largest county in the U.S. in terms of food production;
- Fresno County: the nation’s 3rd largest producer of agriculture;
- Monterey County: the 4th largest county in the U.S. in terms of agriculture production.
Not only has food been lost, but opportunities to haul the food have also been lost. 🙁
2. Regarding accidents, safety, speed, and violence:
Accidents
Please review these articles about accidents and seek to avoid being involved in the same kinds of set-ups that led to them.
- Five hurt in five semi truck crash in Wyoming
- I-70 closed at East Vail Pass for multi-semi crash
- Massive fuel tanker truck fire reported in Maryland
- NTSB set to determine cause of major 2021 pileup that killed 4
- NTSB: Crews failed to de-ice road before massive Texas crash
- Six Maryland road workers killed in crash involving two passenger vehicles
- Sixteen people hospitalized following massive 150 vehicle pileup in Michigan
- Trailer detachment turns into multi-vehicle crash, New Hampshire troopers say
- Train vs. car hauler collision caught on video in Texas
- Truck driver accused of causing deadly I-94 wreck released on bond
- Truck driver arrested on suspicion of DUI following crash that completely blocked SR 167
- Truck driver charged with negligent homicide in death of fellow trucker in fiery I-94 hazmat crash in North Dakota
- Truck spills load of 10K empty wine bottles on California highway
- Trucker survives after tumbling off I-40, falling a ‘significant distance down an embankment’
- VIDEO: Car driver cuts off semi truck, triggers wild multi-vehicle crash
- VIDEO: Florida troopers seek brake checker who caused dump truck and two semis to crash
- VIDEO: Tire flies off dump truck, smashes into semi seconds later
- VIDEO: Wild RV vs. CMV crash captured on I-5 in Everett
Safety
- American Trucking Associations Joins DOT Call to Action as a First Mover in National Roadway Safety Strategy
- Congress Addresses Freight Safety Proposals
- CSA, IRT, and a Culture of Safety [Commentary]
- Eco-driving improvements boost safety, decrease collision risks
- Feds make funding available for ‘safer, more equitable transportation systems’ in US
- Principles for building world-class safety culture
Speed
- Bill would increase this state’s speed limit to 70 mph … finally
- Feds say speeding, failure to de-ice I-35W, led to fatal 133 vehicle pileup in Fort Worth
Violence
- Man arrested for allegedly firing multiple shots at big rig on I-10 in Louisiana
- Trucker says he feels ‘blessed’ to survive after 13 shots fired at his semi by ‘random guy’ in Kansas
3. Regarding fuel, emissions, carbon, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles:
Fuel
- AAA retail diesel average now $4.288
- Benchmark diesel price down 7 weeks in a row
- CERAWeek Focuses on Hydrogen – the Potential Fuel of the Future
- Cooking Oil Shortage Looms as Biofuels Gain Appeal
- Diesel Sheds 6.2¢ to $4.185
- Eight fleets, 82 trucks set to use Hydra Energy’s Prince George hydrogen station
- Fuel-related emergency covering 8 states extended to mid-April
- How to vet OEM claims about fuel economy
- RNG framed as ‘low risk’ option to slash truck emissions
- Running on Ice: Answer to sustainability might be vegetable oil
- Truck drivers welcome lower diesel prices as California considers punishing oil companies for high prices
- Weekly Fuel Report: March 21, 2023
Emissions
- Convoy releases scope 3 emissions reporting to support SEC-proposed rule
- EPA’s 2027 Low-NOx Rules and the Coming Prebuy [Video]
- Listen: Will EPA’s 2027 Low-NOx Rules Lead to a Pre-buy?
- U.S. trucking groups form emissions coalition
Carbon
Electric vehicles
- EV Battery Aid Hangs in Balance as US Finalizes Climate Law
- Ford CEO Says Next Electric Pickup Truck Will Drive Itself
- Ford says EV unit losing billions, should be seen as startup
- Ford Sees EV Losses Growing to $3 Billion in 2023
- Ford: Tennessee EV Plant Could Make 500,000 Trucks a Year
- Funds now available for national EV charging infrastructure; regulations for big rig charging on hold
- Global News Roundup: Tevva Tests Dual-Energy Prototype Truck
- Kriete Truck Centers installs 2 EV chargers
- More candid talk on EVs please
- Renault Seeks Bank Pitches for Listing EV Arm
- Tesla’s Vision of EVs Could Spur Magnet Race
- Velocity Purchases 200 Battery-Electric Trucks for Leasing Operations
Autonomous vehicles
I totally oppose the operation of self-driving, autonomous, or driverless commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public, but share these articles to help you stay current on the topic.
- Autonomous trucks not the cure-all some suggest, OOIDA says
- Driver Poll: How do you feel about autonomous trucks in the industry?
- Gatik forms partnership with Kroger
- TuSimple trucks reach 10 million mile mark
4. Regarding economy, maintenance, and UCR fees:
Economy
- 2023: Rough outlook for dry bulk, tanker, gas, and container shipping
- ACT Research: Preliminary net trailer orders indicate strong demand
- ATA: Truck Tonnage Growth Shows Contract Freight is Holding Up
- ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index increased 1.2% in February
- Cross-border freight went up in January
- Despite potential recession, truck sales and orders remain high
- Empty wallets threaten seasonal growth
- February Trailer Orders Down 2.6% Year-Over-Year
- How pandemic aid led to trucking volume boon
- How to hold the line: A playbook to push back on cheap freight
- Is inflation crushing e-commerce volume growth?
- New Home Sales Unexpectedly Rise, Showing Some Stabilization
- Ontario to double economic migrants
- Seasonally adjusted truck tonnage moved higher in February: ATA
- Truck Tonnage Increases 2.3% in February
- Trucking conditions improved in January, but downswing expected
Maintenance
UCR fees
- FMCSA Proposes Truck Fee Cut for 2024 After Over-Charging
- UCR Fees to Decline by 9% in 2024, FMCSA Says
5. Regarding border, broker, business, and insurance:
Border
- Borderlands: Truck driver salaries in Mexico averaged $4,400 in 2022
- Daily Infographic: Mexico starts 2023 as top US trade partner
- Tesla’s arrival in Mexico could boost cross-border trade by $15B
- US Transborder Truck Freight Jumps 13% in January
- Work Begins to Expand Key Texas-Mexico Entry for Trucks
Broker
Business
- FMCSA video explains how to know if you need operating authority
- New FMCSA ‘how to’ video explains interstate operating authority
- New owner-operator business manual updated for release at MATS
- Priority program extends green lights to optimize freight flow
- What are Trucker Stats?
Insurance
6. Regarding age, lifestyle, and technology:
Age
Quote from article:
Maybe the same problems — low wages and poor working conditions — that are making older drivers leave the industry are what’s preventing teens from wanting to join in the first place.
Lifestyle
Do you agree with the statistics cited in the infographic linked just above?
Please comment through the form above.
Thanks.
Technology
There are various kinds of technology, some of which may be helpful and some of which may be considered invasive.
Please do your due diligence regarding the pros and cons of any device or system before you invest in it.
- Camera captures moment big rig slams into 2 New Jersey State Patrol units
- CarriersEdge adds Netradyne’s AI-powered fleet safety solutions to dashcam integration system
- Custom truck driver apps: once a bonus, now a must-have
- Dash cam captures crash that left car pinned between big rig and barrier on I-15 in Utah
- How Data Drove Roadrunner’s Big Comeback
- How Technology is Making Logistics More Efficient
- Industry vets launch ‘Freight Think’ to help drive profitability in supply chain businesses
- Locus Robotics announces LocusOne platform at ProMat
- Netradyne partners with Cover Whale to provide high-tech dash cams for policyholders
- North Carolina DOT expands driver alert system
- Robotics firm Mujin unveils automated unloader at ProMat
- Traffic cams capture semi crash that critically injured Minnesota police officer
- White Paper: 5 Ways Top Fleets Maximize the Benefits of Custom Apps
7. Regarding drugs, fraud, legal, marijuana, and smuggling:
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how large of a payout you may have been promised!
- $1.5 million worth of cocaine seized from semi trailer loaded with watermelons
- Border agents seize $1.5M in cocaine hidden inside watermelons
Fraud
- 2 Celadon Former Execs Accused of Scheme to Conceal Massive Financial Losses
- Former FedEx Ground contractor sentenced in bribery case
- Man sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for role in trucking fraud scheme
- Nebraska trucking company owners sentenced for failing to pay IRS $426K in tax withheld from employee paychecks
Legal
- Caledon scores legal win over land use by trucking company
- Florida Truckers Celebrate New Law Trouncing Lawsuit Abuse
- Labor Dept. requests dismissal of fleet’s countersuit of drivers seeking overtime pay
- Price-gouging protections eyed in statehouses
- Teamsters reject Yellow’s proposed changes again
- Trucking company owners evaded $426k in payroll taxes
Marijuana
Quote from the article above:
It is a sad situation that this testing for marijuana results in truck drivers losing their jobs because of actions they took in their private time that do not interfere with their work. The toughest part of fixing this problem will likely be people in the US government letting go of drug war priorities that prevent changing policy to make it more in line with advancing liberty and safety.
Do you agree or disagree with the quote above?
Please comment through the form below.
Smuggling
Never ever agree to transport people like they are cattle or cargo, no matter how large of a payout you may have been promised!
- Man pleads guilty to human smuggling charges following SUV vs. CMV crash that left 13 dead
- Mexican man pleads guilty in deadly smuggling crash involving 18-wheeler
8. Regarding platooning, politics, and weight:
Platooning
Politics
Weight
- Alberta’s spring weight limits begin March 23
- Georgia senators further whittle down truck weight changes
- Michigan adjusts weight restrictions on many highways on Monday
9. Regarding ports and supply chain:
Ports
- Container Volumes Fall at Most US Ports
- Daily Infographic: Construction for new Texas commercial port of entry begins
- February volumes soften at South Carolina Ports
- Houston, New Orleans ports see container volumes rise
- In search of shipping’s next supercycle: Are tankers next?
- Ports of L.A., Long Beach Join Bid to Be Hydrogen Fuel Hub
- West Coast wipeout: Los Angeles, Long Beach imports still sinking
Supply chain
10. Regarding rates, seized money, and taxes:
Rates
- Fed Raises Key Rate by Quarter-Point Despite Bank Turmoil
- Mixed signals: Rates continue downward trend as freight volumes decline
- Refrigerated market may lead spot rates out of downcycle, analyst says
Seized money
- Seized money is returned to truck company owner Crime & Courts
- Trucker recovers nearly $40K in cash seized through civil forfeiture in Arizona in 2020
Quote from the first article linked in the section just above:
It has taken two and a half years, but truck company owner Jerry Johnson has gotten his $39.5K back that was seized on his way to an auction in Phoenix.
I am glad that this has resolved well for this trucker and trucking company owner!
Taxes
- Bipartisan Bill Would Repeal Federal Excise Tax on Trucks
- Truck tax pursuit introduced at the Texas statehouse
11. Regarding purchases, recalls, and shut down:
Purchases
- CPGs ask suppliers to stop buying palm oil from major supplier
- Iowa DOT warns truckers to take care when buying trailers from auctions
- Trailer buyers need to ‘maintain their patience’, ACT Research says
- Used truck sales steady, prices declining
Recalls
- Battery, drivetrain issues prompt International recalls
- Certain International tractors recalled due to driveshaft, battery box issues
- International HX trucks being recalled
- Navistar issues two separate recalls for International trucks
- Navistar recalls thousands of International trucks for possible grille detachment
Shut down
- Florida-based trucking company abruptly shutters
- Miami trucking company files for bankruptcy protection
12. Regarding recognition, award nominees sought, and skills:
Recognition
We are grateful any time someone comes to the aid of a person in need of help.
Award nominees sought
Skills
We applaud the drivers who used their professional driving skills in noteworthy ways.
- Carrier shares video of impressive 445K pound, 185 foot transformer heavy haul job
- VIDEO: Trucking company says their driver prevented a ‘devastating accident’
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: 2023.03.25 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.