TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.04.15 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending April 15, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding driver-facing cameras, inspections, guns, recalls, safest state, and safety:
Driver-facing cameras
On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, we received an email from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) with this subject line:
“New ATRI Research Identifies Strategies for Improving Driver-Facing Camera Approval and Utilization”
The first paragraph from the email is:
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released a new report that investigates industry attitudes and concerns toward driver-facing and road-facing cameras (DFCs/RFCs). The research identified points of consensus and potential compromise on in-cab camera systems and policies among truck drivers, motor carriers, legal experts and insurers. Based on this analysis, the report proposes strategies for improving both driver approval and camera utilization that can improve safety, privacy, litigation and insurance risk management.
Their full report is available when one registers through the form on their site here.
Meanwhile, here are some of the most recent articles about this:
- ATRI report examines industry views on driver-, road-facing cameras
- Fleet Executives Split on Inward-Facing Cameras
- Loaded and Rolling: Driverless truck exemptions; ATRI on driver-facing cameras
- New research confirms driver disdain for driver-facing cameras
- Privacy a top concern for truckers’ dislike of driver-facing cameras
- Truckers not fans of driver-facing cameras due to privacy concerns
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- FMCSA outlines truck inspection automation, other research
- Make This Year’s CVSA Inspections Your Best Yet
Guns
By way of background, self-defense is both a God-given and natural right.
We read in Genesis 14 in the Bible the true account of how Abram’s nephew Lot, people from his household, and his possessions were kidnapped.
When Abram found out about that, he and 318 armed and trained servants from his household rescued and retrieved Lot, everyone, and everything that had been taken.
But the account doesn’t stop there.
Melchizedek — who was both king of Salem and priest of God Most High — blessed Abram.
In other words, the Creator of the universe through His servant Melchizedek put His stamp of approval on self-defense.
While states within the USA have the right to create and enforce their own laws, no man-made law must ever even attempt to undo what God has approved!
In my opinion, there needs to be a way for professional truck drivers to have a nationwide system that allows them to carry and be able to use one or more loaded weapons for self-defense.
We have on our website this article:
Low Cost Self Defense for Professional Truck Drivers
We also remind you of what is written in the Bill of Rights:
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Recalls
If part of your rig has an open recall, please have it attended to as soon as possible.
- ECM issue prompts recall of International trucks
- GM issues recall for hundreds of vehicles after self-driving car collides with bus
- Navistar issues recall due to insufficient wiring, possible fire risk
- Navistar recalls International trucks with ECM issue
- Navistar recalls tens of thousands of International trucks
Safest state
- NHTSA data says Michigan the safest state for truck drivers
- Safest roads for truck drivers are in Michigan, new study notes
Safety
2. Regarding accidents, crash preventability, fatalities, fire, and seizure:
Accidents
Please review the articles listed in this section to see what led up to the accidents so that you can avoid being involved in the same situation.
- Police seek oversized load driver who struck Pennsylvania Turnpike toll booth, fled scene
- FMCSA data shows rise in crash rates among new-entrant carriers
- Dash cam shows semi roll over in front of three sheriff’s deputies
- Video captures train pulverizing car hauler amid Florida flooding
Crash preventability
According to the first article in this section:
“Once the notice is published in the Federal Register, the agency will accept public comments for 60 days. To make a comment, go to the Regulations.gov website and enter Docket No. FMCSA-2022-0233.”
- Crash Preventability Determination Program expansion sought
- FMCSA Expands List on Crash Preventability Program
- FMCSA eyes changes to Crash Preventability Determination Program
- FMCSA eyes changes to Crash Preventability Determination Program
- FMCSA Wants to Broaden Crash Preventability Determination Program
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of those who passed away.
Please review these articles to learn how to avoid being involved in similar circumstances.
- Big rig driver kept going after losing tire that caused fatal accident, Texas cops say
- Dump truck driver dead after striking bridge with raised bed
- Fatal five semi truck crash reported on I-35 in Oklahoma
- One dead in Indiana Toll Road crash after semi’s double trailer brakes locked up
- One person reported dead following train vs. truck collision in Alabama
- Truck driver charged in double fatality five semi truck crash in Oklahoma
Fire
- Big rig fire sparked warehouse inferno in Indiana, mayor says
- Two big rigs destroyed by fire following crash caused by car driver cutting off a truck
Seizure
Quote from the article just above:
The Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County dismissed the state’s civil asset forfeiture case to keep Jerry Johnson’s $39,500 in a ruling dated April 4. The ruling said he also is owed 9% interest for the loss of use of his property and is eligible to be compensated for his attorneys’ fees.
Good!
3. Regarding AB5, brokers, distracted driving, legal, and politics:
AB5
This isn’t the only thing chasing truckers out of the state.
Reference the law that now prohibits older trucks from being operated there.
Brokers
Distracted driving
- VIDEO: DOT says distracted driving was to blame for this harrowing semi truck crash
- What You Need to Know About Distracted Driving in Trucking
Legal
- Biometric Information Privacy Act center of Old Dominion lawsuit
- Cases Pour In Before New Florida Lawsuit Abuse Law Takes Effect
- Leverage Is Key to Winning Accident Litigation, Lawyer Says
- Semi truck pulled over for Atlanta lane violation, two arrested after Georgia cops strike criminal jackpot
- Teamsters say ‘no’ on national talks until local agreements resolved
- Trucker ticketed for texting and driving after rear-ending tractor in rural Iowa
- Trucking Leads Growth in Nuclear Verdicts
Politics
Regarding the topic of the first article in this section:
Yes, but will the wildlife use them?
- Daily Infographic: Preventing wildlife-vehicle collisions
- Left lane use revisions enacted, pursued in four statehouses
- New Mexico passes law banning big rigs from the left lane
- Texas House panel advances truck tax pilot program pursuit
4. Regarding economy, efficiency, and insurance:
Economy
The following are some of the most recent articles about the economy from the trucking industry’s perspective:
- Cheaper Gas, Food Provide Some Relief From Inflation
- Declining paper demand signals weak economy
- Factory Production Declines on Weaker Equipment Demand
- Inflation Sparks FMC Fee Hikes
- March Class 8 Sales Up 21.9% to 24,823
- Morgan Stanley sees freight upcycle nearing
- Profits are possible when times are tough but good management is needed
- Retail Sales Fall 1% Amid High Inflation, Rising Rates
- Rising costs, parts shortages challenge truck maintenance
- US imports bounce back in March despite dwindling China cargo
- Wholesale Inflation Pressures Eased Sharply in March
- Florida trucking company cites impact of COVID in bankruptcy filing
- Truckload capacity flips from unsustainably tight to unsustainably loose
- Startups struggling to make financial ends meet
Efficiency
Insurance
- Consider unique needs when tackling truck insurance claims
- Cover Whale Insurance Solutions announces next phase of Signature Claims Prevention Program
- Florida truck insurance rates threatened by House bill
- Truck insurance-limiting bill passes Florida Senate committee
5. Regarding fuel, emissions, electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and oil:
Fuel
- A perfect 10: Average diesel fuel prices down for 10th straight week
- AAA retail diesel average now $4.195
- Amogy: Don’t burn hydrogen, split ammonia instead
- Cheaper fuel, food provide some relief from US inflation
- China continues commercial fuel cell lead over U.S.
- Diesel Down by 0.7¢ to $4.098 in 10th Straight Drop
- Diesel Streak Drops Further
- NAFCE Creates Alt-Fuel Future Roadmap
- Retail diesel now below price from time of Ukraine invasion
- Shell’s Starship big rig making transition to natural gas
- Weekly Fuel Report: April 11, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: April 10, 2023
- EV Fleet Day offers small embrace of hydrogen fuel cell
- Hyzon, a Manufacturer of Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Focuses on Small Scale Initiatives
- Trucking’s Electric Vs. Hydrogen Battle Starts to Percolate
Emissions
- Biden proposes strictest emissions regs yet
- Emission standards proposed by EPA are the strictest yet
- EPA Pollution Limits Aim to Boost US Electric Vehicle Sales
- EPA Proposes Stricter Greenhouse Gas Standards for Heavy-Duty Trucks
- EPA to host public hearings on newest proposed emissions standards
- EPA’s greenhouse gas proposal subject of multiple-day hearing
- EPA’s new emission standards would boost heavy truck equipment costs
- EPA’s newest proposal to cut big rig emissions drawing ire from trucking industry
- House rep intros measure to overturn latest EPA regs
- Maryland Passes Clean Trucks Act With Key Caveats
- New emissions regs simply hope for an unlikely best
- Proposed EPA Standards Are Toughest Ever for Heavy Trucks
- Rep. Nehls introduces measure to overturn EPA rule
- Third round of GHG emission rules unveiled by U.S. EPA
- Trucking industry tees off on Biden’s zero emission push
- World War I-Era Tax Could Add up to $50,000 to the Cost of a New Zero-Emission Truck
Electric vehicles
- Borderlands: LG Energy Solution to build $5.5B EV battery plant in Arizona
- Briefly:Briefly: NFI adding battery-electric trucks to Calif. warehouse fleet
- Coke Canada Bottling to use six Volvo electric trucks in Montreal
- Electric trucks are not popular among truck drivers
- Frito-Lay North America partnering with Schneider for electric truck deliveries
- Poll: Most Americans Aren’t Sold on EV for Next Vehicle
- Schneider completes Frito-Lay’s first third-party EV shipment
- Senator visits Virginia Volvo facility to tout battery-electric tax credits
- Startup electric van maker Arrival plans merger with 2nd SPAC
- The Unanswered Questions About Electric Trucks [Video]
Autonomous vehicles
I totally oppose the operation of driverless, self-driving, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public, but share these articles to help you stay current with the topic.
- Aurora Opens Commercial-Ready Autonomous Truck Terminal
- Aurora Preps for Commercial Autonomous Truck Hauls
- Autonomous truck analytics may benefit human-driven tractors
- Company launches first ‘commercial-ready’ terminal for self-driving semi trucks in Texas
- Kodiak Robotics Announces Gen 5 Autonomous Truck
- Safety groups oppose roadside warning exemption for driverless trucks
- Self-driving truck terminal opens in Dallas
- Terminals for autonomous trucks getting closer
- TuSimple Cleared by FMCSA Over 2022 Arizona Incident
Oil
- Daily Infographic: In 2022, US crude oil exports increased to a new record
- Global oil production expected to set record, says EIA forecast
- New Oil Standard Will Help Fleets
6. Regarding collapse and emergency braking system:
Collapse
What is happening that leads to trailers splitting open?
- Iowa DOT reports major trailer collapse along I-35
- Semi trailer splits open, spills cargo, while dangling from Pennsylvania overpass
Emergency braking system
I’m always concerned when government inserts itself in the process of supposedly helping to prevent crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Will such an emergency braking system cause vehicles to jackknife or cause trucker injuries?
- Rule requiring automatic emergency braking systems for trucks under review by White House
- White House reviewing proposal to require automatic emergency braking on big rigs
7. Regarding employment, ports, shortage, skill, weather, and weight:
Employment
- March Jobs Report Demonstrates Resilient Trucking Industry
- Trucking jobs experience modest increase in March
- Trucking slowdown? No sign of it in March employment figures
- US Adds a Healthy 236,000 Jobs in March
Ports
- LA-LB outlook darkens as labor unrest briefly shutters ports
- Laredo Regains Status as No. 1 US Port for February
- Laredo, Texas, again top US gateway for international trade
- New hours coming to four ports of entry on U.S. northern border
- Port of L.A.’s Seroka: No Contingency Plans for Strike
- Port of LA boss: Good Friday work stoppage was ‘a call to action’
- Port of Oakland Has a Problem, and Its Name is Mud
Shortage
Skill
- This video of trucks backing into a dock amid New York City traffic will make your palms sweaty
- VIDEO: Truckers have to think fast to avoid bobtail stopped on I-40
Weather
- Officials say avalanche potential dangerous in parts of Utah
- Record snowfall creates significant flood threat in North Dakota
Weight
- Michigan lifts weight restrictions on lower peninsula highways Wednesday
- Weight, hours of service waived by Iowa declaration
8. Regarding speed limiters, logs, maintenance, and technology:
Speed limiters
- B.C. plans to mandate speed limiters on trucks
- Speed limit revision revived at North Dakota statehouse
Logs
Maintenance
Technology
- Auxiliary cameras provide holistic view of accidents, incidents
- How tech prevents a trucking graveyard
- Insurer offering discount potential to drivers with dual cameras
- Robot now serving Schneider National workers smoothies
- The Evolution of Tractor-Trailer Connectivity
9. Regarding COVID-19, last mile, parking, and truck stop:
COVID-19
Quote from the second article in this section:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its annual study of crashes on U.S. roads for 2021, and found that “The total number of accidents rose by an astonishing 16%.”
The article addresses the “narrative” reason for this and also another perspective.
- Container lines still up vs. pre-COVID despite fall from peak
- Traffic Accidents and Deaths Soar in 2021 Following Roll-out of COVID-19 “Vaccines” – Vaccine Impact
- U.S. vaccination mandate remains
- US border vaccine rules remain as Biden ends COVID national emergency
Last mile
Parking
- Canadian cities cracking down on illegal truck parking
- Crowdsourcing a solution to the truck parking crisis
- Love’s adds truck parking to South Carolina
- North Carolina rest area to close next week for construction
- Rep. Rick Larsen’s Agenda Includes Truck Parking, Workforce
- Rest area on I-26 in NC closing for repairs; expected to reopen mid-May
Truck stop
- BP’s acquisition of TA takes another step forward
- Latest Love’s opens off I-85 in SC; adds 91 new truck parking spots
- Love’s acquires EZ GO chain of 22 truck stops and convenience stores
- Love’s acquires EZ GO travel stops to add 22 stores to network
- Love’s announces $1 billion investment in upgrades
- Love’s announces $1 billion plan to update 200 locations in next 5 years
- Love’s buys truck stops on Kansas, Oklahoma turnpikes
- Love’s opens store with 91 truck parking spaces in South Carolina
- Love’s to invest $1 billion upgrading 200 truck stop locations by 2028
- Love’s to invest $1 billion upgrading locations
- Love’s to spend $1 billion on truck stop upgrades
- Love’s Travel Stops buys EZ GO locations
- Love’s Travel Stops opens new location in South Carolina
- New TA truck stop opens in Oklahoma
- TA shareholder vote on sale to BP set for May 10; closing could be by May 15
10. Regarding stranded, strike, and violence:
Stranded
- Highway to hope, carrier strands drivers and why trains hit trucks – WTT
- Illinois trucking company’s sudden shutdown leaves team drivers stranded, unpaid
Strike
Violence
- Indiana State Police asking for help investigating shots fired at big rig
- Man holding semi truck driver at gunpoint shot to death by Oregon trooper
- Shots fired at semi near Indiana weigh station, suspect at large
11. Regarding Leasing, pay, rates, stamps, and taxes:
Leasing
- 4 Trends Driving Demand for Truck Leasing
- Driver Poll: Do you lease or own your own trailer?
- Here’s Why Leasing an EV Is About to Become More Popular
- Leasing your truck? Mind insurance-requirements fine print
Pay
Rates
Stamps
Taxes
- Transportation Groups Urge Congress to Repeal Heavy-Duty Excise Tax, Get Cleaner Trucks on Our Roads
12. Regarding awards, recognition, and win:
Awards
Congratulations to this trucker!
Recognition
We recognize those truckers who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need.
- TCA honors trucker who rescued driver of SUV that crashed
- VIDEO: Log truck driver saves motorist passing semis from a brutal collision
Win
Wow!
- Veteran Virginia driver wins truck in WIT giveaway at MATS
- You could win an all new Class 8 Truck just by keeping up with your regular truck maintenance, with Shell Rotella®
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: 2023.04.15 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
