This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending May 27, 2023.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Memorial Day, alcohol, and drugs:
Memorial Day
We wish you safe travels this holiday weekend!
- ATA offers tips to prepare for Memorial Day weekend traffic surge
- PA Turnpike preparing for Memorial Day traffic surge
You may also want to see these Memorial Day-related posts on our site:
- Tips on Memorial Day Weekend Driving in a Big Truck
- Double-Check Your Memorial Day Delivery Appointment
Alcohol
Never ever consume alcohol in any form when you’re preparing to drive, especially a commercial motor vehicle!
- Semi driver arrested for DUI after High Springs, Florida, wreck
- Trucker arrested for DUI in crash that killed 7 people on I-5 in Oregon
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how big of a payout you’ve been promised.
2. Regarding assistance, CSA, and inspections:
Assistance
- Progressive Introduces Heavy Truck Roadside Assistance Coverage
- Progressive introduces roadside assistance for large trucks
CSA
CSA stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability.
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Caught at Roadcheck: 2023 inspection fails
- Driver Poll: Have you ever left a job because you were being stopped for inspections too often?
- Fewer trucks inspected, better compliance rate for CVSA’s Brake Safety Day
- Inspectors Remove More Than 750 Commercial Motor Vehicles with Brake Violations from Roadways During CVSA’s Unannounced Brake Safety Day
- Livestock hauler out of service for fatigue after motorists call Nebraska troopers
- More than 1000 violations discovered by Wyoming Highway Patrol during Roadcheck blitz
- Results released from surprise nationwide semi truck brake blitz
3. Regarding fuel, fuel card, oil, emissions, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles:
Fuel
- Alternative fuel corridor planned by U.S., Canada
- Average US diesel prices continue to drop
- Benchmark diesel price drops again even as tanks are getting drier
- Cummins invests in fuel agnostic platform at N.Y. plant
- Cummins Invests in Jamestown Plant for Fuel-Agnostic Engine
- Diesel Prices Slip Another 1.4¢ to $3.883 a Gallon
- Giant tankers full of American propane are making waves
- Renewable diesel unit housed in Mobile, Ala., refinery
- The reluctant exponent
- Trillium Energy to fuel Werner field trials for new Cummins natural gas engine
- Volvo Signs Green Power Deal for Vattenfall Wind Power
- Weekly Fuel Report: May 23, 2023
Fuel card
Oil
Emissions
- ATA president urges industry to speak out on emissions laws
- Canada looks to fund low-emission R&D, demonstration projects
- Challenges Seen for California’s Advanced Clean Fleets Rule
- Congress overturns nitrogen oxide emissions rule for trucks
- EPA emission rule overturned by House; veto expected
- House votes to roll back new EPA emissions rules; parking bill advances
- President expected to veto House, Senate’s cancellation of tough truck emissions rules
- Taking a Step Back on the Zero-Emissions Plans to Assess the Right Path
- TuSimple to Cut 151 Jobs at San Diego Headquarters
- U.S. House votes down truck emissions rules, Biden expected to veto
- U.S. House votes to roll back EPA emission regs
- U.S. House votes to roll back EPA emission regs
- Veto Expected After Congress Rescinds EPA Emissions Rule
Electric vehicles
If you’re looking to buy a new tractor, please do your due diligence regarding an electric one.
- 7Gen deploys Class 7 truck, learns lessons on electric vehicle journey
- Biden Delays Bid to Grant EV Makers Renewable Fuel Credits
- Cement Maker Orders up to 1,000 Volvo Electric Trucks
- Cummins Partners with EV Charger Companies to Promote Flexibility
- Cummins, Heliox to offer electric vehicle chargers for fleets
- Driving the Workhorse W56 Electric Walk-In Van
- Einride Partners With Wallenius Wilhelmsen to Electrify Shipping Routes
- Electric vehicle charging options come to North America market
- Electric vehicle tech gets funding from Department of Energy
- Ford CEO Sticks to ‘Crazy High’ EV Goal
- Ford Strikes Lithium Deals to Support EV Output
- Loblaw orders five fuel-cell-electric trucks
- Sustainable Fleets 2023: The Road from Diesel to ZEVs
- The EV Squeeze: How the US and Europe Compare
- Volvo Confirms Deal for 1,000 Electric Trucks
- Volvo Trucks announces record sale of electric trucks to Holcim
Autonomous vehicles
Please note that this article does not list “miles per gallon, mpg, or similar.
4. Regarding crashes, death, and fatalities:
Crashes
Please review these articles to see if you can glean anything that will help you avoid being involved in a crash.
- Big rig smashes into Borger, Texas, hotel
- Dash cams catch car smacking into semi while making last second exit attempt
- Estes big rig driver crashes truck into New Hartford, New York, creek
- Hotel smashed by stray semi
- ‘Improper’ lane change in front of semi obliterates car
- Multiple cars derailed in semi truck vs. train wreck
- Multiple cars squashed beneath mobile home in semi truck crash
- Orlando Interstate closed for pallet spill in truck overturn
- Reversing semi truck causes building explosion
- Semi-truck collides with another big rig in Phoenix, killing 1 driver
- Six injured in three rig, two car wreck
- U-Haul truck driver who crashed into security barrier at park near White House is arrested
- VIDEO: Reckless motorist turns without looking right into the path of semi traveling 60 MPH
- What States Are Doing About Wrong-Way Crashes
Death
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathy and offer our condolences to the families of those who passed.
Please review these articles to see if you can glean anything that will help you avoid being involved in a fatal crash.
- 7 dead in crash between 2 big rigs, van on Interstate 5 in Oregon
- Big rig driver arrested in multi-vehicle freeway crash that killed 7 in Oregon
- DASH CAM: Car ignored flashing lights, stop sign in moments before fatal collision with tractor trailer
- Distracted bus driver fatally ejected in rear-end with semi
- Motorist’s stop for deer with no lights end in triple fatality collision with semi truck
- No citations for motorist after trucker fatally struck abandoned car in Louisiana
- Oregon police still investigating multi-vehicle crash that killed 7 on Interstate 5
- Seven dead in wreck that “sandwiched” van between semi trucks
- Tanker truck driver dies in explosive Lyons, Oregon, crash
- Tanker truck driver killed after colliding with tree, causing fuel spill and explosions
- UPDATE: DUI, manslaughter charges for truck driver in “sandwiched” wreck with van that killed 7
- UPDATE: Motorist charged with intoxicated manslaughter for decapitation of trucker
- Victims of deadly Oregon big rig crash were farmworkers, union says
- Woman charged in Texas trucker’s death
5. Regarding economy, idling, inflation, and taxes:
Economy
- ACT Research: US trailer industry orderboards for 2023 almost fully committed
- April marked lowest month for truck tonnage since September 2021
- Are We Near the Bottom of the Freight Cycle?
- ATA: Truck Tonnage Drops in April
- ATA’s Truck Tonnage Index notes 1.7% decrease in April
- Company Earnings Guidance Is Wrong About 70% of the Time
- Conditions for carriers continued to fall in March
- Economic Growth for Last Quarter Is Revised Up to 1.3%
- Economic Trucking Trends: What are equipment orders saying about trucking conditions?
- For-Hire Trucking Index shows continued declines in April, ACT Research reports
- FTR lookback: Trucking conditions index on steady March downward
- Good time to rework UPS contracts, consultant says
- Higher trailer build rate forecasted for 2023, ACT Research says
- How SONAR foresaw the freight recession and what it’s seeing now – WTT
- Loaded and Rolling: No signs of 2nd-half freight recovery
- Nikola’s Plunging Stock Value Risks Nasdaq Delisting
- No seasonal uptick in May forces Landstar to lower guidance
- Ports Record Steep Drops in April Cargo
- Seko Logistics warns of puny peak season for shipping
- Southeast markets heating up?
- State of Freight’ for May: No signs of 2nd-half recovery
- Tonnage in April Drops 3.4% Year-Over-Year
- Used truck prices still plummeting
- Weak truck market finally shows up in BMO transportation group’s quarterly report
Idling
Some companies prohibit their truckers from idling for comfort, even if they have no alternative climate control system on the tractor.
You may wish to see the 9-page section on our site about idling.
Inflation
Taxes
- Fuel tax rate changes a topic at five statehouses
- Minnesota’s $1.3B Transportation Deal Includes Gas Tax Hike
6. Regarding border, broker, containers, nearshoring, and ports:
Border
- Borderlands: Uber Freight report says cross-border trucking showing continued resilience
- Texas Trucking Exec on Cross-Border Delays
Broker
Containers
Nearshoring
Ports
- Cargo volume mixed at Gulf Coast ports in April
- Compensation on the rise for Port of Vancouver truckers
- L.A., Long Beach Ports Close for Second Day on Labor Shortage
7. Regarding DoorDash, drones, service, speed limiter, and technology:
Doordash
Drones
Service
Speed limiter
Technology
- Avetta offers visibility into supply chain company cyber risks
- Daily Infographic: Load phishing
- FedEx Logistics rolls out instant visibility feature for airfreight clients
- Geofencing opportunities face few boundaries
- How Data is Driving Fleet Efficiency and Sustainability at Ferguson Enterprises
- Retailers can now provide customized tracking information, shipping alerts to customers
- Technology drives major increase in double-brokering scams
- VisionTrack Launches AI-Powered Video Analysis Solution
- Waymo, Uber Team Up on Robotaxis in Phoenix
8. Regarding fraud, theft, violations, and violence:
Fraud
- Freight brokers can protect themselves from fraud with key steps
- Truckstop Ramps Up Campaign to Combat Freight Fraud
Theft
- Cargo theft, up 41% so far this year, expected to rise for Memorial Day
- Cargo theft, up by 41% over last year, could increase this holiday weekend
- CargoNet warns of theft risks during Memorial Day weekends
- Lawmakers ask DOT to create supply chain theft task force
- Roadcheck’s rates bump, and a precipitous rise in cargo theft
- Sixteen charged with stealing 100K gallons of diesel in Houston, reselling stolen fuel to truckers for discount
- Sleeping driver has TVs stolen from parked tractor trailer
Violations
- $15.5k fine issued for grossly oversize load
- Trucking school charged after rig caught with inoperative brakes
- VIDEO: Truck driver makes a ‘rookie mistake’ in the Springfield Caves
Violence
- Florida man accused of entering cab and sexually assaulting sleeping female trucker
- Niceville, Florida, man arrested after police say he assaulted woman sleeping in big rig
9. Regarding business, employment, hybrid carrier, rates, scam, and strike:
Business
- 2023 Not the Best Time to Launch Small Trucking Company
- A guide for implementing small fleet trucking solutions
- Catch the replay: Work-life balance for owner-operators in a down market
- Top 5 Things to Do If Your Trucking Business Is in Trouble
- Transportation startups starting to look desperate
- Updating your USDOT number registration?
- Work-life balance as an owner-operator: You have to build it
Employment
- Coalition for Independent Truckers to Defend Contractor Model
- Coyote Logistics announces more layoffs
- DHL Supply Chain, GXO Logistics lay off workers in Texas
- Driver retention solution? Pay them, respect them
- Former employees sue NC-based trucking firm over mass firing
- TuSimple announces another layoff, remains dedicated to autonomous truck testing
- US wants labor rights investigation of Goodyear plant in Mexico
Hybrid carrier
Rates
- Federal Reserve Chair Powell Hints at Pause in Rate Hikes
- Shipping line Zim gets hammered by high spot-rate exposure
- Van segment spot rates surge during International Roadcheck Week
Scam
- Love’s issues scam warning involving EFS codes
- Love’s Travel Stops warns truckers of potential EFS code scam
Strike
- Impact of a Potential UPS Strike Looms Large
- Logistics experts warn of supply chain disruptions if UPS strike occurs
- Teamsters approve strike at ABF Freight if needed
10. Regarding operations, towing, and weight:
Operations
- Risky driving drops significantly, Lytx report reveals
- ‘Road Wars’ TV series features video of big rig dragging car for four miles on Cajon Pass
- Trucker’s loss of control leaves semi truck in creek
- VIDEO: Car driver disrupts traffic with wild weaving, ‘Mad Max’ wheel spikes
Towing
Weight
- American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association opposes heavier trucks
- Coalition opposes heavier trucks
- Organizations’ letter asks House to block larger, heavier trucks
11. Regarding legal, Skagit River bridge, parking, platooning, and politics:
Legal
- Bill under consideration would restrict trucks in New Jersey to right lane
- California environmental laws could shape trucking
- Former Texas cop sentenced to prison for escorting tractor trailer loaded with fake cocaine
- Iowa DOT calls out trucker for transporting busted trailer under cover of darkness
- Iowa Slams Brakes On Nuclear Verdicts Against Trucking Industry
- NLRB Accuses Amazon of Illegal Anti-Union Actions
- Texas appeals court upholds $100M judgment against Werner
- Texas jury rejects trucker’s claim to seized money
- Washington trooper accused of improperly ticketing trucker for crash reassigned due to investigation into ‘alleged misconduct’
- Werner Appeal of $89.7 Million Verdict Denied
- Werner on the hook for more than $100M in crash lawsuit
- Wrongful death lawsuit damages blown wide open by bill
Skagit River Bridge
Wow! It’s been 10 years since this crash happened?
Parking
- Another Minnesota city eyes truck parking ban
- Association ‘strongly opposes’ ban on trucks parking on St. Paul streets
- B.C. upgrading rest areas to improve travel for truckers
- Citywide semi truck parking ban passes in St. Paul
- House Panel Advances Truck Parking Bill
- House transportation committee OKs $755M to expand truck parking
- New TA brings 60 truck parking spaces to California
- Newest Sheetz location in Bloomington, Pennsylvania, to feature 25 free big rig parking spaces
- Ohio to Renovate 17 Rest Areas
- St. Paul council approves citywide truck parking ban
- St. Paul to truckers: Find someplace else to park overnight
- TCA praises House committee’s OK of $755 million truck parking bill
- Truck parking bill advances through House committee
- Truck parking funding, weight flexibility bills advance in House
- Truck Parking in the Spotlight on Capitol Hill
- Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act passes committee hurdle
- Truck parking, CDL testing included in package of bills
- Truck parking, weight allowances among trucking-friendly bills proposed in U.S.
- Truckers vs. Buc-ee’s, launching a Titan and market stability – WTT
- Truck-Parking Bill Among Those Advanced in House
Platooning
Politics
- CDL second chance considered in Pennsylvania bill
- Electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle fees trending topic at statehouses
- FAA eyes beyond-visual-line-of-sight approvals for 4 major firms
- Hair Drug-Testing Rule Could Be Finalized by Midsummer
12. Regarding recognition and awards:
Recognition
We thank those truckers and others who helped truckers.
- Ohio State Highway Patrol shouts out truckers for helping trooper with flat tire
- Truckers celebrated after helping Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper
- Trucking volunteers assemble food packs to combat child hunger
Awards
We applaud and congratulate those who were given awards for their trucking accomplishments.
- Arkansas Trucking Association hands out safety awards at annual conference
- Arkansas Trucking Association names its 2022 Driver of the Year
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: 2023.05.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
