TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.09.16 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending September 16, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ELDs, NTDAW, and strike:
ELDs
Please familiarize yourself with changes to regulations about Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), including those that were removed from the list of “registered” devices.
- Canadian ELD mandate in play for most in-province-only truckers
- ELD provider hit by ransomware attack, FMCSA allows paper logs for now
- ELD revoked list gets two more added
- FMCSA Removes 2 ELDs from List of Registered Devices
- FMCSA removes two more ELDs from Registered Devices list
- Truckers who use these two ELDs should switch to paper logs after FMCSA revocation
NTDAW
We appreciate professional truck drivers all year long!
The articles in this section reveal special things for truckers before, during, and after National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week.
- #ThankATrucker billboard campaign honors America’s drivers
- ATA kicks off 35th annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- CH Robinson launches nationwide tour during Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- Check Call: #ThankADriver
- Here’s how carriers and others have shown appreciation on Facebook
- ‘It’s all about the driver’ as Quality Carriers celebrates Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2023
- More than 300 free lunches handed out to truckers at California weigh station
- MTA marks National Trucking Week with fundraisers, driver appreciation
- National Truck Driver Appreciation Week begins; busy week ahead
- RaceTrac travel centers offers special perks for drivers throughout September
- Southern Glazer’s shows appreciation for drivers, warehouse employees
- Southern Recipe honors Truck Driver Appreciation Week with health-focused challenge
- Truck stops show their appreciation with free offers for drivers
- Trucker appreciation, 24/7/365
- Trucker Path, The Trucker, other sponsors name winners of truck driver appreciation sweepstakes
- VIDEO: Missouri school kids show truckers their appreciation during parade
- Ways Fleet Managers Can Show Their Appreciation For Drivers
- What do truckers want for Driver Appreciation this year? For you to stop being such a JACKA$
Strike
Please be aware of volatile emotions and fast-moving negotiations as part of a strike.
- American manufacturing is coming back. So are strikes.
- American Trucking Associations slams UAW, Biden over strike
- American Trucking Associations slams UAW, Biden over strike
- Biden offers support to striking autoworkers, says ‘record profits’ should be shared
- Biden Sends Top Aides to Detroit to Help With Auto Strike
- Insiders say UAW strike is imminent; best and worst of NTDAW – WTT
- U.S. autoworkers’ strike expected to affect Canada
- UAW May Consider Strikes at Small Number of Factories
- UAW workers strike simultaneously at Detroit’s Big 3 automakers
- Workers Are on Strike at All 3 Detroit Automakers
2. Regarding economy, mileage-based fees, and pay:
Economy
- Analyst: Truck Demand to Beat Expectations
- August Class 8 Sales Down 1%
- August sees high used truck sales, ACT reports
- Economic Trucking Trends: More capacity in Canada’s spot market, U.S. rates continue to gain
- Factory Output Rises Slightly, Limited by Auto Production
- FreightTech industry isn’t what it was a year ago, project44 CEO says
- FTR’s Starks: Trailer Production to Trend Lower Through 2024
- Has trucking bottomed out? ATBS session aims for the answer
- Not much good news for diesel consumers in latest key oil report
- Radiant Logistics says freight market at or near bottom
- Refrigerated truckload tender rejection rate spike temporary but telling
- Slow and steady recovery in store for truckers: FTR
- Steep Used Truck Price Depreciation Returned in August
- Trailer OEMs Work to Keep Up With Supply, Labor Demands
- Truck orders remain below replacement levels
- Truckload carriers see market moving toward equilibrium
- UPS CEO Carol Tomé Outlines Challenging Year Ahead
- US container imports rise in line with pre-COVID peak season pattern
- Viewpoint: The market, not regulators, should set freight rail prices
Mileage-based fees
In some circles a “mileage-based fee” may be referred to as “Vehicle Miles Traveled” (VMT) taxing mechanism.
Pay
We do not necessarily endorse any trucking company mentioned in this section.
- Former drivers for Ameritrans Express owed millions of dollars in unpaid wages
- Walmart’s 6-figure driver program, how dredging works and DOT’s new drug test – WTT
3. Regarding technology, technology – AI, and technology – DataQs:
Technology
- Automated tech can be bonus for trucking industry but framework is needed, says ATA
- Drivers disapprove of in-cab-facing cameras, laud road-facing cameras
- It’s about time CSA data gets real scrutiny
- J.J. Keller delivers new resource for dash cam users
- New platform aims to deliver driver feedback to carrier back office
- Trailer Tech Capabilities Continue to Improve for Fleets
Technology – AI
“AI” stands for “Artificial Intelligence.”
Technology – DataQs
According to the first article in this section:
DataQs is the online system for carriers and drivers to request and track a review of crash or inspection data that the requester believes is incomplete or incorrect.
Here are the articles about this topic this week:
- FMCSA proposes DataQs appeals process
- FMCSA proposing crash-data appeals process for drivers
- FMCSA wants control of third-stage DataQs appeals
- How to successfully dispute violations with DataQs
4. Regarding bridge collapse, crashes, and fatalities:
Bridge collapse
Remember to route your truck using a Commercial Motor Vehicle-specific map (a truckers’ atlas) or routing device.
Crashes
Please look through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.
- Big rig spills chicken, clucks up Atlanta area traffic
- Crash victims allege DOT violations related to underride guard report
- Dash cam shows crash that sent semi across Ohio interstate median into oncoming traffic
- GPS sends driver scraping past newly-renovated historic theater
- Seven vehicle pile up spills load of frozen chicken
- Sneeze sends four wheeler crashing into tractor trailer
- VIDEO: Semi smacks into construction zone, runs SUV off the road
- WATCH: Passing pickup gets what he was asking for
Fatalities
We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died in these crashes.
Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?
- Dump truck driver’s body recovered after truck slipped and fell hundreds of feet into bottom of rock quarry
- Four dead in chain-reaction crash involving two big rigs in Fort Worth
- Motorist’s pass in heavy rain ends in double deadly head-on collision with semi truck
- Trucker dead after SUV tire smashes through windshield
5. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, and fire:
Autonomous vehicles
I very strongly object to the idea of driverless, self-driving, or autonomous trucks on the same roads as the motoring public, but share these articles as a courtesy to help you stay current with the topic.
- ATA Leader Chris Spear Presses Congress for AV Framework
- ATA seeks national framework for autonomous vehicles
- Autonomous trucks bill headed to California governor
- Autonomous trucks: CA bill restricts them; House committee hearing Wed.
- California Governor Expected to Veto Driverless Truck Ban
- California Governor Gets Bill on Humans in Autonomous Trucks
- California Senate passes ban of driverless trucks
- California Senate passes bill outlawing self-driving trucks without a human driver on board
- California Senate votes to ban driverless trucks
- California’s Autonomous Truck Bill Passes Senate, Goes to Governor
- Chinese Autonomous-Tech Company Shares Self-Driving Truck Data
- Lawmakers show skepticism for autonomous trucks
- One in five trucks in U.S. could be autonomous by 2034: Roland Berger
- OOIDA maintains criticism as autonomous hearing approaches
- Teamsters release framework for autonomous vehicle policy
- Teamsters release policy framework for AV truck development
- Truck driver jobs at center of House hearing on automation
- Will autonomous trucks displace drivers? Congress mulls impacts
- Will autonomous trucks displace drivers? Congress mulls impacts
Electric vehicles
Before you purchase an electric commercial motor vehicle, please see the articles in the section entitled “Fire” just below.
- California doubles electric truck rebates for small fleets
- Daily Infographic: Where electric cars are (not) being considered
- Electric Vehicle Sales Hit Critical Mark
- FHWA Offers $100 Million in Grants to Fix Broken EV Chargers
- Hyundai Could Get $2.1 Billion in Aid to Make EVs in Georgia
- Nikola FCEV Truck Deliveries to Start Before End of September
- Quebec to invest $59M in charging stations, electrification of commercial transport
Emissions
- By 2040 half of all commercial vehicles will reach zero emissions, analysts say
- California Lawmakers OK Sweeping Emissions Disclosure Rules
- EPA urged by members of Congress to finalize ‘strongest feasible’ GHG regs
- Half of U.S. commercial vehicles will be zero emissions by 2040: ACT Research
- HDT Webinar to Explore Zero-Emission Trucks Today and Tomorrow
- Report: Half of commercial vehicles will be ‘zero-emission’ by 2040
- Volvo Charts Customer-Focused Path for Zero-Emission Goals
- Volvo expands electric truck production, sees carbon pricing as key to zero-emissions future
- Zero-emission truck insurance clears California statehouse
Fire
- Nikola asks customers to return electric trucks at risk of fires
- Nikola Truck Catches Fire During Testing
6. Regarding fuel, fuel taxes, and fuel: Run on Less:
Fuel
- Analysts: Diesel Price Augurs Carrier Casualty Acceleration
- Benchmark diesel price up 4.8 cents a gallon, but out West it’s soaring
- Commercial hydrogen fueling station in Germany could provide blueprint for North America
- Daily Infographic: In 2023, US renewable diesel production capacity surpassed biodiesel production capacity
- Diesel Fuel Prices Rise for 10th Week
- Diesel Issues Could Worsen Due to Lack of Crude From OPEC+
- Diesel price per gallon changes a mixed bag around the country
- Diesel Price Rises 4.8¢ to $4.54 a Gallon
- Diesel, gas prices pushing up nation’s inflation
- Fuel Efficiency Is the Main Goal in Trailer Aerodynamics
- Illinois Welcomes Expansion of Soybean Plant for Biodiesel
- Quantron to Bring Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks to Europe, US
- Sheetz extending fuel discount
- Weekly Fuel Report: September 12, 2023
- Weekly NTI Update: September 11, 2023
Fuel taxes
- Alabama fuel tax rates increase Oct. 1
- Fuel tax holiday focus of Georgia state of emergency
- Georgia declares emergency, suspends diesel and gas taxes
- Georgia governor declares ‘legal emergency,’ suspends state fuel taxes again
- Georgia governor suspends motor fuel taxes
Fuel: Run on Less
7. Regarding dash, parking, recalls, regulations, and shortage:
Dash
Quite some time ago, we published on our website an article entitled:
Dash Trash: What a Trashy Looking Truck Says and Does
Be aware of what having a junky-looking truck dash says about you — and to what it can lead.
Parking
- ATA Touts USDOT Truck Parking Investments
- Coalition calls on House to approve Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act
- Coalition urges full House to consider truck parking bill
- DOT Focuses on Truck Parking During Driver Appreciation Week
- FMCSA announces $80 million investment in new truck parking facilities, CMV safety projects
- More than $80 million in federal funds released to expand truck parking
- Truck parking funding part of $80M in new grants
- U.S. announces $80M funding to improve truck parking, safety
- Who should solve the truck parking crisis?
Recalls
Regulations
Shortage
- A breakdown of how the ‘driver shortage’ narrative has pretty much ruined the trucking industry (for now)
- ATA Throws Down After FreightWaves CEO Calls Driver Shortage A ‘Myth’
- ATA vs FreightWaves
8. Regarding drugs, road rage,and theft:
Drugs
Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how promising the money sounds.
- Nearly 200 pounds of liquid meth discovered in semi’s fuel tank
- Tennessee Task Force seizes $1 million worth of weed from semi’s sleeper berth
Road rage
Do not engage anyone in road rage.
It’s just not worth it!
Theft
- Borderlands: Mexico averages 58 cargo thefts a day in Q2
- Last defendant, a trucker, sentenced in North Dakota oil theft scheme
- Officers fire on suspect in stolen big rig after he rammed police cruiser
- Police ask truckers to aid in cargo theft investigation
- Teen faces multiple charges for stealing semi truck and trailer
9. Regarding rates, surcharges, and tolls:
Rates
Surcharges
Tolls
- Appeals Court Hears Arguments on Rhode Island Tolling Plan
- Cashless Tolling Is Coming to Kansas Turnpike in 2024
- Oral arguments heard in state’s appeal of truck-only tolls verdict
10. Regarding underride and weather:
Underride
- Coalition demands investigation into DOT’s underride research
- Moms urge federal regulators to mandate side underride guards
Weather
- Hurricane Lee to strike weather-worn New England
- New England, eastern Canada hunker down in anticipation of Hurricane Lee
11. Regarding Yellow:
Yellow
- Court Approves Timeline for Sale of Yellow Terminals
- Estes Express Lines ups bid to $1.525 billion to purchase Yellow’s terminals
- Estes Express Offers $1.525 Billion for Yellow Terminals
- Estes’ revised $1.525 Billion bid for Yellow properties is “an improvement” over previous offers, company says
- Estes sets new floor of $1.525B for Yellow terminals
- Yellow asset sales, bankruptcy financing approved
12. Regarding awards:
Awards
Congratulations to every professional truck driver who demonstrates skill every day on the job.
We also thank those who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need.
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: 2023.09.16 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
