TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.05.18 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending May 18, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding age, bridge strike, collapse, and Memorial Day:
Age
According to the first article in this section:
FMCSA officially removing driver-facing camera requirement from under-21 pilot
I am going to speculate that one or more truckers are going to cry foul, saying that if that group of truckers can go without driver-facing cameras, then so can they.
I speculate that this is going to result in a lawsuit and legal action.
We’ll see if I’m right.
- Driver-facing cams removed from under-21 CDL program | Cocaine found in cotton candy at border
- FMCSA easing fleet requirements for under-21 pilot program
- FMCSA petitioned to allow CLPs for 17-year-olds | I-44 closure, I-70 lane restrictions
- FMCSA to ease requirements in pilot program for under-21 drivers
- High school asks FMCSA to allow 17 year olds to obtain commercial learner’s permits
- High school petitioning FMCSA to allow 17-year-olds to obtain CLPs
- High school seeks commercial learner’s permit exemption for 17-year-olds
- High school seeks truck driver exemption for students under 18
- Younger-Driver Pilot Program Drops 2 Controversial Requirements
Bridge strike
What is the likelihood that two water-traveling vessels should strike bridges in the USA so close together date-wise accidentally?
I am going to speculate that this is either extreme negligence or has been done by design.
In either case, this situation needs to be investigated immediately and prevented in the future.
- Barge hits a bridge in Galveston, Texas, damaging the structure and causing an oil spill
- Barge hits Pelican Island Bridge, causes oil spill
- Bridge between Galveston and Pelican Island remains closed after barge crash
- Bridge From Galveston to Island Closes After Barge Strike
- US Coast Guard says Texas barge collision may have spilled up to 2,000 gallons of oil
Collapse
The articles in this section have to do with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Army Corps: Full Port of Baltimore Access Coming This Month
- Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Span Comes Down With a Boom
- Container ship lacked backup system to avoid Baltimore bridge strike
- Controlled demolition at Baltimore bridge collapse site postponed due to weather
- Crews conduct controlled demolition on Baltimore bridge span
- Investigation continues into 4 electrical blackouts on ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse
- NTSB: Cargo ship that caused bridge collapse had power blackout hours before leaving port
Memorial Day
On Monday, May 27, 2024, many Americans will celebrate Memorial Day.
This holiday is known as the traditional start of the summer vacation season.
Historically, more people are on the roads at this time of year than at other non-holiday times.
Vacationers may be so intent on having a good time that they won’t be focused on driving.
Some people may be driving vehicles much larger than those they normally drive.
There’s also the possibility that some of these folks will be engaging in distracted driving!
What can you do?
While you should always drive defensively, please be alert to drivers and haulers of recreational vehicles and those transporting boats.
Also, if you have an appointment to pick up or deliver a load on Memorial Day, you may want to double-check your appointment.
Finally, if your company pays holiday pay over the Memorial Day weekend — and if you intend to earn it — make sure you know all of the terms involved.
Here are other articles about Memorial Day travels in 2024:
- Crowded highways: Memorial Day car travel expected to set new record
- Influx of summer travelers can create added hazards for commercial vehicles
- Upcoming long Memorial Day weekend prime time for cargo theft
2. Regarding economy, pay, ports, rates, and tolls:
Economy
- ACT reports slow sales growth for used Class 8 tractors in April
- April ’24 net trailer orders top last year’s, ACT reports
- April Cass data shows no improvement in freight demand
- April Medium-Duty Sales Continue Year-Over-Year Gains
- April net orders indicates a “year of transition,” forecast affected by overcapacity
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Freight recession to end in September, Motive predicts
- Freight markets should improve in the second half, but it’s ‘status quo’ for now
- Freight Overcapacity: Trucking Market Faces Challenges in Recovery
- Inflation Eased in April in the First Slowdown of 2024
- March Used Truck Sales Increase 7% From Last Year
- State of freight: Current conditions will be slow to improve, say FTR analysts
- Trailer forecast cuts driven by Class 8 overcapacity, carrier profits, ACT says
- Trucking Limps Through Another Quarter in Q1
- US Class 8 Truck Sales Decline 13% in April
Pay
Ports
- Alabama port backups force drivers into “very unsafe” conditions on I-10
- Delaware Enlarging Port With New $635 Million Terminal
- Idaho installing tire sensors in at Idaho ports of entry
- Port of Long Beach CEO Says Cargo Up Eighth Straight Month
- Visibility platform GoComet: Norfolk-area ports gained most from Baltimore port closure
Rates
- Declining spot rates mean no extra trailer charges at TEL
- Trucking Overcapacity Still Constraining Freight Rates
Tolls
- Arguments about NYC’s fee for drivers traveling into Manhattan continue before federal judge
- Federal Judge Hears Arguments on NYC Congestion Pricing
- Lawmaker questions use of Key bridge tolls
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and trucks:
Autonomous vehicles
I am completely against the operation of driverless, self-driving, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but I share articles on this topic with our readers to help us stay current on the topic.
- Gatik, Isuzu to co-design driverless medium-duty trucks
- Isuzu invests millions in Gatik for self-driving trucks
- Isuzu, Gatik to Build Level 4 Autonomous Trucks
- Motional Halts Las Vegas Commercial Self-Driving Operations
- NHTSA Investigates Waymo Self-Driving Tech After Crashes
- NHTSA Probes Zoox After Two Autonomous SUV Crashes
- Smarter Vehicles Could Mean Big Changes for Traffic Lights
- Spate of Self-Driving Probes Points to Higher Safety Bar
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Amazon Building Electric-Truck Fleet in Southern California
- Amazon Chooses Volvo VNR Electric as First Class 8 BET in US
- Another electric truck charging station coming to the Port of Long Beach
- Biden Hikes Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles
- Can wireless charging lower cost of EV fleets? Purdue researchers hope so
- ChargePoint Announces Three Megawatt EV Truck Charging Architecture
- ChargePoint planning 3 megawatt station for electric big rigs
- Cyclum doesn’t rely on local power grid to charge electric trucks
- Electric APUs Make Inroads in Trucking
- Five Key Considerations for Fleet Electrification
- Honda to Invest $65 Billion Over 10 Years to Bolster EV Push
- Isuzu readies Class 6/7 battery electric truck for 2026 release
- Isuzu taps Accelera by Cummins for battery-electric powertrain
- Opposition grows to speedy electric truck transition
- Plugging In to the Battery-Electric Vehicle Market
- Range, Thermo King Team Up on Electric Reefer Trailer Pilots
- Ryder: Switching to a Class 8 EV May Double Vehicle Costs
- Trucking electrification throttled by excessive ownership costs
- Trump vows to abolish EV mandates; EVs at diesel prices; Kindness for Truckers – WTT
- US Cites Threat of Chinese EVs Made in Mexico as Trade Worry
- Vehicle-to-Grid Charging Key for Evergreen Waste Mack LR Order
- Volvo adds 10 dealerships to certified EV network
- Volvo expands EV-certified dealer network
Emissions
According to the fourth article in this section:
In the latest show of opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new truck emissions standards, 24 Republican state attorneys general Monday, May 13, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C. a request for review of the regulations finalized earlier this year.
In a separate action, 17 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against California’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule.
- 17 states sue to block California’s Advanced Clean Fleets rule
- Advanced Clean Fleets challenged by more than a dozen states
- ATA praises Senate’s passage of grant program to reduce emissions
- EPA’s new truck emissions standards target of lawsuit by 24 states
- Group of attorneys general suing over new truck emissions rule
- Senate Passes Diesel Emissions Reduction Bill Update
- Small trucking company calls new emissions standards “crazy”
- States look to derail latest emissions mandates aimed at zero
- States look to derail latest emissions mandates aimed at zero
- Truck emission rule challenged by 24 states
- What Are Scope 3 Emissions And Why Should Trucking Companies Care?
Fuel
- Clean Energy Fuels to Build Nine RNG Production Facilities
- Coalition Seeks Information on New Biofuel Tax Credit System
- Diesel Price Drops 4.6¢ to Reach $3.848 a Gallon
- Diesel takes another hit and may be driving down broader oil market
- FBX Report: May 16, 2024
- Fueling Sustainability: The Rapid Rise of Renewable Diesel
- How low will they go? Diesel prices continue to trickle down
- Hydrogen Maker Plug Power Soars on $1.7 Billion US Backing
- Kenworth Announces Cummins X15N Natural Gas Engine Production
- More Iowa Biodiesel to Flow From $14 Million State Grants
- Senate okays diesel fleet renewal grants, rebates
- Weekly Fuel Report: May 14, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: May 13, 2024
Trucks
- Honda Takes Wraps Off Class 8 Hydrogen FCEV Concept Truck
- Honda to demonstrate Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck
- Hyzon Unveils Hydrogen Fuel Cell Refuse Truck
- Symbio, Michelin to Unveil Hydrogen-Powered Truck
4. Regarding politics, roads, and supply chain:
Politics
- Idling rules for localities is topic of new Colorado law
- Prove It Act adds two co-sponsors
- Road rage targeted by new Utah law
- Truck drivers are focus of Georgia direct-action rule repeal
- Underride guard provision removed from California bill
Roads
- Brent Spence Bridge project clears federal environmental reviews
- Delaware State Police form new unit to crack down on ‘High Intensity’ roadways
- I-17 closure this weekend | Rates, financing costs dent trucking conditions
- North Carolina bridge to close for six months
- Section of I-17 north of Phoenix closed for repairs this weekend; expect delays
- Two closings planned on I-44 in Oklahoma this weekend; delays expected
Supply chain
- Aligning supply chain planning and logistics creates major opportunities
- What early freight orders for peak season show — CNBC Supply Chain Survey
5. Regarding brokers, business, inspections, parts, and tires:
Brokers
- FMCSA sticks with broker final rule
- RXO sees double-digit brokerage volume growth for fourth consecutive quarter
Business
- New study highlights impacts of inefficient freight movement
- Owner-ops are responsible for personal benefits as well as pay, business costs
- Trucking Leaders Discuss Industry Trends, Key Concerns
- Want to start a trucking company? Make sure you have a solid business plan
- Who is hauling all this cheap freight?
- Why Sustainability Matters for Trucking Success
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- 2024 International Roadcheck: Preparing Fleets and Drivers for Safe Operations
- Check Call: Inspections for all
- Idaho Rolling Out $1.2 Million Tire Inspection Sensor System
- International Roadcheck underway
- North America’s biggest truck inspection blitz is underway now
- Roadcheck 2024 checks, tips: CVSA insight
- Roadcheck is in the rearview — but 2024’s CMV blitzes are far from over
Parts
- FMCSA grants Gemini exemption to use flashing brake light system
- Tanker fleet gets limited exemption to install pulsating brake light system
- ‘Where’s my part?’ — OEMs challenged by global supply chain disruptions
Tires
6. Regarding parking and truck stops:
Parking
Be aware of any reduction in truck parking — for whatever reason.
- Donner Pass rest area closed for “green substance” hazmat
- Indiana DOT gives update on truck parking conversion projects
- San Antonio to discuss displacing 1000s of trucks with parking ban
Truck stops
- Love’s reopens Texas truck stop following renovations
- New truck stop opens in New York State
- Wawa to open first-ever travel center with free truck parking
7. Regarding crashes, fatalities, fraud, and near miss:
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.
- “Massive crash” shuts down Hwy 85 in Denver
- Truck carrying 15 million bees to blueberry fields crashes on I-95 in Maine
- Video catches container hauler toppling on ramp, causing collision with bobtail truck
- Wrong-way driver fleeing police on Los Angeles freeway crashes, climbs onto hood of semi
Fatalities
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my 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?
- 1 dead after a fiery tanker truck crash in Colorado
- 18 wheeler strikes, kills high school wrestling coach walking to prom on interstate
- 8 dead, 40 injured in pickup’s crash with trucking company’s bus
- Deadly Trucking Incident Reveals Enforcement Gap
- Motorist previously convicted, clean record for trucking company in fatal bus crash
- Pickup driver jailed in deadly crash with bus carrying trucking company workers
- Plunge off of bridge and into creek takes life of trucker
- Raised bed of one truck tips and crushes driver inside of another
- Trucker hit by car dies on way to hospital
Fraud
Never attempt to deceive, misrepresent something, intentionally pervert the truth, or pretend to be someone else for the purpose of trying to get something valuable.
This kind of action may result in a lawsuit.
- Fuel truck company owner pleads guilty to bid rigging
- Investigation into truck driver’s death unveils insurance fraud scheme
- Man pleads guilty to CARES Act fraud
Near miss
The video embedded in this article shows a close call by a four-wheeler with a large truck!
8. Regarding routing, theft, and violence:
Routing
Always know how to route your truck on truck routes according to a Motor Carrier’s Road Atlas (aka trucker’s atlas).
Theft
Do not take something that isn’t yours without first asking for permission.
- Borderlands Mexico: Tractor-trailer thefts in Mexico totaled 153 in April
- Cargo theft reaches ‘new heights’
- CargoNet Warns of a Surge in Stolen Trucking Shipments
- Feds charge 8 men in multi-year beer cargo theft scheme
- Surge of cargo theft is ‘hitting us like lightning,’ experts say
Violence
- Driver who ran over officer was holding woman hostage in cab
- Drivers’ fistfight behind the wheel causes crash on I-95
- Murder suspect sought after trucker found with gunshot wound near his semi, Texas cops say
- Tennessee trucking duo die in ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ style shootout with cops
- Three man brawl in moving box truck cab leads to crash
9. Regarding drugs, and drugs – reclassification:
Drugs
Never ever agree to haul illegal drugs anywhere on your rig’s tractor or trailer, no matter how large of an incentive you’ve been offered.
Also, never use illegal drugs.
- Almost $500k in cocaine found hidden in load of cotton candy
- Cocaine trucking couple keeps “suicide by cop” promise during chase
- Half a million $ in cocaine stashed in shipment of cotton candy
- The great cotton candy caper: CBP seizes nearly $500k in cocaine from candy hauler
Drugs – reclassification
I have a feeling that this “reclassification” of marijuana is going to result in legal action as well, possibly a lawsuit.
- ATA is sounding the alarm for trucking over feds reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug
- ATA raises concerns about marijuana reclassification
- ATA red-flags DOJ’s proposed marijuana policy change
- Marijuana rescheduling raises questions for trucking industry
- Proposed Rule Would Reschedule Marijuana as Less-Dangerous Controlled Substance
10. Regarding staged, technology, technology – dashcam, and weather:
Staged
Technology
- Arkansas DOT to provide free in-cab alerts
- Chaotic dash cam video shows trucker threading the needle through a bunch of big rigs
- Commercial carriers in Arkansas can now receive real-time traffic alerts
- Daimler, Volvo Set JV to Develop Shared Tech Architecture
- Freightliner’s New Backup Alert Safety System
- Google executive says supply chain uses of generative AI flourishing
- How This Fleet’s In-Cab Tech Update Enhances Driver Experience
- How to file successful DataQ for inspection violations
- New Technology You Need to Know As a Fleet Manager
- Phillips Industries Unveils Solar Panel Technology for Trucks
- Phillips Says Rear-Vu is Trucking’s First Universal Backup Camera System
- Plus Debuts AI-Powered Vehicle Safety System
- Plus launches new AI tech to enhance vehicle safety systems
- Telematics Specialist FleetPulse Spins Off From Great Dane
- Video shows driver using phone to control Tesla Semi systems
- Volvo and Daimler create JV to enhance digital capabilities
Technology – dashcam
The articles below are evidence behind why I wrote this post on our website: How a Truck Cam, Smart Cam or Dash Cam Can Save Truckers Money.
- Dash cam shows what led to semi dangling off Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville
- Dashcam catches drunk pickup driver’s near deadly crash with owner-operator
- Trucker’s terrifying Louisville bridge crash caught on camera
Weather
11. Regarding retaliation against fellow trucker?
Today on Facebook, I read the following post in a truckers’ group:
I was sleeping quietly at a truckstop when a reefer pulled up and parked next to me, [OBJ] I solved the problem, though, I just turned the reefer off.
As soon as I saw that, I posted this comment:
This may have been written to cause a laugh.
However, if this was serious, you may have just destroyed:
– tens of thousands of pounds of food; and
– the ability of the driver to be paid.Never ever mess with another trucker’s rig or load!
Instead of taking revenge on reefer haulers, please get yourself a pair of good quality ear plugs and perhaps a white noise machine.
As of the last time that I checked, I had gotten 50 “likes” or “hearts” on my comment.
Now, that being said, other comments (including back to mine) have ranged all over the place, including:
- saying that the post is “click bait”;
- causing laughs;
- calling me stupid;
- citing the law (generically in 18 U.S.C.);
- threatening violence against the other trucker; and
- threatening retaliatory action against the other trucker’s rig.
One trucker indicated that it was crime to tamper with another trucker’s truck.
I asked for specifics, got a general idea of where the law is written, and then asked someone whom I thought would know.
I was directed here:
18 U.S. Code § 1365 – Tampering with consumer products
I have seen other posts by truckers, including those who wanted to do something to the rig of someone parked for too long in a fuel island.
Be aware of:
- both the legal consequences of retaliation;
- and the fact that surveillance cameras are installed in many places (including on many trucks).
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
I congratulate all professional truck drivers who have been honored for their safe driving accomplishments and truck driving skill!
- 3 million mile trucker named Arkansas Trucking Association’s Driver of the Year
- Arkansas Trucking Association doles out awards at annual conference
- FreightWaves Infographics: One long trip: XPO driver achieves 4M accident-free miles
- Nominations open for OTA 2024 Truck Hero and Driver of the Year
- Randy and Darci Wickham honored as National Carriers’ drivers of the year
- Trucker with 50 years on the road named Virginia’s Driver of the Year
- Walmart truck driver achieves remarkable 5 million safe miles
Recognition
I also recognize those who help their fellow human beings in a time of need.
- TCA names Hogan Transports driver Highway Angel for aiding seizure victim
- TCA names Maverick driver Highway Angel for aiding another trucker
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: 2024.05.18 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.