TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.06.08 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending June 8, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding carbon monoxide, congestion pricing, inspections, load securement, and so-called bird flu:
Carbon monoxide
According to the third article in the section just below:
Investigators say that the carbon monoxide poisoning was likely caused by a single-burner butane cooking stove found in the truck.
OK, even there is a “grills” post on this site, we have never advised drivers to cook — or heat their cabs — with a gas burner in the truck.
In 2012, we posted tips about smelly, toxic diesel exhaust, checking for a flex pipe leak, and to get a broken one replaced ASAP.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family of the trucker who passed away due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Driver’s death prompts in-cab carbon monoxide warning | New Paccar MX-13
- Here are 12 symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning all truck drivers should know
- Trucker died from in-cab carbon monoxide poisoning, investigators say
- Washington state sounding carbon monoxide alarm after trucker dies
Congestion pricing
In my opinion, this scheme should never have been proposed.
Further, I speculate that had it not been for the lawsuit that was filed, the New York governor would not have backed down on this.
I am very glad that this has been withdrawn!
- After nixing toll plan for Manhattan, New York governor proposes tax hike
- Congestion pricing in New York City paused ‘indefinitely’
- FreightWaves Infographics: New York trucking group sues to stop Manhattan congestion fee
- New York Backtracks on Big Apple Congestion Fees
- New York Governor Delays Congestion Pricing
- New York governor delays plan to add big tolls on Manhattan drivers, including truckers
- New York governor indefinitely pauses Manhattan congestion fee
- New York group sues NYC over congestion tolls for trucks
- NYC congestion pricing halted indefinitely
- NYC congestion pricing program halted following trucking group’s lawsuit
- Trucking Association of New York won’t drop lawsuit after governor’s pause of Manhattan toll
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
Please be aware of emphases coming up and what has happened in the past.
- Brake Safety Week coming in August
- Brake Safety Week set for late August
- More Than 500 Commercial Motor Vehicles Removed from North American Roadways in One Day Due to Brake Violations – CVSA — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
Load securement
Every professional truck driver is responsible for the securement of his or her load.
One of the articles below includes a video showing how something on a load fell off and hit another motorist (a biker) in transit.
I would like to hear from my readers — specifically about this article/video — how they would have advised the trucker to make sure that the piece that came loose would not have come loose before transporting it.
Please comment through the form below. Thanks.
- Biker gets beamed in the head while riding next to flatbed
- National Secure Your Load Day set for June 6
- ‘Secure Your Load Day’ observed nationally this week
So-called bird flu
There are two places in Revelation 2 in The Holy Bible that refer to people who:
- either claim to be something that they are not (vs. 2);
- or call themselves something that they are not (vs. 9).
There are powers-that-be who have been making claims about health and wellness for a long time — and who stand to earn a lot of money from their lies.
In my opinion, we’ve seen a lot of this over the last 4 years or so.
Furthermore, in my opinion, one needs to look for conflicts of interest and propaganda behind any mass movement to do something on a widespread scale.
Specifically regarding the so-called “bird flu” having affected cattle, please watch the video from Dr. Judy Mikovits on Telegram, in which she asks a lot of reasonable questions.
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, battery cells, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and fuel economy:
Autonomous vehicles
I very strongly object to 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.
Battery cells
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- ABB Considers Sale of Some Electric Mobility Assets
- EV Taxi Startup Revel to Lay Off Drivers for Gig Model
- GreenPower launches new electric refrigerated box truck
- Kentucky Gov. Beshear Pushes Back on Trump-Led EV Attacks
- Kentucky governor pushes back against Trump-led attacks on electric vehicles
- Kia Recalls Nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs Due to Fire Risk
- Many Americans are still shying away from EVs despite Biden’s push
- Mercedes and Stellantis Press Pause on EV Battery Factories
- Poll: Many Americans Still Shying Away From EVs
- Range Energy debuts next generation electric-powered trailer
- Senator questions lack of charging stations for electric vehicles
- Some Long-Range EVs Now Cost Less Than Average New Car in US
- The business of EV headlines
Emissions
- 19 States Challenge California on Emissions Legal Activism
- Peterbilt rolls out low NOx engines to meet strict California emissions standards
- Virginia will abandon California emissions standards by end of 2024, governor says
- Virginia Won’t Enforce New California Emissions Rules
Fuel
- Air Products Plans Calif. Hydrogen Truck Refueling Network
- Air Products to build commercial hydrogen refueling stations in California
- Benchmark diesel price falls for eighth straight week as futures plummet
- Cemex inks renewable natural gas fuel agreement with Clean Energy
- Clean Energy bringing renewable natural gas to Southern California
- Diesel Price Dips 3.2¢ a Gallon to $3.726
- Diesel, Gas Prices to Rise July 1 in Five States
- FBX Report: June 3, 2024
- Nikola stats show H2-powered trucking is for real
- Pilot unveils points-per-gallon promotions on diesel fuel
- UN Chief Wants Tax on Profits of Fossil Fuel Companies
- US Diesel Demand Hits 26-Year Seasonal Low in March
- US diesel prices continue downward trend
- Weekly Fuel Report: June 4, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: June 3, 2024
Fuel economy
3. Regarding alcohol, crashes, death, drugs, fatalties, fraud, road rage, smuggling, and theft:
Alcohol
Never ever use (as in mouthwash) or consume (as in beer, wine, liquor, or any kind of spirits) alcohol before you begin driving a vehicle of any kind, especially a commercial motor vehicle.
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.
- Caught on camera: 18-wheeler veers off I-24 into Tennessee creek
- Dramatic video shows big rig veering off shoulder, rolling over
- Driver who ran over Utah officer called police on himself
- Maryland accident embeds trash truck into tractor-trailer
- Racing motorists send trucker swerving into semi on shoulder
- Truck left hanging off overpass by rear wheels
- Video shows California cop car go airborne after T-bone
Death
I extend my condolences of the people who died as a result of the actions described in these articles.
Please review them to see if you can learn anything to help prevent a future death.
- Pedestrian struck, killed on Indiana’s I-64
- Truck driver cited for death of man who walked into the side of his rig
- Trucker commits suicide after road rage homicide, Pennsylvania police say
- Unexplained death discovered on trucking company property raises hazmat concerns
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- Could Reclassifying Marijuana Prevent Clearinghouse Testing & Reporting?
- Couple passed out at truck stop arrested for heroin
- Maryland cops recover $3 million in stolen tools
- Using advanced tech to navigate the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
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?
- 5 dead in car that rear-ended 18-wheeler ID’d in Georgia
- Five killed after crashing into semi truck parked on shoulder of Georgia interstate
- Motorist dead after colliding with parked big rig at Texas weigh station
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.
Road rage
Learn how to help prevent road rage from escalating out of control.
- Driver swore he would “f-ing kill” woman with pipe during road rage
- Trucker and work truck driver dead following road rage incident on Pennsylvania Turnpike
Smuggling
Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how big a “payoff” you’ve been offered.
- Body cam shows Texas trucker arrested for smuggling 19 people in sleeper berth
- Video shows migrants moving into parked dry van trailer in NYC
Theft
Never take something that doesn’t belong to you, unless you have permission.
In our day, there are many types of surveillance cameras, so be on guard!
- Chicago man charged with stealing $9.5 million worth of interstate shipments
- FreightWaves Infographics: Tractor-trailer thefts in Mexico totaled 153 in April
- High-value cargo increasingly targeted by thieves
- High-value cargo theft on the rise
- Men caught stealing diesel at a Love’s by purchasing “not ordinary” amount
- Two men arrested for suspected fuel theft at California Love’s
4. Regarding bankruptcy, closures, economy, employment, and rates:
Bankruptcy
Closures
Economy
- Class 8 Truck Orders Increased 50% Year-Over-Year During May
- Containerboard sector feeling pandemic-induced ‘hangover’
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders spike, spot market rates ‘stable’
- Here comes the market recovery?
- Post-holiday bump setting the stage for summer
- Preliminary Class 8 truck net orders jump in May
- State of Freight: Fuller highlights connections between housing market and trucking
- Tractor Supply Opens Its Largest Multistate Distribution Center
- Transports-only hedge fund manager hopeful despite ‘perfect negative storm’
- Used Truck Sales in April Jump 30% From Last Year
- Walmart Expects E-Commerce Profits Within Two Years
Employment
- Employers Added a Robust 272,000 Jobs in May
- Survey finds many drivers are looking for new opportunities
- Truck transportation jobs down in May; total now matches November
- Trucking jobs take a big hit in May
- Walmart Offers Workers Opportunities in Skilled Trade Jobs
Rates
- May sentiment survey sees higher transportation rates but capacity up again
- Spot rates delivered mixed bag in latest week, Truckstop reports
- Weak rates, low volumes and high costs continue to impact freight market in April
5. Regarding border, border – CBSA, business, concerns, and detention:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Kuehne+Nagel expanding in Texas to meet rising manufacturing demand
- Growth of cross-border freight brings concerns on capacity, driver shortage
- I-35 border checkpoint closed when semi truck hits cement post
Border – CBSA
- Borders to remain open should CBSA strike this afternoon
- UPDATED: CBSA strike looms as early as June 7, CTA calls for intervention
Business
- Pre-buy and demand for equipment in Mexico likely influenced Class 8 truck orders bump in May
- Top Tips for Buying the Right Vehicle for Construction Work
- Trucking and related companies fill out this year’s Fortune 500 list
Concerns
Detention
6. Regarding parking, predictions, value, and purpose:
Parking
- Feds to seek truck parking information for third Jason’s Law survey
- Free spaces now pay-to-park: The future of truck parking?
- Love’s adds 76 truck parking spaces at new North Carolina location
- New rest areas add truck parking in West Texas
- NJDOT surveys ask truckers for their experiences with finding parking
- POLL: Pay-to-park — what’s your view of expanding truck parking with more paid space?
- Texas DOT opens rest stops with dozens of truck parking spaces along I-10
- Truck parking app being developed by UConn researchers
- Truck parking is focus of new laws in multiple states
- Two new rest areas open on I-10 near Van Horn in southwest Texas
- Why the trucking industry should celebrate paid truck parking
Predictions
Value
Purpose
7. Regarding collapse, escape ramp, and roads:
Collapse
- FMCSA extends Baltimore bridge collapse emergency declaration
- Full Port of Baltimore Channel Set to Open by June 10
- Key Bridge emergency extended for the third time
- Maryland Senator Presses for Baltimore Aid
- Port of Baltimore channel access expanded
Escape ramp
Roads
- B.C.’s Pattullo Bridge replacement to be completed in fall 2025
- I-55 bridge over Mississippi River to be closed for two weeks
- Plans moving forward for Brent Spence Bridge connecting Ohio, Kentucky
- Rehab project underway on three New York bridges
- Resurfacing projects will cause travel delays on I-95 in Maryland
- These drivers should sue for such a horrible merge setup
- Worth relishes ice road trucking adventure
8. Regarding FMCSA, legal, politics, and raised bed warning:
FMCSA
- Does FMCSA registration overhaul have a sole-proprietor problem?
- FMCSA awards $480M in grants for safety initiatives
- FMCSA grants $480M to scrutinize carriers in push for zero traffic deaths
- FMCSA Grants 14 Epilepsy Waivers, 11 Hearing Exemptions to Truck Drivers
- FMCSA hands out $480 million in commercial vehicle safety grants
- FMCSA hosting listening sessions for input on carrier safety rating revamp
- FMCSA plans public listening session on safety fitness determination
- FMCSA wants feedback on towing practices, scheduled meeting upcoming
- FMCSA’s carrier safety rating revamp — time to weigh options | I-55 two-week closure
- Next FMCSA Truck Leasing Task Force meeting online June 13
- Safety Fitness Determination Changes: FMCSA to Hold Listening Sessions
Legal
- Company ordered to pay truck driver who was fired for refusing to violate Hours of Service rules
- EPA, Kentucky diesel parts seller reach deal over ‘defeat devices’
- Federal judge orders Crane Masters Inc. to pay fired truck driver’s back pay in OSHA case
- Government sues trucking company and deceased driver over fiery bridge crash
- Judge dismisses 2 of 3 claims in lawsuit over yacht destroyed in transit
- Judge orders back pay for driver who refused to violate hours-of-service regs
- Kentucky company slapped with $1.25 million fine for selling ‘defeat devices’
- Seko Logistics takes CBP to court over e-commerce enforcement
- Tennessee parts distributor fined $525K for selling ‘defeat devices’
- Trucking Attorneys Need to Get Aggressive, Expert Says
- Trucking company settles discrimination lawsuit for $65k after firing driver for religious beliefs
- Werner still on hook for discriminating against hearing-impaired driver
Politics
- House Lawmakers Introduce Moving Protection Bill
- House Passes FY25 Funding Bill for Veterans, Military
- States to receive millions for CMV crash prevention
- Towing reform pursuits reach finish line in four states
- Vehicle crime bill advances in California Senate
Raised bed warning
9. Regarding freight routes, routing, safety, technology, and tires:
Freight routes
Routing
It is imperative — in my opinion — that all professional truck drivers obtain and learn how to use a Road Carriers Atlas (aka truckers atlas).
Safety
- Saskatchewan Class 1 driver exemption raises safety concerns, STA says
- Trucking Leaders Discuss Impact of Safety Culture on Operations
Technology
- ABF Freight Seeks to Boost Safety With Trailer Sensors
- Addressing API security in the trucking industry
- AI-powered forecasting, benchmarking among key updates in latest SONAR release
- Altana releases next-generation supply chain management platform
- Best trucking dispatch software solutions for 2024
- C.H. Robinson executive highlights promise of generative AI in logistics
- Customers will determine mass adoption of new tech: Ryder CEO
- Daimler Truck, Tavant launch AI-driven warranty system
- DOT shouldn’t mandate tech before it’s perfected
- E-SMART debuts new smart seat belt
- Flexport CEO says AI poised for big things in global supply chain
- How smart labels are improving supply chain intelligence
- Iowa State Patrol calls out ‘house move gone wrong’
- Optimal Dynamics’ new AI aims to simplify spot freight procurement
- Senators Promote AI Education
- Traffic cam catches big rig crashing off Tennessee interstate into creek
- Trucker’s dash cam catches Camaro driver’s wildly dangerous merge and cutoff maneuver
- Truck-Specific Navigation Software Offers Safety, Efficiency
Tires
10. Regarding climate control, LTL, maintenance, truck stops, and weight:
Climate control
LTL
Maintenance
Truck stops
- Loves’ opens new location off U.S. 52 near Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Love’s opens North Carolina truck stop with 76 truck parking spaces
- Pilot’s plan to build truck stop rejected by Mass. town
- Truck stop paying for additional traffic lights as part of development approval
Weight
Along with the routing section above is the warning that trucks must never attempt to cross a bridge that is not rated for its weight.
Stay on the truck routes!
11. Regarding recycling, supply chain, and truck ban:
Recycling
Supply chain
- Cass, FreightWaves SONAR partner on supply chain intelligence
- Future of Supply Chain Live in Atlanta Day 1 |
- Future of Supply Chain Live in Atlanta Day 2 |
- National defense expert names 3 global supply chain hot spots to watch
- Shifting supply chain strategies benefit US and Mexico, UPS official says
Truck ban
12. Regarding awards, championship, and recognition:
Awards
I congratulate the professional truck drivers who were recently recognized for their “achievements within the trucking community and … their dedication and safe driving records.”
Championship
I congratulate all professional truck drivers who demonstrated their skills and won any round of participating in a truck driving championship!
- FedEx driver Sangha wins AMTA’s Grand Champion crown
- Florida Truck Driving Championships hitting the beach at Daytona
- Nebraska Trucking Association’s truck driving championship winners announced
- Oregon Champ Shamrell Excited to Make Familiar Trek
- Pennsylvania’s 37th annual Truck Driving Championship showcases more than 200 drivers
- Small Fleet Championship seeks entries from fleets 3-30 trucks
- Werner’s Eric Stein wins several awards at Nebraska driving championships
- XPO Logistics trucker wins grand championship of NJ driving competition
Recognition
Finally, I recognize the truckers who helped their fellow human beings in a time of need.
Thank you for showing the world that some truckers still believe in loving their neighbors as they love themselves. 🙂
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: 2024.06.08 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.