TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.08.17 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 17, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding carbon tax, costs, economy, and employment:
Carbon tax
The first paragraph of the article linked just below says:
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is appealing to the feds to suspend the carbon tax on diesel fuel as part of its pre-budget submission for 2025.
I disagree with putting a “tax” on “carbon.”
For other thoughts I’ve written about carbon and decarbonization in the past, please see:
Now for the article:
Costs
Economy
- Class 8 Truck Sales End Nearly a Year of Declines
- CPI Inflation Slowed Again in July
- Early peak drives record LA port volume
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Canada’s spot market posts strong July
- FreightWaves Infographics: Fourth consecutive month of decline in truck transportation jobs
- FTR: Trucking conditions still positive in June
- FTR’s trucking conditions index remains positive despite significant decrease
- How Trucking Fleets Are Navigating the Post-Pandemic Roller Coaster
- In a Surprise, Deere Keeps Outlook Despite Weak Market
- Is Trucking Pulling Out of the Post-Pandemic Doldrums?
- July Cass data reflective of cycle bottom
- Market conditions, rates slip back from June boost | Truck driver pleads guilty to drug trafficking
- Medium-Duty Truck Sales Rebound After Two-Month Decline
- Overcapacity remains key challenge, Trimble-Transporeon report finds
- Peak season came early this year — what to do if you missed it
- Private Carrier Sector Rankings Reflect Fleet Growth
- Stable start to August
- Trucking tactics for this down market — and the next one
- Two-Year-Old CHIPS Act Spurs Regional Growth, Lawmakers Say
- Unexpectedly strong import wave keeps rolling through peak season
- US Wholesale Inflation Cooled in July
- Weak market hits fleets’ earnings, but some fight on
- What inventory levels are telling us about holiday peak season |
- What We’ve Seen So Far in ’24: Parsing Trucking Companies’ Q2 Earnings Calls
Employment
- More than 100 to be laid off as South Dakota trucking company closes for good
- Unhappy Drivers? Are Administrative Mistakes to Blame?
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel, fuel tips, hydrogen, NACFE, and oil:
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose the operation of self-driving, driverless, 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.
- Driverless semi truck startup pivots to making sci-if movie and video game
- J.B. Hunt, Kodiak, Bridgestone collaborate on driverless hauls
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Electric trucks are topic of one new Michigan law
- Polestar Starts US Production to Sidestep Steep EV Tariffs
- Rivian Pauses Output of Amazon’s Electric Delivery Van
- Volvo Trucks with VNR Electric Ride & Drive at GTSE 2024
- WYDOT announces EV networking database, NEVI update
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel price drops for a fifth week, but higher prices loom
- Convenience Stores Target Trucking With More Diesel Locations
- Diesel Price Declines 5.1¢ to $3.704 a Gallon
- Diesel prices continue to plummett
- FBX Report: August 16, 2024
- Missouri Awarding Grants to Lift Biodiesel, Ethanol Output
- USDA Seeks Easier Rules for Crops to be Used in Green Fuels
- Vertex Energy announced shift to renewable diesel in 2023
- Weekly Fuel Report: August 13, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: August 12, 2024
Fuel tips
Hydrogen
NACFE
The definition of NACFE is on my glossary.
- NACFE Looks to Demystify the Messy Middle
- NACFE’s 2025 Run on Less to focus on decarbonizing Class 8 longhaul trucks
Oil
- Oil Refiners in US Slow Down, Stoking Global Glut Worries
- Oil Surplus Looms if OPEC+ Hikes Supplies, IEA Data Shows
3. Regarding border, broker, containers, and ports:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Industry heavyweights drill down on trade at Laredo summit
- Check Call: The rise of cross-border struggles — and the response
- New Texas-Mexico Border Lanes Speed Up Commercial Traffic
- US-Mexico trade hits record $415B through first half of year
Broker
- 2024 list of fastest-growing companies includes several brokers
- Broker remains off hook in negligent hiring case
- Brokerage acquires truckload and LTL carrier, forming Southeast-focused BRW
Containers
- Long Beach hotter than July as containers soar to monthly record
- Report Finds US Container Imports Could Approach Monthly Record
Ports
- China port explosion snarls trans-Pacific container trade
- GSA starts construction at Kika de la Garza Land Port of Entry in Pharr, Texas
- Port Isabel Secures $1.6M Grant for Major Expansion Projects
- Port of Virginia completes expanded rail project
- South Texas ports of entry requiring cargo trucks to display QR codes
4. Regarding alcohol, crashes, drugs, fatalities, fraud, operations, smuggling, theft, violations, and violence:
Alcohol
Never ever consume alcohol prior to driving a vehicle of any kind.
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.
- Accident on I-20 in Georgia causes shutdown going east
- Flatbed semi truck left overturned and hanging after wreck with sedan
- I-94 EB in Dearborn shut down for four semi truck wreck
- Motorcycle takes a hit from commercial vehicle with ‘major brake issues’
- One trucker injured after colliding with another in Kansas
- Truck driver intentionally rammed police cruisers at travel center with Freightliner, Georgia cops say
- Trucker injured when cab goes over guardrail of I-77 bridge in Virginia
- Trucker tries to just drive away after crunching luxury car at fuel island
- Work van cuts off trucker and ruins both their days
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- Border officials discover more than $6.5M in narcotics in commercial flower shipment
- Canada sees steady trends in marijuana positive tests among truck drivers since legalization
- CBP finds fentanyl, cocaine in commercial flatbed trailer
- DEA makes 3rd largest seizure of meth at Georgia farmers’ market
- DEA’s 3rd largest meth seizure ever found in “very confident” Georgia-bound tractor trailer
- More than 2,300 pounds of meth tracked from Mexico in semi trailer to farmer’s market in Georgia
- Trucker pleads guilty after getting caught with 44 pounds of cocaine at Ohio truck stop
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?
- 3 killed after semitruck overturns on highway near Denver
- 4 die as tractor-trailer strikes vehicles stopped in construction zone
- Driver in fatal I-70 crash thought he had a license, interpreter explains
- Four dead in a series of crashes on the Ohio Turnpike
- Man arrested on vehicular homicide, speeding charges following Ohio Turnpike crashes that killed four
- Motorist’s “excessively fast rate of speed” causes fatal wreck under tractor trailer
- Newlyweds and bride’s mother killed in crash after semitruck overturns in Colorado
- One dead after man who was kicked out drove big rig into Tampa gentlemen’s club, cops say
- One dead in Georgia rear-end crash involving semi truck
- Owner of trucking co. in crash that killed 7 motorcyclists pleads guilty to falsifying log books
- Three dead after semi truck hauling pipe rolls on I-70 in Colorado
- Trucker dead in crash near I-64 runaway truck ramp in West Virginia
- Trucking company owner pleads guilty to charges related to crash that killed 7 bikers
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.
- Couple arrested for charging trucker $28k in fake repairs at their body shop
- Georgia trucker sentenced to federal prison for PPP fraud
- PPP loan fraud scheme lands trucking company owner in prison
- Wisconsin importers pay $10M to settle customs fraud case
Operations
Never engage in illegal behavior as a professional truck driver.
The situation described in this article could have been prevented had the trucker used a truckers atlas or a GPS unit specifically geared for commercial motor vehicles.
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.
- Cuban national convicted of smuggling undocumented migrants in truck’s sleeper berth
- Trucker claims he was “obligated” to smuggle migrants because he owed a guy drug money
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!
Violations
There are certain ways to keep your rig in compliance and sometimes DIY assistance just doesn’t cut it.
Violence
Be on your guard against violence of all kinds.
- Semi truck driver shot dead after following motorist home from road rage incident, Indiana sheriff says
- Trucker out of work after being shot in the eye with a paintball gun
5. Regarding fines, future, pay, per diem, rates, taxes, and tolls:
Fines
Future
Pay
Per diem
Rates
- FTR and Truckstop: Van spot rates rise but lose ground versus 2023
- Pride Group closing could affect freight rates, driver market
- Spot rates mostly weaken as expected
Taxes
Tolls
6. Regarding AB5, ELDs, EPA, LTL, and Top 100:
AB5
ELDs
I think that a large part of the reason why Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are being kicked of the FMCSA’s “list” is because manufacturers were allowed to “self-certify.”
I have written about this situation before:
- Electronic Logging Devices Mandate Commentary
- Comments to FMCSA on Electronic Identification of CMVs
- In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a ‘self-certification’ product?
Now, for the articles…
- 2 more ELD’s removed from FMCSA’s list of registered devices
- Feds pull two more ELDs from list of approved devices
- FMCSA pulls Blue Star, Reliable ELDs from registered list
- FMCSA removes 2 ELDs from registered list due to malfunctions
- Two more ELDs removed from FMCSA’s list of approved devices
EPA
The EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, an unconstitutional federal level bureaucracy.
- Advanced Clean Fleets rule is ‘misguided,’ truckers tell EPA
- EPA fuel waiver extended in the Midwest
- EPA plans marathon public hearing on Advanced Clean Fleets waiver
- Truckers to EPA: Decline CARB waiver for ZEV purchase mandates
LTL
The definition of LTL is on my glossary.
- 5 Things Motor Carriers Need to Know about LTL Freight Classification Changes
- Haney and White acquires B.R. Williams Trucking and B.R. Williams LTL Logistics
- Roadrunner adds LTL service to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Canada
- Roadrunner brings LTL service to Western Canada
Top 100
- About Us: Transport Topics’ Top 100 Private Carriers for 2024
- Interactive Map: Where the 2024 Top 100 Private Carriers Are in North America
- Walmart Overtakes PepsiCo on Top 100 Private Carriers List
7. Regarding fire and weather:
Fire
- Firefighters gain 40% containment of California’s fourth-largest wildfire on record
- Forest fire caused by semi truck wreck shuts down WB I-84 for “most of Wednesday”
- Massive fire reported at North Carolina trucking facility
Weather
- An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 has struck the Los Angeles area, the USGS says
- Debby finally moves out of the US, though power outages, some flooding risk remains
- Vermont extends its flood emergency order
8. Regarding fatigue, home time, parking, politics, regulations, and training:
Fatigue
Home time
As of the time this trucking commentary is being written, 168 Total Votes had been cast with the results being: 71.43% “No” and 28.57%: “Yes”
Parking
- Ohio rest area closure planned, commercial truck parking will remain available
- Truck parking added in Ontario
- Truckers to get parking, heated washrooms, free Wi-Fi at upgraded Hwy. 17 rest area
Politics
- Bill aims to strip foreign shipowners’ liability protections
- Oregon legislators, DOT build understanding of statewide transportation needs
- Pennsylvania Transportation Plan Includes $88 Billion
- Speed, red-light camera rule revisions now law in six states
Regulations
- FMCSA to consider updating some guidance documents, dropping others
- FMCSA wants feedback on guidance documents
- Safety Group Calls for Updating Brake/Stop Lamp Regulations
Training
- 5 best practices for hiring inexperienced drivers
- Briefly: Wisconsin program provides grants for CDL students
- CDL school offering free manual CMV training for the homeless
- Driver training and compensation are key to truck driver retention
- Grant program signed into law to benefit Wisconsin truck drivers
- Prospective drivers attend introduction to trucking boot camp
9. Regarding business, inspections, insurance, lease, legal, and weight:
Business
- ATA chief rips OOIDA stance on Biden independent contractor rule
- Dealing With Uncertain Times: Long-Term Fleet Procurement Strategies [Video]
- Going Private: Shippers Strengthening In-House Fleets
- Grand Island Express achieves record-breaking gains with Optimal Dynamics’ software
- Home Depot Trims Outlook for 2024
- Saia opening 6 former Yellow terminals in August, part of western growth
- Saia opening six new terminals in the western U.S. this month
- Saia to reopen 6 former Yellow terminals in August
- Walmart Boosts Outlook for 2024
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Michigan Motor Carrier Officers crack down on speeding in construction zone
- Top Traffic Inspectors Compete in Indy
Insurance
Lease
Legal
- Court decision impacting Illinois could snare any carrier crossing the state
- Driver who rammed into club planned on going to jail, texts show
- Former fleet owner gets jail time, ban from trucking | Crash, spilled load kill 3 on I-70
- Freight contractors face federal charges in stolen watch scheme
- Georgia man sentenced to federal prison for operating illegal trucking businesses, PPP fraud
- Logistics company to pay $400K to settle claim that worker was fired because of cancer
- Marathon Investor Sues to Block ConocoPhillips Acquisition
- Pilot Air Freight to pay $400K to settle EEOC disability discrimination suit
- Teamsters can protest at Amazon air hub, federal court says
- Trucking company owner pleads guilty to falsifying logs in fatal motorcycle crash
- Trucking company owner sentenced to prison for Paycheck Protection Program fraud
- Yellow appeals dismissal of lawsuit blaming Teamsters for its collapse
Weight
- Coalition urges House leaders to reject bill allowing heavier trucks on roadways
- New Overweight Hauling Law Helps Wisconsin Cheesemakers
- New York cops say cement truck was 18K pounds overweight without a permit
10. Regarding bridges and roads:
Bridges
Roads
- $2.65 billion approved for Highway 1 upgrades in Abbotsford, B.C.
- I-17 closure upcoming | Citizen Driver Award nominations now open
- Mudslide closes Washington highway, wildfires continue to burn
- Part of I-90 in Wyoming will be closed, speed reduced for repairs
- TxDOT building I-10 over notoriously low Houston bridge
11. Regarding recalls, sustainability, technology, and trucks:
Recalls
If your tractor or trailer — or any part thereof — is under a recall, please have the work attended to as quickly as possible.
- DTNA Recalls 3,000-Plus Freightliner, Western Star Trucks
- DTNA recalls more than 3,000 trucks for possible steering issue
- Ford, Mazda Warn Owners About Takata Air Bag Inflators
- Recall issued for Daimler products including tie rods on certain heavy vehicles
- Tie rod-related recall hits more trucks | FMCSA guidance: What needs an update or removal?
Sustainability
Please be aware that one of the most quote definitions for “sustainability” comes from the United Nations, an organization that does not view positively the sovereignty of nations.
Be aware that the use of the word “sustainability” is designed to make everyone agree with it and push people — even unwittingly — toward one-world government that a group of oligarchs will control.
However, sustainability simply means the ability to be sustained.
- A Leap Forward in Sustainable Trucking — the X15N Is Here
- How Trucking Fleets Can Implement Sustainability Strategies
Technology
- 7 Essential Questions to Ask Any AI Technology Vendor
- A different way of prioritizing safety, efficiency and air quality
- Dash cam catches big rig busting open, spilling oodles of raisins on California freeway
- DOT Safety Plan Promotes Wireless Communications on Roadways
- Garmin introduces next-gen d?zl OTR navigation series
- JJ Keller expanded dash cam platforms improves DSM
- McLeod Software announces software update
- Off The Record’s game-changing legal app helps CDL drivers fight back against traffic tickets
- OOIDA urges DOT to proceed with caution on AI, autonomous trucks |
- Risks and Roadblocks Facing AI in Trucking
Trucks
- Mack Gives MD Series Larger Cab, New Safety Features
- Mack giving its medium duty MD a wider cab in bumper-to-bumper refresh
- Mack Trucks refreshes MD Series with new driver-focused features
12. Regarding appreciation, awards, citizen driver, and recognition:
Appreciation
Awards
I congratulate every professional truck driver who drives safely and achieves a benchmark of success.
- ATHS to honor latest inductees into Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame
- Bendix set to sponsor ATA truck driving championship
- FedEx Freight’s Light Conquers Pennsylvania
- Former teacher reaches 5 million miles after 33 years with Schneider
- Road to NTDC Spotlight: Gragg Wilson
- Schneider driver Greg Swift reaches 5 million mile mark
- Schneider National Honors 5-Million Mile Safe Driver
Citizen driver
The first article in this section starts out with:
TravelCenters of America (TA) is now accepting Citizen Driver nominations for 2025. This year marks the 15th for a program that TA created to recognize professional drivers who demonstrate traits that “bring a high level of respect to the truck driving profession, including good citizenship, safety, health and wellness, community involvement and leadership,” according to a release the company issued Aug. 13.
- Nomination period opens for TA’s 2025 Citizen Driver Award
- Nominations now being accepted for 2025 Citizen Driver award
Recognition
The maneuver shown in the video was impressive, but I wish that the whole maneuver could have been recorded and published.
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: 2024.08.17 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
