This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 5, 2020.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding autonomous trucks:
As you know, I appreciate some features on trucks that help truckers do their jobs better or with less fatigue — like a cruise control — but I am absolutely opposed to truckers’ jobs being replaced by self-driving, driverless or autonomous trucks!
That being said, I am listing the most recent articles about truck automation so that you can stay informed:
- AV testing transparency tool is anything but transparent
- CCJ Daily Dispatch, Sept. 2: Major fleets partner with self-driving truck developer
- Daimler takes deliberate approach to driverless trucks
- Daimler, Torc Robotics Outline Autonomous Truck Strategy
- DOT Launches Tool to Track Autonomous Vehicle Testing
- If it’s a driverless truck, why does it need a sleeper berth?
- Inside the Cab of an Autonomous Truck
- Three Major Transportation Companies Sign Up To Soon Deploy Driverless Trucks
- Three major trucking companies subscribe to self-driving truck service
- Torc’s Fleming: Retrofitting Trucks for Autonomy ‘Not Commercially Viable’
- Toronto entrepreneur wins award for self-driving truck start-up
- Two of the country’s biggest freight hubs are now prime testing grounds for autonomous truck technology
- USDOT launches portal allowing public to track on-road AV testing
- USDOT Secretary Announces New Test Tracking Tool to Promote Driverless Vehicles
- Waymo picks Dallas for driverless trucking hub
If you think it is best to start putting more money in your pocket, consider how to earn a second income from the cab of your truck.
2. Regarding Hours of Service:
According to the FMCSA’s website:
On June 1, 2020, FMCSA revised the hours of service (HOS) regulations to provide greater flexibility for drivers without adversely affecting safety. Motor carriers are required to comply with the new HOS regulations starting on September 29, 2020, not before.
I’m sure that the Summary of Hours of Service Regulations page will be updated with the new HOS around that date.
You may also wish to see the Hours of Service Drivers Final Rule
This is a list of the most recent articles having to do with the Hours of Service regulations in the USA:
- CCJ Daily Dispatch, Aug. 31: DOT now eyeing shorter pause options for drivers’ 14-hour duty clock
- Details of impending hours of service changes explained
- FMCSA plan for HOS reform marches forward
- FMCSA Suspends Hours of Service in Eight States to Speed Hurricane Relief Efforts
- New hours of service provisions impact personal conveyance
- Pausing the 14-hour clock: Comments open on FMCSA program
- Pilot Program Would Test 3-Hour ‘Pause’ of Driving Clock
- Ready for new HOS rules on Sept. 29? This ‘cheat sheet’ can help.
- Want A ‘Pause’ Button On Your 14-Hour Clock? FMCSA’s Got One For You
3. Regarding testing:
Even though drivers may find these resources on the FMCSA’s website —
- Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
- Drug and Alcohol Testing Brochure for Drivers
- Drug & Alcohol Testing Program
— it seems that the FMCSA will never be satisfied until they have the most invasive means of testing truckers for the presence of drugs and/or alcohol in their bodies.
Here are the most recent articles on this topic:
- Breaking News: Trump Administration releases mandatory guidelines on hair testing for drugs
- Mandatory hair testing is one step closer, feds confirm
- Mandatory hair testing proposal almost ready for rollout
- Top Scientist Calls FMCSA Drug Testing Proposal “Fatally Flawed” – It’s Rolling Out Anyway
4. Regarding pilot program for under 21 drivers:
Do you remember one song from Meredith Willson’s The Music Man when Professor Harold Hill started singing “Ya Got Trouble.”
Of course, Harold Hill was a fictitious scam artist who stirred up River City in an attempt to get parents of boys to buy his band stuff.
However, it is very true that the FMCSA is proposing a new “under-21” commercial driver’s pilot program, according to the articles listed here:
- FMCSA proposes interstate pilot program for 18-20-year-olds
- FMCSA Proposes New Under-21 Commercial Driver Pilot Program
- FMCSA proposes new under-21 commercial driver pilot program
- FMCSA Proposes Program to Allow CMV Drivers as Young as 18 to Operate Cross-Country
- FMCSA proposes under-21 driving program
- FMCSA pushes forward new pilot program to allow 18 — 20 year old truck drivers to operate interstate
- FMCSA reveals pilot program for under-21 drivers
- Pilot program could see 18-year-old truck drivers cleared for interstate trips
- The Daily Dash: FMCSA pilot for young truckers; and hiring begins to rebound
- Under-21 truckers: FMCSA proposes pilot to allow 18-to-20-year-olds in interstate operations
Unless this is greatly limited or put to a stop, I see trouble ahead for the trucking industry.
There is a reason why the insurance rates of males under about the age of 26 are higher than after that age.
Let’s hope that safeguards are put in place!
5. Regarding drones:
There are many modes of transportation available to people to get freight from one point to another.
Here are the most recent articles about commercial delivery via drones:
- Amazon Drones One Step Closer to Takeoff
- Amazon now authorized to fly commercial delivery drones
- Long-Overdue National Freight Strategic Plan Addresses Topics from Drones to Data
- The Daily Dash: Truckload sector shines bright; Amazon drones ready to fly
6. Regarding economy, facts and AB5:
These are the most recent articles about:
Economy
- August intermodal loadings best in US since late 2018
- Breaking News: Trucking jobs rise by 10,000 in August
- Class 8 truck orders continue to bounce back through August
- Commentary: Growth despite the coronavirus
- Daily Infographic: Used truck sales are hot this summer
- Disaster fallout: How global shocks are reshaping trade
- Employment follow: A strong month for the logistics sector
- Employment growth in trucking expected to slow down
- How to manage a trucking operation during turbulent times
- Less-than-truckload turning positive in August
- Spot rates up 33% year-over-year and trending higher — is the peak near?
- Trucking jobs surge in August, continuing employment growth streak
Fact Book
- 2020 Fact Book: COVID-19 [Photos]
- 2020 Fact Book: Equipment [Photos]
- 2020 Fact Book: Industry [Photos]
- 2020 Fact Book: Logistics [Photos]
AB5
- AB5’s effects on trucking industry argued in Ninth Circuit
- Courts hear truckers’ case against Calif. gig economy law
- Fate of Independent Contractors in California Has Another Day in Court
7. Regarding technology, telematics, and trucks:
Technology
Telematics
- UPS testing of telematics tools draws ire of union dissident group
- Want to implement telematics in your fleet? Here’s how to secure driver buy-in
Trucks
- CCJ Daily Dispatch, Sept. 4: IIHS touts effectiveness of automated braking systems
- Check out this custom ‘super cab’ semi truck
- Commentary: How data transparency increases the lifetime value of vehicles
- Inspector General’s Report Details New Mail Truck Program Problems
- Truck inspections critical in preventive maintenance program
- Watch this semi pop a wheelie struggling to lug a massive load uphill
8. Regarding safety:
Various recent articles about safety include:
- 10,000 warnings, citations given truckers in Safe Driver Week
- Can front crash prevention systems reduce truck rear-end crashes?
- CCJ Daily Dispatch, Sept. 3: CVSA releases inspection blitz results, FMCSA opens comments on HOS breaks
- Collision-warning, emergency-braking systems could prevent more than 40% of rear-end traffic crashes by large trucks
- CVSA Releases 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week Results
- CVSA Reveals TOP 5 Citations Handed Out to CMV Drivers During Recent Crackdown
- CVSA Says Don’t Make These Top Ten Mistakes During Next Week’s Inspection Blitz
- Driver requirements the target of this year’s Roadcheck blitz
- Drivers of passenger vehicles received nearly three times as many warnings, citations than commercial drivers during Operation Safe Driver Week
- Five steps to avoid light-related out of service violations
- Georgia DPS Shows Off Portable CMV Brake Testing Machine During Inspection Blitz
- Getting blitzed: Cargo securement violations can turn deadly
- How to avoid an out of service violation due to tires
- IIHS: Truck safety equipment could cut 40% of rear-end collisions
- International Roadcheck is scheduled for Sept. 9-11
- Keep Your Drivers Safe on the Road
- Learn more about roadside inspections and be prepared
- ‘Maximum enforcement’: Troopers to increase patrols in multiple states this weekend
- Nearly 11,000 citations and warnings handed out to truckers during driver-focused blitz
- OOIDA voices concern over recent crash-prevention effectiveness claims
- Operation Safe Driver Week nabs 10,000 CMV violations
- Pass inspection with Overdrive’s truck maintenance tips
- Preparing for a level 3 inspection during a roadside stop
- Safe Driver Week results: Fewer checks but speed-related violations rise
- Speeding tops violations during Safe Driver Week
- The 4 Most Important Safety Tips for Truck Drivers and Safety Managers Today
- Tire Safety Week is underway
- Troopers begin three week blitz targeting aggressive CMV and car drivers
- Truckers received more than 10,000 warnings, citations for traffic violations during Operation Safe Driver Week
- Video: Driver backs his trailer into a hastily driven Chevy van — Preventable or not?
9. Regarding money, holidays, tolls, tax:
Money
- An expert’s take on metrics to use for fleet profitability
- Barr-Nunn Transportation’s New Driver Pay Options
- Cost of truck financing has risen, even as owner-operator credit scores show improvement
Holiday hauling season approaching
- FedEx, UPS holiday advice to big shippers: Bring the big wallet
- Tips for trucking carriers prepping for holiday peak season
Tolls
- A Guide to Trucking Toll Costs in America
- Government privilege takes center stage in Rhode Island toll lawsuit
Fuel Tax
10. Regarding accidents and nuclear:
Many truck accidents are totally preventable!
Can you find any in this most recent list of accidents that are not preventable?
If so, please comment through the form below.
- Back-to-back incidents lead to DUI arrest of truck driver
- CHP blames forklift for massive trailer failure
- CHP Says Forklift Was Too Much For This Old, Overweight Trailer to Handle
- Driver virtually unscathed after slamming into concrete slab infamous for truck accidents
- Driver warns of the importance of the ‘move-over’ law after near-death experience
- ‘Horrific truck crash’: Semi loses brakes on I-70, strikes 3 cars
- Pile-up crash involving three semis results in multiple fatalities
- Police say that car driver’s fiery wrong way crash with semi may have been ‘intentional’
- Police say truck driver fled after U-turn led to double fatality crash
- This trucker’s wild driving maneuver saved a devastating crash
- Truck driver charged following chain-reaction DUI crash that killed 73 year old fellow trucker
- Trucker Admits He “May Have Fallen Asleep” Before Smashing Into Vehicle Along Interstate
- Trucker Charged in Crash Killing Fellow Trucker After Drug Test Comes Back Positive
Nuclear Verdicts
- 3 Things Trucking Fleets Should Know About Runaway Jury Verdicts
- Court overturns big ‘nuclear verdict’ against U.S. truck fleet
- Record $100 MILLION Nuclear Verdict Overturned on Appeal, New Trial Ordered
- The Daily Dash: Freight markets burning up; nuclear verdict reversed
11. Regarding theft and Labor Day:
Every major holiday or long weekend — during which some truckers will be home or waiting for their trailers to be unloaded — run the risk of having the cargo on their trailers stolen.
The upcoming Labor Day holiday is one of those times.
Please follow best practices regarding making sure your truck and trailer are locked up and inaccessible to thieves.
- CargoNet warns of rise in food theft
- CCJ Daily Dispatch, Sept. 1: Increased cargo theft activity expected over Labor Day weekend
- Daily Infographic: Labor Day cargo thefts
- Drivers, shippers should guard against cargo theft during Labor Day holiday weekend
- Two arrested in connection with cargo thefts at Illinois rest areas
- Two arrested in connection with thefts targeting truckers
12. Regarding competitiveness:
Hmm…
While some truckers are still trying to eke out a living following the mandatory shutdowns, here comes the DOT with another plan:
- DOT rolls out National Freight Strategic Plan
- Nation’s first-ever National Freight Strategic Plan designed to help U.S. maintain ‘competitive edge,’ says Chao
What are your thoughts on this plan to help the USA maintain its “competitive edge”?
13. Regarding ranks:
Two types articles were recently written that mentioned ranks.
Maryland’s roads
- Maryland interstate conditions and congestion rank among the worst in the nation according to new report
- Report shows Maryland’s interstate congestion, travel volume, pavement among worst in nation; offers recommendations for restoration
The Best and Worst Cities to Drive In
14. Regarding appreciation:
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is coming up September 13-19, 2020.
However, my husband Mike and I appreciate truckers every day of the year!
Here are most recent articles about truckers being appreciated.
- A Letter of Appreciation from The Eastern Transportation Coalition
- Love’s appreciates pro drivers all this month
- ‘Make Way’ video from Pilot salutes, thanks truckers
- TA travel centers appreciate truckers all month
- Troopers say semi driver ‘likely saved a life’ on I-80 this weekend
- Truckers honored throughout September as well as during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
If you know of other celebrations, awards, or demonstrations of appreciation being shown to professional truck drivers, would you please mention them through the form below?
Thanks.
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: 2020.09.05 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
