This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending January 23, 2021.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding politics and truckers’ slow roll:
Politics
This week, a new President of the United States was sworn into office.
While there may be widespread despair over what led up to this event, this is not the time to back down!
It is more important than ever for truckers in the USA to contact their elected officials — on federal, state, and local levels on a regular basis — and press for what is right.
Most officials on the federal level have multiple offices, so feel free to contact them at both their local office and office in Washington, DC.
Also, don’t forget to contact those in offices that cover transportation.
While many articles have been written about appointments for top transportation posts, I will limit them to these.
- President Biden Appoints Progressive Leaders to Head FMCSA, FHWA, and NHTSA
- Senate to Quickly Confirm Biden’s Pick to Head USDOT Despite These Serious Concerns
Truckers’ Slow Roll
This is one way to get attention, but is it the most effective?
Please comment through the form below.
- Group of Truckers Shut Down and Slow Roll in Protest to Biden’s Plans for Trucking
- Owner Operators voice concerns over new regulations
- Truckers ‘slow roll’ in Missouri to fight regulations that could put them out of business
- Truckers Slow Roll to Sound Alarm on President Biden’s Plans for Trucking
- Trucking Experts Warn Biden’s Policy Agenda Will Crush Small Fleets, Force Consolidation
2. Regarding accidents, set-up for accident, and GPS:
Accidents
Please familiarize yourself with the various kinds of trucking accidents that take place and learn what you can do to either eliminate them or make them less severe.
- Driver inattention was the likely cause of pileup involving semis & snow plow in Sturgis, police say
- VIDEO: Car cuts off a trucker — and highway chaos ensuesRegarding this accident, I wonder why the trucker in the truck that was brake checked went so far to the right, so as to hit another truck.
If you have the answer for this, please comment below.
Set-up for accident
It has been written many, many times about not being distracted while driving.
And while we have written about preparing food and recipes in one’s truck — including using hands-free meal preparation — including using a crock pot — pay attention to this…
Never, ever, EVER cook while you’re driving such that you are distracted!
The trucker in this video thinks he is being clever, but he is setting himself up for a huge accident!
Trucker cooks while driving his big rig
GPS
- Trucking company and driver sued after following GPS onto 6 ton bridge, causing collapseQuote from article:
Though there were signs posted at the bridge entrance warning the driver about the 6 ton weight limit, [the trucker] attempted to cross the bridge anyway in his 38 ton truck.
The weight of the semi truck collapsed the 88 year old bridge structure and left the truck partially submerged in the Petit Jean River.
Learn how to use a Motor Carriers Atlas (truckers’ atlas) and if you must use a GPS, make sure it is specifically designated for Commercial Motor Vehicles and has big truck routing.
Using the wrong kind of GPS unit as a trucker will eventually lead to an accident.
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, drones, and technology:
Autonomous vehicles
I am sharing these as a courtesy to keep you informed.
- Comment period open for USDOT’s plan to integrate automated vehicles into U.S. highways
- DOT moves forward with new automated vehicles plan
- These Mega Carrier Execs are Advising Tech Company Intent on Replacing Truckers
- TuSimple Advisory Board to Offer Fleet, Regulatory Input
- TuSimple sets up advisory board
- Werner Invests in TuSimple
Drones
I am also sharing these as a courtesy to keep you informed.
- FAA Approves Automated Commercial Drone Flights
- FAA gives approval for drone operation outside operator’s line of sight
- Walmart to begin drone delivery pilot this summer
Technology
Which of these sound helpful to you?
- Cybersecurity: Your freight depends on it
- Drivers offer hackers an easy access point to fleet systems
- Hackers leak medical records of truckers, rail workers
- More Fleets Are Utilizing Remote Diagnostics
- NACF, RMI gear up for ‘Run on Less’ real-world electric truck tech demo
- Spireon Launches Tracking Hardware, Video-Based Solution
- TA app lets you activate pumps and pay from your truck
- TA rolls out app feature designed to save truckers time while fueling
- This futuristic technology exposes drowsy drivers
- West Palm Beach Pilots Smart Zone Deliveries
4. Regarding crime, violence and training:
Crime
Violence
- BLM Protesters Shut Down Seattle Freeway During MLK Day March
- Pennsylvania State Police trooper accused of excessive force
- Tased trucker sues PA trooper for use of excessive force
- Trucking Group Proposes Bill to Crack Down on Violence Against Truckers
Training
Navigating protests
- Program trains truckers how to stay safe if they get stuck in a protest
- Road rage: Driver training for protest mitigation is the new normal
- Training program helps truckers navigate possible protests
Other kinds of training
- VIDEO: A peek into the future truckers of America
I realize that this gal is not a professional truck driver, but please be careful not to drive with slippery cloth between your hands and the steering wheel! - VIDEO: See a can opener bridge strike — in Lego form!
Yes, the top of the Lego truck was curled up to make the whole top come off, but the video makes a great point! - Virginia police are taking an “educational approach” to enforcement of the new cell phone laws
Make it a habit not to hold your phone at any time when driving any vehicle.
5. Regarding operations, maintenance, snow chains, recall:
Operations
- Commentary: 7 ways small business can cut parcel-shipping costs
- Speed limits on highways could change in five states
Maintenance
Snow chains
Recalls
- 4000+ Freightliner trucks recalled for defective steer tires
- Freightliner Cascadia trucks recalled for steer tire issue
6. Regarding economy, pay, rates, tolls, predictions, and classification:
Economy
- Consumer spending drove freight growth in 2020
- Despite losing momentum late, holiday sales surprise to the upside
- E-Commerce Shaped by COVID-19 May Become New Normal
- E-commerce used truck sales and prices increase amidst COVID
- FTR: November Trucking Conditions Ease from October High
- The Daily Dash: LTLs on the rise; strong freight fundamentals remain in place for 2021
- Trailer orders close 2020 on positive note, setting stage for robust 2021, says ACT
- Truck Tonnage Has Largest Monthly Gain since June
- Truck Tonnage Surges in December to First Year-Over-Year Gain Since March
- Used truck prices find footing in 2020 amid pandemic
Pay
Rates
Tolls
- I-69 Ohio River Crossing will include toll on new interstate bridge
- Rhode Island Senate files support for quashing subpoenas in toll lawsuit
Predictions
- 4 Trends Trucking Can Expect in 2021
- Analysts bullish on trucking even as pandemic leaves lingering uncertainties
- Avoid the spot market? Analysts weigh in on 2021 freight outlook
- COVID-19 Still Brings Uncertainty to 2021 Trucking Outlook
- Prominent Trucking Economist Predicts “Truck Freight to Continue Rising”
- Shippers Expecting More Volume in 2021
- U.S. Xpress CEO Details Economic Forecast for 2021
- U.S. Xpress sees current fundamentals lasting well into 2021
Classification
- California Supreme Court says ABC test can be applied retroactively
- Trucking-related DOL opinion looks to new worker classification rule that has cloudy future
7. Regarding emissions, fuel, batteries:
Emissions
- California’s road to reducing truck emissions runs through warehouses
- Urgent action’ needed to hit net-zero truck emissions by 2050, report says
Fuel
Batteries
8. Regarding regulations, break, face masks, and nuclear verdicts:
Regulations
Break
Face masks
- Mask mandate issued for all federal property
- Orders require face masks for interstate travel and on federal property — here’s how truckers will be affectedQuotes from article:
“On Thursday, Biden signed an Executive Order requiring masking during interstate travel.”
“Commercial motor vehicles were not included in the order.”
Please refer to these two previous TDMST Weekly Round-Up trucking commentaries about what wearing face masks do: 2020.05.30 and 2020.12.12.
Eventually, I think we’re going to start seeing more accidents involving people driving while wearing a face mask — especially double face masks!
Wearing a face mask deprives the wearer’s brain of oxygen and decreases his/her cognitive ability.
If you are involved in an accident with a driver of any vehicle, make sure that you find out:
- Was the driver wearing a face mask?
- If an ambulance is called, what is the driver’s level of oxygen under his/her mask and in his/her blood?
Nuclear verdicts
9. Regarding relief, retention, and risk:
Relief
- OOIDA: Truckers need tangible relief, likes suspending HVUTI agree with suspending HVUT for a year and restoring company truck drivers’ ability to deduct from their taxes meal expenses incurred while on the road.
I totally disagree with “pandemic relief” because regulations restricting truckers need to be removed across the board instead of providing spot assistance here and there that comes out of the pockets of the taxpayers.
Retention
Risk
10. Regarding roads, speed, drugs, smuggling:
Roads
Speed
Drugs
Don’t haul illegal drugs!
- Almost $3M worth of meth was seized at the World Trade Bridge
- Border agents discover marijuana valued at more than $141,000 concealed in commercial shipment.
- Marijuana, meth, e-cigarettes seized at Texas ports
Smuggling
Don’t haul people like they are cattle!
Furthermore, don’t give a ride to anyone not authorized to be in your truck.
11. Regarding humor to get the message across:
My favorite Witty one-liners [on] America’s highway signs are these:
- Four I’s in Mississippi
Two Eyes On The Road - May The 4th Be With You
Text I Will Not
12. Congratulations!
Mike and I extend our congratulations and thanks to Morgan Kirkland:
- Truck driver honored for preventing potentially deadly crash
- Trucker recognized for heroism, skill, for avoiding catastrophe with wrong way driver while hauling methanol
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: 2021.01.23 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
