TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2021.02.06

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 6, 2021.

We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.

 

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

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1. Regarding DOT, politics, legal, and protests:

DOT

A new Transportation Secretary has been confirmed, articles about which include the following:

Already, various trucking groups have suggested a “to do” list for the new Transportation Secretary, including:

  • the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and
  • the National Association of Truck Stop Owners (NATSO).

If you disagree with what these trucking groups are pushing for, express to your own lawmakers what truckers really need.


Politics


Legal


Protests

 

2. Regarding inspections and operations:

Inspections

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will be holding their 2021 International Roadcheck on May 4-6, articles about which include:

Some helpful hints in the article “Truckers should manage behavior during roadside inspections” include:

  • “Remember: The officer is just doing his job.”
  • “[The officer] is out to keep the roads safe for you and everyone else.”
  • “There are people and vehicles that are truly unsafe and need to be taken off the road.”
  • “… stops have to be made, inspections have to be performed and citations have to be written.”
  • “Don’t take it personally.”
  • “Be prepared. Be courteous. Be polite… be professional.”

Operations

 

3. Regarding innovation, technology, parts, and autonomous trucks:

Innovation

Two big types of innovations covered in news articles this week concern Peterbilt and Tesla trucks.


Technology


Parts


Autonomous trucks

I am totally against commercial motor vehicles being driverless, but am sharing these articles as a courtesy to keep you informed.

See also an article linked below about a prediction regarding autonomous trucks.

 

4. Regarding alcohol and clearinghouse:

Alcohol

Never ever consume alcohol and then drive — especially a big rig!


Clearinghouse

 

5. Regarding fuel, emissions, and electric trucks:

Fuel


Emissions


Electric trucks

 

6. Regarding drugs and smuggling:

Drugs

Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much money you’re promised!

And for sure, never use drugs before driving a big rig!


Smuggling

Never, ever smuggle people, no matter how much money you’re promised!

 

7. Regarding economy, employment, independent and gig workers, and predictions:

Economy


Employment


Independent and gig workers

Although these articles are generally geared for non-truckers, what happens in the gig economy can eventually impact trucking and how truckers are classified.


Predictions

 

8. Regarding ice, weather, and idling:

Ice

It is a bone of contention that truckers may need to clear the snow and ice from the tops of their trucks, but have no equipment with which to do it.

If you are a company driver, please consult with your driver manager or Safety Director about what they recommend.

Do not accept silence or “whatever you feel is best” type answers.

They are not the ones who will be charged if a block of ice flies off your truck and consequently someone is injured (or killed) or another vehicle is damaged.


Weather

There have been a lot of weather events lately, especially related to winter.

Please plan ahead and always drive safely.


Idling

The lawmakers considering anti-idling regulations have no first-hand understanding of the situation, so it is up to you to tell them.

 

9. Regarding retention, taxes, supply chain, and best truck stops:

Retention


Taxes


Best truck stops

 

10. Regarding roads, tolls, and accidents:

Roads


Tolls

Rarely do we read that a toll is coming to an end, but in this case, hurray!


Accidents

Please seek to learn what you can from these articles about accidents and do what you can to avoid being involved in a similar situation yourself.

Separately, we read:

“The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is in the midst of developing a uniform standard for conducting commercial motor vehicle crash investigations…”

I’m interested in seeing how this turns out!

 

11. Regarding COVID-19, face masks, and vaccines:

COVID-19

This is the narrative they want you to believe.


Face masks

You may want to read:
Proof That Face Masks Do More Harm Than Good
by Dr. Vernon Coleman MB ChB DSc FRSA.

That being said, here are some of the most recent articles about truckers wearing face masks:


Vaccines

I totally disagree with anyone being pressured to get a vaccine, especially as a condition of employment.

I have compiled a lot of information about the COVID-19 “experimental biologicals” and refer you to the video:

Bio-warfare & Weaponization of Medicine Amid Covid.

That being said, here are the most recent articles about the COVID-19 “vaccines” as they concern truckers.

I totally disagree with OOIDA regarding vaccines being easily accessible to truckers.

If you need any proof of the destructive capability of vaccines using mRNA technology, check out what Moderna has written about their shots being like an “operating system.”

God already gave you an “operating system” for your body, and it has nothing to do with being injected by a man-made concoction that has already injured many and killed others.

As of February 1, 2021, Children’s Health Defense reported:
329 Deaths + 9,516 Other Injuries Reported Following COVID Vaccine.

Furthermore, we read:
COVID-19 Fatalities 16.7 Times Too High Due to ‘Illegal’ Inflation

So, please, be on your guard against those who would push you into risking one of your greatest assets: your health.

 

12. Regarding awards:

Congratulations to all who earned awards for merit and safety!

Some truckers are still the white knights of the highway and we commend them, including this one:

Trucker a Highway Angel for rescuing family after spinout

 

My husband Mike and I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.



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