This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 27, 2021.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding annual bottleneck report:
As the organization does every year, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released their list of the top 10 most congested “bottlenecks” in the USA.
- 2020’s worst congestion bottlenecks for truckers identified
- Annual Top 10 List of Most Congested Bottlenecks For Truckers Just Released
- ATRI reveals worst truck bottlenecks in the U.S.
- Houston ‘wins’ most truck-bottlenecked city on congestion list
- New Jersey freight bottleneck worst for third straight year
- New Jersey intersection tops ATRI’s list of top truck bottlenecks for third year in a row
- The top 10 worst spots for truck bottlenecks compiled into one revealing list
- Top 10 Truck Bottlenecks
- Truck Bottlenecks Improve in 2020 Due to Pandemic
There are a couple of ways to conquer bottlenecks:
- Either route yourself around them (which may or may not be practical — and which may add miles to your route);
- Or go through the bottleneck area at a less congested time.
Regarding the “extra miles” argument, one has to weigh the “time factor” of going through a bottleneck versus going around it.
As we describe on our “air quality” page:
For example, once Mike needed to make a trip from Milford, Connecticut to Greensboro, North Carolina during one driving period. By the shortest practical route, the trip is about 605 miles. In order to make sure that he made good time, he had to time leaving Milford such that he could avoid rush hour in and around New York City, Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. By leaving very early in the morning, he was able to do so.
2. Regarding economy, employment, business, commercialization, and consumers:
Economy
- ATA’s truck tonnage index rose 1.4% in January but lags 2.1% behind last year
- Freight costs down, accessorial and fuel surcharges rise in December
- January Sales Indicate Used Truck Market to Grow
- Leading indicators show positive signs for flatbed demand
- Orders for US Durable Goods Climb 3.4% in January
- Reefer capacity tightens in winter storms, while imports fuel demand
- Truck tonnage gets 1.4% bump in January
Employment
Business
Commercialization
Consumers
3. Regarding accidents:
Please learn what you can from the situation described in these articles and actively work to prevent being involved in any kind of accident.
DUI
- Crash, DUI charge nets driver FMCSA shut down order
- Truck Driver With History of DUI Deemed ‘Imminent Hazard’ Following Three-Vehicle Crash
Multi-vehicle
Lawsuit
- Five trucking companies facing lawsuit for massive, fatal Fort Worth pile up
- Survivors of Deadly Fort Worth Pileup Hit Five Trucking Companies and Drivers With Lawsuit
Train
- Tractor-trailer collides with train carrying gasoline in Texas
- Train vs. semi truck crash leads to huge explosion in Texas
Never try to “beat a train” or take a tractor trailer over an elevated train track (upon which your truck can get stuck).
Another term used to describe trucks getting stuck on elevated train tracks or rails is being “high-centered.”
For your convenience:
- Section § 392.10: Railroad grade crossings; stopping required.;
- 6.3.9 Railroad Crossings (392.10—392.11); and
- The Minnesota Safety Council has published “Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Training for Professional Truck Drivers“.
4. Regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and testing:
In response to the question asked and “answered” here — FAQ: Can Trucking Companies Require Drivers to Get COVID-19 Vaccine? — there’s more information that you need to know:
Not So Fast!
- Assessing The Legality Of Mandates For Vaccines Authorized Via An Emergency Use Authorization
- COVID Vaccinations: Information You Need to Know
- Covid vaccine: You can’t sue Pfizer or Moderna over side effects
cnbc.com/2020/12/16/covid-vaccine-side-effects-compensation-lawsuit/ (no longer online) - Employers can’t require Covid-19 vaccination under an EUA
- What are emergency use vaccines and what compensation is available when they cause injury?
Other articles include:
- 653 Deaths + 12,044 Other Injuries Reported Following COVID Vaccine, Latest CDC Data Show“The numbers reflect the latest data available as of Feb. 4 from the CDC’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System website. Of the 653 reported deaths, 602 were from the U.S. The average age of those who died was 77, the youngest was 23.”
- One-Third of Deaths Reported to CDC After COVID Vaccines Occurred“According to new data released today, as of Feb. 12, 15,923 adverse reactions to COVID vaccines, including 929 deaths, have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) since Dec. 14, 2020.”
- 58-Year-Old Woman Dies Hours After Getting First Dose of Pfizer Vaccine.”
- The Covid Outbreak: “Biggest Health Scam of the 21st Century.” Report
I’m not saying not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, just go into vaccination having done your due diligence, with your eyes wide open, and realize the potential consequences, especially since organizations pushing the vaccines have been heavily funded by a depopulationist (someone who wants to see people die), who wants a return on his investment into vaccines.
Whether or not you realize it, good health is worth more than gold.
When you have a vaccine injected into your body, you have no control over what happens from there.
Protect your physical health asset!
COVID testing
5. Regarding border, inspections, move over, insurance, move over, operations, routing, and speed:
Border
- ArriveCAN app rule now in effect for truckers entering Canada
- Canada Delays ArriveCan App Requirement for Cross-Border Truck Drivers
- Cross-border freight sees first yearly increase since beginning of pandemic
- Shippers, beware of cross-border insurance gaps
Inspections
Move Over
- Illinois officer in recent viral clip of shockingly close call with semi truck speaks on “Move Over” law
- Troopers to ‘aggressively enforce’ Move Over law with fine up to $10,000
Operations
- 10 Tips to Maintain Traction on Slippery Hills All Truckers Should Know
- VIDEO: Log truck driver’s double yellow pass causes scary close call
Routing
Speed
6. Regarding drugs and smuggling:
Never smuggle drugs, no matter how much money you are promised.
- $11.5 MILLION in Meth Found Hidden in Floor of Big Rig Hauling Produce From Mexico
- $27M marijuana found hidden in shipment of papayas
- Feds find 44 pounds of ‘cocaine-soaked’ cereal in freight shipment
- FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is an important part of your driving record
- FMCSA declares Idaho trucker to be an imminent hazard after DUI charge
- FMCSA orders Idaho truck driver off the road after crash and DUI violations
- Trucker Promised $25,000 to Haul Load of Drugs Into U.S. Gets Quite a Surprise
7. Regarding technology, ELDs, innovation, and recall:
Technology
- Inside a ransomware attack on a small trucking company
- USPS Unveils ‘Next Generation’ Delivery Trucks in Announcement of Multi-Billion-Dollar Deal
ELDs
- Answering your top 15 questions on the Canadian ELD Mandate
- BREAKING: Quebec won’t enforce ELD mandate in June
- Designed to increase safety, ELDs provide data, plus some unintended consequences for trucking industry
- Transport Canada Stands Firm on ELD Deadline — Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
Innovation
Recall
- 27K Navistar trucks recalled for defect that could cause sudden engine shutdown
- Navistar recalls 32,603 heavy-duty trucks for engine shutdowns
- Risk of ‘Unexpected Engine Shutdown’ Forces Navistar to Recall 27,500 International Trucks
8. Regarding fuel and repairs:
Fuel
- Diesel prices have steadily climbed for three months
- Diesel Spike of 9.7¢ Is Most in More Than Three Years
- That’s a record: Weekly DOE/EIA diesel price up 16 straight weeks
- TravelCenters of America Reports Q4 Net Loss, Eyes Alt Fuels
Repairs
9. Regarding pay, tolls, preparedness, and taxes:
Pay
- Biden Administration Withdraws Letter on Sleeper Berth Pay
- Dear U.S. Xpress — What the heck are you doing?
- Department of Labor withdraws opinion on sleeper berth pay
- Legal battle brewing in Texas over payout in fatal truck crash
- Should freight companies pay their employees in bitcoin? Insiders
Tolls
- PennDOT plans to start tolling these 9 bridges
- PennDOT Proposes Big Bridge Tolls for Truckers
- Pennsylvania lawmakers unhappy about bridge tolls reminded of law they passed
- Pennsylvania’s trucking industry is “disappointed” and actively speaking out against the upcoming bridge tolls
Preparedness
- Diesel Shortages in Texas Force Officials to Take Emergency Actions to ‘Keep Truckers Moving’
- Empty Store Shelves Amid Winter Storms Remind America Why Truckers Are So Important
- Truck Stop Chains Reopen Stores But Diesel, Water, and Food Services Still Big Problems
- Truckers Stranded in Brutal Winter Storm Served Hot Meals Thanks to Kindness of Locals
Taxes
- Buttigieg: Fuel Tax Not a Long-Term Funding Solution
- Fuel tax rate changes pursued in 12 states
- Mississippi bill would let state voters decide on fuel tax increases
10. Regarding regulations, protesters, violence, and theft:
Regulations
- FMCSA rear impact guard inspection comments due March 1
- How a Biden Executive Order Could Mean Stricter Regulations
- Sleeper Berth Guidance Withdrawn In Huge Win For Truck Driver Pay Reform
Protesters
- Missouri Senate passes bill against road-blocking protesters
- New legislation in Oklahoma, other states, would protect drivers who hit protestors
Violence
- Family of Man Killed While Breaking Into Big Rig Accuses Trucker of Murder
- Frozen water bottles used to break windshields on Missouri highway, vandals still loose
- Man trying to kick out semi’s windows is fatally shot by trucker
- Trucker Justified in Killing Man Who Attempted to Break Into His Big Rig, Police Say
Theft
11. Regarding weather:
- High winds continue to cause problems for truckers in the West
- High winds disrupting freight flows out West
- Intense winds plague Wyoming highways, send semis toppling
- VIDEO: Driver learns first-hand why Wyoming is still under a wind warning
12. Regarding awards/recognition and music:
We extend our heartiest congratulations and praise to those who help truckers and others:
Award
- Canadian trucker honored for helping find missing man
- Video: Team of pickups work together to haul big rig up an icy hill, sled-dog style
- WATCH: Six Pickup Trucks Pull Big Rig Stuck In The Snow
Music
- John Schneider releases song to help truckers in need
- John Schnieder – “Truck On”
- New song ‘Truck On’ pays tribute to America’s hardworking truckers
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: 2021.02.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
