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TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2021.04.24

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 24, 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 inspections and insurance:

Inspections

Truck drivers should maintain their trucks to such an extent that they are ready for an inspection at any time.

Given that Roadcheck is coming up in a couple of weeks, you may wish to review these pages from our site:

Additionally, here are some of the most recent articles about truck inspections:

Insurance

If you feel that the laws or regulations regarding truck insurance require or must not require any changes, please contact your elected officials, especially on the federal level (Representatives and Senators).

 

2. Regarding employment, pay, earn more, savings and economy:

Employment

Pay

Earn More

Savings

Economy

 

3. Regarding accidents, tarping, near miss, and Tesla:

Accidents

Please review the types of accidents that truckers have had recently and endeavor never to get into the same set-up.

Tarping

Among the accidents listed above was one involving a flatbed driver who was crushed to death while he was securing his load.

Here’s a useful article for flatbed-hauling truckers.

Near miss

I have no way of knowing for sure whether or not the motorist (non-trucker) in this “near miss” accident was wearing a face mask.

However, it is a fact that the decreased oxygen and increased carbon dioxide being breathed in while one is wearing a face mask decreases the face mask wearer’s cognitive function compared to what it would be if no mask was worn.

That being said, be on the lookout for “stunts” like this.

I also congratulate the trucker for his safe, evasive actions.

Tesla

Please also see the related section on autonomous vehicles listed below.

 

4. Regarding operations, most wanted, and credentials:

Operations

Most wanted

Credentials

 

5. Regarding carbon, emissions, and infrastructure:

Carbon

Please review my summary of carbon and organic chemistry in my March 27, 2021, issue of TDMST Weekly Round-Up.

I stated, in part, “the quest to have a ‘carbon tax’ is, in effect, a tax against humanity and other organic life forms.”

Emissions

There’s been a huge push in transportation circles to lower one’s “carbon footprint” and the “emissions” from what might be called “conventional, thermal vehicles” (those that burn fuel, including gasoline and diesel).

This resource states, “while no greenhouse gas emissions directly come from EVs [electric vehicles], they run on electricity that is, in large part, still produced from fossil fuels in many parts of the world. Energy is also used to manufacture the vehicle – and, in particular, the battery.”

Please bear in mind that in order to keep operating, electric vehicles must be recharged.

The big, surprising, and paralyzing winter freeze that took place across Texas — about which I wrote in my February 20, 2021, issue of TDMST Weekly Round-Up — goes to prove that electric vehicles are not foolproof.

But then again, neither are fuel-burning vehicles that must have fuel to continue operating.

Until there is some environmentally-friendly device that allows electric vehicles to “self-charge” — perhaps through solar power or an on-board ability to purify hydrogen out of the air — there will always be issues regarding energy usage and emissions.

Please also see the section below about electric vehicles.

Infrastructure

 

6. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and fuel:

Autonomous vehicles

I am adamantly opposed to self-driving, driverless, or autonomous vehicles — and share these articles only as a courtesy to help you stay up-to-date about this technology.

Electric vehicles

Please see the section above regarding emissions.

Fuel

 

7. Regarding parking, protests, violence, and self-defense:

Parking

Since underwriting the cost of truck parking is not something authorized on the federal level under the Constitution of the United States, I believe that private business or individual states need to provide truck parking.

If you feel strongly about this topic, please contact your elected officials.

Protests

These articles cover what states are doing regarding preventing or punishing protests on roads.

Violence

Please do what is reasonable to avoid violence and protect yourself and your rig.

In our day when law enforcement and justice seem to be a bit upside down, be aware that your actions may have serious consequences.

Self-defense

I would like to have your feedback on this device.

Do you think it is a good thing?

Would you like to use this device or something like it?

Please comment through the form below. Thanks.

 

8. Regarding recalls, definitions, repairs, and corrosion:

Recalls

Definitions

Repairs

Corrosion

 

9. Regarding drugs, smuggling, legal, and speed:

Drugs

Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much money you are promised.

Smuggling

Never ever treat humans like cattle.

Legal

Speed

 

10. Regarding VMT, wait, and fatigue:

VMT

These articles address Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and related tax.

Wait

Fatigue

In order to adequately address fatigue, one must also take into account the Hours of Service regulations and availability of truck parking.

 

11. Regarding technology:

 

12. Congratulations!

We congratulate and recognize:

  • all “Citizen Drivers”;
  • each “Driver of the Year” finalist and winner; and
  • each achiever of a major trucking safety milestone.

Citizen Drivers

Driver of the Year

Safety Award

Thank you, one and all, for your service!

 

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: 2021.04.24 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.