This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 20, 2021.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Thanksgiving, holidays, theft, hacking, and violence:
Thanksgiving
Since my husband Mike and I have taken multiple Thanksgiving trips on the road as truckers, we understand what truckers on the road at this time of year are going through.
If you cannot be at home, please touch base with your home support team members sometime on Thanksgiving Day.
One option, which allows users to both hear and see each other, is the video conferencing Zoom cloud meeting app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Some truck stop restaurants may offer Thanksgiving meals at a greatly increased price compared to standard meals, while other restaurants may give truckers a free Thanksgiving meal upon presentation of a CDL.
With advanced planning and the right set-up, you can enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving dinner right in your truck.
If you have a battery-connected inverter or APU in your truck, a crock pot or slow cooker, and a hot pot, you can create a meal complete with cooked turkey, sweet potato casserole, and the works.
Since you’re already skilled as a trucker in making on-time pick-ups and deliveries, planning a fancier-than-usual meal in-truck — where everything comes together at the right time — should be fairly easy!
If your company offers — and you plan to earn — holiday pay for driving through some part of the Thanksgiving holiday, make sure you understand and abide by all of their written and unwritten rules.
If you have any questions, ask your driver manager for details.
Once again, we are offering our Thanksgiving Prayer on behalf of truckers.
Meanwhile, here are some of the most recent articles about Thanksgiving regarding the trucking industry.
- As Thanksgiving traffic rebounds, highways could get crowded
- Briefly: Love’s, Chester’s Chicken host ‘Truckersgiving’ event Thursday
- Idaho truck stop continues beloved Thanksgiving tradition to thank truckers
- Idaho Truck Stop Continues Tradition of Serving Thanksgiving Feast to Truckers For FREE
Holidays
Numerous retailers have expanded or changed their special “discount days” ahead of the typical “Black Friday” shopping season.
Be that as it may, please be award that people’s excitement regarding the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays may affect you as a trucker — especially if they were “prevented” from observing it last year.
Please be especially attentive to not allowing holiday excitement to distract you from your job of moving freight safely from one place to another.
As a professional truck driver, I know you’ll do a great job!
- FedEx forecast calls for holiday package shipments to increase 10%
- Postal Service wishes e-commerce shippers happy holidays — until Jan. 9
- Trailer builders tap the brakes as abnormal order season arrives
- Truckload spot market eerily calm prior to traditional peak season
Theft
Please take all precautions to prevent cargo theft whenever and wherever you travel — especially if you drop your trailer somewhere.
Park in secure, well-lit places; lock up your tractor and trailer; and don’t “advertise” what you have onboard.
- Cargo theft risk high during U.S. Thanksgiving
- Cargo thefts expected to increase around Thanksgiving
- Long holiday weekend may see increase in cargo thefts
Hacking
Violence
I have read that there was a complete acquittal of all charges and that metropolitan areas should brace for violence.
2. Regarding COVID-19:
As of the date when I am writing this, a particular circuit court has cracked down on the Biden mandated vaxxines.
Regardless, please protect your health.
One way to do this is to refuse to take into your body toxic or poisonous substances.
- Appeals Court Deals Another Blow to Biden’s ‘Fatally Flawed’ Vax Mandate
- Canadian truckers forced to choose: COVID vaccines or forfeit US runs
- Cincinnati Court Chosen to Consider Biden Vaccine Mandate
- COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large employers won’t be enforced for now, OSHA says
- Drilling Deep: Every method of testing drivers for drugs has pros and cons
- J.B. Hunt Execs Say Mandate Issues Extend Beyond Drivers
- OOIDA to Labor Secretary: Exempt all truckers from vaccine rule
- OSHA COVID-19 vaccine rule on hold
- OSHA not enforcing vaccine mandate — for now
- OSHA Says It Will ‘Take No Steps To Enforce’ Vax Mandate Following Court Order
- U.S. vaccine mandate could have “disastrous” effect on capacity: TCA
- Vaccine Mandate Challenges Consolidated in Single Court
3. Regarding AB5, legal, drugs, smuggling, and vindication:
AB5
I am praying for true justice to be done in this matter.
People should be allowed to work as independent contractors if they want, without interference from government tyrants who want to control every aspect of our lives.
- Legal match over fate of AB5 has new player: US solicitor general
- SCOTUS asks government to weigh in on AB 5
- Supreme Court asks Solicitor General to weigh in on AB 5
- Supreme Court’s AB5 appeal request keeps California trucking injunction in place for now
- Supreme Courts wants solicitor general to weigh in on AB5
- U.S. solicitor general now involved in California AB5 suit
Legal
- ATRI Report on Smaller Verdicts and Settlements Suggests How to Battle Litigation
- Fleet legal settlements of under $1 million on the rise
Drugs
Never ever agree to haul illegal drugs, no matter how big of a bribe has been put before you!
- Astounding $53 MILLION Load of Narcotics Seized From Big Rig Hauling Cauliflower
- Border agents seize a stunning $53 million worth of drugs from big rig hauling cauliflower
- Millions of dollars in drugs seized from semi
- Over $53 million in meth, coke & pot seized by Border Patrol in Texas
- Texas DPS seizes $1.5M, guns from big rig
Smuggling
Never ever agree to haul people like cattle or cargo — or contraband — no matter how big of an incentive you might have been offered!
- 14 immigrants found stuffed inside semi cab
- Smugglers using big rig as human transporter arrested at checkpoint
- Trucker caught with $1.5 MILLION in cash, guns, concealed in ‘false compartment’
- U.S. Trucker Arrested in Big Rig Human Smuggling Bust at Southern Border
Vindication
When truckers stage a “showdown” regarding truck maintenance or other matters related to Hours of Service, they deserve to be vindicated.
And I’m glad that this trucker was vindicated!
4. Regarding accidents: general, bridge, canal, intersection, passing, river, routing, sun; near accident; animal strikes; fatalities; and low clearance:
A lot of accidents took place this week — and I haven’t even linked to all of them below!
At least a couple of accidents listed below make me wonder what led up to them.
For example, based on my research each week, I seem to be seeing more articles about truckers driving off overpasses and bridges for no discernible reason.
Is it possible that toxic substances injected into people’s bodies — either up their noses or in their arms — is responsible?
For your convenience, I have categorized these accidents by type.
Please stay on your guard as a trucker.
Accidents: General
- Latest truck-involved fatal crash data questions safety regulations
- Truck Driver With History of DUI Sentenced to Prison For Latest Crash
Accidents: Bridge
- Semi squashes car after plummeting off overpass
- Semi truck nearly topples 180 feet over the side of Deception Pass bridge
Accidents: Canal
Accident: Intersection
This accident involved a big truck trying (unsuccessfully) to navigate an intersection with an unusual median set-up.
Accident: Passing
What would you do if you saw another motorist being impatient?
Please comment through the form below.
Accident: River
Accident: Routing
All routing accidents can be prevented if truckers would simply follow established truck routes as are marked in a truckers atlas.
Accident: Sun
Can polarized sunglasses help in situations when the sun is on the horizon?
Near accident
Animal strikes
We cover avoiding deer collisions (and other animal collisions) on our website — but other than stop, what can you do when a whole herd is on the road at night?
Fatalities
Low clearance
Do not follow non-motor carrier GPS instructions when you’re driving a commercial motor vehicle.
5. Regarding capacity, bottlenecks, ports, containers, supply chain, parking, and BOPIS:
Capacity
- Capacity tightening ahead of Thanksgiving week
- Does Freight Hauling Industry Need More Trucks or Drivers First?
- Freight volumes ‘capacity-constrained’ in October, rates surge further
- More loads, fewer trucks available in Canada’s spot market in October
Bottlenecks
- California truck weight exemption unlikely to ease ports logjam
- Global Freight Market Battles Disruptions Due to Bottlenecks
Ports
- Biden’s L.A. port promise falls short
- California Boosts Truck Weight Limits to 88,000 Pounds to Ease Port Snarls
- Last-minute reprieve: LA/LB delays pulling trigger on congestion fee
- Southern California Port Officials Say Crisis Easing
Containers
- Container Shipping Rates May Take Two Years to Fall to Normal
- L.A., Long Beach Delay Container Fees as Shippers Clear Stacks
- Peak season over: Container-ship arrivals in Southern California fall
Supply chain
- Are outdated communication tools to blame for supply chain bottlenecks?
- ATA Presses Congress on Workforce Development Amid Supply Chain Woes
- Big Corporations Plan For Long-Term Supply Chain Disruption
- California lawmakers seek supply chain ‘state of emergency’
- Daily Infographic: Shipping’s extreme consolidation could prolong supply chain pain
- Placing blame: Trucking industry takes it on chin during supply chain crisis
- Supply chain desperation: Georgia airport to store ocean containers
Parking
- Research: Best and Worst Times, Places for Truck Parking
- Truck parking crisis seen as contributor to supply chain problems
- Truck parking discussion between OOIDA and city leaders
- Truck parking remains unchanged since Jason’s Law
BOPIS
This acronym stands for “Buy-online, pick-up-in-store.”
6. Regarding shortage, age, recruiting, retention, detention, truckers, and trucking:
Shortage
- Driver shortage story rebutted by OOIDA Foundation facts
- Is there really a driver shortage?
- Seniors to the rescue? New truckers over 50 could solve driver shortage
Age
Nothing against young people, but there’s a reason why auto insurance is higher for those under a certain age, particularly males under about 25 or 26.
I think lowering the age for getting a CDL is a mistake.
- NY now allowing those under 21 to apply for CDL
- What You Should Know About The USDOT’s Brand New Teen Trucker Program
- Worried U.S. Senators Ask FMCSA To Lower Interstate Trucker Age to 18
Recruiting
- 10 ways tech can support driver recruiting and retention
- Streamlined applications help private fleets recruit
Retention
- Better pay, schedules help driver retention
- Correcting the research record around truck driver turnover
- Driver Retention Series: Session #1 Rethinking Driver Pay
Detention
For reference purposes, you may want to read these articles on our website:
Meanwhile, here are recent articles on this topic in the trucking industry.
- Detention time issue under fire at supply chain hearing
- It’s Time FMCSA Factors Truck Driver Detention into Hours of Service Rules
- Loaded and Rolling: Private fleets expand; trucking mergers and acquisitions; and detention on the rise
- REPORT: Up to 30% of a trucker’s day is wasted by waiting, causing supply chain woes
Truckers
- 4 Ways OTR Truckers Can Stay Connected with Loved Ones During Holidays
- Beyond unprecedented’ surge in authorized drivers continues to flood market
- Looking past trucking stereotypes to achieve diversity
Trucking
- Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry Moving into 2022
- FTR: Trucking conditions for carriers improved in September
7. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel, fuel efficiency, trailers, and emissions:
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose autonomous, driverless, or self-driving commercial motor vehicles on the roads with the motoring public, but share these articles as a courtesy to keep you updated on this topic.
- Autonomous trucking firm Kodiak plans to double workforce, add 15 trucks with new funding
- Autonomous vehicles and the truck driver workforce
- Ree unleashes autonomous Leopard EV for last-mile delivery
- Ryder, Georgia Tech release autonomous trucking study
- Seasonal assist: Waymo Via testing autonomous trucks with UPS in Texas
- That guy was nuts!’: Autonomous trucks must account for dangerous drivers
- Trucking Giant Claims New Study Proves Self-Driving Trucks Can ‘Solve Driver Shortage’
- TuSimple Set for Driverless Test Runs; Proceeds Toward Autonomous-Truck Commercialization
- UPS Deploying Waymo’s Self-Driving Trucks For Holiday Trial Run
- UPS Expands Waymo Partnership to Include Autonomous Class 8 Trucks
- UPS, Waymo Partner on Autonomous Class 8 Truck Trials
- Waymo, UPS to use Class 8 autonomous trucks in trial runs
Electric vehicles
Fuel
- Amazon Order Drives Renewable Natural Gas Development
- Biden Could Revisit Renewable Fuel Mandate for Price Relief
- Diesel Continues Slow Climb, Rises 0.4¢ to $3.734
- Diesel prices continue to seesaw
- DOE/EIA diesel price up for 9th straight week
- Is Biden Administration Intentionally Driving Fuel Costs Higher?
- Ohio refinery shutdowns could trigger diesel shortages in several states
- Russian Fleet Heading to New York May Help Ease Diesel Pain
- Tapping US Oil Reserve Would Have ‘Short-Lived’ Impact, EIA Says
- What kind of fuel are you running in your engine?
- White House demands ‘immediate’ probe into whether ‘illegal conduct’ is causing fuel costs to spike
Fuel efficiency
Trailers
- Appeals court: Feds can’t regulate trailers for fuel economy
- Appellate Court Strikes Down GHG Rule for Trailers
- Court Strikes Down Obama-Era Rule Requiring Trailers Be Equipped With Fuel-Saving Tech
Emission
- No motor means no emissions standards, court says in trailer ruling
- The 2nd leg of the emissions-reduction journey
- Trailer federal emissions standards reversed
8. Regarding claim, inspection, chains, mountains, and technology:
Claim
Inspection
- Four-day aggressive driving blitz under way in Florida
- Rear impact guards now part of annual truck inspection
Chains
Mountains
Technology
- FMC to study how data can speed container delivery
- How technology is changing predictive maintenance in trucking
- Myth vs. Reality about Video-Based Safety
- Trucking Technology on the Road – Creative Ways Truckers Use Tech in 2021
9. Regarding economy, deadheading, inflation, investment, insurance, pay, costs, leasing, and VMT:
Economy
- Borderlands: Mexico’s automotive production hits 9-year low
- Factory Output Rises More Than Forecast
- Home Construction Dips 0.7% in October
- Home Depot Sales Gain Shows Americans Keep Fixing Up Houses
- October Classes 4-7 Sales Stall
- Retail Sales Jump by Most Since March, Topping Forecasts
- September Trucking Conditions Still Strong
- Trailer orders slump in October as OEMs remain cautious in taking orders
- Used Truck Market Faces Low Supply, High Demand
- Walmart Boosts Outlook as Sales Rise Despite Inflation
Deadheading
Inflation
- Canada Inflation Accelerates to 4.7%, Highest Since 2003
- Consumer Sentiment Drops to 10-Year Low on Inflation Fears
Investment
Insurance
- Combining insurance and FreightTech to hurdle any cross-border issue
- Commercial vehicle insurance markets went from bad to less bad: AM Best
Pay
- Alabama flatbed carrier gives drivers “Appreciation Pay” of 5 CPM
- Driver Pay: Not all miles are created equal when it comes to CPM
- Overtime pay a contributor to truck driver shortage
Costs
Leasing
VMT
It is wrong, in my opinion, to extract money from taxpayers to help fund a system to tax them even more!
10. Regarding roads, tolls, traffic, and weather:
Roads
- I-74 bridge to open next month, year late and $74M over bid
- Louisiana announces major overhaul of busy I-20 stretch
- More than 250 MnDOT projects completed as construction seasons ends
- New study grades states on infrastructure quality
- North Dakota has best highway performance, New Jersey the worst
- Ranking the best — and worst — state highways
- Rock slide closes Oregon highway
- Rockslide Forces Closure of Stretch of Oregon Highway Until Next Week
- Tennessee to halt most lane closures for Thanksgiving travel
- Traffic delays expected for Interstate 40 bridge replacement
- Wyoming Highway 130 closed for winter season
Tolls
- Higher Tolls on Maine Turnpike Begin Now
- House votes to halt PennDOT plan to toll bridges for repairs
- Pennsylvania bill would reinstate turnpike fare collectors
- Unpaid tolls are the focus of New Jersey bill
Traffic
Weather
11. Regarding employment, environment, and power:
Employment
Environment
- Oregon Adopts Clean-Trucks Rules; Other States May Follow
- Oregon Cracks Down on Diesel Engines With Adoption of ‘Clean Trucks Rule’
Power
Remember what happened around February 2020.
12. Regarding awards and freebies:
Awards
Congratulations to those who have been recognized for their achievements in trucking — or are in the running for a special designation.
- 36 drivers in running to be next America’s Road Team Captains
- Penske honors long-serving drivers for their safety records
Freebies
I am grateful to those who care for their fellow human beings, especially when they are in bad straits.
Please also feel free to check out any freebies that may apply to you.
- 300 truckers stranded in Hope had a hot meal thanks to this volunteer group
- Free lunch for truckers at select Iowa weigh stations on Tuesday
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: 2021.11.20 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
