This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 28, 2021.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding COVID-19:
Remember back in 2020 when truckers were hailed as “heroes” during the first months of the “pandemic”?
Now, those truckers who are crossing back and forth across the US/Canada border may be forced to undergo tyrannical (unlawful) government edicts that go against their personal values.
Frankly, I think that truckers need to stand together against the tyranny!
Furthermore, as one doctor recently stated on her Telegram channel, “You can detox till the cows come home but you can never unjab yourself”.
Remember: Without trucks, America stops!
- Biden Administration Asks Court to Allow Vaccine Mandate
- Canada Says Cross-Border Truckers Must be Vaccinated
- Canada to require COVID vaccines for US truckers
- Canada to require vaccine for cross-border truckers
- Canada to require vaccines for cross-border truck drivers, CTA warns of ‘perfect storm’
- COVID vaccine requirement looming for cross-border truckers
- Federal lawsuit alleges PACCAR violated whistleblower protections
- Final Blow To America? Biden Just Announced A Vaccine Mandate For All Truckers!
- Non-US Truckers Crossing Border Must Be Vaccinated Starting in January
- U.S., Canada requiring COVID vaccine for cross-border truckers
- White House plans Jan. 22 vaccine deadline for foreign essential travelers
2. Regarding supply chain, supply chain – governors, shortage, and ports:
Supply chain
The supply chain issue is complex, but as it affects truckers, there’s an article in the “shortage” section below that gives real numbers.
- Biden Order Aims to Remedy Supply Chain Bottlenecks Amid GOP Criticism
- Government agencies, industry reps join forces to restore B.C. supply chain
- Ohio eases weight restrictions (once again) to address supply-chain-slowdown
- Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force Publishes Freight Movement Metrics
- Supply chain turkey of the year ’21
- Trailer builders continue to struggle with supply chain, labor challenges: ACT
- Trailer Orders Still Constrained by Supply Chain Problems
- White House Calls To Reduce Tariffs Could Worsen Supply Chain Bottlenecks
Supply chain – governors
I totally disagree with certain aspects of these governors’ “demands” regarding the supply chain issue.
At the top of my list of the biggest no-no’s is lowering the age of truckers from 21 to 18.
(See the “age” section below for a quote.)
- 15 Republican governors vow to help trucking, urge Biden to ease regs
- Briefly: Republican governors ask feds to relax trucking regulations
- Governors call for loosening of federal regulations in the trucking industry
- Governors Confront Biden With List of Trucking Demands to Solve Supply Chain Woes
- Governors launch effort to ease trucking regulations
Shortage
- Carrier Implements Driver Shortage Surcharge
- Flatbed carrier institutes 5 cpm ‘Driver Shortage Surcharge’
- Indentured servitude’: low pay and grueling conditions fueling US truck driver shortage
- Loaded and Rolling: House hearing on driver shortage, Operation Open Roads, Class 8 used truck inflation
- National Links: The one with the trucker shortage
- Saying There’s A Driver Shortage Makes It Worse For Drivers
- ==> Scientist Tells Lawmakers Solving ‘Driver Shortage’ is Simple: Stop Wasting Truckers’ Time
Quote: “‘Based on our analysis of electronic working records of [more than 4,000 over-the-road truckers from 2016 to 2020], I estimate that American long-haul, full truckload truck drivers spend on average 6.5 hours of every working day driving, yet according to federal safety regulations they are allowed to drive 11 hours per day,’ Correll told the House panel. ‘This, of course, implies that 40% of America’s trucking capacity is left on the table every day.'”
In my opinion, if we fix this, we fix one of the biggest complaints associated with truckers in the trucking industry.
- Truck driver delays are the issue, not a driver shortage: MIT researcher
- Truck Driver School Bustles Amid US Driver Shortage
- Truck Drivers Aren’t Surprised There’s a Trucker Shortage
Quote: “Truckers told Insider that prolonged periods away from home, coupled with generally low pay, had made it an undesirable job.”
Do you agree or disagree with this assessment?
Please comment through the form below.
- Truck driver shortage: ‘I’ve never quite seen it this bad’ in 30 years, analyst says
- Truck Drivers Shortage Worsens as Goods Pile Up
Ports
- California port truckers ‘drowning’ in supply chain inefficiencies
- LA/Long Beach ports delay excess container dwell fees until Nov. 29
- Port of Vancouver truckers threaten to strike
- Seattle port operator tackles congestion with new container storage fee
3. Regarding age, employment, employment – trucking, and consumer:
Age
This issue of lowering the age of truckers from 21 to 18 is a very bad move, in my opinion.
Besides the quote from one article below, all one has to do to see the problematic nature of this is to look at 2021 Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender and specifically look at the difference in the cost of insurance premiums between males, 18 to 21 years of age.
- Does Under 21 Age Interstate CDL Age Restriction Sync with Risk Facts?
- Lawmakers Back ‘SANTA 18 Act’ to Enlist Younger Truck Drivers During Holiday Crunch
- New York becomes last state to allow under-21 intrastate truckers
- New York passes law to allow under-21 intrastate truck drivers
- Truck Safety Activists Torch New Teen Trucker Program as ‘Profits Over Public Safety’
Quote: “‘Teen Truckers will make our roads less safe,’ TSC recently Tweeted. ‘Data shows that teen drivers are 2.3 times more likely to be in a fatal crash and 3.5 times as likely to be involved in any police reported crash.'”
Employment
- Jobless Claims Hit 52-Year Low After Seasonal Adjustments
- USPS Hires Hundreds, Leases Extra Space for Holidays
Employment – trucking
- It’s time to treat the root cause of driver retention problem
- Listen to what it takes to find and hire the best drivers
Consumer
4. Regarding accident, accident – death, drugs, smuggling, and lawsuits:
Accident
Please learn what you can from the articles listed below and seek never to repeat the circumstances.
- Shocking moment truck loses control and flips over after driver fell asleep
- Trucker Who Was DUI With Expired Mexican CDL Pleads Guilty in Deadly Crash
Accident – death
We extend our deepest condolences to the families.
- Man accidentally crushed to death during trailer swap
- Trucker Dies From Exposure to Hazardous Fumes After Rollover Crash
Drugs
Never ever agree to haul illegal drugs, no matter the promised payback.
- Mexican Trucker Arrested After Huge Load of Drugs Found Hidden in Trailer Walls
- Mexican Trucker Faces Life in Prison After Caught Smuggling Record-Breaking Load of Drugs
- Trucker arrested in record-breaking drug seizure at border
Smuggling
Never ever agree to transport people like they are cargo or livestock.
Lawsuits
- Consumers Will Ultimately Pay for Big Money Verdicts Against Trucking Outfits
- Jury Awards $730 MILLION to Family of Woman Killed in Crash With Truck Hauling Superload
- Small verdicts costing trucking industry despite lawsuits being rare
- Texas jury awards $730 million in over-sized load fatality case
- Texas jury awards $730M in fatal crash involving nuclear sub propeller
5. Regarding ATRI – costs, ATRI – verdicts, theft, and predictions:
ATRI – costs
- ATRI: Lower 2020 Cost Per Mile Reflects Less Spend on Fuel, Driver Benefits
- Briefly: COVID lowered truck operating costs in 2020
- Trucking costs per mile dropped in 2020: ATRI
ATRI – verdicts
- ATRI Report Offers Insights Into Trucking Industry Settlements
- ATRI study focuses on small verdict impacts on trucking industry
Theft
Predictions
6. Regarding automation, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, fuel – rationing, and reserves:
Automation
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose the use of driverless, self-driving, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the roads with the motoring public, but share these articles as a courtesy to help you stay current with the topic.
- Q&A: Torc CEO Talks Autonomous-Truck Development
- Self-Driving Stocks Join EVs as Next Trader Obsession
- This autonomous ride-along was boring — and that’s a good thing
- Waymo expanding partnership with UPS
Electric vehicles
- Electric avenues: Current push for battery-powered vehicles is product of decades-old emissions battle
- Global News Roundup: Volvo Gets Record Electric-Truck Order
- The economics of electrification
- Will Electric Trucks Need New Suspensions?
Emissions
Fuel
- Diesel Dips for First Time Since September
- Diesel prices drop for many again
- Fuel supply chain concerns linger
- One-day commodity diesel price decline greatest in more than 30 years
- Oregon raising diesel tax rates
- Poor conditions and low pay for truckers helped fuel supply chain crisis
Fuel rationing
In my opinion, shutting down two major refineries in a single area at the same time for scheduled maintenance is a very poor decision.
- Diesel Rationing Expected Due to ‘Unprecedented’ Shutdown of Ohio Oil Refineries
- Ohio refineries shut for maintenance, affecting diesel supplies
- Truck Stop Giant Says Diesel is Temporarily Unavailable After ‘Incident’ at Georgia Store
Reserves
I have read that part of the situation having to do with opening the reserves involves selling some of it to foreign nations.
If that is true, that is a very poor decision!
In fact, opening the reserves right now — in my opinion — is a poor decision.
- Reserve oil being released into market that may have peaked
- U.S. will release 50 million barrels of oil from reserves to ease fuel supply problems, lower costs at the pump
- US Poised to Release Oil From Reserve With Other Nations
- US to Release 50 Million Barrels of Oil to Ease Energy Costs
- US to release 50 million barrels of oil to ease fuel prices
7. Regarding economy, roads, infrastructure, routing, and tolls:
Economy
- ATA: Truck Tonnage Index Increased in October
- Business Activity Softens as Supply Constraints Linger
- Canada Post parcel volumes plunge
- Consumer Spending Rebounds in October; Inflation Elevated
- Georgia expecting pre-pandemic traffic volumes this holiday
- Higher and higher: Used truck price inflation shows no signs of abating
- Holiday impacts starting to hit truckload market
- The waiting game: Available trucks — both new and used — are scarce and expensive
- Truck freight between U.S. borders slowing down, still high
- Truck tonnage rises for third straight month
- Truck Tonnage Rises in October
- Truckload Service Prices Hit Highest October Level
- Trucks see 8.1% rise in cross-border freight
- Used truck prices likely to continue to climb
- Used truck prices likely to continue to climb
Roads
- America’s Most Dangerous Roads During Adverse Weather Conditions
- Canada ranks 44th in global list of congested roads
- CDOT Asks Truckers About Runaway Ramps in Wake of I-70 Tragedy
- CDOT conducting runaway ramp survey in response to fiery, 28-vehicle pileup crash caused by rookie driver
- Daily Infographic: Condition of highway bridges by state: 2020
- Daily Infographic: Ranking the Best — and Worst — State Highways
- FreightWaves Classics: 10 most dangerous roads for truckers in USA
- Kentucky work zone could spell delays over Thanksgiving weekend
- Maine closes historic bridge to commercial traffic
- Motorists to get break from traffic delays on westbound I-40
- NYC to roll out new truck map
- Ohio Governor Reinstitutes Pandemic Era Order Easing Oversized Load Permitting
- These are 10 worst interstates/times to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday rush
- Thirty mile backups reported due to New Mexico construction project — but there’s some good news
- Truckers Advised to Avoid These TOP 10 Worst Corridors This Thanksgiving
- Truckers Beware of America’s Most Dangerous Highways for Fatal Crashes
- Watch as drivers shut down I-5 in California to scoop up cash spilled by armored truck
- Water main break closes part”
“s of I-5 in downtown San Diego
Infrastructure
- State-by-state: How the infrastructure funds will be spent
- US Senate to Debate Social Infrastructure Build Back Better Budget
Routing
Tolls
- I-270/I-495 toll rates in Maryland will be slightly cheaper
- West Virginia Turnpike tolls to increase next year
8. Regarding ELDs, technology, and last mile:
ELDs
- FMCSA to truckers: Is your ELD slated to be phased out?
- Ontario officers begin ELD training, bus operators getting one-year reprieve
Technology
- AI helps freight forwarder process thousands of invoices for discrepancies, timely payment
- As e-commerce ramped up, Sauder Woodworking sought technology solution
- Breaker 1/9: What happened to CB radios?
- Cyber threats skyrocketing since the onset of pandemic
- Exclusive: Behind the Scenes at Torc Robotics
- Is drone racing the next bastion of innovation?
- Polaris Transportation publishes cybersecurity white paper
- Smart mailboxes could soon be popping up all over the world
- Sunsetting’ 3G networks could require border-crossing fleets to upgrade ELDs
- The Value of Choice
- Using Social Media to Connect With Drivers, Customers
- Videoconferencing: Key Features for Trucking Firms
- Walmart Takes New Step Toward Making Aerial Deliveries Routine
- Zipline launches US commercial deliveries with Walmart
Last mile
9. Regarding inspections, insurance, and HOS:
Inspections
- 667 citations issued during two-state CMV blitz
- Georgia authorities sideline big rig filled with unsecured explosives
- Georgia DPS calls out trucker for unsecured load of explosives
- Inspection Blitz in VA and NC Nets 667 Violations, Sidelines More Than 100 CMVs and Drivers
- Joint state police effort shuts down 64 drivers, 51 big rigs
- Trucker Called Out on Social Media After CMV Inspector Makes ‘Explosive’ Discovery
Insurance
HOS
10. Regarding rates, recall, and repair:
Rates
Recall
- Daimler Trucks’ 2018 Western Star recall resurrected
- More than 7000 Western Star trucks recalled for fire risk
- Recall issued for more than 7K Western Star tractors
- RECALL: Thousands of Western Star Trucks Recalled For Second Time Due to Fire Risk
- Western Star recalling 7,600 trucks for steering, electrical issues
- Western Star trucks recalled for electrical, steering issues
Repair
11. Regarding trucks, truckers, and lottery:
Trucks
Truckers
Lottery
Let’s hope this trucker has the financial discipline to spend the money wisely.
12. Regarding honors for those who helped others:
We recognize those who helped others.
- ABF Freight driver honored for helping trucker in Texas
- Hirschbach driver honored for helping injured mechanic
- Truck Driver Honored For Daring Rescue of Couple Trapped in Fiery SUV
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: 2021.11.27 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
