This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 19, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding fuel, electric vehicles, and emissions:
Fuel
According to a March 15, 2022, article, the Energy Information Administration’s “March 14 report showed a national average of $5.25, up from $4.849 a week ago. That national average is now $2.059 higher than it was one year ago.”
That same article stated, “By region, California reported the largest increase (50.5 cents), and also has the highest price per gallon ($6.264).”
A March 17, 2022, article — Some Georgia truck drivers say they are “not able to support” their families in wake of rising fuel prices — quoted one trucker as saying: “You can’t really live off of driving a truck like you used to… Right now, I am having to file bankruptcy.”
Ouch!
Here are some of the most recent articles about fuel as it affects the trucking industry.
- ATA Urges White House to Increased Oil as Diesel Prices Threaten Trucking Industry
- Bridging the Gap from Traditional to Alt-Fuels
- Calls to increase US oil production mostly getting shrugs for now
- Commodity diesel prices bounce back, retail still reacting slowly
- Diesel Adds to Record High, Hitting $5.25 a Gallon
- DOE/EIA price jumps another 40 cents, but commodity diesel markets are plunging
- Energy Agency: 10 Steps to Save 2.7 Million Barrels of Oil a Day
- Fuel price volatility: Positive and negative implications for transportation providers
- Fuel prices top $5/gallon nationwide
- Fuel tax relief efforts move forward in four states Land Line
- Fuel tax relief efforts ramp up at statehouses Land Line State
- How high fuel prices are affecting trucking fleets
- Michigan Legislature votes to halt gas tax; Whitmer opposed
- No holiday for delivery firms as fuel prices remain elevated
- Oil prices drop as nation waits for fuel prices to follow
- On-Highway Diesel Price Continues Record-Setting Spike, Now at $5.25 Per Gallon
- Red-dye diesel spot checks conducted in Montana
- Retail Sales Soften as High Gasoline Costs Begin to Bite
- Review Sought on USPS Decision to Buy Gas-Powered Trucks
- UPS shrinks lag time between fuel surcharges
- Want renewable diesel? Better hope there’s enough raw material to make it
- Wisconsin City Uses B-100 Biodiesel
Electric vehicles
- How to maintain electric vehicle chargers
- White Paper: Turning Your Fleet Green Isn’t Just About Electrification
Emissions
- ATA, Freight Stakeholders Press CARB for Alternatives to Emissions Rule
- Greenhouse gas emission standards challenged by 14 states
- Trucking coalition wants way around looming CARB emissions rule
2. Regarding accidents, embankment, fatalities, loading, operations, tires, and wrong way:
In this section, I am separating the various kinds of trucking accidents by common themes.
My husband Mike and extend our condolences to all those who lost their lives in the accidents covered here.
Accidents
- 73 vehicles pile up during weekend snowstorm in Pennsylvania
- Seventy three vehicle pileup reported in Pennsylvania
- Troopers: Driver’s inattention sends 10 to hospital
Accidents: Embankment
- Big rig crashes off Ohio Turnpike, down embankment, into yard
- Video captures truck’s wild ride off I-10, down embankment, across four lanes of traffic
Accidents: Fatalities
- 8-vehicle collision kills 1 on Idaho’s I-84
- At Least Five People Confirmed Dead in Fiery 70-Vehicle Pileup on I-57
- At least four dead in pileup involving 70 vehicles in Missouri
- Truck driver under arrest for DUI following fatal 7 vehicle crash
Accidents: Loading
Accidents: Operations
- “Misjudged curve” leads to wreck between semi, dump truck
- Semi and oversized load wedged on Oregon bridge
Accidents: Tires
- Tires come off tractor-trailer, slam into CT trooper car on I-84
- Trooper’s vehicle struck by flying big rig wheels
Accidents: Wrong way
3. Regarding economy, containers, and container ship:
Economy
- Amazon, Walmart Online Orders Likely Delayed by China Lockdowns
- Borderlands: China remains top US trade partner, followed by Mexico, Canada
- Canada’s spot market continues record-setting load growth
- China’s COVID Lockdowns Could Threaten Half of Economy
- China’s lockdown will impact more than electronics from Yantian, Shanghai
- Container Freight Rates Set to Rise on More China Lockdowns
- Container Port Imports Expected to Slow as China Manufacturing Declines
- February Medium-Duty Sales Paint Mixed Picture
- February Trailer Orders Simmer Amid Supply Chain Limits
- New Wave of China Covid Lockdowns Expected to Reduce Diesel Costs, Imports
- Shipments rebound in February, costs at record levels
- Trailer orders exceed build rates by about 3,000 per month
- Trailer orders steady in February
- Used truck prices up 8% in February despite growth in volume
- What China COVID spike, massive lockdowns mean to shipping
- What will tame used truck prices? Apparently not even economic slowdown
Containers
Container ship
Another container ship got jammed?
- Container ship runs aground in Chesapeake Bay
- Containership Ever Forward Stuck in Chesapeake Bay
- Ever more speculation about Evergreen groundings
- Ship Could Be Stuck in Chesapeake Bay for Weeks
4. Regarding convoy, last mile, operations, and events:
Convoy
- Police shut down streets as trucker convoy rolls into D.C. for the first time
- Truck convoy protesters snarling D.C. traffic, traveling closer to city’s center
Last mile
- Google integrates last-mile delivery platform
- Google launches last-mile and cloud fleet routing solutions
Operations
- Colorado law includes fines for misusing I-70 mountain express lanes
- Convoy Survey: Empty Miles Top Carriers’ List of Priorities
- The burden of empty miles
- TMC, FleetNet Report Increased Fleet Uptime in Fourth Quarter
- VIDEO: Semi passing on double yellow gives dash cammer a big scare
Events
The Mid-America Trucking Show takes place from Thursday, March 24, 2022 through Saturday, March 26, 2022.
- FMCSA holds informational update session at MATS
- FMCSA hosting public session at MATS
- FMCSA hosting Q&A at MATS | Trucking conditions dipped in January
- FMCSA Leaders to Take Questions From Truckers at Upcoming Truck Show
- TMC 2022 in Photos
- Trade show crowds return for Work Truck Week
5. Regarding technology and ELDs:
Technology
- Another 3G wireless network set to go offline Products & Services
- CarriersEdge adds dashcam event integration system
- Colorado DOT to use cameras to catch truckers and motorists illegally using I-70 Mountain Express Lanes
- Expanded drone delivery taxis toward takeoff with new FAA recommendations
ELDs
6. Regarding employment and pay:
Employment
There are many aspects of employment in the trucking industry, including recruitment and retention.
Here are some of the most recent articles about this topic.
- 77 year old comes out of retirement to earn his CDL
- Daily Infographic: Trucking jobs increase 22 straight months
- Driver shortage not the problem, Port of L.A. director says
- Increase Driver Recruitment and Retention Success for Your Fleet
- Retention is the new recruiting
- Trucking fleets can use tech in driver recruitment, retention
Pay
The listing of articles here does not imply an endorsement of trucking companies named in the articles.
- Roadrunner increases driver pay for second time in 2022; does brand update
- Roadrunner ups driver pay, incentives
7. Regarding inflation, insurance, training, routing, and repairs:
Inflation
- Fed Lifts Rates a Quarter Point in Opening Bid to Curb Inflation
- The Stockout: No way to mask rising grocery prices
Insurance
- 5 Ways Owner-Operators Can Combat Rising Insurance Costs
- New Truck Fleet Insurance Company Uses Telematics Data
Training
Routing
Repairs
- 9 Common Big Rig Problems & Repairs
- Study: Independent HD Repair Shops Face Challenges, Opportunities
- The State Of Heavy-Duty Repair Report
- Trailer tech innovation improves uptime, driver retention
8. Regarding smuggling and health:
Smuggling
Do not treat humans the same way you would cattle or cargo!
Health
- These on-the-road exercises don’t require special gear, Part II
- Treating Sleep Apnea Remains a Thorny Issue
9. Regarding truck stops:
10. Regarding fire and theft:
Fire
While I could be wrong, I am inclined to believe that such a large fire must have been the result of arson (which is defined as “the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property”).
- Crews still dousing fire-damaged Walmart center’s hot spots
- Fire at Indiana Walmart distribution center burns overnight into Thursday morning
- Five-alarm fire reported at Indiana Walmart distribution center
- Update: Walmart distribution center ablaze for nearly 48 hours
- WATCH: Walmart Distribution Center in Indiana Goes Up in Flames
Theft
- Briefly: Cargo theft declined in 2021 | TCA membership increases
- CargoNet: 2021 cargo theft numbers down 15%
11. Regarding politics, parking, and weight:
Politics
- 3 Bills in Congress that Could Improve Freight Hauling Landscape
- Power index: Top 10 pending bills affecting freight markets
Parking
- Bronx Councilmen realize illegally parked trucks will only be solved by creation of actual truck parking
- FDOT public meetings to address truck parking on I-4 corridor
- Florida firm investing in truck parking capacity nationwide
- Park and pray: More delivery drivers park illegally amid curb congestion
Weight
- Alabama officials concerned over potential timber truck weight increase
- Michigan extends weight restrictions to Upper Peninsula
- PennDOT eliminates truck weight class stickers
- PennDOT gets rid of weight class stickers
12. Regarding awards and stand:
Awards
Congratulations to everyone who was recognized for skill or helping their fellow human being(s) in need!
- Drowsy trucker recalls rescue by fellow trucker after fiery wreck
- Goodyear Names Illinois Trucker Highway Hero Award Winner
- Highway Angel of the Year award down to three finalists Land Line
- Leonard’s Express wins Trucking Association of New York’s fleet safety award
- Maryland’s 3.2-million-mile man
- Ryder driver honored for helping family of four involved in fatal crash
- Two Melton drivers honored for their swift actions at major accident
- WIT Names Female ‘Driver of the Year’ Finalists; XPO Focuses on LTL Operations
Stand
It was amazing to read this:
Little girl’s words defending truck drivers make big splash at truck stop, online
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: 2022.03.19 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
