This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending April 2, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding fuel, oil, inflation, recession, and economy:
You may or may not have heard that the leader of Russ!a has tied the currency of his country to gold, which means that the U.S. dollar — which is tied to nothing tangible — may become even more worthless than it has become since 1913.
I’m not sure what will happen economically in the USA, but I think that the loose fiscal policy of the federal government of the USA that has happened over decades will lead to greater and greater financial turmoil in the days to come.
Truckers, please prepare as best as you can.
Fuel
Although I’m sure the percentage has changed since then, a May 2019 article states: “More than 97 percent of all U.S. Class 8 trucks run on diesel fuel.”
A February 2022 article states: “Today’s advanced diesel engines offer customers more fuel efficiency, more productivity and lower operating costs compared to previous generations of the technology.”
Obviously, there are more fuel options than there used to be, but obviously, all transportation sectors require fuel of some kind to run.
Being energy independent is a goal that every nation should have.
Here are some of the most recent articles about fuel, fuel costs, fuel standards, fuel taxes, and more.
- Biden Administration Orders 49 MPG Fuel Standard
- Biden-EU energy pact: LNG shipping game changer or wartime hype?
- Connecticut Lawmakers Give Residents Gas Tax Holiday, Snub Truckers
- Cut fuel costs up to 50% with CNG
- Diesel Resumes Upward Trend With 5.1¢ Increase
- Fuel prices slowly inching downward
- Fuel tax relief in place; other states pursue action
- Lamont signs bill suspending 25-cent per gallon gasoline tax
- National diesel average price jumps 5 cents
- REG, J.B. Hunt Discuss Renewable Diesel, Biodiesel Strategies
- Rising Fuel Costs Slow Spot Rate Descent
- Smart Fuel-Buying Tips for Fleets
- Smarter Fuel-Buying Tips [Video]
- Too many Troopers, not enough truckers squash attempt at fuel price protest in NJ
- Up and down: DOE/EIA price way up, diesel futures plummet
- US Exports More Diesel as Global Shortage Fuels Competition
- What a loosening freight market means for CPG companies
Oil
I totally disagree with tapping oil reserves to relieve the financial pain that was caused by faulty energy policies.
Energy policies need to be evaluated from all sides, not just to uphold a political agenda.
- Biden Announces Historic Oil Release from SPR
- Biden oil move aims to cut fuel prices ‘fairly significantly’
- Biden Plans to Tap Oil Reserve to Control Prices
- Canada Climate Plan Calls for 42% Cut in Oil, Gas Emissions
- Daily Infographic: The United States imports more petroleum products than crude oil from Russia
- Drilling Deep: The case for releasing lots of oil from the SPR
- OPEC Sticks to Modest Boost in Oil
Inflation
Recession
Economy
- A World That’s More Expensive Begins to Reduce Demand
- ACT Research: Used Class 8 retail sales volumes, average price higher in February
- Daily Infographic: E-commerce is being reshaped by grocery shopping
- February Used Class 8 Prices Set Records
- Global Supply Lines Brace for Economic Storm to Widen
- OEM order control keeps trailer orders mostly flat
- Uncertain times: Class 8 sales still constrained but inflation, high fuel prices, war in the ukraine could cause changes
- US consumers still confident, but outlook not as rosy
- Used truck prices increased in February despite growth in sales
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and emissions:
Autonomous vehicles
I am providing these articles as a courtesy even though I totally disagree with autonomous, self-driving, or driverless commercial motor vehicles being on the roads with the motoring public.
- FMCSA prepares for automated trucks during ART forum
- Waymo to Expand Autonomous Vehicle Rides in San Francisco
Electric vehicles
- $870 million transportation package investing heavily in EV moves to Vermont Senate
- Berylls Strategy Advisors examines the impact of electrified trucks for decarbonizing the U.S. trucking industry
- Kenworth BEV eligible for voucher in New Jersey
- Maersk orders 110 electric Class 8 trucks from Volvo
- Maersk Plans to Deploy 300 Electric Trucks in North America by 2025
- Noodoe EV charging stations now CALeVIP compliant/rebate ready
- Performance Team Orders 300 Einride Electric Trucks
- Performance Team Orders More than 100 Volvo VNR Electric Trucks
- Volvo Trucks receives largest global order for 110 VNR electric trucks
- Volvo VNR Electric named 2022 Commercial Green Truck of the Year
- Volvo Wins Largest U.S. Order For Electric Trucks Yet
- Zeem Solutions Launches First EV Transportation-As-A-Service Depot
Emissions
- Canada commits to zero-emission truck sales targets and incentives
- Connecticut Considers California Standards for Large-Truck Emissions
- How to delete emissions issues without breaking the bank
- Urb-E tackles zero-emissions fresh food delivery with Square Roots
- Zero-emission vehicle regulations on the rise, strong partnerships help fleets get ahead
3. Regarding supply chain, capacity, and rates:
Supply chain
- Congressional Negotiations Ramp Up on Supply Chain, Semiconductor Package
- How supply chain, drayage have evolved through the pandemic
- RH boss warns on supply chain, likens demand risk to ‘Big Short’
- Shanghai Lockdowns Throw Supply Chain Another Curveball
Capacity
Rates
4. Regarding accidents, accidents – bus, accidents – PA, and roads:
Accidents
Please look through these articles to see what led up to the accidents so that you do not duplicate the set-up and get involved in an accident yourself.
- Dense fog blamed for multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 95 in IdahoWhen fog rolls in, slow down. If it becomes dense, consider parking your rig in a safe and legal place until weather conditions improve.
- Hazmat crews respond to tanker truck blunderThis was a right turn accident, which was totally preventable.
- Truck driver charged for driving in left lane after four-wheeler crashes into trailerAccording to the article: “In Virginia, if the speed limit is a minimum of 65 miles per hour and the highway has more than two lanes, semi-trucks must stay in the middle or the right lane.”
Accidents – bus
Why are we seeing more accidents between trucks and buses these days?
- Five students injured after semi smashes into back of stopped bus
- Semi strikes school bus in Florida; 5 children hospitalized
- Trucker dies in crash with bus on I-10 in Louisiana
Accidents – PA
Our deepest condolences go to the families of those who died in this massive accident.
- 3 killed in 50-vehicle pileup on snowy Pennsylvania highway
- I-81 remains closed after Monday’s massive pileup
- I-81 remains closed nearly 24 hours after 50 vehicle pileup that killed at least 3
- I-81 reopens after being closed by deadly 80-vehicle pileup
- I-81 reopens after massive Pennsylvania pileup; death toll now at 6
- I-81 reopens Wednesday morning, Pennsylvania troopers confirm 6 dead in pileup
- ‘Mass casualty’ pileup reported on I-81 in Pennsylvania
- Multi-vehicle crash shuts down I-81 in Pennsylvania
- UPDATE: Numerous tractor-trailers part of huge pileup on I-81 in PA; at least 3 dead
Roads
Please be aware of the various closures in place for various reasons.
- Daily Infographic: : Texas highway expansion ‘boon’ for trade economy
- I-27 is one of three new Texas interstates
- MoDOT to close I-44 in south St. Louis County beginning April 8
- Ontario permanently boosts speeds on six highway segments
- Seven Mile Bridge to close for annual footrace
- Traffic shifts scheduled to resume work on Tri-State Tollway interchange project
- U.S. designates future I-27 part of interstate highway system
5. Regarding drugs, smuggling, violations, theft, and staged:
Drugs
Never, ever agree to haul illegal drugs, no matter how big of an incentive you are offered!
- $4.3 million worth of meth found hidden in truck’s shipment of waterproof sealant
- Briefly: Drivers busted for hauling $10.5 million in cocaine
- Trucker sentenced to prison for hauling millions of dollars worth of cocaine and heroin for cartel
- Two arrested after cops find $10.5 million worth of cocaine in tomato shipment
- Vegas police bust big rig driver after K9 finds cocaine in tomato shipment
Smuggling
Never, ever agree to haul human beings like they are cattle or cargo!
- Driver arrested for human smuggling; 48 people found in tractor-trailer
- Police searching for nearly 50 suspected immigrants after people pour out of back of trailer
Violations
- Amounts for violations of FMCSA regulations increased
- Blue lights on big rig a no-no in Wisconsin
- DOT ups fines for regs violations | Virtual-reality simulator a hit for Howes Products
- Fines for regs violations increased | Operation Safe Driver Week dates set
- FMCSA disqualifies Wyoming-licensed driver who failed field sobriety test
- Wisconsin troopers call out trucker for lightingAccording to the article: “blue and flashing lights are prohibited on non-police vehicles in Wisconsin.”
Theft
Staged
6. Regarding business, AB5, bankruptcy, and efficiency:
Business
AB5
Bankruptcy
- Indiana trucking company files bankruptcy after FMCSA orders operations halt
- JCB Trucking in Indiana files for bankruptcy protection
Efficiency
- How Trucking Can Improve Efficiency and Increase ProfitsThese include ELDs, idling time, and utilization.
7. Regarding legal, FLSA, convoy, and surcharges:
Legal
- Crash liability with automated vehicles? Responsibility’s murky
- Just talking to your lawyer is not enough to constitute attorney-client privilege
FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act)
- Just maybe the FLSA will finally apply to truckingPlease urge your Congressional Representative and U.S. Senators to “to eliminate the Fair Labor Standards Act motor carrier exemption.”
Convoy
There was a great deal of news about the Canadian convoy.
What has been the impact of the convoy in the USA?
Please comment through the form below.
- Convoy protesting COVID mandates rolls on to California
- People’s Convoy is leaving D.C. for California
Surcharges
8. Regarding technology, training, and Werner:
Technology
- AI can mitigate cyberattacks against trucking companies
- Are You Ready for Wireless Electronic Truck Inspections? [Video]According to the video, the electronic or wireless inspection is done while the vehicle is in motion and there is no interaction with the enforcement officer.
The truck transmits information about the truck and the driver!
- Carriers make swift decisions with rapid data visibility provided by DDC Sync
- ELD Mandate: FMCSA and the Law of Unintended ConsequencesI’m not sure why anyone was surprised, but here’s the quote from the article:
—–
“Surprisingly, the number of accidents for the most-affected carriers — those operators for whom the federal mandate was intended — did not decrease,” said Andrew Balthrop, research associate in the Sam M. Walton College of Business and one of the study’s authors. “In fact, following the implementation of the mandate, accidents among small carriers and independent owner-operators increased relative to large asset-based carriers.”
—– - FMCSA Updates ELD Questions & Answers
Training
- Mississippi DOT program to provide CDL training for the homeless
- Mississippi providing CDL training for homeless people
Werner
What are your thoughts on this?
Please comment through the form below.
- Briefly: Waiver allows certain CLP holders to drive team for Werner
- FMCSA grants Werner’s CDL exemption for permit holders
- FMCSA grants Werner’s driver training request
- FMCSA grants Werner’s request to allow CLP drivers to operate without a CDL holder in the passenger seat
- Werner exempted from driver training provision
9. Regarding innovation, solar, insurance, inspections, and safety:
Innovation
- Can accordion-style folding containers unclog crowded ports, distribution centers?Watch the video to see how 5 “folded” containers take up the same space or slot as one “unfolded” one.
There are “safety beams” with “locking pins” across both the top and bottom of the foldable container.
Questions I have include:
“If each container has its own “locking pins,” then where do they all go when multiple foldable containers are put in the space of one previously?”
“How will truckers make sure that the ‘locking pins’ stay in place during transit?”
Solar
- Coming soon to truckers: Peel-and-stick solar panelsIf you are offered this, will you accept?
Why or why not?
Please comment below.
Insurance
Inspections
If you continually maintain your truck so that you’re always ready for an inspection, you’ll never dread one of the “blitzes” that take place.
Please be aware, though, that some inspectors have an axe to grind and “find” things over which to put trucks “out of service.”
If you know of locations like this, please let us know!
- CVSA shares new details on upcoming driver-focused blitz
- CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week to Focus on Speeding
- Getting your fleet in shape for Roadcheck 2022
- Iowa DOT spots a truck with a staggering amount of tire damage
- Missouri troopers to step up patrols on these four interstates in April
- Operation Safe Driver blitz date set to focus on speeding | Diesel prices jump again
- Operation Safe Driver Week in July to Focus on Speeding
- Operation Safe Driver Week set for mid-July
- Operation Safe Driver Week set to saturate North America with cops on patrol
- Operation Safe Driver Week to return with speeding focus
Safety
- How Central Oregon Truck Company Stays on Top of Safety
- Safety Series: Reduced speed, increased attention and following distance are keys to navigating construction zones
10. Regarding last mile, operations, separations, regulations, recall, and parts:
Last mile
- Daily Infographic: Google launches last-mile and cloud fleet routing solutions
- Google Jumps Into Last Mile Delivery Logistics
- TForce Logistics expands last-mile delivery service
Operations
Separations
- Wheel separations are still happening. Here’s how to prevent them.The article includes “7 myths around wheel installations” and “Do’s and Don’ts to prevent wheel-offs.”
Regulations
- 7 Trucking Regulations That Could Change Your World
- Automated vehicle occupant rule finalized by NHTSA
- DOT seeks staff increases to help issue new trucking regulations
- FMCSA Drops Mandate That Drivers Report Traffic Violations to Their Employers
- FMCSA nixes 2 proposed CDL rule changes
Recall
- Agency upgrades its recall lookup website
- Navistar recalls certain LT tractors due to improper battery cable wiring
Parts
11. Regarding shortage, recruitment, and home time:
Shortage
- About that “driver shortage”Quote: “From the looks of things, we are headed for a capacity glut. In other words, there will be too many trucks available for dispatch compared to the total amount of freight available. In the last week, I have written twice about the industry’s pending capacity glut.”
Recruitment
- Bigger trucks won’t help recruit, retain drivers, survey shows Land Line
- New York reminds active military, veterans of option to expedite, simplify process of getting CDL
Home time
12. Regarding awards:
Congratulations to those truckers who have been recognized for their skills!
We also recognize those who helped out their fellow human beings who were in a time of need.
- 30-year company driver for Yellow named top woman truck driver
- FedEx Freight driver wins grand champion title in Louisiana competition
- GM Announces ‘Overdrive Award’ Winners for Supply Chain Excellence
- Good Samaritan says he “was going to help” a trapped trucker no matter what
- Mississippi driver earns Highway Angel honor at Truckload 2022
- National driving competitions will be held in person this year
- NY trucker is recycling institute’s driver of the year
- Women in Trucking names 2022 driver of the year
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: 2022.04.02 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
