This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending May 28, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding holiday, motorists, and theft:
Holiday
Please feel free to review the information regarding Memorial Day and double-checking your Memorial Day delivery appointment.
The articles below regard the Memorial Day weekend 2022:
- AAA predicts crowded highways for upcoming Memorial Day weekend
- Here are the worst times and corridors for traffic delays during Memorial Day weekend
- Illinois tollway expects more than 7 million vehicles on its system Memorial Day weekend
- Keep watch for cyberattacks this Memorial Day weekend
- More Memorial Day travel expected, despite high fuel prices
- More Memorial Day Travel Expected, Despite High Gas Prices
- Tennessee Highway Patrol to increase patrols during Memorial Day holiday
Motorists
- PA Turnpike reports returning traffic volumes
- Traffic at NYC-Area Bridges, Tunnels Hits Pre-Pandemic Levels
Theft
Please be aware of increasing opportunities to become the victim of theft.
- Be wary of increased cargo theft activity over holiday weekend
- Cargo theft activity expected to pick up over Memorial Day weekend
- Cargo Theft Trends Shift Amid Emboldened Criminals
- Daimler combating theft of controller modules
- Drivewyze and CargoNet collaborate on theft alerts for truckers
- Drivewyze, Verisk Collab to Fight Cargo Theft
- Drivewyze, Verisk collaborate to fight cargo theft
- Pennsylvania troopers investigate diesel fuel theft
- Rash of parts thefts is leaving Freightliner trucks inoperable
- Truck maker sounds the alarm on uptick in theft of CPC4 modules from parked trucks
- Trucker charged after allegedly taking two shipments worth of Red Bull
- Victims of Freightliner parts thefts struggle to get replacements
- VIDEO: Police hunting for two rigs stolen from FL business
2. Regarding limiters and technology:
Please be aware of the increase in automation and what effect this has on truckers and trucking jobs.
Limiters
If you feel that putting speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles is a bad idea, then please write and submit your comments here (noting that there are helpful tips in the Commenter’s Checklist).
- An argument for speed limiters in cars
- ATA, OOIDA ask for speed limiter comment period extension
- FMCSA extends comment period for proposed speed limiter rule
- FMCSA extends speed limiter comment period by 45 more days
- FMCSA’s speed limiter comment period extended 45 days
- Speed limiter comment period extended
- Speed limiters comment period gets extended 45 days
- Speed limiters could make avoiding crashes more difficult, truckers say
- ‘Stupid idea’ — The FMCSA has received nearly 12,000 comments about controversial speed limiter proposal
- Thousands of truckers voice opposition to speed limiters
Technology
- Data-driven decision making creates change in supply chain
- Drone Infrastructure More Cost Effective Than Traditional Delivery
- Walmart and DroneUp expanding drone delivery to 6 states, 4 million people
- Walmart Expands Drone Delivery in Six States
- Walmart to automate all 42 regional distribution centers with robots
3. Regarding fuel, fuel economy, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and emissions:
Fuel
Please feel free to use the form below to send us your thoughts and comments about the price and availability of fuel where you run.
- At $6.09 a Gallon, LA Pays Record Gasoline Price Over US Average
- Benchmark diesel price declines as futures oddly tick up
- Can tanker imports save drivers from spiking summer gasoline prices?
- Daily Infographic: EIA expects summer U.S. real gasoline and diesel prices to be the highest since 2014
- Diesel Price Slips 4.2¢ to $5.571 a Gallon
- Diesel prices drop for most Land Line Fuel prices
- Diesel Prices Retreat, Inventories Still a Concern
- Drivers Begin to Balk at Record Gas Prices
- East Coast diesel inventories tighter again; other numbers offer buyers hope
- Fuel tax relief extended, pursued in two states
- Georgia governor extends diesel fuel tax moratorium
- Hydrogen Opposed-Piston Engine Working Group Formed
- Oklahoma Legislature Creates Legal Infrastructure for Hydrogen Energy
- President considering tapping diesel fuel reserves
- Recession Might Be Only Way Diesel Costs Will Drop
- State Lawmakers Take Steps to Advance Hydrogen Fuel
- States Make Plays to Become Federal Hydrogen Hubs (link no longer online)
- VIDEO: Trucker talks to Fox Business about skyrocketing diesel costs
- Weekly Fuel Report: May 24, 2022
- White House Eyes Restarting Idle Refineries
- Who is to blame for record diesel prices?
Fuel economy
Autonomous vehicles
I completely disagree with using driverless, self-driving, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the public roads with the motoring public, but share these articles to help you stay informed on this topic.
- Aurora, FedEx Expand Autonomous Linehaul Trucking Pilot
- Autonomous vehicles now permitted in Oklahoma Land Line
- Einride Debuts Autonomous-Optimized Electric Trailer
- Loadsmith’s capacity as a service to help launch autonomous future
Electric vehicles
Please be aware that the push to get folks on electric vehicles may not be as environmentally friendly as some folks tout — as well as the fact that they are completely dependent on being recharged in order to run.
- Battery-Electric Isn’t the Only Pathway to Zero-Emissions Trucks [Video]
- BEV Semi-Truck Manufacturers In Fierce Market Share Competition
- Daimler Truck’s million-mile-tested electric Freightliner eCascadia enters production
- Experts Urge Preparation Now for Transition to EVs
- Fleet Electrification at a Crossroads – Guest Voices
- Fleetmaster Express to receive first Volvo VNR electric trucks in Texas
- G&W subsidiary to service Hyundai’s $5.5B EV and battery facility
- Lithium Miner Albemarle Lifts Outlook as EV Battery Demand Surges
- Perspective: How Fleets Can Prepare for EVs
- Stellantis, Samsung Plan Indiana EV Battery Plant
- Sysco Orders 800 Battery-Electric Freightliner eCascadia Trucks
- Sysco to acquire hundreds of Freightliner electric trucks
- Volvo Opens New Facility For Electric Truck Training
- Volvo Trucks Academy opens new facility to better serve electric truck training
Emissions
- Iowa DOT Achieves Near-Zero Emissions with 100% Biodiesel Trucks
- Report: Schneider ahead on 2025 emissions per mile target
- Tackling transportation-related emission visibility
4. Regarding accidents, overpass plunges, fatalities, and wheel-offs:
Accidents
Please scan through these articles to see if there is anything you can do to prevent being involved in a similar accident.
- Driver killed, train derailed in collision between dump truck and train on private road
- Flaming big rig sparks neighborhood brush fire
- One dead, ten injured in seven-vehicle wreck
- Semi’s wind turbine spill closes Highway 47 for nearly 12 hours
- Tractor-trailer sideswipes firetruck near I-77 accident scene
- Truck driver faces 45 charges following 2021 crash into multiple vehicles, garage
- Truck driver faces 45 charges from Nashville crash
- VIDEO: Truck driver’s baffling battle with a couple of poles ends in destruction
- VIDEO: Two trucks crash after using runaway ramp seconds apart
- ‘WATCH FOR BLIND SPOTS’ — Dramatic dash cam shows big rig pushing car sideways down Oregon interstate
Overpass plunges
This was a bad week for trucks plunging off overpasses — or winding up hanging off an overpass.
Is this a trend caused by something else — and if so, what?
- California: Driver stable following crash off overpass
- Florida: Fiery crash leaves semi hanging off overpass in Florida
- Florida: Truck driver uninjured after rig partially falls off bridge
- West Virginia: Truck driver seriously injured after plunge off overpass in West Virginia
Fatalities
Please be careful out there!
- Daily Infographic: Truck crash deaths jump 13% to ‘crisis’ level
- Man dead after selecting loading dock as sleeping location
- NHTSA report shows 2021 traffic deaths reached total last seen in 2005
Wheel-offs
5. Regarding truckers, trucking, freebie, and drugs:
Truckers
- High Rate of Turnover Among Stressed-Out Supply Chain ManagersIf you decide to use this technology, please send us a review through the form on our page.Thanks!
Trucking
- Berylls Strategy Advisors releases analysis of global trucking industry
- Harassment in Industry Still a Concern, Report Says
- New trucking industry survey reveals challenges, opportunities
Freebie
Drugs
Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much you are promised.
- Indiana trooper finds nearly $1M in cocaine during big rig traffic stop
- Indiana troopers discover $1 million worth of cocaine during roadside inspection
6. Regarding AB5 and abandonment:
AB5
If you feel strongly about this, please let your federal elected officials know.
- AB5: Solicitor general urges Supreme Court not to review California’s case
- California Trucking Association Suffer AB5 Appeal Setback in U.S. Supreme Court Appeal
- Solicitor General Recommends Against High Court Consideration of AB 5 Case
- Solicitor general tells Supreme Court to decline AB5 petition
Abandonment
Never abandon a tractor, trailer, or freight.
7. Regarding pay, tolls and surcharge:
Pay
If you feel strongly about this, please let your federal elected officials know.
Tolls
Surcharge
8. Regarding trucks, inspections, maintenance, recalls, and extinction:
Trucks
Inspections
If you and your rig are perpetually ready for an inspection, you’ll never have to fear one.
- Roadcheck places 58 drivers, 32 vehicles out of service in Wyoming
- Wyoming releases Roadcheck results, dozens of trucks and drivers placed out of service
Maintenance
Recalls
- Recalls hit 200 Freightliner, Western Star trucks
- Two recalls cover 200 Freightliner and Western Star trucks
Extinction
9. Regarding business, rates, ports, and baby formula:
Business
This section is particularly relevant to owner-operators and independent truckers.
- Daily Infographic: 8 Key Transportation KPIs
- Drilling Deep: Creating a strong relationship between LTL carrier and shipper
- Motivation for Trucking Business Plans
- New solutions that help transportation providers compete
- Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit to hit FreightWaves virtual stage on June 15
- White Paper: 6 Key Steps for Owner Operators to Navigate Down Markets
Rates
Ports
Please bear in mind that trucking opportunities may vary seasonally or on the basis of consumer demand.
- Freight Carriers, Independent Truckers Anticipate Booming Great Lakes Ports Opportunities
- Gulf Coast ports’ April cargo volumes get boost from imports
- Jaxport completes harbor deepening project
- Port of New York-New Jersey Desperately Needs More Truck Drivers
- Port Saint John CEO: ‘Containers are where we see major growth’
- Ports Maintain High Volumes in April
- Southern California ports rank dead last on global efficiency index
- U.S. Grain Exports Surge Through Great Lakes Ports
- White House taps retired general to be new port czar
- World Distribution Services adds capacity to new facility near Port of New York/New Jersey
Baby formula
Another resource (1, 2, 3) indicates that the baby formula crisis may have been intentionally created.
- Baby formula export scheme worth $200M lands Florida trio in prison
- FDA clears way for surge in baby formula imports
- Federal HOS waiver to speed baby formula production ramp
- FedEx to fly emergency shipment of baby formula to US
- First US military jet with baby formula arrives in Indianapolis
- FMCSA issues emergency regulation waiver in response to baby formula shortage
- FMCSA provides regulatory relief for transportation of baby formula
- FMCSA waives HOS requirements for trucks hauling baby formula ingredients
- FMCSA waives hours regs for shipments of baby formula
- Hours regs waived for shipments of baby formula | Diesel prices dip slightly, rates rise
- Loads of baby formula, electronics are targets for Memorial Day thefts: CargoNet
10. Regarding economy and weather:
Economy
- A major cause of inflation may have peaked; that’s good news for consumers but bad news for trucking companies
- ACT Research: Dry Van Orders Responsible for U.S. Trailer Net Orders Decline in April
- ATA Logs Truck Tonnage Decrease in April
- Average Age of US Cars Hits Record 12.2 Years
- Big retailers have too much inventory. It’s hurting profits and the trucking industry
- China Truck Data Showing Lockdown’s Hit Disappears From Public
- Consumer Sentiment Falls to Fresh Decade Low on Inflation
- Economy Shrank by 1.5% but Consumers Kept Spending
- Good run for U.S. truck tonnage stalls in April
- Great Recession trucking-side-gig recollection: Success, failure
- Key Inflation Gauge Slowed to 6.3% Over Past Year
- More trucks, please! Parcel volumes remain on upward trajectory
- Shipper conditions plunge to record lows: FTR
- Tight trucking capacity likely for June as overall market shows some improvement
- Tonnage Up 1.8% in April Compared to 2021
- Used Class 8 retail sales volumes, average prices lower in April
- Used truck prices are finally softening
- Used truck sales numbers continue fall | Rates’ ‘Roadcheck effect’ last week
- Used truck sales prices up; new trailer backlogs continue
Weather
If you have the technology to warn you about impending harsh weather conditions, please use it so that you are not involved in a weather-related accident.
- A dust devil dropped a trampoline on I-10 in Tucson. A ‘quick-thinking’ trucker pushed it away so no one got hurt.
- How increasingly extreme weather impacts owner-operators
- Up to 21 Atlantic Hurricanes Predicted for This Year
11. Regarding fraud, crime, and staged:
Fraud
Crime
Staged
12. Regarding awards:
We recognize those who help their fellow human beings in need and congratulate truckers who have made significant achievements.
- ‘Brave’ Good Samaritans rescue driver from burning dump truck
- Motorist jumps into action when he realizes wrecked driver had “nobody there”
- Trucker named 2021 Driver of the Year by insurance companyQuote:”The award is presented annually to drivers in the commercial trucking industry with an exemplary driving record, who demonstrate strong leadership and make significant contributions toward a positive safety culture within their organization, according to a statement from the insurance company.”Lewis… has since driven over 1.5 million safe miles…”
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: 2022.05.28 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
