This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending October 8, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding inspections, maintenance, tires, recalls, and emergency:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your truck in a perpetual state of readiness, you will never be caught off-guard by an inspection.
Here are some of the most recent articles about inspections that affect professional truck drivers.
- 50+ trucks stuck on wrong side of Ambassador bridge for investigation of “suspicious package”
- CVSA announces enhanced CMV inspection program for autonomous trucks
- CVSA announces inspection regime for autonomous commercial vehicles
- CVSA launches new ‘Enhanced CMV Inspection Program’ for driverless trucks
- Facebook users have fun commenting about Florida Highway Patrol’s big rig
- Feds call for alcohol detection systems in all new vehicles
- More Than 6,000 Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Were Inspected During CVSA’s Unannounced Five-Day Inspection Initiative – CVSA — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
- Multi-state I-70 police blitz taking place this weekend
- Roadcheck results: Brakes and tires once again top the charts
- Robot trucks get their own safety inspection treatment
- This house haul resulted in 25 violations, including 5 out of service violations, Georgia DPS says
- Tips for Post-Flood Fleet Inspections
Maintenance
Even company drivers may be able to learn some things about maintenance and apply them to their trucking jobs.
- How to unfreeze a frozen brake caliper
- Seasonal Maintenance for Your Cargo Trailers
- TMC Recommended Practices Are the Foundation of Maintenance
Tires
Recalls
Emergency
Certain weather events are often called “emergencies.”
Depending on how severe the weather event was, the emergency may be prolonged.
Please be on your guard for a potential loss of freedom and/or liberty during and following an “emergency.”
- Broad Relief Efforts Converge After Hurricane Ian
- Emergency orders waive FMCSA requirements
- Florida troopers use marked police big rig for hurricane relief efforts
- FMCSA issues Regional Emergency Declaration covering eight states for Hurricane Ian
- Frustration and desperation mount as Ian’s effects linger
- Hurricane Ian brings positive rate pressure, but for how long?
- Hurricane Ian delivers ‘more regional impact’ on loads and rates
- Ian Lashes South Carolina as Florida Surveys Devastation
- Supply Chain Rallies in Wake of Hurricane Ian
- Thorough checks, testing after floods are essential to getting back on the road safely
2. Regarding fuel, fuel taxes, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and aerodynamics:
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel price down again as futures markets turn up over OPEC+
- Biodiesel Fuel Gets Latest Push in Missouri
- Diesel down as much as 9 cents per gallon
- Diesel prices, supply steady where Ian hit but soaring in California
- Diesel Profits Near Record With Supplies Dwindling Into Winter
- Diesel Sheds 5.3¢ to Reach $4.836 a Gallon
- LNG Market Supply to Remain Tight for Years, Top Producers Say
- LNG shipping rates ‘shooting for the stars’ at $500,000 per day
- SONAR Sightings: Demand sinks in Ontario, California; global ocean booking volume off 20%
- Weekly Fuel Report: October 4, 2022
- Weekly NTI Update: October 03, 2022
Fuel taxes
Autonomous vehicles
I totally oppose the operation of autonomous, self-driving, or driverless commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public, but share these articles as a courtesy to help you stay current on the topic.
- A Different Approach to Autonomous Trucks: A Conversation with Plus
- Autonomous Trucking Startup Gatik Is Ditching the Driver in Canada
- Autonomous trucks inspection program announced by CVSA
- Beer runs a proof point for autonomous freight
- CVSA Launches Autonomous Truck Inspection Rules
- Daimler Truck, Torc begin fourth year of collaboration on automated tractor project
- Driverless beer runs — what’s the deal?
- Gatik goes driverless in Canada
- Loblaw begins driverless grocery deliveries
- Spotting the autonomous bigfoot in the wild
- Uber Revives Self-Driving Taxi Dreams, Plans to Start This Year
- Watch driverless yard trucks at work at new BMW logistics center in South Carolina
- Waymo, C.H. Robinson Driverless Trucks Haul Beer to Houston From Dallas
Electric vehicles
- Biden Pledge to Make Federal Fleet Electric Faces Slow Start
- Cybertruck boats, Tesla Semis and an EV that actually exists – WTT
- Daily Infographic: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Enters Catch-Up Mode
- Electrifying vocational trucks will be a challenge, panel says
- EV Makers Urged to Partner With Miners to Secure Key Metals
- EV Tax Credit Rules Put on Fast Track at Treasury
- Making the Electrification Transition
- Megawatt EV Charging System Tested at Electric Island
- Michigan Lures $1.6 Billion Battery Factory in Fight for EV Jobs
- Navistar President and CEO Mathias Carlbaum talks BEVs
- Performance Team Scaling Volvo VNR Electric Fleet
- UK-based L-Charge develops its first US mobile EV charger
- US House Lawmakers Introduce EV Tech Bill
- Volvo Highlights Support for Truck Fleet Electrification
- Volvo Invites Media to Test Drive the VNR Electric
- Volvo Trucks introduces vendor direct shipping program for EV chargers
- Volvo VNR Electric Customers Can Get Chargers Direct From Dealers
- Volvo, Mack, Tesla Show Gains With BEVs
- VTNA Explores Ins, Outs of EV Truck Ownership
- Where Do Electric Trucks Fit In?
- Will Rise of EVs Mean the Death of the Gas Station?
Aerodynamics
3. Regarding accidents and hitchhiker:
Accidents
Please glean what you can from the articles about large truck accidents, so that you can hopefully avoid being involved in the same set-up yourself.
- Mom and son killed after colliding with trailer that separated from semi shortly after driver left truck stop
- POLICE: “Roadway surface conditions may have something to do” with fiery barrier-wall wreck that sent trucker to hospital
- Tractor trailer rides guardrail after steer-tire blowout
- Trucker “in a state of shock” after running over woman sleeping in pile of boxes
- Trucker ignored ‘no truck’ signs before Giant’s Despair overturn, police say
Hitchhiker
This is the first time that I ever recall reading that a hitchhiker received any kind of legal action following his actions.
I would still like to know if any trucker or trucking company has a preferred method of notifying truckers about hitchhikers who have hitched a ride (sometimes under or on the back of trailers).
If you know of a preferred method, please comment through the form below. Thanks.
- Man accidentally hitches 130 miles on back of tractor trailer on search for wife
- Man arrested after hitching ride on back of tractor-trailer for almost 130 miles
4. Regarding border and vaccine:
Border
Vaccine
In my opinion, jab mandates should never have been implemented in the first place because we have all been created equal by our Creator with unalienable rights.
- Canada ends cross-border vaccine mandate, truckers call for U.S. to follow suit
- CTA urges U.S. to remove border vaccine rules
- More trucking groups call on U.S. to end cross-border vaccine requirement
- U.S. should drop COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Canada group says
5. Regarding economy, holidays, same-day, tax holidays, USPS, and HOS:
Economy
These are some of the most recent articles about the economy from the trucking industry’s perspective.
- Class 8 Orders Soar to a Record High
- Class 8 tractor orders hit highest ever monthly total
- Class 8 truck orders set monthly record in September
- Freight markets see little change this week
- Hiring Solid in September as Employers Add 263,000 (link no longer online)
- September a “sensational” record month for Class 8 orders
- September Class 8 Orders Erupt in All-Time Record
- September new big truck orders go through the roof
- SONAR Sightings: Savannah imports up 8% this year; volumes in Denver hit 2-year low
- Tidal wave of new container ships: 2023-24 deliveries to break record
- Trade takes people: Navigating new economic normal and year of labor
- Trucking Remains Robust As Fed Hikes Interest Rates & Freight Softens
Holidays
- FedEx Expects Fewer Packages During Holiday Season (link no longer online)
- FedEx Ground reduces holiday demand projections
Same-day
Tax holidays
We have a page on our site about Sales Tax Holidays, but it is impossible for us to keep up on every single state’s action.
So, please do your due diligence ahead of time.
USPS
HOS
6. Regarding CDL fees, employment, future, pay, rates, and ESG:
CDL fees
Employment
- Employment in trucking tumbles in September
- Truck transportation jobs walloped in September: BLS data
Future
- Canadian regulators preparing for next-generation vehicles
- HDT’s Innovators on Leading Fleets into the Future
- ‘Trucking winter’ expected amid poor economic conditions
Pay
- Briefly: Survey finds most truckers to take on extra holiday season loads
- Is Time Up For No Overtime in Trucking? [Commentary]
- Solvento ‘leveling the financial playing field’ for Latin American trucking companies
Rates
- No disaster relief for spot rates
- SONAR Sightings: Milwaukee reefer demand plunges; rates from China to US decline again into Q4
- Transportation market loosened as September progressed
- Uber Freight economist: Contract rates edging into negative territory
ESG
ESG stands for “Environmental, Social, and Governance.”
An August 22, 2022, article summarizes one point of view on this subject:
ESG: Fascist Tool of the Deep State to Reset Global Economy.
7. Regarding drugs, smuggling, theft, violations, and fine:
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much you’ve been promised.
Smuggling
Never ever treat your fellow human beings like cattle or cargo, no matter how much you’ve been promised.
We cover smuggling in greater detail on our website.
- 84 migrants found after “concerned citizen” reports tractor trailer arriving at nearby residence
- Group of migrants discovered beneath false floor in trailer
- Texas trucker sentenced to prison for transporting 98 people in sealed reefer trailer
Theft
Violations
Fine
This is one of the first times that I’ve read about a trucker being held financially responsible for the aftermath of a wreck.
Please bear in mind that the fine probably doesn’t even pay for the entire clean-up.
8. Regarding technology, Tesla, electronic IDs, and testing:
Technology
Please do your due diligence regarding technology, especially new technology.
- How robotic process automation can help workers be more human, boost retention
- Industry Works on Tractor-Trailer Connections
- Switching to an Open, Long-Term Telematics Solution
- Tanker Fleet Pilots New Advanced Hazard Avoidance Tech
- WeDrive: Garmin headset provides 50 hours of talk time
- What Safety Technologies Appeal to Different Types of Fleets?
Tesla
Please do your due diligence regarding new technology in trucks.
Two summaries of things that I’ve read in the last few weeks on electric vehicles:
– The replacement batteries can be extremely expensive; and
– It takes a huge amount of water to put out an electric vehicle fire.
Please practice discernment.
- Elon Musk: Tesla Semi deliveries start in December
- First Tesla Electric Semis to go to PepsiCo, Frito-Lay California Facilities
- Musk: 1st Tesla Semi trucks going to Pepsi in December
- Tesla Plans to Deliver Semis to Pepsi
Electronic IDs
- ‘Absolutely NOT’ — FMCSA slapped with over 700 comments on plan to mandate electronic ID technology for CMVs
- Electronic IDs for trucks: Fact vs. fiction
Testing
- Hair testing for drugs raises concerns of two groups
- Minority and independent truckers challenge hair testing for drugs
- NTSB suggests mandatory alcohol impairment detection systems
9. Regarding issues, parking, roads, and operations:
Issues
- Driver satisfactions becomes more important during market downturns
- Trucking survey of top issues due Friday
Parking
- Buttigieg: ‘We owe our truckers a safe place to rest’
- California Finds Truck Parking Shortage Complicated by EV Mandates
- DOT talks trucking parking funding opportunities with states
- Federal officials focusing on truck parking as part of new initiative
- Truck parking fines to skyrocket under new Delaware law
- Truck parking topic of new Delaware law Truck Parking
- USDOT Unveils Guide, Grants to Combat Truck Parking Shortage
Roads
If a road has shut down and you’re driving a big rig, remember to use alternative routes that specifically marked as truck routes.
- A 40 mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to shut down next weekend
- B.C. to soon begin permanent repairs on flood-hit Hwy. 1
- Best and worst roads listed in new study State
- Expect ‘profound delays’ on I-285 in metro Atlanta for the next 8 months
- I-285 project to take at least eight months, says GDOT State
- INDOT Announces I-70 traffic shift on North Split project
- Lone Star State officials: New cable barrier saving lives on Texas highways
- Long-term I-285 lane reductions coming soon for Atlanta
- One Bridge Damaged by Ian Reopens, and a Truck Is Among First to Cross It
- Pennsylvania Turnpike closure needed for new bridge State
- ‘Profound delays’ ahead as Georgia DOT begins 8 month lane closures on I-285 in Atlanta
- Website launched to keep public informed on Illinois’ I-80 reconstruction project
Operations
10. Regarding supply chain, emissions, and distractions:
Supply chain
- Daily Infographic: Supply Chain Integration
- If supply chain crunch is finally easing, why is inflation so high?
- Supply chain crunch is reshaping approaches to inventory, says CTEA president
- Supply Chain Task Force recommends 21 actions in final report
Emissions
Distractions
11. Regarding shut down, scam, and California:
Shut down
In hard economic times, some companies simply shut down.
Scam
Please be on your guard for scams like these.
California
- California Cracks Down On Excessive Demurrage & Detention Levies
- New California law designed to rein in detention and demurrage charges
12. Regarding recognition and awards:
Recognition
We recognize those truckers and others who helped their fellow human beings in a time of need.
- Melton driver’s actions at accident scene earns him Highway Angel award | Truckers News
- Melton trucker helps free driver from wrecked Jeep; honored by TCA
- Passerby provided life-saving first aid to trucker wrecked after motorist’s poor merge
Awards
Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who reached a point of achievement or demonstrated skill on the job.
- After unconventional start, Smokey Point driver reaches 2 million miles
- Small Fleet Champ finalists head to Nashville for final round
- The Log Book: XPO driver reaches company safe-driving milestone
- Trucker honored for being first driver in XPO history to achieve 4 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: 2022.10.08 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
