This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 12, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Thanksgiving, Truckersgiving, holidays, deliveries, and returns:
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 24 this year.
Typically, this is the very heavy freight season for Christmas deliveries.
However, based upon what I have read, some retailers have cut back on the amount of freight being ordered (most likely due to inflation) or have started their “Black Friday” sales early to try to hedge against sluggish sales.
There will always be seasonal ups and downs in trucking, so please prepare yourself.
Also, feel free to look at this page on our site:
Trucker Thanksgiving Trip Money Saving Tips
- Pilot Flying J debuts new Thanksgiving meal
- Reefer demand picks up ahead of Thanksgiving
- Top 5 Things Commercial Drivers are Most Thankful For
Also, I wrote this in November 2009:
A Thanksgiving Prayer on Behalf of Professional Truck Drivers
Truckersgiving
If you’re a professional truck driver, feel free to take advantage of freebies being offered to truckers on the road during special promotions like this.
- Chester’s Chicken, Love’s team up for ‘Truckersgiving’
- Love’s & Chester’s Chicken to celebrate ‘Truckersgiving’ with driver meal giveaways
- Love’s and Chester’s Chicken giving free meals on ‘Truckersgiving’ Nov. 17
- Love’s, Chester’s Chicken offer truckers free Super Snack –
Holidays
- Holiday Sales Pace Likely to Be Slower, But Solid
- Truckers May Get an Opportunity to be Home for the Holidays
Deliveries
Please pay attention to various aspects associated with making deliveries.
Although home delivery services — such as UPS and FedEx — may be the only truckers involved with taking packages to consumers’ homes, please bear in mind the opportunity for “porch pirates” to steal packages (see the “Theft” section below).
If you are a home delivery service trucker, please always take a photograph of the item that you delivered, where you delivered it, to help protect yourself from being lied about.
We have never heard of a home delivery service trucker who recorded a video of a delivery, but if you have the opportunity to do that, too, that would be great.
- Brokers: Shippers are pricing down contract freight faster
- FedEx suspends some money-back guarantees for peak season
- Why choosing the right carrier can make or break winter shipments
Returns
2. Regarding recalls, emissions, and operations:
Recalls
If you drive a truck or trailer that has a recall issued, please make sure that attention to that matter is taken care of promptly.
- 218,000 Daimler trucks recalled for corrosion issue that could lead to brake pull
- Brake system corrosion prompts massive Daimler recall
- Daimler issues recall on more than 230,000 vehicles
- Daimler recalls more than 200,000 trucks over brakes system issue
- Daimler recalls over 200K trucks for brake issue
- Daimler Truck North America recalls 218,468 trucks for corrosion
- Daimler Trucks recalling more than 200,000 vehicles
- DTNA Looks at Potential 218,000 Trucks in Recall
- DTNA Recalls 200k+ Trucks for Possible Brake Pull During Adaptive Cruise Control
- Over 200,000 Freightliner & Western Star trucks recalled for brake issue
Emissions
- California Sees Improvements in New Emissions Report
- Calstart Creates Zero-Emission Vehicle Comparison Tool
- Governor Puts North Carolina on Fast Track for Zero-Emission Trucks
- How Cylinder Deactivation Can Help Meet 2027 Emissions Targets
Operations
- Don’t forget bill of lading, trailer numbers before hitting the road
- VIDEO: Cops track down trucker after watching alarming dash cam clip, issue $500 fine
3. Regarding accidents, near miss, fatalities, routing, and drugs:
Accidents
Please learn what you can from the articles linked below, so that you can — if possible — avoid being in a similar set-up.
- Tow truck driver crushed and dragged while securing disabled semi truck
- Truck driver hurt when pickup tire comes flying in through windshield
- Trucker suffers broken neck, smashes into line of traffic after four wheeler cuts him off
- Trucking company to pay $7.7 million in case of wheel coming loose, striking vehicle
- Two truck rear-end crash on entrance to Indiana weigh station leaves driver seriously injured
Near miss
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families whose truckers passed away.
- Big rig driver dead after collision with second tractor-trailer in Wyoming
- Medical episode, resulting crash claims life of driver
- Two dead after dump truck strikes overpass in Pennsylvania
Meanwhile, I also saw this article this week:
Report Says DOT ‘Management Challenges’ Include Reducing Highway Fatalities
Routing
Please remember that not all GPS units are built alike.
The only routing documents and technology you should use in a Commercial Motor Vehicle should be a “truckers atlas” and similar technology.
Drugs
Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much you are offered.
- Nearly $19M in meth uncovered in shipment of paint cans
- Trucker caught with 188 bricks of suspected cocaine at Ontario border
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel, fuel tax holiday, oil, and taxes:
Autonomous vehicles
I totally disapprove of the operation of autonomous vehicles on the same road as the motoring public 100%, but share these articles as a courtesy to keep you informed on the subject.
- Autonomous vehicles rule signed into Pennsylvania law
- Daily Infographic: The Future of Autonomous Trucks in Freight
- Kodiak Robotics Demonstrates Tire Blowout on Self-Driving Truck
- Real-World Testing of Autonomous Trucks Ramps Up
- The Fantasy of Autonomous Self-Driving Cars is Coming to an End as Tesla Faces DOJ Criminal Probe
- VIDEO: How does a self-driving truck handle a catastrophic steer tire blowout?
Electric vehicles
Fuel
These articles address the “fuel situation” in various respects.
- 2 fuel retailer groups have a message: There will be enough diesel
- Diesel Bumps Up 1.6¢ to $5.333 a Gallon
- Diesel down slightly, says ProMiles.com report
- Diesel prices rise as concerns about supply linger
- EIA diesel benchmark rises as other market factors point divergently
- EIA outlook forecasts rising diesel costs
- Energy shipping boom: Propane tankers breach $100,000 a day
- More States Are Producing Alternative Fuel
- SONAR Sightings: Business as usual for East Coast markets in Nicole’s path
- Though constrained, nation’s diesel fuel supply isn’t in danger of drying up, experts say
- Weekly Fuel Report: November 08, 2022
- Weekly NTI Update: November 07, 2022
Fuel tax holiday
Oil
Taxes
- California voters reject tax on rich for more electric vehicles
- California voters weigh new tax on rich to boost electric big rig, passenger car adoption
5. Regarding economy, future, inflation, and reputation:
Economy
The following are some of the most recent articles about various aspects of the economy from the trucking industry’s perspective.
- After steep September slide, US imports stabilize in October
- Diesel Tankers Projected to Get Biggest Demand Surge Since 1993
- Expeditors ekes out small gain in profitability even as tonnage slides
- FreightCar America eyeing market opportunities despite economic headwinds
- Getting back on your feet in a bad market – WTT
- Middling markets show no signs of peaking
- October Class 8 Sales Show Broad Gains YOY
- Shipping line CEO: Container market volatile but not collapsing
- Small Business Optimism Drops for First Time Since June
- SONAR Sightings: Volume in major markets nose-dives leading toward holidays
- Trucking industry’s November economic forecast shows slight uptick
- Truckstop, FTR data: Van segments not showing typical pre-Thanksgiving strength
Future
- Carriers punt on rest of 2022, hopeful for market normalization in ’23
- Trucking industry faces headwinds in 2023
Inflation
Reputation
It may seem counter-intuitive, but when the motoring public respects truckers, there may be the opportunity for fewer accidents to take place.
- How does the public view truckers in 2022?
- Public Perception of Truck Drivers Remains High, According to Poll
- Public Perception of Trucking at All-Time High
6. Regarding weather, winter, and idling snitchers:
Weather
Please be cautious about driving in areas with severe weather, no matter what kind of weather event is taking place or is scheduled to take place.
- 111 mph winds caused chaos on Interstate 25 in Wyoming on Saturday as multiple semi trucks flipped in the gusts
- 1st winter storm of season rolls through Montana, Dakotas
- Florida ports close as Nicole nears
- Hurricane Nicole impact on diesel supply expected to be uneventful
- Nicole, downgraded to tropical storm, pelts Florida, Georgia with torrential rainfall
- Tropical Storm Nicole forces evacuations in Florida
- Tropical Storm Nicole weakens to depression, reaches Georgia
- VIDEO: Storm chasers checking on one crashed trucker get hit by a second semi during blizzard
Winter
The acronym ADAS — as used in the title of the second article in this section — stands for Advanced Driver Assistance System.
No matter what kind of truck you drive, be prepared to take over the truck’s operation, should automation fail.
- Daily Infographic: NOAA’s US winter outlook: What truck drivers should know
- How to winterize adas and other truck systems
Idling snitchers
Certain locations around the USA have very strict idling rules/regulations/ordinances/laws.
Some jurisdictions actually pay residents to “rat out” truckers who idle for comfort.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) used to publish a compendium of idling regulations, but I think all of this information has been removed from their website, as I’ve been unable to locate it online.
If you know of a similar resource, please let me know through the form below.
Thanks.
7. Regarding border, chains, HOS, inspections, roads, and supply chain:
Border
- 8 tips for driving a truck across the Canada-U.S. border
- Cross-border payments: ‘It’s like a piece of dirt in your eye’
- Mexico remains top US trading partner ahead of No. 2 Canada
Chains
HOS
- Biden, DeSantis declare emergencies in Florida ahead of Nicole
- Emergency waives certain requirements in two states State
- FMCSA denies owner-operator’s hours of service exemption request
- FMCSA denies trucker’s hours-of-service exemption
- FMCSA denies veteran trucker’s request for a 5 year HOS exemption for himself only
- FMCSA rejects driver’s hours-of-service exemption request
- Iowa issues HOS, overweight waiver for fuel haulers amid supply concerns
- Iowa joins growing list of states waiving HOS for fuel haulers
- Iowa temporarily waives hours of service regs for fuel haulers
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig perpetually ready to be inspected, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Arizona CMV task force conducting three day blitz at rest areas and ports of entry
- Arizona conducting commercial vehicle inspection blitz
Roads
Please be aware of road closures and detours.
- Colorado DOT warns of temporary road closures for blinding sun this season
- FL bridge closed for semi toppled in hurricane winds
- Part of I-94 in Detroit closed this weekend; so is I-30 in Little Rock
Supply chain
8. Regarding layoffs, drones, ELDs, and technology:
Layoffs
As inflation worsens, more and more layoffs may be coming.
If you haven’t done so in a while, please update your employment history, just in case you need to look for another truck driving job.
- C.H. Robinson confirms 650 workers were laid off amid freight market slowdown
- C.H. Robinson Cuts 650 Jobs Amid Changing Market
- C.H. Robinson lays off about 650 employees
- C.H. Robinson lays off hundreds of employees
- C.H. Robinson slashes 650 jobs in effort to streamline expenses
Drones
- Amazon unveils new delivery drone
- Amazon Unveils Smaller Delivery Drone That Can Fly in Rain
- Wing drones deliver DoorDash orders in Australia
ELDs
At the bottom of the 4th article linked in this section, there is a statement (links preserved):
“The public has through Nov. 15 to comment on the notice. To do so, click here or go to Regulations.gov and enter Docket No. FMCSA-2022-0078.”
If you feel strongly about this regulation, please submit your comments before the deadline.
Please feel free to read/watch my Electronic Logging Devices Mandate Commentary, which I recorded and published on December 4, 2017.
- California Highway Patrol once backed the ‘Truck Stopping Device’
- California looks to implement intrastate ELD mandate
- ELD rules to see mixed enforcement on Jan. 1
- No evidence ELDs have improved safety, OOIDA says
- Oregon: ELDs jacking up roadside inspection costs
- Truckers ask agency to end ELD mandate
Technology
The following are some of the most recent articles about technology from the trucking industry’s perspective.
- Borderlands: Cyberattack disrupts Mexico’s transportation system
- Commenters Favor Electronic Hazmat Documents
- CTDOT launches new website to assist commuters, reduce congestion
- Daimler Financial Using Telematics to offer Insurance Savings, Leasing Flexibility
- Here’s how to keep your smartphone and your data safe while on the road
- Hwy Haul raises $10M to build produce book to keep reefer drivers busy
- Kenworth customers can now renew TruckTech+ subscriptions online via PACCAR Solutions
- New real-time weather monitoring gives drivers the protection they deserve
- Ohio touts 50 new traffic safety projects
- Researchers hope AI can alleviate interstate traffic jams
- RPA and IA: The new drivers of digital transformation
- Secretary Pete Buttigieg Touts FLOW Data Initiative
- SkyBitz’s Kuantum to offer new trailer telematic solutions
- Trucker Path adds Geotab ELD, telematics solutions to suite
- TSA announces reduced fees for select credentials, endorsements
- Using Artificial Intelligence to win the spot market
9. Regarding legal, recruiters, retention, and retirement:
Legal
Please scan through these articles to see what you can do to protect yourself legally as a trucker.
- Canada takes aim at Driver Inc. Land Line News
- Death penalty off the table for two involved in smuggling attempt that left 53 dead
- Driver Inc. employers face $250K fines, labour minister warns
- More than 800 CDLs have been permanently cancelled as part of Laredo Border Patrol’s Texas Hold’Em initiative
- New FMCSA advisory board focuses on harassment, violence against women truckers
- Survey finds crimes, harassment common among truck drivers
- Trucker who killed model will serve up to 80 years in prison
- Women of trucking criticize FMCSA crime study
Recruiters
- How some recruiters fail when bringing in new operators
- Tips to recruit and retain drivers under the age of 35
Please also feel free to read this page on our website:
Ask Recruiters Who Recruit Truck Drivers These Questions
Retention
Retirement
Please also feel free to read this page on our site:
The Future of Social Security: Considerations for Trucker Retirement
10. Regarding theft, tolls, and truck stop:
Theft
Please be aware of opportunities for theft and protect yourself, your rig, and the freight on board as best as you can.
- Cali police warn drivers that theft of specific truck parts is on the rise
- Daily Infographic: Alternative delivery methods to avoid package theft
- Police say CPC thefts on the rise Crime & Courts
Tolls
- Pennsylvania governor signs law to yank toll scofflaws’ vehicle registrations
- Rhode Island DOT Moves To Reinstate Truck-Only Toll Scheme
- Rhode Island files appeal of federal court ruling on toll plan
- Rhode Island to appeal court’s ruling of unconstitutional truck tolls
Truck stop
- Love’s reopens Arizona location off Interstate 10
- Love’s reopens store in suburban Phoenix after remodeling
11. Regarding pay, ports, and postal service:
Pay
- Ascend Trucking raises pay for lease and lease-to-purchase operators
- Is $69,000 a year enough for driving a truck?
Please feel free to read this page on our site:
Ports
Postal service
- Postal Service posts small full-year revenue gains; volume falls
- Postal Service takes ‘measured’ approach in ’23 parcel rate change proposals
12. Regarding recognition and awards:
Recognition
Even though they may never win an award for their skill, I am impressed with truckers who appear to do the impossible — and recognize them here.
- VIDEO: Trucker was told it wasn’t possible for him to back his trailer down the ramp and around the corner
- Watch as an oversized load is backed onto the S.S. Badger vehicle ferry
Awards
Congratulations to all truckers who receive awards for their achievements on the job.
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: 2022.11.12 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
