This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending November 19, 2022.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Thanksgiving, holidays, weather, roads, and electronic IDs:
Thanksgiving
Mike and I wish every professional truck driver and his/her home support team member a blessed Thanksgiving!
You may wish to review these pages from our site:
- Prepare Thanksgiving Dinner Frugally in Your Truck on the Road
- Trucker Thanksgiving Trip Money Saving Tips
- A Thanksgiving Prayer on Behalf of Professional Truck Drivers
Here are other articles on this topic:
- 16 Restaurants Where You Can Eat Thanksgiving Dinner on the Road
- AAA says to expect crowded highways during Thanksgiving travel periods
Holidays
- Daily Infographic: Holiday retail sales to climb 6% to 8%, NRF says
- Driver Poll: Do you get a holiday gift from your carrier?
- Holiday gains are nowhere in sight
- Holiday-traffic road-ready PSAs for truckers
- How retailers can move that extra inventory this peak season
- How the Grinch stole peak season! – WTT
- How to help a trucker this holiday season
- Tis the season: Preventing holiday cargo theft
- Trucking Industry Heads Into Smoother Holiday Season
Weather
Please use great discernment regarding whether or not to drive in severe weather — assuming roads are open and there are no travel bans.
- Dangerous lake-effect snowstorm blankets Buffalo, western NY
- Getting the job done in severe weather
- New York announces CMV bans, declares state of emergency ahead of massive winter storm
- New York issues major truck travel ban for multiple interstates and routes on Thursday
- New York Thruway bans trucks ahead of winter storm
- PennDOT issues travel restrictions for certain trucks on I-90 Wednesday evening
- Snow emergency prompts closing part of NYS Thruway in western NY
- Snowstorm to shut NYS Thruway, bridges to trucks
Roads
- Colorado DOT warns of temporary road closures for blinding sun this season
- Full closure of I-30 through downtown Little Rock in effect
- Once again, part of I-94 in Detroit closed for weekend construction
- Seasonal sun glare warning issued for I-70 west of Denver
- Utility truck nearly swallowed by sinkhole during water main break in Georgia
Electronic IDs
Comment Due Date: November 22, 2022
There’s not much time left for you to make your voice heard on this issue.
Please submit your comments and also contact your federal lawmakers regarding this issue:
- Unique Electronic Identification of Commercial Motor Vehicles | FMCSA
- Comment on Regulations.gov
- Document Regulations.gov
- Notices and Rulemaking Documents | FMCSA
- Fighting For Truckers: FMCSA Proposes Electronic IDs for Trucks. Submit your Comments Today!
Other articles about this topic include:
- Comment period for electronic IDs ends Nov. 22
- Electronic ID comment period almost over
- PrePass Urges Caution on Electronic ID System
2. Regarding inspections, deer strike, legal, safety, and violations:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your truck in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- 13.3% of CMVs taken out of service for brake violations during CVSA Brake Safety Week
- 5,000 trucks placed out of service during Brake Safety Week
- Brake Safety Week blitz puts 17.8% out of service
- Brake Safety Week: Most Trucks Had No OOS Violations
- CVSA Releases 2022 Operation Safe Driver Week Results – CVSA — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
- Inspectors Place 13.3% of CMVs Out of Service During Brake Safety Week
- Nearly 5K CMVs placed out of service in US during CVSA’s Brake Safety Week
- Over 4,600 CMVs placed out of service in U.S. during Brake Safety Week
- Percentage of Brake Safety Week out-of-service orders holds steady in US
- Roughly nine of 10 trucks passed Brake Safety Week
Deer strike
- Deer flies through cab of semi in Missouri
- Deer goes clear through truck cab after being flung into air by pickup
- Deer hits pickup truck, flies through Freightliner windshield
Legal
Safety
- B.C.’s Shifting into Winter campaign focuses on safety
- Safety survey received suggestions for improvements. What do you think?
Violations
- FMCSA shuts down 2 related Texas carriers
- FMCSA shuts down two ‘related’ Houston trucking companies for ‘egregious violations’
- FMCSA: Two Texas carriers shut down for numerous safety violations
- Ohio House OKs bill to stiffen texting-while-driving penalty
- Truck flagged for radiation while attempting delivery to recycling plant
- Trucker facing 18 charges after getting pulled over for completing paperwork while driving
3. Regarding fuel: prices, fuel: renewable, fuel: supply, and fuel: taxes:
Fuel: prices
- AAA retail diesel average now $5.359 Fuel prices Land Line
- Benchmark DOE/EIA price down 2 cents; diesel futures market sliding hard
- Diesel Dips 2¢ to $5.313 a Gallon
- Fuel prices, driver shortage, parking top issues facing industry, ATA’s Sumerford says
- Fuel, rates, inflation drove down trucking conditions in September
- Truck Diesel Costs Rise As Port of Corpus Christi Sets Oil Export Records
- US diesel prices fall slightly as nation deals with outage rumors, supply challenges
- Weekly Fuel Report: November 15, 2022
- Weekly NTI Update: November 14, 2022
Fuel: renewable
- Penske announces renewable diesel use expansion
- Penske expands use of renewable diesel in California
Fuel: supply
Fuel: taxes
- Fuel tax increase delay pursued at Illinois statehouse State
- Gas tax holiday eyed in Connecticut; diesel tax increased
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, autonomous truck blowout, electric vehicles, and emissions:
Autonomous vehicles
In response to a November 19, 2022, post in a trucker’s Facebook page — that shows a Swift tractor and trailer pulled over off a snowy road (or having slid off the road toward the ditch) — I responded to someone’s post as follows (name withheld):
[Name] What an interesting perspective!
How are the “autonomous” (driverless or self-driving) trucks going to install snow chains?
I’ve seen “automatic snow chains,” but I think those are installed only on the tractor, not the trailer.
Has the “switch” to turn on automatic snow chains been incorporated into the autonomous trucks’ programming?
Hmm…
Other articles on this topic include:
- Ryder, Aurora Partner for Autonomous-Truck Maintenance
- Self-driving car rear ends semi truck even with human driver at wheel
Autonomous truck blowout
In response to a post in a truckers’ Facebook group (regarding this November 10, 2022, article), I wrote this comment on November 11:
Quote from article:
“…Kodiak chose to execute an in-lane fallback at a proving grounds in Texas…”
Meaning that the truck stopped in the lane of travel.
Meaning that the truck was not programmed to pull over in the breakdown lane (on the shoulder).
Meaning that the truck is expecting a tire replacement on the highway with traffic whizzing by at highway speeds.
Meaning that the theoretical vehicles traveling behind the truck would be able to avoid a rear-end collision with the stopping or stopped truck.
Did the truck automatically turn on its flashers?
Did the truck automatically put out its set of 3 hazard triangles at the proper distances from the rear of the trailer?
What would have happened in rain, snow, or wind?
What would have happened on an incline or decline?
What would have happened with a partially or fully loaded trailer?
What would have happened on a curve or in the midst of a turn?
This demonstration is, in my opinion, idealistic, but far from reality.
Nice try, Kodiak.
You’re not fooling those who have actually driven a tractor trailer for a living!
Other articles on this topic include:
- Autonomous truck firm releases video of tire blowout tests
- Kodiak autonomous CMV tests show vehicles can maintain control after tire blowouts
- Kodiak Demonstrates AV Skills After a Blowout (link no longer online)
Electric vehicles
There’s been a huge push to replace petroleum-powered trucks with electric-only trucks.
Yet, electricity to run these trucks does not self-generate, meaning that it has to come from somewhere.
Those who wish to foist a “green new deal” on us to fight so-called “climate change” may want for us to get all electricity from solar and wind sources.
Yet, are these sources “clean and green” as the narrative-pushers claim?
Dr. Annie Bukacek — who has spent over 30 years serving Montana patients, listening to their concerns, and striving to solve problems to improve the quality of their lives — ran for the Public Service Commission in the state of Montana, won the November 2022 General Election, and published this 19-minute presentation on November 15, 2022, answering:
Other articles on this topic include:
- As others fail, BrightDrop charges toward $1B in EV revenue
- Briefly: Autocar delivers electric terminal tractor to supermarket chain
- Daily Infographic: Electric Vehicle Charging Corridor Miles by State
- Electric truck stops will need as much power as small towns –
- Electrification, autonomy startups happy for help
- Fleet Considerations for Building an EV Charging Strategy
- High Voltage Power Grid Vital for Future EV Charging Demand
- Mack, Volvo ink EV infrastructure deal with Pilot
- NYC’s Hunts Point to get Volvo VNR Electric trucks, charging station
- Pilot and Volvo announce plan to build charging network for electric semis at truck stops
- Pilot prepares for future of electric trucks
- Pilot, Volvo Group boost public electric charging
- Pilot, Volvo partner to build nationwide charging network for electric big rigs
- Prologis Installs Electric Truck Chargers in SoCal
- Stater Bros. Adds Autocar Electric Terminal Tractor
- Stellantis Promotes Opportunities for Minority-Owned Businesses in EV Shift
- Study Says Charging Network Isn’t on Pace With Electric Truck Development
- Sysco receives 1st Freightliner eCascadia
- Sysco Receives First Battery-Electric Truck
- Tesla announces electric semi release party, aims to produce at least 100 by end of year
- Truck stops will soon need the same amount of power as a small town if electrified rigs continue, study shows
- Volvo, Pilot Company to build public heavy-duty charging network
- Volvo, Pilot to Build Public Heavy-Duty Truck Charging Network
Emissions
- California Uses ‘Dirty Truck Detector’
- J.B. Hunt Plans Carbon Emission Intensity Reduction of 32% by 2034
- J.B. Hunt sets new goal to reduce carbon emission intensity
- J.B. Hunt’s Ambitious Emission Reduction Goal
- North Carolina Governor Jumps On Zero-Emission Truck Bandwagon
5. Regarding border, broker, business, compliance, and ports:
Border
- Cross-border freight dips in September
- Former Border Patrol agent charged for hiring undocumented individuals as cheaper commercial truck drivers
- Mexico’s nearshoring gives shippers more reasons to go cross-border
Broker
- FMCSA guidance on when dispatch services need broker authority
- FMCSA issues guidance on definition of ‘broker’
- FMCSA issues interim guidance governing brokers, dispatchers
- FMCSA Revisits Broker Definition and Related Terms
- FMCSA updates guidelines for brokers, dispatch services
Business
- Owner-operators at greatest risk as trucking demand slows, costs surge
- Stage your truck fleet for sale — even if it isn’t
- Truckers expand amid freight recession
Compliance
Ports
- Los Angeles imports keep sinking as East Coast gains more ground
- Port of Long Beach Suffers Major Slowdown in October, Falls to No. 3
6. Regarding economy, pay, and rates:
Economy
- ACT Research: Commercial vehicle market resilient despite aggressive interest rate hikes
- Auto freight rolling strong as economy hits the brakes
- Class 8 used retail tractor volumes show decrease as new trailer orders rise
- Factory Output Barely Rises After Tepid Gains in Prior Months
- LTL carriers point to shrinking tonnage in November
- ‘Mild’ recession coming, but trucking should weather it well: Costello
- SONAR Sightings: Volume bottoms out in Pennsylvania; Dallas rejections plunge
- SONAR Sightings: Volumes in Southern California remain at 2-year low; Chicago struggles to recover
- SONAR Sightings: Volumes slump further in Atlanta, near low in Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Trailer orders surge as OEMs comfortable taking more orders
- Trucking Conditions Expected to Remain Negative
- Trucking conditions tumbled in September
- Trucking market ‘bottoming,’ per leading analyst
- Used Class 8 Prices Surprisingly Increase From September
- Used truck prices fall as OEM supply chain clears FreightWaves
- When will the spot market bottom out? Soon, survey says
- Wholesale Inflation Eased in October for Fourth Straight Slowdown
Pay
Rates
7. Regarding parking, sleep, snow removal, and equipment:
Parking
- 90 truck parking spots part of new Love’s along I-90 in northeast Ohio
- Drone video shows semis packed into New York rest area ahead of snow storm and CMV travel ban
- Love’s opens new truck stop in Ohio with 90 truck parking spaces
- New Ohio Love’s location offers 90 truck parking spaces
- Two West Virginia Turnpike travel plazas to close for demolition in early 2023, will be rebuilt with more truck parking
Sleep
Snow removal
- New Pennsylvania law requires removal of snow, ice from all vehicles before travel
- New Pennsylvania law requiring snow and ice removal from vehicles now in effect
- Ontario to clear snow faster from Highways 11, 17
Equipment
8. Regarding employment, technology, and ELDs:
Employment
- Driver employment up 11.8% in Q3: Trucking HR Canada report
- New survey shows uptick in number of truck drivers seeking new jobs in industry
- Retaining Drivers Is About Commitment
- Steering recruiting amid an exhausted labor market
- Survey: More truckers are looking for a new job
Technology
- Cybersecurity tips for small trucking companies
- How Data Can Help Fleets Navigate Today’s Challenges [Video]
- How to Leverage Technology to Reduce Truck Tire Costs
- Isaac Instruments Introduces Driver Mobile App
- Plus highly automated driving solution draws rave reviews at ATA 2022 MCE
- Q&A: Upstream CEO on Protecting Trucks Against Cyberattacks
ELDs
- ELD comment deadline nears, TSA adjusts TWIC/hazmat fees
- FMCSA’s proposal on pre-2000 tractor ELD requirement draws ire, support
- Free ELD? Don’t use one!
- Is Your Truck Fleet Ready for the Canadian ELD Deadline?
- TCA, safety groups push for ELD mandate on older trucks –
9. Regarding accidents, alcohol, drowsy driving, and fatality:
Accidents
- 20 to 25 vehicle pileup reported in Michigan
- Car crushed when container falls from passing semi truck
- Crash leaves semi dangling from overpass in Texas
- Driver rescued from big rig dangling over Texas bridge
- Minnesota traffic cams capture highway chaos caused by ice
- Post-accident violations? They may be challengeable
- Truck driver collides with bridge supports on I-94
- Truck driver faces dozens of felony charges after colliding with loaded school bus in Indiana
- Truck stuck snow drift – autonomous truck snow chain comment
Alcohol
It is never acceptable to drink alcohol and drive a vehicle, especially a commercial motor vehicle.
- Big rig driver arrested for DWI after slamming into loaded school bus
- Bus loaded with high school hockey players struck by tractor-trailer
- Sixteen high school hockey players hurt in semi vs. school bus crash, truck driver suspected of DUI
Drowsy driving
Fatality
Three of the four articles just below refer to the same fatality, of a man who was “dancing” on top of a tractor trailer that was rolling down the road, went under a bridge, and was killed.
We extend our condolences to the man’s family.
My questions include:
- How would a trucker know that someone is on top of his trailer, especially if the person on top was lying down when the driver did a walk-around pre-trip inspection?
- Assuming that a person on top of a trailer is spotted by someone else, how is he/she to notify the trucker that there’s someone on top of his/her rig?
- How would the trucker know that the person who is notifying him about a hitchhiker on top of his trailer is serious and not trying to get him to pull over for nefarious reasons?
Please comment through the form below.
- Man dancing on top of moving big rig killed after truck passed under bridge
- Man dancing on top of tractor-trailer killed after rig passes underneath bridge
- Man killed after climbing out of windjammer hiding place on moving rig
- Motorist captured video of man dancing on top of semi trailer prior to fatal accident
10. Regarding fraud: bribery, fraud: CDLs, and fraud: pay:
Fraud: bribery
- FMCSA safety auditor indicted on bribery, extortion charges
- Former FMCSA employee accused of demanding bribes from trucking company in exchange for reduced safety violations
- Former FMCSA investigator charged with bribery, extortion
- Former USDOT worker charged with bribery, extortion of trucking company
Fraud: CDLs
- 20 people convicted for bribing California DMV workers for fraudulent CDLs
- California prosecutes 20 for DMV scheme that put hundreds of ‘unqualified commercial drivers on the nation’s highways’
- CDL fraud scheme case comes to an end
Fraud: pay
11. Regarding credit card, discount, fees, lottery, and millionaire tax:
Credit card
Do your due diligence before you accept any credit card.
Discount
Fees
Lottery
Let’s hope that the “winner” has financial discipline.
- Driver scores $1M in Oregon lottery
- Trucker plans to buy a new truck, take a vacation with quarter million dollar lotto winnings
Millionaire tax
- Massachusetts voters approve ‘millionaire tax’ for transportation, education improvements
- Millionaire taxes approved, defeated in two states Elections
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
- Mesilla Valley Transportation holds driver appreciation event Nov. 23
- Nominations open for TA’s 2023 Citizen Driver Awards
- People in Trucking: U.S. Marine Corps Vet Awarded Freightliner
- TravelCenters Announces 2022 TA Citizen Drivers
- Trucker risks life to save fellow driver pinned in double semi crash
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: 2022.11.19 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
