TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.03.18 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 18, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding bans, weather, accidents, fatalities, and death:
Bans
When you drive a commercial motor vehicle — especially in snow-prone areas where travel bans have been issued in the past — you must be watching out for the possibility of roads being closed due to bad weather.
I speculate that those who refuse to stop driving during a travel ban may be forced to stop through:
- steep fines,
- the incapacitation of one’s truck (such as through a “boot”), or
- other violent actions being taken by law enforcement (such as the one described under item #11 below).
If you know what happens in such circumstances, would you please comment through the form below?
Thanks.
Meanwhile here are some of the most recent articles about travel bans in the USA:
- Commercial vehicle travel bans in place as major winter storm pounds northeast
- Hamilton banning trucks from downtown
- New Jersey DOT bans all commercial vehicle travel on multiple interstates
- Tandem and empty tractor trailer bans issued in New York State
- Truck travel restrictions to go into effect in Pennsylvania on Tuesday
Weather
Even though in the Northern Hemisphere we’re close to the beginning of spring, cold precipitation can still get downright nasty in some areas.
Please prepare yourself for needing to shut down your truck for days until the weather improves.
Having an emergency fund, emergency kit, and a supply of drinking water and food in-truck will help you prepare.
- 18″ of snow forecast for Northeast; NY announces truck restrictions
- Snow and ice removal from vehicles topic of Maine bill
- Winter from hell on I-80 in Wyoming
- Winter Storm to Bring Snow to Northeast, Mostly Rain to NYC
Accidents
Please familiarize yourself on the types of accidents that are taking place, what might have triggered them, and seek never to be involved in a similar set-up yourself.
- Low clearance: Bridge strike closes I-94 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Low clearance: I-65 in Indiana closed after oversized load strikes overpass
- Low clearance: Truck driver cited for overpass strike in Ann Arbor
- Low clearance: Truck strikes overpass in Ann Arbor, closing interstate ‘indefinitely’
- Railroad crossing: VIDEO: Semi driver leaves behind stuck grain trailer moments before train strike
- Weather: Ten vehicle crash including ‘numerous big rigs’ reported on I-80 in Truckee
- Weather: VIDEO: Dash cammer dodges fellow driver’s wild winter jackknife
- Weather: VIDEO: Semi slams into snowplow on I-15 in Idaho amid whiteout conditions
- Weather: VIDEO: Trucker jackknifing on slick Minnesota roadway makes a heck of a save
Fatalities
We extend our deepest sympathy and offer our condolences to the families of those who passed away.
- Truck driver dead in fiery collision after hazmat truck stopped on I-94, troopers say
- Truck driver killed in chain-reaction crash on I-95, Maryland troopers say
- Two truckers dead in head-on big rig crash in Oklahoma
Death
2. Regarding economy, banking, and pay:
Economy
These are some of the most recent articles about the economy from the trucking industry’s perspective:
- ACT Research: Preliminary used truck same dealer retail sales see increase
- Exports of Mexican-built cargo trucks hit 13,231 in February
- February Medium-Duty Sales Post 3.4% Decline
- FedEx Boosts Profit Forecast, Cites Cost Cuts as Effective
- FedEx readjusts air network again amid sharp volume declines
- Freight markets are stuck in the doldrums
- FTR Expects Trucking Conditions to Remain in the Negative
- Globalization not going into reverse, annual index finds
- ‘Offense is best defense’ in slowing economy: Titanium CEO
- Retail Sales Slip 0.4% in February After January’s Burst
- ‘State of Freight’ for March: Bullish sign amid mostly bearish news
- Top 5 KPIs to lower shipping costs, boost profitability
- Trucking conditions improved in January: FTR
- Used truck prices drop in U.S.: ACT Research
Banking
- Is my money safe? What you need to know about recent bank failures
- Yellen tells Congress US banking system ‘remains sound’
From the article Sound Money Solutions to Fix Banking Crisis (link removed), here are the 7 steps proposed by one organization back in 2009, after the “bailout mania of the biggest banks”:
1. Restate the only legal definition of the “dollar” ever provided by the U.S. government.
2. Allow private mints to compete with the U.S. Mint.
3. Abolish all legal tender laws that currently provide legitimacy only for Federal Reserve Notes.
4. Prohibit government issuance of “bills of credit.”
5. Abolish the Federal Reserve.
6. Support bills in Congress to abolish the Fed, audit the Fed, and cancel legal-tender laws.
7. End deficit spending and unconstitutional programs.
Other articles online are predicting very bad outcomes for the U.S. dollar, so please prepare accordingly.
Pay
Quoting the article:
Mileage, hourly and annual earnings for professional truck drivers continued to grow in the first quarter of 2023, according to the National Transportation Institute’s (NTI) National Survey of Driver Wages and National Driver Wage Index.
Back in 2014, I wrote a page on our website entitled “26 Percent” that you may wish to review.
3. Regarding cost-cut, inflation, rates, taxes, tolls, and UCR:
Cost-cut
Inflation
- Inflation Stays High in February, Complicating Fed’s Plans
- Viewpoint: Tug of war between higher wages and inflation
Rates
Taxes
Tolls
UCR
- Excise tax on new trucks would be repealed under House bill
- FMCSA proposes 9% cut in trucker registration fees for 2024
- FMCSA proposes further cuts in UCR fees | DAT offering free 30-day sub at MATS
- FMCSA seeking 9% cut in trucking registration fees levied by states
- UCR proposal would reduce 2024 fees by 9%
4. Regarding fuel, fuel economy, emissions, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles:
Fuel
- AAA retail diesel average now $4.339
- Average US diesel prices continue downward trend
- Biden Adviser Says US Won’t Rush to Fill Petroleum Reserve
- Bills to support hydrogen fuel infrastructure buildout reintroduced
- Clean hydrogen program receives US$750 million
- Daily Infographic: EU’s ban on diesel fuel from Russia shifts trade patterns
- Diesel Down 3.5¢ to $4.247
- For 6th week in a row, DOE/EIA benchmark diesel price drops
- Hydrogen and trucking at CERAWeek: Huge opportunity, enormous costs
- Hydrogen fuel cell maker Hyzon eyes small-scale projects to advance
- Hyundai, FirstElement Fuel Testing Fuel-Cell Trucks, Hydrogen Fueling Network
- Legislation to ease buildout of hydrogen-power infrastructure reintroduced
- New York fuel waiver effective through March 21
- Premium Gasoline Is Getting More Expensive at the Pump
- Senators suggest giving hydrogen fuel a kick-start boost
- The promise of hydrogen fuel-cell power
- Weekly Fuel Report: March 14, 2023
- What Fleets Should Consider When Selecting an Alt Fuel Powertrain
Fuel economy
Emissions
- 9 Keys to Zero Fleet Emissions
- EPA 2027 and Beyond: How Will New Low-NOx Rules Affect Fleets?
- Key Elements of EPA’s 2027 Low-NOx Rule
Electric vehicles
- $2.5B in grants for EV chargers aim to bolster US green-tech infrastructure
- All-Electric Trucks Unwrapped at Work Truck Show [Photos]
- Amazon, Rivian May End EV Van Exclusivity
- BYD Delivers Electric Terminal Tractor to Manhattan Beer Distributors
- DOT Announces $2.5 Billion Grant for Charging Infrastructure
- Electric vehicle stores will be restricted in Mississippi
- Kruger Energy learning lessons from electric trucks
- Nikola matures as an electric truck manufacturer
- Nikola relocating battery manufacturing months ahead of schedule
- North American EV Production Slowly Catches Up to Demand
- Q&A: UPS’ Anthony Marshall on the Parcel Carrier’s First Class 8 Electric Truck
- VW Increases Investments in EV, Software Technologies
Autonomous vehicles
With every fiber of my being, I resist the operation of self-driving, autonomous, or driverless vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public.
However, I share these articles to help you stay current on the topic.
- American truckers, autonomous yards and AI excuse generators – WTT
- Automated Truck Developer Gatik to Make Kroger Deliveries
- Autonomous truck company Embark slashes staff by 70%
- Autonomous trucks would need a driver, California bill proposes
- Broader Horizons for Autonomous Trucks
- California autonomous vehicle testing leaps ahead while leaving trucking behind
- California regulators show no flexibility on driverless truck ban
- Forward Air Begins Autonomous Trucking Service Between Dallas and Atlanta
- Forward Air, Kodiak Robotics operating ‘consistent autonomous trucking service’ between Dallas, Atlanta
- Gatik expands its driverless middle mile program with Kroger
- Gatik will autonomously deliver for Kroger in Dallas
- Kodiak and Forward Air are ‘first’ to operate a self-driving truck lane between Dallas and Atlanta 24/6
- Kodiak, Forward Air extend Dallas-Atlanta runs
- Self-Driving Startup WeRide Files for US IPO, Sources Say
- TuSimple autonomous trucks cruise past 10M miles
- Waabi applying AI and simulations to advance autonomous trucks
5. Regarding inspections, safety, Safety Measurement System, and recalls:
Inspections
Safety
- 5 Steps to Create a Safer Trucking Fleet
- Hazmat crash prompts Truck Safety Coalition to demand changes by DOT
- Safety group tells DOT to mandate speed limiters, automatic braking systems, sleep apnea screenings for trucking after hazmat spills
- Speed limiters, AEBs sought by Truck Safety Coalition
- Truck Safety Coalition calls for stricter truck regs
Safety Measurement System
Recalls
- 3rd Navistar recall for parking brake issue
- Daily Infographic: Daimler Truck recalling 64,064 units for possible steering loss
- Honda Recalls 500,000 Vehicles Over Seat Belt Issue
6. Regarding testing, drugs, fleets: best, and fleets: green:
Testing
Drugs
Never ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how much of an incentive you’re offered.
- $1 million worth of pot found on tractor-trailer at border crossing
- More than $1 million worth of marijuana seized from semi at Texas border crossing
Fleets: best
We do not endorse or recommend any of the companies in such lists.
- Best Fleets to Drive For invest in back-office staff too
- Best Fleets To Drive For leaders discuss investments in people, technology
Fleets: green
Please understand that “green” fleets may be more dedicated to “saving the planet” than helping human beings.
We do not endorse or recommend any of the companies in such lists.
7. Regarding maintenance, million mile, parts, politics, purchase, and technology:
Maintenance
Million mile
Parts
Politics
- ATA Expresses Concern Over Labor Secretary Nominee Julie Su
- Citing AB5, trucking groups oppose US labor secretary nominee Su
- Eight states pursue left lane changes
- House GOP Unveils Energy Package
- House Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Moving Privacy
- Maryland, N.J. advance efforts to adopt Advanced Clean Cars II
- Speed limit revisions proposed in seven statehouses
- Speed radar legislation advances at Pennsylvania statehouse
Purchase
Technology
Some of the ideas described in the article include:
- Interaction with drivers;
- Maintenance;
- Breakdowns;
- Re-routing for weather; and
- Driver monitoring.
8. Regarding double broker, containers, and parking:
Double broker
According to this December 20, 2022, article:
Double brokering occurs when a freight broker books a load with a carrier, only to learn later that the “trucking company” is actually another broker. The secondary broker changes prices when they book the shipment with another carrier. Sometimes, the secondary broker will disappear and never pay the carrier.
An illicit double broker leaves a load without insurance, clouds the transparency of cargo’s movement, and potentially defrauds the shipper and freight hauler, causing severe reputational damage to the initial broker and shipper.
For more articles about double brokering in the news please see:
- Broker issues must be addressed, OOIDA tells FMCSA
- Double broker who stole carriers’ identities sentenced
- Mexico-based double broker sentenced to prison
- Tijuana man to spend more than 2 years in federal prison for ‘double-broker’ scheme
- Tijuana resident sentenced in double broker scheme case
Containers
Parking
- Americans value truck parking facilities — but not in their backyards
- Daily Infographic: Where do truck drivers sleep?
- Loaded and Rolling: Truck parking survey highlights public awareness challenges
- New survey shows that most Americans are oblivious to truck parking problem
- Survey shows that average Americans have no idea that a truck parking crisis exists
- Survey: Public supports more truck parking … just not near their homes
- Truck Parking Club offers new way to find truck parking spaces
- Truck parking crisis is a mystery to most Americans
9. Regarding supply chain and trailers:
Supply chain
Trailers
10. Regarding truckers, essentials, training, and overcomer:
Truckers
Essentials
I have added a link to this article on our packing list page.
Training
- 4 Things to Know About the Entry-Level Driver Training Rule
- Association to Develop High School Truck Driving Curriculum
- Mentorship to be theme of Delta Nu Alpha dinner
- Training company160 Driving Academy operates in 40 states
- TTSAO pushes for truck driver instructor certification
Overcomer
11. Regarding violation and violence:
Violation
Violence
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
We extend our hearty congratulations to those professional truck drivers who have achieved an award based upon their truck driving skill and competency.
- CVSA opens nominations for 2023 International Driver Excellence Award
- TCA Announces 2022 Fleet Safety Award Winners
- TCA recognizes 5 as Professional Drivers of the Year
- Wheaton | Bekins names drivers of the year
Recognition
If you’re good at what you do as a trucker, how would you like to be recognized by your company?
Please share through the form below.
Thanks.
- Are you recognizing the right drivers?
- Daily Infographic: What would happen if trucks stopped hauling freight?
- Incentivizing Driver Excellence
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: 2023.03.18 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
