TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2023.12.30 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending December 30, 2023, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding most read, outlook 2024, and review 2023:
Most read
I summarize the listing of the top 10 articles as:
Boycott, recession, bloodbath, end, shut down, bankruptcy, stranded, demand, bankruptcy, shut down.
In other words, every single one of these top 10 stories is somehow connected with truckers and money (or the lack thereof).
And frankly, dear readers, that’s why our website is so critical.
Here’s the listing:
Outlook 2024
After enduring a hard year economically — and in trucking — everyone would love to have good news regarding a projected rosy future.
Is one predicted? You decide based on these articles:
- 2024 Trucking Outlook: Fastfrate Group
- 4 Top Trucking Tech Trends in 2023
- Check Call: Gather round the crystal ball
- Drilling Deep: Looking at 2024 regulatory landscape with Scopelitis
- If you survived 2023, give ’em hell in ’24: Truckers’ year in review
- Labor, climate costs loom large for trucking in 2024
- Market poised for mid-2024 upswing
- Navigating the brokerage landscape in 2024
- POLL: Owner-ops, what’s your business’ outlook for 2024?
Review 2023
Here are some of the recaps of 2023:
- 2023 Rewind: Here’s how top issues sounded on Truckers News Podcast
- 2023 Rewind: Poll finds this year was nothing special, about the same for 2024
- 2023’s most notable deals in trucking
- A look back at the trucks of 2023
- Illinois DOT reflects on progress made in 2023
- Viewpoint: 2023 in the rear-view mirror
2. Regarding bankruptcies and shut down:
Bankruptcies
The article linked in this section states:
Industry bankruptcy experts say financial distress at the hands of multiple factors has caused an uptick in bankruptcy cases among trucking and logistics companies of all sizes.
An expert cited in the article also speculated that “the trend [is expected to] continue for another 12 to 18 months.”
Shut down
Well, after striking overpasses a number of times, there just have to be some shut downs…
- B.C. suspends trucking company’s operations after overpass crash
- NYS Thruway to close to allow for removal of overpass hit nine times by trucks in 2023
- Sixty-five truck fleet ordered off the road by B.C. officials after sixth overpass strike in two years
- Trucking firm has safety certificate suspended after striking overpass
3. Regarding crashes, death, drugs, and medical:
Crashes
Please look through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.
- Hit-and-run bobtail truck driver still at large after striking woman on I-26 in NC
- Man on scooter struck by semi truck making a left turn in Queens
- Texas highway chase ends with police ripping apart truck’s cab, pulling driver out
- Truck carrying gas hits railroad bridge, explodes as a train passes overhead
- Truck driver in dramatic Houston SWAT team standoff identified
- Truck driver survives after rig disintegrates in I-81 wreck
- Trucker says logging trailer broke, causing wreck that scattered logs
- Trucker ticketed for load shift that caused five vehicle pile up crash in Connecticut
- Trucker torn out of cab with SWAT robot
- Video shows Florida firefighters rescuing a trucker from a big rig dangling from overpass in Palm Beach County
- Video shows multiple semi pileup on Nebraska interstate
- VIDEO: Box truck driver has a tough time in McDonald’s drive thru
- Watch as a truck driver rolls into the semi truck behind him while stopped in traffic
Death
We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the family of the loved one who died.
- Police: Missing trucker found dead “not far away” from where truck was left parked
- Suspect in death of missing trucker fatally shot after taking four hostage
Drugs
Never ever agree to haul illegal drugs for anyone, no matter how big of an incentive is offered.
Medical
Thanks to those who helped their fellow human being in a time of need.
Why is it, though that “medical episodes” seem to be happening behind the wheels of vehicles more regularly?
4. Regarding business, CARB, delivery, recalls, regulations, and relationships:
Business
- How To Capture a Great Listing Video When Selling Your Used Work Vehicle
- Streamline Your Trucking Business
CARB
- California holds off on only allowing new zero-emission vehicles in drayage registry
- CARB Extends Clean Truck Check Reporting Deadline
- CARB extends reporting deadline for Clean Truck Check emissions program
- CARB gives another month to register in ‘smog check’ system
- CARB kicks reporting deadline for CARB’s Clean Truck Check to end of January 2024
- CARB to Delay Enforcement of Registration Requirements
- Registration deadline for California Clean Truck Check gets another month
- States Adopt Stringent California Air Resources Board Rules That Take Effect in 2024
Delivery
Of the 8 criteria regarding shipping that are listed on the infographic listed just below, free, fast, and trackable were the top ones selected by U.S. online shoppers.
The offer of “free shipping,” in my opinion:
- devalues the work associated with shipping that truckers and others do; and
- must be made up by increasing prices in other ways to pay for that “free shipping.”
So if the old saying is true, “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch,” wouldn’t it follow that “free shipping” is just an illusion to make us feel better?
Recalls
If you have a tractor or trailer currently under a recall, please have it serviced as soon as possible.
Regulations
Please take actions that are necessary for you.
- FMCSA asks public to weigh in on meal and rest break preemption waiver requests
- FMCSA to revive new entrant rulemaking
- Truckers must act before January 1 to maintain FMCSA Portal access
Relationships
It’s always good to forge good relationships.
5. Regarding eclipse, economy, fees, penalty, and taxes:
Eclipse
The Arkansas Trucking Association’s President stated:
“You can’t just park your rig for a tourist event… We have bills to pay and products to deliver. That doesn’t stop for anything.”
Well said!
Economy
- Daily Infographic: Holiday shopping: ‘Tis the season to shop online
- New Class 8 truck deliveries fall for 4 consecutive months
- Trailer orders falling as carrier concerns mount
- US sales of new Class 8 trucks falling further behind ’22
- Used Class 8 values see November decline
Fees
Penalties
- DOT increases fines for regs violations
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration increases fines for trucker regulation violations
- FMCSA announces fine hikes for ’24
- FMCSA increases fine amounts for inflation
Taxes
6. Regarding border, parking, and towing:
Border
- Borderlands: Exports of Mexican-built cargo trucks fell in November
- Mexico’s booming exports expected to boost cross-border trade in 2024
Parking
Please be aware that places in this network are paid parking.
Towing
Can one “shop around” for a more reasonable towing fee?
7. Regarding legal, operations, speed limiter, and technology:
Legal
- Ohio diesel shop owner pleads guilty for tampering with emissions devices
- Sparc Transport faces misclassification lawsuit
- State laws make it harder to hold trucking companies liable for accidents
- Truck driver apprehended after 3-hour standoff on Texas highway
Operations
Speed limiter
Technology
- J.J. Keller’s Carrier Risk Review Analyzes DOT Data on Third-Party Carriers
- Loaded and Rolling: Driver pay data highlight earnings gain
- NMFTA’s ambitious cybersecurity agenda for 2024
8. Regarding electric vehicles, emissions, and fuel:
Electric vehicles
Before you invest in an electric commercial motor vehicle, please do your due diligence.
Emissions
- Cummins Agrees to Pay Record-Setting Emissions Penalty
- Emission measurement rule challenged by states
- SoCal warehouse emissions rule, and possible impact on trucks, upheld by judge
Fuel
- After dropping for 8 weeks, benchmark diesel price turns higher
- Average US diesel prices see slight spike on Christmas
- Daily Infographic: Gas prices fall to 2023 low in time for the holiday rush
- Eight-Week Streak Ends With Diesel Average Rising 2¢
- Fuel prices mostly down, national averages remain below $4 per gallon
- Fuel tax rate changes kick in Jan. 1
9. Regarding OOIDA, rewards, and safety:
OOIDA
Rewards
Safety
- Six inspectors join P.E.I.’s commercial vehicle safety team
- States launch campaign to increase safety around commercial vehicles
10. Regarding Vivek and weather:
Vivek
When it comes to presidential candidates:, I am not a fan of Vivek Ramaswamy because he is Not Constitutionally Eligible to Be President.
However, he has some very interesting things to say!
Weather
- Blizzard shuts down Colorado and Kansas interstates and highways
- Ice storms and blizzards pummel the central US a day after Christmas
11. Regarding theft and violence:
Theft
Violence
12. Regarding awards:
Awards
If you know of someone eligible and worthy to be an award winner, please nominate him or her.
Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who have been honored or who win awards!
We are grateful whenever truckers help others or are helped by others.
- 2023 Rewind: Numerous drivers recognized for their achievements
- Briefly: Deadline to nominate a driver for Goodyear Hero award is Sunday
- Stories of kindness, generosity fill trucking world in 2023
Note: This is my 52nd TDMST Weekly Round-Up this year.
I hope you’ve gotten tremendous value from them!
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: 2023.12.30 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
