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TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.01.20

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.01.20 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending January 20, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.

We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

1. Regarding weather, armed, FMCSA, Haslam – Pilot, and snow on roof:

Weather

The weather in many parts of the USA has been brutal over the last week or two.

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If necessary, please refer to my trucking commentary from last week for a list of preparations for winter weather.

Meanwhile, please be aware of the potential for — and dangers associated with — overextending yourself or your truck during winter weather.

Armed

This is an important legal ruling in favor of a trucker’s right to self-defense.

FMCSA

It could just be me, but it seems as though there is a revolving door associated with the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA).

Why can this association — as unconstitutional as it is — not hang onto people for a significant length of time?

And what impact does this have on truckers?

Please comment through the form below.

Haslam – Pilot

What impact will total control of the Pilot chain of truck stops by Berkshire Hathaway have on the truck stops?

Please comment through the form below.

Snow on roof

We have on our website a number of posts about snow and rig roofs.

2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, batteries, electric vehicles, emissions, and fuel:

Autonomous vehicles

I most definitely oppose the operation of driverless, self-driving, or autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but I share articles on this topic with our readers to help us stay current on the topic.

Batteries

Remember that batteries only store energy; they do not generate energy.

Electric vehicles

While it seems that some sectors are going full bore into electric vehicles, please be aware of two realities:

You may also read my article: Electric Truck Battery Questions.

Meanwhile, here are other articles on this topic from this week:

Emissions

Fuel

3. Regarding crashes, drugs, fatalities, pedestrian strikes, and smuggling:

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.

Drugs

Never, ever haul illegal drugs, no matter how big of an incentive you’ve been offered!

Fatalities

We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died in these crashes.

Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?

Pedestrian strikes

I have separated these articles from the typical “crashes” articles above because they specifically address people being struck by vehicles, not just vehicles crashing.

Smuggling

Never, ever haul people made in the image of God like they are cattle or cargo, no matter how big of a payout you’ve been promised!

4. Regarding congestion pricing, earn more, economy, outlook 2024, and rates:

Congestion pricing

I am glad that this is being challenged legally.

It is somewhat similar to the situation regarding tolls only for trucks in Rhode Island.

Earn more

This article has two sections: save more money and make more money.

Economy

Outlook 2024

Rates

5. Regarding HOS, inspections, safety, and suspended:

HOS

Inspections

It is ultra important that truckers perform thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections on the rigs, both tractor and trailer(s).

Safety

Suspended

6. Regarding employment and insurance:

Employment

From time to time, I see — and am very glad to read — articles like this one that indicate that people are necessary and must not be totally replaced by machines:
People remain key to success of logistics

Here are other articles on this topic:

Insurance

I was surprised to see the results of this poll:
POLL: Owner-operators, do you carry health insurance?

As of the time of this writing, some 143 people had voted in the poll and 41.96% said “No” they don’t currently carry health insurance.

So, it appears as though that big push for government-mandated health insurance (“0bamacare”) was a flop. Hmm…

7. Regarding brokers, legal, maintenance, oil, and repairs:

Brokers

Legal

Maintenance

Oil

Repairs

8. Regarding routing, technology, truck parts, and truck stops:

Routing

As much as I appreciate a “can-do” spirit, there are times when road closures simply need to be heeded.

As the article states: “Never try to drive around a winter interstate closure.”

For proper routing, make sure that you follow truck routes in a truckers’ atlas.

Technology

Truck parts

Truck stops

9. Regarding distractions and road rage:

Distractions

Linked below is a very interesting infographic, part of which says:

“According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study, 87% of accidents involving large trucks were caused by driver error, including internal and external distractions.”

First, I must say that the infographic did not say:

  • either which percentage of large truck “accidents” involved other vehicles;
  • or which driver of multiple vehicles in accidents contributed how much.

Second, the 3 types of driver distractions were listed as:

  • Visual;
  • Manual; and
  • Cognitive.

Please see what you can learn and apply to your life from this information.

Road rage

Seek not to engage other drivers in road rage.

10. Regarding fraud and theft:

Fraud

Theft

Please do everything reasonable to keep from having things stolen from you and your rig.

11. Regarding Pay Equity Act and UCR fees:

Pay Equity Act

UCR fees

This is irritating.

12. Regarding recognition and Road Team:

Recognition

We appreciate all of those who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need. Thank you!

Road Team

Congratulations to everyone named to America’s Road Team!

According to the first article in this section:

America’s Road Team captains serve as trucking industry ambassadors. They travel the country to discuss the importance of safe driving and teach people about the trucking industry. ATA selects who it considers to be outstanding drivers with superior safety records.

Here are articles on this topic:

My husband Mike and I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.









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