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.
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.
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.
- Deep Freeze Forces US LNG Exporters to Cancel, Delay Cargoes
- Drone footage captures sliding semi trucks on icy roadways in Alabama
- FMCSA ruling went into effect last month
- Full commercial vehicle ban in effect for portion of NYS Thruway
- More winter storms mean more emergencies
- Old Man Winter rages across US, wreaking travel havoc
- Pennsylvania road restrictions announced ahead of Friday’s expected snow
- Police suggest motorists ‘don’t get in the way’ of commercial vehicles during this bout of winter weather
- Running on Ice: It’s the 2024 Freezer Challenge
- Security cams catch semi truck jackknifing down a hill, nearly hitting ambulance building
- Several states issue CMV waivers due to winter weather
- Severe weather hits several states, leads to waivers
- State of Freight takeaways: Impacts of the deep freeze; data looking up
- US endures another day of frigid wind chills and brutal cold
- Video shows big rigs and cars slip-sliding away on super slick Memphis roads
- Video shows semi skidding into stopped vehicles on an icy Texas roadway
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.
- Administrator Robin Hutcheson leaving FMCSA Jan. 26; no reason given
- Check Call: A first for the FMCSA
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration boss to step down next week for unknown reasons
- FMCSA admin stepping down after 16 months on the job
- FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson resigns
- FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson to resign
- FMCSA announces administrator departure
- FMCSA Leader Robin Hutcheson Is Leaving Agency
- Robin Hutcheson resigning from FMCSA Administrator role
- Update: Hutcheson stepping down from FMCSA post
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.
- Haslam family exits truck stop business, sells last 20% stake in Pilot
- Haslam Family No Longer Part Owners of Pilot Truck Stops
- Haslam Family Sells Last 20% of Pilot to Berkshire Hathaway
- Haslam family sells remaining 20% of Pilot to Berkshire Hathaway
- Haslam family sells remaining shares of Pilot Travel Centers
- Haslams sell final 20% stake in Pilot to Berkshire Hathaway
- Pilot Travel Centers now 100% owned by Berkshire Hathaway
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.
- Another state eyes driverless truck ban
- Autonomous truck developer TuSimple going private
- Daily Infographic: Kodiak reveals production-ready autonomous truck at CES
- Georgia attorney takes jab at autonomous trucking, questions safety
- Goodyear and Gatik combine forces to enhance autonomous truck data
- Kodiak Launches Autonomous Military Prototype Vehicle
- Loaded and Rolling: Autonomous trucking startup TuSimple goes private
- NY state senator introduces bill requiring driver in autonomous trucks
Batteries
Remember that batteries only store energy; they do not generate energy.
- Cummins, Daimler, Paccar Pick Site for Battery Plant Venture
- Cummins, Paccar and Daimler choose Mississippi for battery cell plant
- Trucking giants choose Mississippi for battery joint venture
Electric vehicles
While it seems that some sectors are going full bore into electric vehicles, please be aware of two realities:
- Demand for electric vehicles is weak, per articles like this:
Ford Cuts Workforce Making Electric F-150s on Weak Demand; and - Performance of electric vehicles is very much affected by cold temperature, per articles like this:
Frigid weather can cut electric vehicle range and make charging tough.
You may also read my article: Electric Truck Battery Questions.
Meanwhile, here are other articles on this topic from this week:
- Bitter cold wreaks havoc on Teslas at Chicago charging stations, per report
- DHL Supply Chain adds 50 electric yard rigs to its fleet
- Estes adding a dozen electrics in California, expands its solar footprint
- Estes adds electric semi trucks to their collection and ‘looks forward to adding more’ to their fleet
- Georgia’s governor says more clean energy will be needed to fuel electric vehicle manufacturing
- Maryland to Receive $15 Million for EV Charging Network
- PA awards nearly $40M in grants to help replace diesel fleets with electric vehicles
- Schaeffler Pushes Toward Class 8 With Electric Drivetrain
- Stellantis CEO Says Pace of EV Push Hinges on Elections
Emissions
- Cummins to Spend $2 billion in ‘Defeat Device’ Settlement
- Daily Infographic: Cummins will pay California $175M over emission-rigged engines
- Ohio Lawmakers Ban Adoption of Golden State Emissions Rules
- SuperTruck II Innovations Could Help With Emissions Targets
- Zero-emission truck adoption on the rise
- Zero-emission truck adoption soars — and not just in California
Fuel
- AAA retail diesel average now $3.917
- Benchmark diesel price makes atypical move upward
- Diesel Price Sees Its First Boost of the Year
- Nikola Advances Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure Buildout
- Nikola sees hydrogen trucks at a ‘tipping point’
- US diesel averages see slight uptick
- Weekly Fuel Report: January 16, 2024
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.
- 90-year-old mechanic shop forced to close after “inattentive” truck driver plows through it
- Driver hurt in Schenectady County tractor-trailer crash, explosion
- Dump truck driver hits wires in Guelph, Ont.
- Overturned semi truck in Houston stumps first responders, commuters
- Province continues crackdown on infrastructure crashes
- Truck driver rips open fire hydrant during shortcut through parking lot, forcing closure of freeway in icy mess
- Trucking company shares wild dash cam video to help catch hit and run car driver
- Wild video captures the moment that a car passing a big rig smacks into a snow plow
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?
- Indiana Toll Road crash leaves tow truck driver dead
- Man pleads guilty in fatal semi truck smuggling incident that killed 53 in San Antonio
- Police seek semi truck driver who fatally struck fellow trucker in Tennessee Pilot parking lot
- Truck driver sentenced to 12 months for crash that killed New Hampshire trooper
- Trucker killed in five vehicle pile up involving two semis and a garbage truck
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.
- Cops seek tractor-trailer driver who reportedly ran over trucker at truck stop
- Five women on foot killed after being struck by a big rig on a Pennsylvania interstate
- Trucker Flees Scene After Running Down Fellow Trucker
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
- December Medium-Duty Sales Rise 9.1% Year-Over-Year
- December net trailer orders include more than 24K units
- Economic Trucking Trends: Spot market rates, freight fundamentals improving
- Flatbed and refrigerated trucking poised to tighten in 2024
- FTR analysts: Industry’s road to recovery will be long, progress sluggish
- Heavy truck production rates likely to drop near-term
- Soft demand cools LTL, keeps truckload rates flat, new freight report says
- Trailer Orders Continue Sequential Improvements in December
- Used truck market ended 2023 on positive note
- Venture capital continues to flow into FreightTech startups
Outlook 2024
- ACT Research: Freight cycle poised for new stage in ’24
- State of Freight Report Says 2024 Will Be an Unremarkable Year
- Trucking conditions: A big improvement in late Fall, but 2024 outlook bleak
Rates
- Brokered-freight rates transparency: Weigh in on these two questions
- Container spot rates rocket even higher as Red Sea crisis drags on
- Rejection rates bounce higher after Arctic plunge
- Spot freight rates down, but not as much as usual, to open 2024
- Truckload linehaul rates stabilizing, Cass report shows
- Truckstop: Flatbed bolstered spot rates in the latest week
5. Regarding HOS, inspections, safety, and suspended:
HOS
- Cold weather brings HOS relief for these propane haulers | Truck stops hit milestones
- Emergency federal aid approved for Connecticut following severe flooding
- Hours of service exemption granted to WestRock
- States Waive HOS for Fuel Deliveries Amid Severe Weather
Inspections
It is ultra important that truckers perform thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections on the rigs, both tractor and trailer(s).
Safety
- Is FMCSA tipping its hand on carrier safety fitness?
- Space, speed are 2 of a driver’s most valuable tools for avoiding hazardous situations
Suspended
- B.C. suspends yet another carrier after truck hits overpass sign
- British Columbia trucking company grounded after tunnel strike
- Canadian authorities suspend 2 more trucking companies after crashes
- Trucking company ordered off the road after oversized helicopter load hits highway sign
- Twenty truck fleet ordered off the road for striking top of Massey Tunnel
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:
- Car carrier WWL Vehicle Services Americas laying off 63 Houston workers
- GXO Logistics to lay off more than 200, shutter Memphis facility
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…
- Congress again floats massive increase to trucking insurance minimums
- Minimum insurance bill another burden to trucking, lawmaker says
- Truck insurance is the topic of a Wisconsin bill
- Will J.B. Hunt’s insurance-cost laden Q4 be taken in stride by investors?
7. Regarding brokers, legal, maintenance, oil, and repairs:
Brokers
- Broker group says FMCSA is failing to investigate tens of thousands of freight fraud complaints
- Broker rule takes effect
Legal
Maintenance
Oil
- Choosing the right engine oil for performance & protection
- Daily Infographic: EIA expects relatively flat crude oil prices in 2024 and 2025
Repairs
- Love’s Freightliner ExpressPoint begins operations
- Love’s now offers exclusive repair service for Freightliner
- Love’s offers Freightliner ExpressPoint at 400 locations; more coming
- Love’s rolls out ‘light’ repair service for Freightliner trucks at 400 locations
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
- Carriers must adapt to thwart cybersecurity threats: NMFTA report
- China’s DJI, facing US bans, launches global sales of delivery drone
- Company rolls out AI-powered truck check-in system at Texas facility
- Drivewyze launches free safety service app for truck drivers
- Drivewyze offers in-cab driver safety message system for free
- Google’s Wing introduces new delivery drone with double the payload
- ITS Logistics invests over $30M to join digital visibility platform race
- Progress in Sensor Technology for Trucks Showcased at CES
- Seeing Machines Updates Guardian Fatigue Detection System
- Will your next logistics assistant be AI? – WTT
Truck parts
- NHTSA’s underride advisory committee to discuss rear, side, front underride crashes
- Underride committee prepares for busy 2024
- Underride guards are the topic of a New York bill
Truck stops
- Iowa 80 celebrates 6 decades of serving truckers
- The world’s biggest truck stop has been open 24/7 for the past sixty years
- Trucker Path Names Nation’s Top 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
- 3PL organization to begin issuing quarterly report on freight fraud
- Ex-Roadrunner trucker sentenced in $112K fraud scheme
- TIA warns Congress of rampant fraud in trucking
Theft
Please do everything reasonable to keep from having things stolen from you and your rig.
- Group of people robs jackknifed semi truck after police, tow trucks fail to respond
- Vehicle break-ins targeted by California and Missouri bills
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!
- Motorist rescued trucker in “bad shape” after wreck into gully that was nearly invisible to passing traffic
- Motorist rescues box truck driver launched into nearby river by sliding down icy embankment
- Pickup driver pulls semis out of snow thanks to the power of ‘prayer’ (and the skills of the trucker)
- TCA: Melton driver an Angel for actions at scene of fatal police shootout
- Virginia trucker honored by TCA for the second time in recent months
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.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2024.01.20 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
