TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.03.09 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 9, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Daylight Saving Time and towing:
Daylight Saving Time
Earlier today, I checked the “length of day” or the amount of daylight before and after the “Spring Forward” time and the only difference is the usual lengthening of the day — that occurs daily between the winter solstice and summer solstice — which amounts to 2 minutes and 6 seconds.
Moving the clock ahead and back an hour doesn’t “lengthen” or “shorten” a day by any amount of daylight.
In my opinion, since the USA is no longer an agricultural-based society, this practice is antiquated and needs to be eliminated.
Have you as a trucker ever had problems with the change of time, especially when it comes to your logs?
Please comment through the form below.
- Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday; set your clocks ahead one hour
- Time change can mean dangers on the road with drowsy driving
Towing
Predatory towing is a violation of “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
I understand the need for rules and regulations about where to park, but in my opinion, the situation that gave rise to this whole predatory towing issue is a lack of safe parking for large commercial motor vehicles.
When will local elected officials and private businesses understand and fix this?
- Florida passes bill to crack down on predatory towing
- Florida poised to enact law against predatory truck towing
- Memphis officials slap A-1’s Towing with 30 day suspension after trucker complaints
- Ron DeSantis expected to sign truck-towing reforms
- Towing reforms near passage in multiple states
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and oil:
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely oppose the operation of autonomous, driverless, or self-driving 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.
- Driverless trucks will not solve the trucking industry’s problems
- Future Driven: Autonomous trucks are closer to reality but safety, economy still in question
- Here come the driverless trucks — or not
- Kodiak and Martin-Brower Partner to Autonomously Move Freight
- Orlando’s Self-Driving Shuttle Restarts
- Running on Ice: Autonomous trucks deliver food
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence.
- Daimler launches BEV dealer certification program
- Do Electric Powertrains Need Transmissions?
- Everything you want to know about electricity
- GM Collaborates to Produce Medium-Duty Hydrogen FCEV Trucks
- GM Resumes Blazer EV Sales
- How to Optimize the Battery Performance of Electric Trucks
- Mack Adds to MD Electric Sales Push With Off-Grid Charging Unit
- Nikola FCEV Trucks Arrive at IMC and Other Customers
- Tesla’s Wall Street Fans Turn Squeamish as EV Turmoil Mounts
- Uber Partners With Revel to Expand Charging Network
- Volvo electric tractors used to launch California program for drayage fleets
Emissions
- ACF spurs small gain in zero-emission drayage trucks at Port of Long Beach
- Biden Administration Expected to Soften Emissions Rules
- Estes, Watershed team up to measure and elevate sustainability program
- Pursuit of a Dream: Fleet operators striving for lower costs, lower emissions now and in the future
- SEC Approves Landmark Emissions Disclosure Rule
- SEC approves rule that requires some companies to publicly report emissions and climate risks
- SEC backs off on requiring companies to report scope 3 emissions
- Tighter emissions standards will shape the future of trucking
Fuel
- 12-month story: Crude oil prices move slightly lower, but diesel falls further
- Chevron shutting down biodiesel plants in Iowa, Wisconsin
- Diesel Price Dips Closer to $4 Mark With 3.6¢ Decline
- EPA, DOE Offer $9.4 Million Grant to Develop New Biofuels
- Q & A: How Biodiesel Can Reduce Lifecycle Carbon Emissions
- Sheetz discounts diesel fuel 25 cents for the rest of the month
- Sheetz offers diesel discount for truckers in March
- Sheetz reducing truck diesel fuel prices in March
- US diesel averages decline for 2nd straight week
- Weekly Fuel Report: March 05, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: March 04, 2023
Oil
3. Regarding border, business, business – revenue, delivery, insurance, lease, legal, and safety:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Developer bullish on industrial real estate on border
- Borderlands Mexico: Mexican ports’ cargo volumes surge in January
- Borderlands Mexico: Texas-based customs broker expands cross-border footprint
- Ryder System expands cross-border footprint in U.S. and Mexico
Business
- Building a cohesive team is key to success, says Northern Logistics president Derek VanBlargan
- Continental Faces Tough Auto Unit Overhaul in Slowing Market
- Cox Automotive Says Market Conditions Are Ideal for Fleets
- Evaluating FreightTech: Prioritizing business needs and user enablement
- How to be a Strategic Fleet Builder
- Nussbaum Transportation flourishes by putting people first
- Rivian Puts Georgia Factory Plans on Pause
- Time for an early Spring for owner-operator business?
- TSMC to Win More Than $5 Billion in Grants for US Chip Plant
- Welcoming a new partner in owner-ops’ start-to-finish resource
Business – revenue
- Landstar System reports revenue slip for 2023
- Saia sees 19% jump in February shipments
- Traton Q4 Profit Receives Boost From Higher Prices
Delivery
While I understand the draw of “free shipping,” I think that the concept devalues the very important role and service of professional truck drivers.
Insurance
- Amwins Underwriting partners with Lancer Insurance
- Medium and larger fleets should consider captive insurance: Caceres
Lease
- Equipment Leasing for Startups: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth
- OOIDA to truckers: Tell FMCSA about predatory lease-purchase agreements
- Seeking Transparency: FMCSA’s Call to Truckers on Leasing Agreements
- Truck Leasing Task Force hosting public session at MATS
- Truck Leasing Task Force meeting scheduled at MATS
Legal
- 25 States File Suit to Block EPA Rule on Soot Pollution
- Exxon Move May Delay Chevron-Hess Merger
- ExxonMobil drops lawsuit challenging denial of trucking operation
- Schumer Calls on FTC to Probe Wave of Oil Company Mergers
- Teen arrested in Texas for driving a big rig without a driver’s license
- Texas teen arrested for driving rig without license
- U.S. Treasury’s owner-reporting system ‘unconstitutional’: Court
- Virginia logistics company files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Safety
- Enhancing Driver Safety and Compliance: The Importance of Comprehensive Road Tests in the Trucking Industry
- FMCSA announces $180 million in grants for safety-related programs
- More than $180M in federal grants available to fund CMV safety efforts
- TA looks to make travel centers safer for women drivers and truck stop workers
- TravelCenters of America announces efforts to improve safety
- Trucking Leaders, FMCSA Promote Safety Investments
4. Regarding brokers, containers, nearshoring, and ports:
Brokers
- TIA chief: In tough times, strengthening broker-carrier ties is vital
- TMS tech needs greater functionality to empower brokerages
- Why brokers should care about nuclear verdicts and speed limiters
Containers
Nearshoring
Please see our glossary for a definition of this word.
Ports
5. Regarding crashes, crashes – dangling, crashes – explosion, crashes – other party, crashes – postal service, crashes – rear end, crashes – strike, crashes – train, distracted driving, fatalities, fatalities – plane, and missing:
This entire section is about different kinds of crashes and fatalities.
Almost all of the large truck crashes listed below were completely preventable.
Please see what you can learn, so as to prevent the same from happening to you.
Crashes
- Highway horseplay: Cleveland police equines escape, causing traffic backup on I-90
- Mulch dumped as yet another semi truck dangles off overpass
- Pastor forgives trucker for smashing church with revoked license
Crashes – dangling
- Dangling semi truck caused by oncoming vehicle
- Firefighters aid trucker after rig crashes off I-86 flyover in New York
- How much does it cost to recover a semi that almost fell off a bridge? – WTT
- Semi driver rescued dangling from bridge had been struck by oncoming vehicle: mayor
- Stalled electric car sparked crash that sent truck dangling off bridge
- With Big Rig Dangling Off Louisville Bridge, Sysco Truck Driver’s Prayers Answered
Crashes – explosion
Crashes – other party
- Semi truck overturns as direct result of street race
- Teen trucker not charged for hitting teen on “makeshift” skateboard
Crashes – postal service
Crashes – rear end
- Dash cam captures tanker truck rear-ending container truck on Texas roadway
- Texas deputy hurt after 18-wheeler rear-ends his patrol unit
- Troopers hospitalized when semi truck plows through crash scene
Crashes – strike
Crashes – train
Distracted driving
Please see the post on our site about distracted driving.
- Cops call out truck driver for speeding, watching a TV show behind the wheel
- Dash cam shows Idaho trooper running for his life from ‘inattentive semi-driver’
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?
- 9 dead after big rig strikes van in Wisconsin
- Nine reported dead in crash involving van and big rig in Wisconsin
- Porter County, Indiana, I-94 crash involving 18-wheeler leaves 1 dead
- Seed truck rollover crash kills husband and wife, Iowa sheriff says
Fatalities – plane
Missing
Where did this trucker go?
If you know, please help him and those who are looking for him.
- Driver missing after big rig hauling lumber tumbles down West Virginia hill
- Troopers find man dead in semi truck at Massachusetts rest area
- Truck driver missing after lumber truck slides down hill
- Truck driver still missing after search of wrecked lumber truck
6. Regarding inspections, maintenance, parts, recalls, repair, and tools:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in a perpetual state of readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Be prepared: Is your fleet ready for International Roadcheck?
- CVSA’s new out-of-service criteria available | I-55 bridge closure
- Fifty inspectors to take part in CMV blitz on I-10 in Arizona
- How to Inspect Trailer Suspensions
- Pennsylvania begins work zone enforcement with vehicle-mounted speed cameras
Maintenance
Parts
- All-Makes Automatic Brake Adjusters, Ride Height Control Valves from Midland
- Dragonfly, Velociti Partner to Deploy Lithium-Ion APUs
- Hendrickson Introduces Drive Axle with Zero Maintenance Damping
- Intangles launches new diesel particulate filter solution
- Tractor-trailer connector wins major award
- Truck Parts and Labor Costs Down in Fourth Quarter
- Underride committee to focus on side guards at March 13 meeting
Recalls
If you have a tractor or trailer under a recall, please have the work attended to as quickly as possible.
- Air tank issue prompts Kenworth, Mack recalls
- NHTSA: Insufficient air tank issue causes recall of Kenworth, Mack trucks
- PACCAR recall issued over air brake system in Kenworth models
Repair
- Heavy-Duty Repair Shops Report Increase in Counter Sales, Labor Rates
- Repair of covered bridge incident that got trucker publicly fired will take years
- TMC-Fullbay Report: Repair Shop Sales, Labor Rates Rise
Tools
- Continental Introduces New Digital Tool to Check Truck Tires
- Vanair Expands Roadside Jump-Pack With New Adapter Kits
7. Regarding economy, efficiency, operations, operations – lost tire, pay, rates, and tolls:
Economy
- ACT Research: Freight capacity declines likely to continue into ’24
- Briefly: Parts and labor costs fell slightly in final quarter of 2023
- Class 8 Truck Orders Show Second Straight Gain in February
- Decisiv report shows parts, labor costs moderating after pandemic
- Descartes sees ‘no end in sight’ for elevated supply chain investments
- E2open stock pops higher on announcement it is launching ‘strategic review’
- Echo Global Logistics CEO: Freight recession may ease by end of 2024
- Electric truck rental pilot program launching in SoCal
- FTR, ACT report solid but not stellar new Class 8 truck build numbers
- Logistics M&A market looks brighter in 2024
- Maintenance Costs Ease in Q4, Report From TMC, Decisiv Finds
- OEMs bullish on work truck sector growth amid high demand
- Old Dominion Freight Line still waiting for market to turn
- Parts and labor costs decreased in Q4 2023: Decisiv
- Riding trucking’s waves: Freight market cycles and the driver pool — Taking the Hire Road
- Strong Class 8 truck orders continue in February, ACT reports
- Transportation prices up in February but capacity grows faster
- Truckstop’s Hutto sees Q4 truckload cycle inflection
- Universal Logistics Navigates Market Challenges with Optimism for the Latter Half of 2024
- What order cancellations say about the freight cycle
- XPO provides favorable February update
Efficiency
- An SEC smackdown and SuperTruck news carry the waek
- ConMet publishes TruckWing data on CNG truck
- ConMet Reveals TruckWing Efficiency Test Results
- NACFE report highlights achievements of SuperTruck programs
- NACFE, RMI Release New Report on SuperTruck 2 Findings
- NACFE: SuperTruck Innovations Pave the Way for Zero-Emission Trucks
- SuperTruck Project Propels Real-World Gains, OEMs Say
- TruckWings Aero Device Shows 6% Fuel-Economy Improvement
Operations
- Move-over rule revisions topic of legislation in five states
- Phillips Industries’ T/T Pair eliminates tractor-trailer pickup errors
- Trucker parts traffic like the red sea just to pass line of semi trucks
- VIDEO: Fire truck driver’s questionable maneuver forces trucker to take evasive action
Operations – lost tire
- Big rig’s lost trailer tire smashes into car on Arkansas interstate
- VIDEO: Tractor trailer loses dually tires right in front of cop
Pay
- Convoy’s unpaid carriers: Where to seek payment?
- Flexport responds to Convoy’s unpaid carriers with claims contact
- Good intentions: Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would bring unintended consequences
Rates
- B.C. container truckers will see minimum rate increase in July
- Carriers’ pricing power slipping amid continued Red Sea conflict
- Daily Infographic: Rates are only the tip of the iceberg
- Truckstop: Total spot rates show little change as refrigerated rates slide further
Tolls
8. Regarding employment, parking, restrooms, truck stops, and trucking:
Employment
- Daily Infographic: 573 layoffs hit logistics firms in California, Illinois and Michigan
- Dispute over ESG policies leads to a director departure at Werner
- Driver Poll: What makes you delete a job opportunity email?
- Employers Add Strong 275,000 Jobs in February
- Industry could see 40,400 vacancies by 2030, THRC warns
- Jobs report: Truck transportation employment flat; warehouse jobs drop again
- Resolutions would overturn DOL’s worker classification rule
Parking
- A man’s plan to add 45,000 truck parking spaces
- New travel centers will add over 500 truck parking spaces
Restrooms
- I-80 scale houses now have 24/7 restrooms for truckers, Iowa troopers say
- Iowa adds restrooms for truckers at two scale locations
- New restrooms for truckers open along Iowa’s I-80
Truck stops
- Pilot plans to add 35 travel centers, 500 truck parking spaces
- Pilot to build 10 new truck stops in 2024
- Pilot Travel Centers plans to remodel, expand truck maintenance network
- Pilot Travel Centers to construct 10 new locations in ’24
Trucking
9. Regarding fire, smuggling, theft, and violence:
Fire
- 2 big rigs destroyed in Texas blaze
- Burning of chemicals after Ohio derailment was unnecessary, NTSB head says
- Texas declares wildfire emergency
- Trucker faces arson charges after two of his Peterbilt big rigs burned
Smuggling
Never ever haul human beings made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo.
Theft
Never take anything that doesn’t belong to you unless you have permission.
Do what is reasonable to help protect yourself, your belongings, your tractor, your trailer, and the cargo within from being stolen.
- Daily Infographic: Truck driver sentenced for stealing rig hauling Mike’s Hard Lemonade
- Pants stolen right off driver’s body as thief robs Brinks truck
- Truck driver sentenced for stealing rig hauling Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Violence
Please do everything reasonable to protect yourself from violence.
- A-1’s employee threw bag of poop at trucker disputing tow
- Concrete chunk flung off Los Angeles overpass strikes semi’s windshield
- Female trucker arrested for shooting her girlfriend
- Motorists smashes trucker’s phone in road rage encounter
- Truck driver accused of attacking fellow trucker with a mini sledgehammer at a truck stop
- Trucker hospitalized by chunk of concrete thrown off overpass
- Trucker road rage devolves into gunfight while driving
10. Regarding politics, regulations, speed limit, and technology:
Politics
- Congress Aims to Avert Shutdown as Funding Package Advances
- Corporate Transparency Act deemed unconstitutional
- FMCSA to provide $180M for safety grants
- Government takes Driver Inc. issue “super seriously”: Minister Anand
- House Passes $460 Billion Spending Package
- Road rage is the topic of a Utah bill sent to the governor
- Shattering Stereotypes: Hillary Scholten is a driving force for trucking on Capitol Hill
- Ticket quotas are the topic of bills in multiple statehouses
Regulations
- Independent contractor rule challenged by trucking company
- Living in interesting times: Changing regulations create unique challenges for equipment manufacturers
- Overregulation hurts small businesses, congressman says
- Support to repeal government’s independent contractor rule growing
- TSA rule change provides regulatory relief to air logistics providers
Speed limit
- Speed limit upped along I-81 in Sullivan County, Tennessee
- Tennessee increases speed limit on portion of Interstate 81
Technology
- Clarience Adds Safe Fleet to Its Trailer Solutions Lineup
- Cybersecurity panel takes center stage at Manifest
- Cybersecurity training program developed for small- and mid-sized trucking companies
- Data can unlock hidden potential, says Isometric Technologies COO
- Drone video shows miles of stalled big rigs as massive snowstorm closes parts of I-80
- FreightWaves’ 3PL Summit: Tech that is changing the industry – WTT
- Grote, Stoneridge Showcase Smart Trailer Tech
- Intangles Introduces AI-Enabled DPF Monitoring
- Intangles launches AI-powered DPF solution
- LG to launch warehouse robots in US markets at MODEX
- Mack Trucks’ fleet management portal delivering for customers
- New trucking tech company aims to improve driver safety, retention with enhanced communication
- NHTSA to consider drunk driving tech on new cars
- Ohio Debuts Warning Signs to Deter Rear-End Highway Crashes
- P.S.I. Enhances Data Portal, Supports Goodyear TPMS
- PennDOT, PA Turnpike announce work zone speed camera program
- Phillips Industries to Launch Trailer Back-Up Camera Rear-Vu
- Program to Accelerate ADAS Adoption in Trucking Enters Next Phase
- QR code attacks are on the rise
- Qued aims to streamline, automate load scheduling for shippers, carriers
- Serjon Warns of Cybersecurity Risks for Motor Carriers
- The state of 3PLs is fragmented along data analytics technology lines
- Waymo Granted OK to Expand Service in California
11. Regarding roads and weather:
Roads
- I-55 bridge between Arkansas and Tennessee to close for 2 weeks
- I-55 Mississippi River bridge at Memphis to close for 2 weeks
- I-55 Mississippi River Bridge to close for two weeks
Weather
- A massive blizzard howls in the Sierra Nevada
- Here’s what the weekend’s heavy snow in California did to truck traffic
- Watch as Truckee tow drivers dig out dozens of big rigs buried by blizzard
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
We congratulate and applaud every professional truck driver who is nominated for an honor or award for skill, advancement to a championship, or winning of a truck driver championship competition.
- Briefly: CVSA opens nominations for annual driver excellence award
- FedEx Freight driver Corey Mitchell wins Louisiana Truck Driving Championships
- Highway Transport trucker named Louisiana Truck Driver of the Year
- JK Moving’s Cooksey honored as Super Van Operator of the Year by ATA
- No Barriers: Knight-Swift driver Richard Boehrer soars above challenges to drive big rig
Recognition
We recognize truckers and others for helping their fellow human beings in a time of need.
Thanks!
- Four drivers honored by Goodyear’s Highway Hero program
- Goodyear Names Highway Heroes
- TCA Highway Angels | March/April 2024
- Two truckers are Goodyear Highway Hero 40th grand prize winners
- Two truckers earn Highway Hero honors
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: 2024.03.09 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
