TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.04.06 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending April 6, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding collapse and solar eclipse:
Collapse
The articles in this section range in scope, including covering the opening up an alternative area or “second channel.”
- Alternate Channel Opens at Baltimore Bridge Site
- Baltimore bridge collapse: Emergency HOS waiver issued in Maryland, SBA loans available
- Baltimore bridge collapse: One week later – WTT
- Baltimore port preparing for first influx of goods since Key Bridge collapse
- Biden to visit Baltimore’s Key Bridge, where recovery efforts have political overtones
- Car Shipper Takes $10 Million Hit From Bridge Collapse
- Cargo Ship Owner Seeks $44 Million Liability Limit
- Dali owner, manager seek to cap liability in Baltimore bridge collapse
- East Coast Ports Scramble to Absorb Cargo
- Effects of Baltimore bridge collapse felt across trucking industry
- Engineers clearing Key bridge wreckage expect limited-access channel to port to open in 4 weeks
- FMCSA extends emergency declaration for Baltimore bridge collapse
- FreightWaves Infographics: Biden: US will pay to rebuild Francis Scott Key Bridge
- Key Bridge emergency extended, IFTA waiver in place
- Limited-Access Channel Could Open in Baltimore by April 30
- Main channel in Port of Baltimore expected to be open by end of May
- Maritime Terminal Set for Influx of Ships in Baltimore
- Maryland Key Bridge emergency remains in effect
- Port of Baltimore calamity shows supply chain’s vulnerabilities
- Second Channel Opens at Baltimore Bridge Site
- Trucking industry feels impact of Key Bridge collapse even as bypass channel opens
- U.S. Small Business Administration opens recovery centers after Key Bridge collapse
- Va. Port Onboards Baltimore Truckers Amid Cargo Diversions
- Work under way to remove bridge that collapsed in Baltimore harbor
- Workers Had Little Warning as Maryland Bridge Collapsed
Solar eclipse
It seems to me that — unless the powers-that-be have something big planned — the “precautions” associated with the upcoming solar eclipse seem to be approaching fearmongering.
So please take appropriate caution.
I wrote the following on my Facebook profile on Tuesday, April 2:
If the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 is a sign that God’s judgment is coming — like the kind prophesied against Nineveh in the Old Testament — where is the same kind of repentance that the Ninevites had?
How many people need the message as was recorded in Acts 26:20, when the Apostle Paul preached:
“repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of … repentance”?
According to the resource linked in the first comment:
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… The short biblical definition of repentance is “a change of mind that results in a change of action.” …
Repentance involves recognizing that you have thought wrongly in the past and determining to think rightly in the future. The repentant person has “second thoughts” about the mindset he formerly embraced. There is a change of disposition and a new way of thinking about God, about sin, about holiness, and about doing God’s will. True repentance is prompted by “godly sorrow,” and it “leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Repentance and faith can be understood as two sides of the same coin. It is impossible to place your faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior without first changing your mind about your sin and about who Jesus is and what He has done. Whether it is repentance from willful rejection or repentance from ignorance or disinterest, it is a change of mind. Biblical repentance, in relation to salvation, is changing your mind from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ. …
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[First comment]
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Now for the articles about this event:
- Eclipsemania: What you need to know
- Freightwaves Infographics: Some states urge truck drivers to avoid working during upcoming eclipse
- Oversize loads banned from 83 Texas counties for solar eclipse
- Solar eclipse waiver for fuel haulers in New York begins April 6
- States, Provinces Urge Drivers to Prepare for Solar Eclipse
- Texas enacts travel restriction during solar eclipse
- Texas halts transport of oversize loads during eclipse
- Vermont to declare solar eclipse emergency
- What Truckers Need to Know About Solar Eclipse Dangers
2. Regarding bridge strike, bridges, and roads:
Bridge strike
- Delair Bridge strike shuts down portion of I-95 in Philadelphia
- Higher fines haven’t stopped B.C. truckers from striking bridges
Bridges
Roads
- Eastbound lanes of part of I-90 in western NY will be closed overnight today
- Emergency bridge repair closes northbound I-95 in northeast Philadelphia
- Philadelphia interstate closed for days after oversized load hits bridge
3. Regarding career, employment, and rescue:
Career
Employment
- Employers Added a Robust 303,000 Jobs in March
- More than 500 laid off as Illinois Quaker Oats plant closes
- Texas trucking co. owners accused of recruiting and exploiting Mexican truck drivers in the U.S.
- US Companies Added 184,000 Jobs in March, ADP Data Shows
- Weak market or not, truck transportation jobs saw healthy jump in March
Rescue
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, efficiency, emissions, and fuel:
Autonomous vehicles
I most definitely disagree with the operation of autonomous, self-driving, or driverless 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.
- Autonomous trucks the topic of bills in seven statehouses
- Briefly: Driverless truck company taps industry leaders for advice
- The world’s first road-to-rail autonomous solution? – WTT
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence.
- Charging conundrum: Just 4 states have federal EV charging stations
- Ford to Delay Production of New Electric Pickup, Large SUV
- Pennsylvania to spend $20M to fund electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects
- Rivian Beats EV Production Estimates
- Stellantis CEO Says EV Battery Weight Must Be Halved
- Trucking’s ‘Brewster’s Millions’ short of BEV goals
Efficiency
Emissions
- EPA releases strict new heavy truck emissions rule
- Heavy-Truck Emissions Rules: A Disaster in the Making
- Nova Scotia offers rebates for zero-emission vehicles
- Strict truck emission standards set by EPA
- Trucking associations push back on EPA’s GHG Phase 3 emissions timelines
- Trucking orgs skeptical of EPA’s latest heavy-duty emissions regs
- What Do Scope 3 Emissions Mean to Your Trucking Fleet?
- What Do Scope 3 Emissions Mean to Your Trucking Fleet?
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel price under $4 a gallon for first time in 8 weeks
- US diesel averages drop below $4 a gallon for 1st time in 8 weeks
- Weekly Fuel Report: April 02, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: April 01, 2024
5. Regarding acquisitions, bankruptcy, brokers, business, and technology:
In this general section, we see the wide financial swing from bankruptcy on the left to acquisitions on the right.
Acquisitions
- Hirschbach Motor Lines, John Christner Trucking combined as one
- TFI completes acquisition of Daseke for $1.1 billion
- TFI International completes Daseke acquisition
Bankruptcy
- Bankrupt charter airline iAero to cease operations
- Canada’s Pride Group files for bankruptcy protection
- Family-owned North American trucking company files for bankruptcy protection
- FreightWaves Infographics: Shuttered California trucking company files for bankruptcy
- Pride Group’s bankruptcy filing underscores impact of trucking downturn
Brokers
- Big Rips, Fat Lips: Biggest broker margins, fails in March
- Broker transparency argument derailed Kevin Rutherford MATS talk
- Sheer Logistics acquires CargoBarn to expand brokerage specialties
- Trucker Path Launches Brokerage Service for Smaller Brokers
Business
- Postal Service’s air cargo shift to UPS makes everyone a winner
- UPS to become the primary air cargo provider for US Postal Service
- UPS to Become the Primary Air Cargo Provider for USPS
- UPS wins air cargo contract with Postal Service, replaces FedEx
- USPS awards contract to UPS, ends 20 year partnership with FedEx
Technology
- ATBS launches enhanced mobile app
- FreightTech Friday: 4 tech companies FreightWaves met at MATS
- How IoT is revolutionizing the trucking industry
- NMFTA Establishes New LTL eBOL Standards
- Trucker Path Launches Tool for Smaller Brokerages
6. Regarding crashes, deaths, drugs, fatalities, and theft:
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.
- Big rig hauling thousands of salmon overturns in Oregon
- Big rig hits, derails Maine freight train
- Damages related to truck crashes topic of vetoed Wisconsin bill
- Driver’s coughing fit sends rig plowing through lot
- Most fish survive after tanker truck crashes near creek, spilling 100K salmon
- Truck Driver Charged in Texas School Bus Crash Was Prohibited from Driving for Drug Testing Violations
Deaths
We express our deep sympathy — and offer our condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died.
- US Traffic Deaths Decline by an Estimated 3.6% in 2023
- US traffic deaths fell 3.6% in 2023, the 2nd straight yearly drop
Drugs
Never ever agree to haul illegal drugs, no matter how much money or other incentive you’ve been offered.
- Driver admitted to consuming cocaine, marijuana prior to fatal school bus crash
- Motorists pulled over for tailgating semi truck arrested for lots of drugs
- N.B. driver sentenced to nine years in prison for drug smuggling
- Positive Drug Tests for Truck Drivers Down, FMCSA Says
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?
- CMV driver charged with homicide in the crash death of Illinois sheriff’s deputy
- Kentucky ambulance driver, patient killed in collision with big rig
- Man walking in North Carolina interstate struck by pickup, big rig
- NHTSA reports fatality, injury uptick in latest truck crash stats
- Patient, operator dead after semi truck turns in front of ambulance
- Scooter rider rolls beneath trailer in fatal accident
- SUV sandwiched between two semi trucks in fatal crash
- Traffic fatalities down overall, but crashes involving large trucks up
- Truck driver charged in deaths of 3 motorcyclists in Nevada
- Truck driver charged in fatal Texas bus crash
- Truck driver shut down after fatal school bus collision
- Trucker in fatal Texas school bus crash makes FMCSA’s ‘imminent hazard’ list
- Wheelchair panhandler fatally struck by cement truck
Theft
Never take something that doesn’t belong to you unless you have permission to take it and never refuse to pay legitimately-owed bills for services rendered.
- 8 charged in beer heist targeting Northeast trains, distribution centers
- Box truck driver drove away without paying for almost $2k in repairs
- CHP recovers $218K in electronics during two day cargo theft operation in Bakersfield
- Fuel payments providers boost theft protections
7. Regarding containers, inspections, ports, safety, shut down, and weather:
Containers
- FMC fears glut of container fee disputes after Baltimore bridge collapse
- Trans-Pacific container rates plunge again
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: CVSA’s International Roadcheck is especially important for truck owners
- CVSA’s 2024 Out-of-Service Criteria now in effect
- CVSA’s updated out of service criteria become effective as of today
- CVSA’s updated Out-Of-Service Criteria in effect starting April 1
- Roadcheck-ready resources: Live Q&A with CVSA coming May 1
- Troopers from six states team up for week-long traffic blitz
- Updated CVSA out-of-service criteria now in effect
- What happens during the driver portion of a CVSA inspection?
Ports
Safety
- Netradyne launches new safety tools for truck drivers
- Preventive Measures and the Future of Trucking Safety
- Safety Operational Excellence: How the Right Data Supercharges Fleet Performance
- Safety tips for drivers during total solar eclipse
- Truck Safety Coalition calls latest stats on big truck fatalities ‘unacceptable’
- Trucking Association of New York working to improve fleet safety
- Unlocking Fleet Safety & Efficiency: The Managed Service Advantage
- Video proof of how a safe following distance can save a life
Shut down
There are two different kinds of being “shut down” in this section: business closure and being removed from driving professionally.
- 70-year-old California trucking company, freight brokerage closes abruptly
- California trucking company ceases operations after 19 years
- Concrete truck driver in bus crash deemed ‘imminent hazard’
Weather
How do you keep up with weather on the route that you are or will be traveling?
If you use a Smartphone app, which one is your favorite?
Please respond through the form below.
- Deadly severe weather roars through several states Tuesday, spawning potential tornadoes
- Multiple semi trucks flipped by tornado in Indiana
- Nor’easter topples semi trucks, causes dozens of crashes
- Severe storms topple 18-wheelers in Indiana, tear through other parts of US
8. Regarding economy, politics, regulations, and retention:
Economy
- ACT Research: Class 8 truck order surge paused in March
- Class 8 Truck Orders End Two-Month Positive Streak in March
- Drop in Class 8 truck orders in March looks big but analysts aren’t worried
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot market recovery continues, truck demand weakens
- Plunging Pickup Truck Sales Threaten Detroit’s Profit Engine
- Q1 Auto Sales Grow 5.1% Despite High Interest Rates
- Toyota, Honda Sales Up as Americans Seek Cheaper Cars
- US Manufacturing Activity Expands for First Time Since 2022
Politics
- House Transportation Leaders Tout FHWA Pushback
- Idling is the topic of a Colorado bill nearing passage
- Left lane use is topic of Colorado Senate-approved truck bill
- Wisconsin, West Virginia split on capping damages in CMV accident lawsuits
Regulations
- AEB final rule projected for April, but release date still unknown
- FMCSA to make Congressionally-required changes to under-21 pilot program
- Trucking LLCs Must File New Federal Report Under Law
- Understanding the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation
Retention
- 5 Ways You Can Increase Retention With Modern Technology
- Key Strategies for Boosting Truck Driver Retention
10. Regarding distracted driving, parking, towing, and truck stops:
Distracted driving
Feel free to review the information on this topic on our website:
Distracted Driving: Beware of Attention Diverters That Can Be Fatal
Also, from the article posted just below:
- “April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month”; and
- this resource describes “MVR Monitoring Service.”
Now for the article:
Parking
- Indiana to allow ‘safe haven’ truck parking at weigh stations during eclipse
- Montana DOT to open rest area near Three Forks with Law Enforcement Office
- New rest area near I-90 in Montana opens today; 35 truck parking spaces
- Ontario adding 165 truck parking spots at ONroutes, building and improving rest areas
- Ontario Adds Truck Parking in Largest Rest Area Expansion
- Texas city bans truck parking
Towing
- New Florida law to protect drivers from predatory tow companies
- Towing reform is the topic of a Florida bill signed into law
- Towing reform is topic of Missouri House committee hearing
Truck stops
- Briefly: New online map shows all truck stops that have shower facilities
- Love’s adds 5, remodels 2 of its Speedco locations
- Love’s opens 5 new Speedco locations
- Love’s opens 5 new Speedco locations; 2 more are remodeled
- Mojave Truck Stop partnering with Phillips 66 on fuel offerings
10. Regarding lease, legal, rates, repairs, and speed limiters:
Lease
- OOIDA recommendations regarding lease-purchase problems
- Truck lease purchase deals come under heavy fire at MATS and in court
Legal
- Federal court dismisses Yellow’s lawsuit against the Teamsters
- FHWA’s greenhouse gas measurement rule blocked by federal court
- Missouri court upholds nuclear verdict, blasts carrier’s safety practices
- Penske Sues Sacramento Over Environmental Plan
- Truck driver convicted in crash that killed 5 in Colorado
Rates
- FBX Report: April 02, 2024
- Red Sea crisis nears boiling point, unable to heat up spot rates
- Truckstop: Total spot rates rise for 4th straight week
Repairs
Speed limiters
- B.C. speed limiter mandate comes into effect April 5
- B.C. speed limiter mandate goes into effect
- Speed limiters required for commercial trucks in B.C. starting this weekend
11. Regarding road rage, staged, and violence:
Road rage
Endeavor to steer clear of road rage.
- Dash cam shows big rig running cars off the road in New Hampshire
- Driver-facing dash cam shows road rage shooting on California interstate
Staged
I hope that everyone who was involved in this will be judged appropriately.
Violence
Seek to avoid violence and be ready for self-defense at all times.
- Arrest made after truck driver shot on I-65 in Indiana
- Female truck driver shot in the leg in Memphis
- Female trucker shot in Memphis
- Man arrested for shooting truck driver on Indiana interstate
12. Regarding awards, championships, and recognition:
Awards
Congratulations to this driver for having surpassed 2 million safe miles driven!
Championships
Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who desire to compete in a truck driving championship — and to those who win!
- Nevada Event Kicks Off NTDC Champ Wilson’s Goal to Repeat
- Regional truck driving championships return to Central Ontario
- Toronto truck driving championships take place next month
Recognition
We are grateful for all folks who help out truckers in a time of need.
And a bonus article: A Body in Motion Stays Healthier Longer.
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: 2024.04.06 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
