TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.04.20 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending April 20, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding inspections, events, REPAIR Act, and scam:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
It is imperative that all truckers do thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
When an announced inspection is announced, it is even more important to be mindful of potential violations on one’s truck.
You may wish to review these articles from our site:
- Money Down the Drain During CVSA Brake Inspection
- Captain of the Ship Policy and Unsafe Working Conditions
- Out of Service Truck: Trucker Stages a Showdown
- Whistle Blowing Truckers: STAA Law on Retaliation, Vindication
Now for this week’s round-up of articles on this topic:
- Concerned citizen report leads cops to steel coil hauler with cracked trailer frame
- CVSA asks FMCSA to change inspection report reqs
- CVSA petitions FMCSA to amend inspection report requirements
- CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week on July 7-13
- CVSA’s Roadcheck to Focus on Tractor Protection Systems
- CVSA’s sights set on reckless driving for Operation Safe Driver Week
- Driver fined $19,400 for weight overage; arrested for OOS violation
- How to Get More Out of Commercial Driver Vehicle Inspections
- How to prepare for CVSA International Roadcheck 2024
- Inspectors ask FMCSA to alter inspection report requirements
- Inspectors ask FMCSA to alter inspection report requirements
- Mark your calendar: CVSA sets annual Operation Safe Driver for July 7-13
- Operation Safe Driver enforcement blitz: CVSA set dates | Autonomous vehicle bill stopped
- Operation Safe Driver Week to Focus on Reckless, Careless Drivers
- Reckless drivers to be targeted during CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week
- Roadcheck puts trailer protection, substance abuse in its crosshairs
- Simplifying Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports for Truckers
- When Must Truckers Complete a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report?
Events
- Arkansas to kick off National Work Zone Awareness Week April 15
- National Work Zone Awareness Week begins today
- National Work Zone Awareness Week marred by 3 highway worker fatalities
REPAIR Act
- FleetPride hosts congressional delegations to advocate for REPAIR Act
- REPAIR Act finding support from Republicans and Democrats
Scam
Be on your alert for scams from different people at different times and different people.
- Cops warn about scammers targeting truckers at Utah Flying J
- Dispatcher scammed company out of $100k via Zelle payments
- FMCSA forces transparency from Uber Freight after scam uncovered
- Lottery scam targets truckers
- PA Turnpike issues scam alert for E-ZPass users
2. Regarding AB5, fraud, illegal, legal, and road rage:
AB5
- CTA, OOIDA file appeal against latest AB 5 ruling
- CTA, OOIDA to appeal court decision upholding AB5 in California trucking
- Trucking groups appeal AB5 ruling to Ninth Circuit
Fraud
People ought to do those things that are right and good in the sight of our Creator — at all times.
- CDL school operator sentenced to prison, fined for bribing examiner
- CDL school owner sentenced for bribing examiner to pass unqualified students
- CDL testing scheme: School owner gets 5 years in prison for bribery
- Former CDL school owner sentenced for bribery
- Former Philadelphia CDL school owner gets prison time for bribery
- Philadelphia CDL school owner sentenced to prison for licensing scheme
- Truck stop operator talks fuel fraud, skimming and scams – WTT
- Trucker arrested for hauling almost 28,000 packs of untaxed cigarettes
Illegal
If you haul cigarettes or anything that has a pre-tax and post-tax status, be aware of the consequences of hauling that freight legally.
- 28,000 packs of illegal cigarettes found in semi during traffic stop
- Arkansas authorities bust truck driver accused of hauling illegal cigarettes
- Cigarette Caper: Trucker arrested for hauling thousands of packs of illegal smokes
Legal
- $1.7 million awarded to man who says truck driver’s train horn caused hearing loss
- $19K fine issued for overweight violation, truck driver arrested hours later for defying out-of-service order
- $1M lawsuit filed by teacher in recent school bus crash
- $2 million bond set for driver in “intentional” Texas DPS crash
- 2nd lawsuit brought against concrete truck driver in fatal bus crash
- California sued, again, over Advanced Clean Fleets rule
- California trucking co. to pay $208K for fuel spill, EPA says
- California’s Clean Air Act Exemption Targeted in Lawsuits Challenging Truck GHG Rules
- California’s Clean Air Act waiver upheld by court
- Compounding violations lead to $19K fine, OOS order, arrest
- CRST settles sleeper berth pay dispute for $2.5 million
- Deportation hearing set for truck driver in deadly Saskatchewan hockey team bus crash
- Driver denied CDL crashed through DPS with “intent to harm”
- Former CDL school owner to serve 57-month prison sentence
- Indiana cops blast detouring big rig drivers after roundabout closure
- Indiana cops step up enforcement due to truckers ‘blatantly ignoring’ no truck signage
- New West Virginia Law Countering Civil Suit Abuse Starts July 1
- Philadelphia Judge Rejects $25M Jury Verdict in Truck Crash
- Supreme Court: Arbitration exemption applies to truckers outside of transportation industry
- Trucking Industry Blasts Gov. Evers’ Veto of Commonsense Lawsuit Abuse Reform
- West Virginia Takes a Stand Against Lawsuit Abuse with New Reform
Road rage
- Truckers arrested after road rage results in stabbing, Indiana police say
- VIDEO: Car brings big rig to full stop on busy Dallas interstate so motorist can yell at trucker
3. Regarding bridges, collapse, roads, safety, and statistics:
Bridges
Please be aware of the infrastructure problems associated with some bridges in the USA.
I won’t be surprised if by and by, someone somewhere will post something like this in advance of bridges:
“You bear all legal risk and responsibility for crossing this bridge, which has had structural problems since [date].”
- Barges break loose on Ohio River in Pittsburgh, damaging a marina and striking a bridge
- Beware of falling bridges
- Michigan DOT closing highway for bridge demolition
- Truckers face lengthy detours after Colorado US 50 bridge closed indefinitely due to ‘cracking’
Collapse
There is — and will be for quite some time — fallout as a result of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.
As I’ve mentione before, I don’t think that the U.S. federal government — or the U.S. taxpayers — ought to be responsible for paying for repairs or reconstruction.
- Baltimore Bridge Collapse Disrupts East Coast Truck Fleets
- Baltimore bridge collapse relief haulers get hours of service break
- Baltimore bridge collapse: Fourth victim recovered, FBI boards cargo ship
- Baltimore Port Closure Means 35% Drop in April Coal Exports
- Baltimore-Area Truckers Struggle to Find Loads
- Biden Tours Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Area
- Bill Coming to Clarify That Feds Pay for Baltimore Bridge
- Containers being removed from ship that caused collapse of Key bridge
- Crews Race to Remove Chunks of Fallen Baltimore Bridge
- Dali Owner Asks Cargo Owners to Help Cover Salvage Expenses
- FBI conducting criminal investigation of Baltimore bridge collapse
- FBI opens criminal investigation into Baltimore bridge collapse, AP source says
- Firms Fret Over Any Lengthy Baltimore Port Closure
- FMCSA: Baltimore collapse commodity-related HOS waivers limited
- Key Bridge collapse partially affects EIA outlook
- Key Bridge emergency remains in effect through May 8
- Key Bridge partial, full reopening announced
- Main channel to Port of Baltimore could reopen by end of May
- Maryland governor, members of Congress to meet on rebuilding collapsed Baltimore bridge
- Maryland Leaders Push for Federal Aid
- NTSB Eyes Ship’s Electrical System After Bridge Crash
- Owner of ship in Baltimore bridge collapse asks cargo owners to help cover salvage costs
- Port of Baltimore business-recovery grants now available
- Port of Baltimore reopening timeline proposed
- Salvage crews race against clock to remove massive chunks of fallen Baltimore bridge
- Ship that caused bridge collapse had apparent electrical issues while still docked, AP source says
- Source: Ship That Hit Bridge Had Power Issues While Docked
- Third channel to open at Baltimore port as recovery from bridge collapse continues
Roads
- Closure of damaged U.S. Highway 50 bridge in Colorado causes major detours
- Here’s how California’s new ‘Turbo Roundabout’ works for big rigs
- Rig hauling US mail bursts into flames, closing parts of I-64 in Norfolk
- WYDOT widens access to road closure information during severe weather
Safety
- ERegs: A New Way to Navigate Truck Safety Regulations
- Successful Strategies for Building a Safer Fleet
- TA, NATSO working to enhance roadside safety during breakdowns
Statistics
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, batteries, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, fuel economy, and oil:
Autonomous vehicles
I most defintely 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.
- Autonomous trucks are a trending topic at statehouses
- Autonomous vehicle stakeholders seek clarity governments
- Beshear vetoes bill that would allow fully autonomous vehicles to operate on Kentucky roads
- Bill clearing way for autonomous vehicles vetoed in Kentucky
- Kentucky lawmakers override veto of autonomous vehicle legislation
- Kentucky Lawmakers Override Veto, OK Fully Autonomous Vehicles
- Kodiak Forms Autonomous Truck Council With Walmart, UPS
- Lawmakers override guv’s veto, clearing autonomous-vehicle path
- Like It Or Not, Driverless Semi Trucks Are Rolling Despite Teamsters Cali Win
- Self-Driving Startup Wayve Expands to Vancouver
- Teamsters-endorsed autonomous vehicle safety bill passes in California Assembly committee
- Weather Sensors Will Aid Autonomous Trucks in Fort Worth
Batteries
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence.
- All EV ecosystem factors key to adoption of technology, Mack Truck’s Kannan says
- Amazon Becomes the Largest US Private EV Charging Operator
- Class 8 heavy-duty electric semi makes history as 1st to cross US-Mexico border
- Commercial Brands Driving Innovation With Electric Vehicles
- EV Realty goes for already-powered charging sites
- Fire in truck carrying lithium ion batteries leads to 3-hour evacuation in Columbus,
- Ford’s Commercial Business Is Defying the EV Slump
- Get to Know Volvo’s Electric Truck Lineup for Europe [Video]
- Higher electrification potential for rural, short-haul runs: Geotab report
- Indiana begins construction on wireless truck charging highway segment
- Indiana engineers using electric big rig to develop wireless charging highway
- Indiana to test in-motion EV charging on highway segment
- Investigators focus on electrical system of ship in Baltimore bridge collapse
- Lion Electric Announces Layoffs and Cost-Saving Measures
- More than 100 Navistar dealers authorized to sell and support EVs
- Navistar Announces 100 EV-Ready Dealerships
- Nikola Class 8 FCEV Truck Production Nudges Up to 43 in Q1
- Nissan Says It Will Make Next-Gen EV Batteries by 2029
- Obscure Energy Calculation Could Speed Up EV Future
- Rizon EV aims to leverage capability, safety to carve market share
- US Has a Fast EV-Charging Station for Every 15 Gas Stations
- Waning EV Market Drags Down Chipmakers’ Shares
Emissions
- Effort to roll back FHWA Greenhouse Gas Rule moves forward
- EU Approves Tougher, Broader Heavy-Duty CO2 Emissions Cuts
- Key provision of Biden’s emission reduction plan knocked down by courts
- Volvo CTO: Society to Help Decide Zero-Emission Vehicle Mix
- Volvo Trucks boss maps out path to zero emissions
- Volvo Trucks Meets the Emissions Moment
- Volvo: Truck Engines Have a Zero-Emissions Future
- Volvo’s Alm: Stakeholders Play a Role in Net-Zero Ambitions
- Zero emissions journey requires ‘making the impossible possible’
- Zero-emission truck maker Windrose Technology completes $110M cash haul
Fuel
- Average US diesel prices are again above $4 per gallon
- Briefly: California truck stop strikes biodiesel deal with Phillips 66
- Diesel averages see declines in most of US
- Diesel Leaps Back Over $4 Mark After 6.5¢ Increase
- Diesel Price Drops 4.6¢ but Remains Above $4
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Fuel prices eat into trucking conditions
- EPA Allows Summer Sales of Higher-Ethanol E15 Gasoline
- FBX Report: April 16, 2024
- Fuel Cards: An Easy Way to Protect Profits
- Fuel retailers ask FHWA to make EV charging experiences consistent
- IEA Warns Attacks on Russia Plants May Disrupt Diesel Market
- Near Zero: Natural gas can help fleets meet decarbonization objectives
- Neste Expands Renewable Diesel Availability into New Jersey
- Nikola produces 43 hydrogen fuel cell electric tractors for US customers in Q1
- Weekly Fuel Report: April 16, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: April 15, 2024
Fuel economy
Oil
- A Weakening Diesel Market Is Becoming a Problem for Oil
- Macquarie: Biden Likely to Tap Oil Reserve for Summer Demand
- US Reimposes Oil Sanctions on Venezuela
5. Regarding border, brokers, congestion pricing, economy, fraud, and inflation:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: US-Mexico trade rises to $67B in February
- Shippers must seek out experienced cross-border providers during Mexican market boom
Brokers
- California carrier and freight brokerage ceasing operations, blames AB5
- There are 10% fewer freight brokerages than there were 1 year ago – WTT
Congestion pricing
If this type of tolling is specifically geared toward truckers, I think that’s as bad as the Rhode Island plan.
Economy
- Cass Freight Index report for March is ‘steady as we go’
- Check Call: The hope of 2024 dashed
- Class 8 purchasing cycle challenged by upcoming emissions regulations
- Consumer Sentiment Falls Slightly in April
- Ford Cuts Price of F-150 Lightning Pickup
- Freight brokerages struggle through a long trough
- Insights from February’s Freight Market: Is Recovery on the Horizon?
- It’s a year of transition for trailer orders, ACT reports
- March freight metrics flat with February, Cass data shows
- March Medium-Duty Sales Hit Five Months of Gains
- March Trailer Orders Continue Year-Over-Year Declines
- Producer Prices Rose 2.1% From Last Year, Most Since April
- State of Freight: How long will trucking market trough linger?
- Supply chain and logistics operations prioritizing automation
- Supply needs to get back into balance with demand, experts say
- The Great Freight Recession has now lasted longer than the COVID bull market
- Transportation Index Falls, Signaling Risks for Stock Market
- US Class 8 Truck Sales Fall Again in March
- US parcel revenue sees first decline in 7 years, report finds
- US producer prices rose 2.1% from last year
- Used truck retail sales increased at slower rate in March, ACT Research reports
- Virginia Touts Robust Economic Growth in Richmond Region
- When Will Freight Market Conditions Improve?
- The changing definition of efficiency
Inflation
6. Regarding alcohol, clearinghouse, crashes, drugs, fatalities, theft, thrown, and violence:
Alcohol
Never ever consume alcoholic beverages or food before attempting to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
- Truck driver admits he was “just really drunk” in afternoon rollover
- Truck driver hides behind dumpster after DUI crash with Jeep
Clearinghouse
According to the first article in this section:
According to FMCSA, the Clearinghouse is a “secure online database that gives employers, the FMCSA, state driver licensing agencies, and state law enforcement personnel real-time information about commercial driver’s license and commercial learner’s permit holders’ drug and alcohol program violations.”
- Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse 2023 numbers released
- Drug Clearinghouse Creates Advantages, Challenges for Industry
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.
- Cops: Driver intentionally crashes truck into Tennessee Kroger store
- Driver’s sudden stop causes three rig pile-up
- Five semi trucks involved in multi-vehicle wreck that injured two
- Four-wheeler’s miscalculation has trucker “shook”
- Hotdogs scattered across I-65 in early morning semi wreck
- Logging truck rolls backwards, spearing four-wheeler
- Man who intentionally rammed a Texas DPS office with tractor-trailer jailed on $2M bond
- Man who rammed stolen rig into Texas DPS office now faces murder charge
- Newly opened net truck arrestor ramp first of its kind in Virginia
- Semi truck crash knocks out wall along New Jersey Turnpike
- Semi truck slams into store after Jeep runs stop sign
- Tennessee man crashes big rig through Kroger – on purpose, police say
- Truck driver crashed through a Kroger on purpose, officials say
- Truck driver hauling excavator arrested for $500K hit and run at Texas bridge
- Truckload of salmon rolls over, 77,000 fish wind up in Oregon creek
- Two tractor trailers and a boat collide in fiery wreck
- Video shows big rig slamming into concrete barrier at highway speeds
- VIDEO: Cattle hauler bails after steer tire blows in stopped traffic
Drugs
Never ever haul drugs in your commercial motor vehicle, no matter how large of a reward you’ve been promised..
- $888K in cocaine seized from tractor trailer in Texas
- CBP officers seize $888K in cocaine from big rig at Rio Grande City Port of Entry
- Decline in Positive Drug Tests Among Truck Drivers in 2023
- Marijuana testing took thousands of truckers off the road in 2023, endangering supply chain, pro-pot group says
- Over $888,000 worth of cocaine found in tractor-trailer crossing border
- Trucking and Legalized Marijuana’s Catch-22
Fatalities
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my 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?
- 1 dead, 13 injured after big rig driver intentionally crashes into Texas public safety office
- 3 Pennsylvania construction workers killed by truck on I-83, police say
- Driver blames wind for fatal wrong-way crash with motorcyclists
- Former truck driver who killed woman over thrown rocks convicted
- Indiana State Police investigates fatal I-80/94 crash involving multiple big rigs
- Rising Truck Accidents & Fatalities Draw Ire of Safety Groups
- Six “unknown” people dead after pulling out in front of Peterbilt
- Trash truck driver dead after sliding off “slippery” ramp
- Trucker killed in fiery tanker crash on Alabama interstate
- Zero Fatalities: Volvo’s other road to zero
Theft
Do not take something that isn’t yours without first asking for permission.
- $12k in stolen pork marks 37th Philly cargo theft this year
- $1M in stolen semi trucks still missing one month later
- FreightWaves Infographics: 8 charged in beer heist targeting Northeast trains, distribution centers
- Recent cargo theft trend in Philly continues
Thrown
You may wish to review this article from this site:
Items Thrown From Overpasses Smash Windshields and Hurt Truckers
Violence
- Alabama police say 2 big rigs were struck by gunfire along I-85
- Big rigs targeted by two shooters parked along Alabama interstate, police say
- Denied CDL renewal, trucker steals rig drives it into Texas DPS building
- Driver murdered woman who threw rocks at his rig, jury decides
- Murder charge added for man who drove stolen big rig into Texas DPS office
- Trucker shot by police after ramming cop car and hitting a house
- Trucker stabbed after big rig brake checking incident on I-65 in Indiana
- Welfare check on trucker ends in “violent altercation” with officer
7. Regarding maintenance, merger, and parking:
Maintenance
- It’s Time to Prioritize Your Fleet Maintenance Service
- Key Steps for Routine Engine Maintenance for Drivers On the Road
- New Intangles Service Helps Truckers Find Mechanic Shops
Merger
- 5 auto haulers combining to create publicly traded trucking company
- Five Auto Haulers to Merge as Backer Files for IPO
- TIP Canada folded into TEN to form North America’s second largest trailer lessor
Parking
- 35 truck parking spaces open in Montana
- Survey: Truck stop parking tops list of most sought after amenities
- Truck parking is the topic of bills in three statehouses
- Truck parking, showers top needs at truck stops
- Truckers to surveyors: We want more parking
8. Regarding barnacle, cell phone use, distracted driving, ELDs, employment, testing, and training:
Barnacle (aka “Windshield Barnacle“)
- New York cops unleash windhshield barnacles on illegally parked trucks
- NYPD begins deployment of ‘Barnacle Device’ to combat illegal truck parking
Cell phone use
Please review the article on this site entitled:
Cell Phone Use While Driving a Semi Tractor Trailer
Distracted driving
Please review the article on this site:
Distracted Driving: Beware of Attention Diverters That Can Be Fatal
- Distracted driving fell 4.5% in 2023, new study notes
- Distracted driving starting to go down
- MVR Monitoring: Essential Strategy to Curb Distracted Driving
- Travelers rolls out annual Risk Index; distracted driving numbers are up
ELDs
- Does Your Truck ELD Help Your LTL Freight Trucking?
- ELDs easily hacked by researchers
- Scopelitis co-director: False hours-of-service log reports rise despite ELDs
Employment
- 10 Reasons Why Truck Drivers Quit Their Jobs
- Driver Poll: What information is most important to you on a job listing?
- Driver Poll: Where are you most likely to look for a job?
- The Big Rush For More Truck Drivers To Put Behind the Wheel
- The Fight Against Criminal Record Bias in the Trucking Industry
- Trucking jobs surge in March despite current downcycle
Testing
- Florida denied flexibility on CDL skills testing
- FMCSA denies Florida agency’s exemption from CDL testing rules
Training
- High schools driving students to trucking with training classes
- Things You Won’t Learn in CDL School (+ What To Do About It)
10. Regarding blindspots, chips, hitchhiker, operations, ports, technology, and truckers:
Blind spots
Chips
- US to Provide $6.1 Billion for Micron Technology Chip Plants
- US to Provide $6.4 Billion to Samsung to Make Computer Chips
Hitchhiker
You may want to review this article on this site:
Hitchhikers On Trucks; How Can Hitchhiking Be Stopped?
Operations
In my opinion, the question asked in the second article in this section — a video — is answered by “both,” with my reasons being:
- The trucker already on the road could have slowed down enough to let the merging trucker more easily get on the road; and
- The trucker in the merging lane had a responsibility to “yield” to the traffic on the road; and
The failure of both truckers to make room for the other resulted in a preventable collision, even if it was minor.
- Police officer pinned under trailer during pursuit of suspect
- VIDEO: Who was right in this trucker vs. trucker merge fail?
Ports
- Port of LA opens promenade to connect community to waterfront
- Port of Portland to End Terminal 6 Cargo Container Handling
Technology
- Cruise to Resume Testing Its Robotaxi Service in Phoenix
- Don’t let AI replace the human element
- Dynamic Fleet Benchmarking with Penske’s AI-Driven Management Platform
- Feds: Ford Driver Using Automated System Before Fatal Crash
- FreightTech Friday: Gartner critiques real-time-visibility market players
- Gather AI launches new features, sees promise in indoor drone tech
- Greenscreens.ai Integration Brings Dynamic Pricing Tool to McLeod’s PowerBroker
- Intangles InRoute Connect Uses AI for Faster On-the-Road Maintenance
- Magnus Technologies Adds AI Features to Truckload TMS
- Optimal Dynamics Uses AI for Better Truckload Bidding, Dispatch Decisions
- Rookie driver learns to expect the unexpected in dash cam clip
- Running on Ice: A new refrigerant on the scene
- Technology software should ease, not squeeze
- Traffic cam catches load shift as trucker hits the brakes at stop light
- ‘Truck of the Future’ pilot study shows AI can increase safety in urban areas
- White Paper: Embrace the future of logistics with emerging tech
- Wild drone video shows trees on top of tractor trailers following Mississippi storm
- Wyoming Helps Navigational Apps Improve Road Closure Data
Truckers
10. Regarding explosion, insurance, owner-operator, per diem, rates, and recalls:
Explosion
Are there any warning signs that an explosion is about to take place?
- Tanker driver dies after massive explosion in Alabama
- Truck driver severely burned after trailer full of frozen turkeys explodes
Insurance
- Canada-wide spike in insurance claims calls for enhanced training, oversight: Report
- You ‘don’t need trailer coverage’ for a broker’s trailer: True?
Owner-operator
- Owner Operator Trucker: Is It Time to Change?
- Owner-operators, don’t forget per diem deductions
- Owner-ops report the biggest broker margins they’ve seen
Per diem
Rates
- DAT Truckload Volume Index: March spot rates drop on modest volumes
- Spot rates in Truckstop system see declines in latest week
- Under pressure: Contract rate cuts heat up based on Q1 bid feedback
Recalls
- Daimler issues recall for certain Freightliner, Western Star models
- Freightliner, Western Star Trucks Recalled for Possible Steer Wheel Problems
- More than 29,000 Freightliner and Western Star trucks being recalled
- Recall affects 29,000 Freightliner, Western Star trucks
11. Regarding regulations, rescue, runaway, and tolls:
Regulations
- Feds plan to replace Unified Registration System with ‘FMCSA Registration System’
- FMCSA looks to streamline tracking of motor carriers, freight brokers
- FMCSA moves toward new registration system
- FMCSA plans to revise requirements for the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program
- FMCSA reports low numbers for truck driver apprenticeship program
- FMCSA working to update registration system
- FMCSA working to update registration system
- FMCSA’s Safety Research Forum open for registration
Rescue
- Impressive video shows a human tow truck rescuing a stuck semi
- Trucker rescued by helicopter after intense flooding
Runaway
Tolls
- FBI issues multi-state alert for toll road users
- Ohio Turnpike begins open-road tolling
- Ohio Turnpike Completes Open-Road Tolling Project
- Toll upgrades include open-road option | Volvo truck plant on way in Mexico
12. Regarding awards, championship, nominations, and recognition:
Awards
I extend my heartiest congratulations to all who accomplised an achievement as listed here:
- Dash cam catches big rig driver’s save amid powerful Wyoming winds
- J.B. Hunt Driver Jodi Edwards Named WIT Driver of the Year
- One long trip: XPO driver achieves 4M accident-free miles
- XPO truck driver recognized for hitting four million safe miles
Championship
Congratulations to all who mastered commercial motor vehicle operation to the point where they were able to enter — and/or win — a truck driving championship.
- FedEx Freight driver wins Arizona Truck Driving Championship
- Interactive Map: 2024 NTDC Grand Champions by State
Nominations
- Briefly: Nominations open for contest honoring exceptional drivers
- CVSA accepting nominations for International Driver Excellence Award
Recognition
Thanks to everyone who helped his/her fellow human beings in a time of need.
- NFI Driver Earns Highest Recognition by Truckload Carriers Association
- Relay Payments continues Haul of Fame program to honor drivers
- TCA honors driver who aided mother and daughter whose car flipped
- Three Heroic Truck Drivers Honored as Highway Angels
- Trucker rescues baby & mother from flaming, flipped dump truck
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: 2024.04.20 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.