TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.08.10 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 10, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding AB5, BQE, roads, scam, traveling, vetting fee, and weather:
AB5
How long will the legal issues surrounding AB5 will drag on?
As I’ve mentioned before, in my opinion, this “law” should never have been passed in the first place.
With all of the exemptions that have already been attached to AB5, I think that the entire state law needs to be rescinded.
When will state legislators in California figure this out?
- AB5 specifically targets interstate truckers, OOIDA says
- OOIDA appeal: AB5 will kill off lease drivers, raising Commerce Clause issues
BQE
According to the first article in this section:
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is touting the success of “the nation’s first automated enforcement program against overweight trucks” which was launched on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) last year.
In August 2023, New York City officials rolled out a new weigh-in-motion (WIM) system designed to automatically identify and ticket overweight trucks traveling on the BQE in downtown Brooklyn. The penalty for exceeding gross vehicle and/or axle or tandem weight limits on the BQE is $650.
So, be sure that if your route takes you over the BQE that your truck is not overweight.
In fact, make sure that your truck is not overweight anywhere unless you have a permit specifically allowing it, so that you do not run the risk of getting an overweight fine.
- 64% fewer overweight trucks on BQE due to automated weigh-in-motion system, $650 fines: NYC officials
- Automated Truck Weight Enforcement Comes to the Big Apple
- NYC Smart Roads Deter Heavy Trucks on Aging BQE
Roads
According to the first article listed in this section:
“This historic milestone, completed three years ahead of schedule, is the culmination of decades-long conversations, planning efforts and progress,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The opening of the I-69 Finish Line corridor completes not only a direct connection between Evansville and Indianapolis, but also to and through Kentucky and Michigan, all the way ultimately to our important Canadian and Mexican supply chain trade markets.”
I could not help but think of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, and wondering how long it is going to take to rebuild it.
I fully realize that there is a very large difference between building a road on dry ground versus building a bridge over water.
Still, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the bridge’s reconstruction could be done ahead of schedule so that major connections could be re-established?
- Gov. Holcomb, INDOT celebrate opening of I-69
- ‘Historic milestone’: I-69 between Evansville and Indianapolis opens to traffic
- Interstate 94 ramps closing in Michigan next week
- Road work receiving portion of West Virginia budget surplus
- Trimble offers look at ‘road ahead’ for North America’s truckload industry
Scam
Please be on your guard against scams of all kinds.
Two “commonsense” things to watch out for are:
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is; and
- If someone calls, texts, or emails you, purportedly regarding one of your established financial accounts, make sure that you are the one who contacts him/her back, as financial institutions do not generally contact you except through specific means.
Now, for the articles…
- FMCSA warns truckers about phishing email scam
- FMCSA warns truckers another phishing email is making the rounds
- New Phishing Scam Targets Motor Carriers
- OOIDA: Don’t take the bait in phishing scam
- SCAM ALERT: FMCSA warns of phishing emails
Traveling
Be aware that some people are traveling with truckers in their trucks in order to observe things from truckers’ viewpoints.
- NATSO President & CEO gets taste of life on the road with Werner driver
- Trooper in a Truck targets unsafe driving around commercial motor vehicles
Vetting fee
The first paragraph of the article in this section says:
When husband and wife owner-operator team Denise and Chris Jones of C.E. Jones Trucking completed a load for Vancouver, Washington-based broker Skyline Logistics, they were shocked to find the fine print on the rate confirmation said they had to sign up for something called “Verified Carrier.”
Weather
Many of the articles in this section have to do with the storm system — either a Tropical Storm or Hurricane — named “Debby.”
This storm system dumped a huge amount of rain.
In some places, the rainfall led to roads being washed out.
Please be careful in traveling in or near storm areas, especially on secondary or smaller roads.
And when it comes to crossing flooded roads, “Turn around, don’t drown.”
- ALAN provides logistics information in Debby’s wake
- ALAN urges caution during Debby event
- Bendix pros offer advice on post-flood inspections
- Debby claims trucker’s life after cab floods in I-75 wreck
- East Coast ports brace for Hurricane Debby
- Flood damage outpaces some repairs in hard-hit Vermont town
- Flood warnings issued as Tropical Storm Debby moves north
- Forecasters expect depression to become Tropical Storm Debby as it nears Florida’s Gulf Coast
- Hours regs waived for hurricane response in Florida, Georgia
- Hurricane Debby makes landfall in Florida as Category 1 storm, threatens catastrophic flooding
- Hurricane Debby prompts hours-of-service waivers in Florida, Georgia
- Record heat in 2024 is making the tough job of trucking tougher
- Remnants of Debby threaten the Northeast with flooding, possible tornadoes
- Some ports remain closed as Debby moves up East Coast
- Threat of wildfires remains in Pacific Northwest
- Three states issue Hurricane Debby emergencies
- Tropical Storm Debby barrels toward Florida bringing potential for record-setting rains farther north
- Tropical Storm Debby churns up the East Coast, and affects weather as far away as the Great Lakes
- Tropical Storm Debby could prove just as dangerous as a major hurricane
- Tropical Storm Debby spawns tornadoes that rip through North Carolina
- Truck driver among deaths blamed on Debby; storm continues along path of destruction
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and hydrogen:
Autonomous vehicles
I totally 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.
- 50,000 Autonomous Long-Haul Trucking Miles for Kodiak, J.B. Hunt
- J.B. Hunt completes 50K autonomous miles with Kodiak, Bridgestone partnership
- J.B. Hunt hits 50K ‘autonomous long-haul trucking miles’ hauling tires between South Carolina and Dallas
- J.B. Hunt partnership with Kodiak reaches 50,000-mile milestone
- J.B. Hunt, Kodiak break 50,000-mile mark on autonomous lane
- JB Hunt, Kodiak Robotics, Bridgestone pass 50k mark in autonomous long-haul trucking miles
- Korean Autonomous-Truck Company Sets up Shop in Texas
- Major fleet completes 50K autonomous miles | Bestpass acquires Drivewyze
- Partial automated driving systems do not prevent crashes
- US Reportedly Moves to Ban China Software in Autonomous Cars
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Lack of Standard Training for EV Techs Perpetuates Shortage
- Lucid Gains After EV Maker Secures $1.5 Billion Lifeline
- Nikola Reports Q2 Shortfall but FCEV Sales Grow
- Senate Republicans Ramp Up EV Resistance
Emissions
- Canada invests $4.2 million in MHDV projects to boost zero-emission vehicle adoption
- Zero-Emission Truck Showcase, Ride and Drive to be Held in Oakland
Fuel
- A diesel reality check and a rebranding
- Benchmark retail diesel price falls again — but only slightly
- Clean Energy Opens RNG Production Facility
- Corpay’s Q2 fuel transaction revenue up 1% to $510M
- Diesel Direct, Saia Trucking start diesel pilot program in California
- Diesel Price Slips 1.3¢ to $3.755
- EPA Probes Biodiesel Supply Chains as Fraud Concerns Mount
- For the fourth straight week, fuel prices fall
- Pipeline Firms in Talks With Data Centers About Gas Supply
- Saia kicking off renewable diesel pilot
- Sheetz to open 4 new stores with diesel lanes in August
- US Trucking Embraces Renewable Diesel for Cleaner Operations
- Weekly Fuel Report: August 06, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: August 05, 2024
Hydrogen
3. Regarding acquisition, border, CARB, and ELDs:
Acquisition
- Bestpass acquiring Drivewyze in expansion of FreightTech offerings
- Bestpass buys Edmonton-based Drivewyze
- Bestpass, Drivewyze Join Forces in Major Acquisition
- Bestpass-Fleetworthy acquires Drivewyze
- Bestpass-Fleetworthy acquires Drivewyze
- Bestpass-Fleetworthy Acquires Drivewyze, Adding Bypass to Toll, Safety Tech
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Surging cross-border flows a boon for operators like DHL
- Roadrunner expands Canadian cross-border LTL service
CARB
The definition of CARB is on my glossary.
ELDs
I think that a large part of the reason why Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are being kicked of the FMCSA’s “list” is because manufacturers were allowed to “self-certify.”
I have written about this situation before:
- Electronic Logging Devices Mandate Commentary
- Comments to FMCSA on Electronic Identification of CMVs
- In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a ‘self-certification’ product?
Now, for the article…
4. Regarding crashes, drowsy driving, drugs, fatalities, theft, and violence:
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.
- Bridge strike involving truck, wind turbine blade closes part of Route 1 in Maine
- CMV hauling windmill blade overturns in railroad bridge strike
- Dramatic video shows semi-truck slamming into vehicle in DeKalb County, Georgia
- Flatbedder demonstrates why so many truckers avoid NYC
- Indiana State Police trooper injured after being struck by car on I-70 near Richmond
- Major accident in California causes traffic nightmare
- Tractor-trailer hauling windmill blade strikes Maine bridge, overturns
- Tractor-trailer hits guardrail; plummets down 50-foot embankment in Pennsylvania
- Truck loses crane load off I-20 ramp in Arlington
- Trucker dead after crashing off I-75 into Florida canal
- Trucker sustains “relatively minor” injuries in serious wreck
- Two hospitalized after four semi truck collision on I-80 in Iowa
- Video shows smoking semi truck crashing into trees after coming down Broad Mountain
Drowsy driving
Please see the article about drowsy driving.
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- “Imminent hazard” driver on drugs indicted on manslaughter and homicide charges
- Border agents snag over $48M in meth from Mexico, cocaine bound for Canada
- Canadian trucker nabbed in U.S. with 120 kg of cocaine in trailer
- CBP makes record drug seizures at both Canadian and Mexican borders on the same day
- Ohio task force targeting commercial vehicles on I-70 seizes $14.6 million in drugs, $935K in cash
- ‘Record-breaking’ $48 million in meth seized from truckload of lettuce
- Seized: 3,429 pounds of methamphetamine largest ever in port history
- Truck driver charged after 537 kg of cannabis found in vehicle during Saskatchewan traffic stop
- VIDEO: Florida sheriff shows off semi truck seized from ‘drug dealers’
- What’s in that salsa? CBP finds more than $450k in meth stowed in tomatillo shipment
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?
- 2 dead in early morning semi crash on I-44 near Catoosa, Oklahoma
- Driver in wreck that killed 9-year-old drove for “very unsafe” company
- Driver that crossed median in fatal I-70 crash arrested for involuntary manslaughter
- NHTSA Seeks Information From Tesla on Fatal Cybertruck Crash
- One person dead, one injured in fiery semi-truck crash on California 12
- Truck driver dead after crashing into Texas Roadhouse restaurant
- Truckers call-out dangerous road after fatal wreck with sedan injures three year old
- Two dead in fiery two semi truck collision on I-44 in Oklahoma
- Two dead in seven vehicle crash after semi crosses I-70 median
Theft
Never take something that doesn’t belong to you unless you have permission from the owner.
With as much surveillance equipment in place in the 21st century, it’s only a matter of time before the thieves are apprehended.
- Cans of tuna stolen from truck parked in Philly
- Cargo theft trend continues in Philly
- Dozens of wheels and tires swiped from construction company trucks in Texas
- Thieves target B.C. food bank’s truck wheels
Violence
Articles like this always make me wonder how violence that is taking place between vehicles that are moving on the road can possibly be stopped.
If you have an idea — short of science fiction “force fields” being installed on trucks — please share it through the form below.
5. Regarding economy, employment, HVUT, and taxes:
Economy
- ACT, FTR differ on rate of Class 8 sales decline
- Check Call: A great hope comes after disappointing Q2
- Class 8 Truck Orders Stumble Again in July
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders, spot rates both slide
- First look: RXO’s Q2 revenue declined, but gross margin improved
- Forward Air touts positive momentum despite softness in freight market
- FTR, ACT Research report slower Class 8 build rates
- GXO Logistics sees upward trend in global freight market
- June sets record for China-US containers
- Nikola ramps up deliveries, trims losses in Q2
- Report finds US container imports could approach monthly record
- RXO points to bright spots even as soft freight market persists
- Stronger freight demand may be around the corner, broker survey says
- Surge Transportation: A ‘Rocky’ story of resilience in the freight recession
- Truck orders down for second consecutive month
- Views on transportation capacity, pricing signaling recovery
- Will stock market sell-off kill freight recovery; best lanes to run now |
Employment
- FreightWaves Infographics: More layoffs at freight-related firms: 607 workers cut across 4 states
- Government cracking down on temporary foreign worker program abuse, fraud
- Growing our own
- More layoffs ahead for freight-related companies across US
- Stellantis to Cut Up to 2,450 Jobs at Michigan Truck Plant
HVUT
The definition of HVUT is on my glossary (and in the article below).
Taxes
- ATA Celebrates Win as Trucker Tax Proposal Rejected
- Transportation taxes are on ballot in South Carolina counties
- Trucking industry relieved as Tax Commission rejects shift in state taxation
6. Regarding inspections and insurance:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Pre-trip inspections, fleet maintenance pave way for safer roads
- Texas CVE officers say they encountered two ‘nightmares on 18 wheels’ this week
- Texas enforcement blitz planned for this week
- Wisconsin ‘Trooper in a Truck’ Event Promotes Safety
Insurance
- Driver hiring standards key to keeping down insurance costs
- How Carriers Are Taming Insurance Costs
- Tow truck operators blame lack of insurance in price-gouging debate
- Trucking Insurance Concerns Go Beyond High Premiums
7. Regarding lease, legal, LTL, recalls, and tires:
Lease
Regarding the article linked below, you may want to read this page on my site:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes
Legal
- Colorado authorities, motorcycle community promote new lane filtering law
- Continental Weighs Spinoff to Separate Car Parts From Tires
- Deaf truck driver denied job opportunity, EEOC lawsuit claims
- Driver accused of dumping 4000 gallons of gas ‘to speed up his route’ pleads guilty
- Driver who fled after hitting broke down trucker caught after weeks
- EEOC sues Wilson Logistics over refusal to hire deaf driver
- Grandfathers in trucking
- HDTX Keynote to Focus on Stopping Nuclear Verdicts in Trucking
- House committee still seeking answers on pension bailout overpayments
- New independent contractor rule faces reversal in federal court
- New Limits for Illinois Biometrics Privacy Law
- NFI CEO Brown pleads not guilty in New Jersey political corruption case
- Off The Record: Ticket Lawyer
- The most bizarre nuclear verdict of them all
- Truck driver cited for crash that left decimated cab dangling from Virginia I-77 bridge
- Truck driver jailed after bumping wife with semi truck during a stop
- Why MyCarrier and project44 are fighting in court
- Wilson Logistics sued by EEOC for alleged discrimination
LTL
The definition of LTL is on my glossary.
- Roadrunner expands LTL service to Western Canada
- Roadrunner expands LTL services out of Seattle into Western Canada
Recalls
- Daimler Trucks recalls thousands of trucks over steering issue
- Mack trucks recalled because of driver’s seat assembly problems
Tires
8. Regarding maintenance, safety, and towing:
Maintenance
Safety
- JJ Keller, Juno Jones collaborate to provide safety footwear
- Manitoba to implement report recommendations to boost driver safety, training
- Start tracking what your drivers are doing right
- TXTA honors drivers, technicians and carriers for safety and skills
Towing
In my opinion, predatory booting and towing need to be made illegal in every state in the USA.
- Predatory towing under fire, tow industry defended, before FMCSA
- Towing notice prompts dozens of comments from truckers, towing companies
9. Regarding technology:
Technology
- Collaboration, digital tools will help industry overcome challenges: Trimble report
- OOIDA calls for artificial intelligence safety and oversight in trucking
- OOIDA raises concerns about AI technology in transportation
- Penske introduces new eDVIR feature in Penske Driver Mobile App
- Speed-assistance technology bill moves forward in California
- Two close calls in one week for TDOT employees; watch dashcam video
10. Regarding idling, operations, securement, and training:
Idling
For more information, please see the 9-page section — linked from Truck Idling: Need, Problems, Cost and Alternatives Overview — on my site.
Operations
Interestingly, all of these articles are about something positive when it comes to truck operations.
- Attentive trucker saves BMW from itself
- Random woman is the only one who knows how to stop rolling rig
- Trucker holds mini celebration after surviving blown steer tire
Securement
Part of the job of hauling loads involves making sure that the load is properly secured.
Training
11. Regarding parking and truck stop:
Parking
- Sheetz to open four stores with free overnight parking and other trucker-friendly amenities
- Texas Opens Two I-10 Rest Areas With Parking for 116 Trucks
- Trucking organizations call on House leaders to set vote on parking bill
Truck stop
Please be aware that just because a new fueling location has been created, it may not necessarily have truck parking.
- 7-Eleven Targets 500 Locations For Diesel Network Expansion
- 7-Eleven to expand 7FLEET Diesel Network to over 500 locations in 2025
- Sheetz adds 4 new stores with amenities for truck drivers
12. Regarding appreciation, awards, and championship:
Appreciation
Every year, there are various ways that entities seek to “appreciate” truckers, such as through National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week (NTDAW).
Personally, I think that “appreciation gifts” need to be bestowed on the recipients in a more timely manner and connected with something concrete, like an anniversary with the company or an achievement realized.
- Driver Poll: What do you like to receive for driver appreciation?
- RaceTrac shows drivers appreciation throughout September
Awards
I congratulate all professional truck drivers who have been nominated for or have been given an award for their skill or safety achievement!
- CVSA awards trucker who hit 3.6 million safe miles in his 41 year career
- Darryl Tolle, Ryder driver of 35 years, wins CVSA’s driver excellence award
- Semifinalists selected for 2024 Transition Trucking award
Championship
One of the achievements that some professional truck drivers seek to make is participating in (or winning) a championship in a truck driving competition.
Congratulations to this trucker!
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: 2024.08.10 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
