TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.08.24 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 24, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding 2290, AB5, Canadian railway, and inspections:
2290
From the article in this section:
The tax period runs July 1 to June 30 each year. For trucks and other taxable vehicles in use during July, Form 2290 and payments are usually due Aug. 31 with no penalty. This year, Aug. 31 lands on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, so the deadline shifts to Sept. 3, the Tuesday after Labor Day.
AB5
From the first article in this section:
The California Trucking Association is dropping its case against the state’s worker classification law, AB5, the trucking group confirmed. …
Meanwhile, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is continuing its appeal.
I have stated before and do so again that I personally believe that this law should never have been passed.
- California Trucking Association drops AB5 appeal
- End of an era: California Trucking Association dropping appeal against AB5
Canadian railway
This situation is a very big deal in Canada and may have implications for the USA, too.
Articles listed below are categorized alphabetically, not chronologically.
- Canada labor minister meeting with railroads, union to head off work stoppage
- Canada rail lockout ‘horrific’ for supply chain, carrier trade group head says
- Canada’s labor minister puts an end to CN, CPKC work stoppage
- Canada’s labor minister puts and end to CN and CPKC work stoppage
- Canada’s railways grind to a halt as CN, CKPC lock employees out
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce warns of economic fallout as railways issue strike notices
- Canadian Economy at Risk as Rail, Port Strikes Approach
- Canadian National Issues Lockout Notice to Railway Teamsters
- Canadian rail lockout — SONAR datasets to watch
- Canadian rail lockout ordered to end; freight creeps in the DMs; Tesla Semi scam |
- Canadian, U.S. chambers of commerce, other industry leaders urge government to prevent rail lockout
- CN and CPKC Initiate Lockout After Labor Talks Fail
- CN Will End Its Lockout Immediately, Rail Official Says
- CN workers begin returning to work as government refers railway labor dispute to binding arbitration
- CN, CPKC lock out union rail employees
- CPKC, CN Prepare to Restart After Labor Dispute Intervention
- CSX, well before a deadline, cuts a deal with several of its unions
- Fastfrate Group readies for rail strike, warns of possible pandemic-like disruptions
- Highway Motor Freight expanding operations at CentrePort Canada Rail Park
- Labor dispute stops Canadian freight railroads, putting pressure on trucking
- Logistics providers say Canada rail strike would ‘paralyze ports’
- Miners Tap Trucks to Sidestep Canada’s Rail Stoppage
- Private fleets cut mileage, boost safety, adopt new leasing, maintenance trends: NPTC
- Rail lockout to cause significant disruptions: PMTC, ports
- Rail strike looms; ‘Theft of Fire’ and the logistics of publishing; auto transport |
- Railroads, unions trade charges as shutdown begins
- Railway workers issue strike notice, regulatory challenge
- Strike Looms Again as Teamsters Serve CN Notice for Aug. 26
- Teamsters Canada issues 72-hour strike notice against CN
- Teamsters Canada Rail Conference delivers strike notice to CPKC; CN delivers lockout notice
- Teamsters cry foul as government forces arbitration in Canadian rail dispute
- Teamsters statement on strike notice to CN; situation remains fluid
- Trucking industry could be called on to take up slack if work stops at major Canadian railroads
- Trucking to feel pinch as Canada-Alberta Job Grant put on hold
- Trudeau Tells Railways, Union to Reach Deal to Avoid Strike
- UPDATE: Rail contract talks continuing; Vancouver port acts ahead of possible stoppage
- US Shippers Scramble as Canadian Rail Shutdown Hits Freight
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Brake Safety Week 2024 Tips from Bendix
- Brake Safety Week begins Sunday. Will your truck pass the inspection?
- Brake Safety Week CVSA
- Brake-inspection blitz next week — ways to bone up on maintenance
- CVSA Brake Safety Week starts Sunday, Aug. 25
- CVSA’s 2024 Brake Safety Week starts Sunday: Are you ready?
- Specialized blitz targets impaired commercial vehicle drivers in Maryland
- Weeklong commercial vehicle brake inspection blitz starts Sunday
- Wisconsin Targets Impaired Driving With Labor Day Campaign
2. Regarding Run on Less and V2X:
Run on Less
The definition of NACFE is on my glossary.
V2X
For future reference, I have placed “V2X” on my glossary.
- U.S. DOT to launch nationwide wireless ‘Vehicle-to-Everything’ communication network to try to curb crashes
- V2X deployment roadmap released by USDOT
3. Regarding border, business, cold chain, and green:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: $44M expansion begins at Pharr international bridge
- Cross-border freight drops amid weak showing at northern border
- FreightWaves Infographics: US-Mexico trade hits record $415B through first half of year
Business
Cold chain
I have a definition of “cold chain” on my glossary.
Green
Please remember that just because a fleet is “green” and helps to protect “the planet” does not necessarily mean that it will help humans.
- 15 Ways HDT’s Top Green Fleets Pursue Sustainability
- HDT’s Top Green Fleets Lead the Trucking Industry in Sustainability
- HDT’s Top Green Fleets Lead the Trucking Industry in Sustainability
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and hydrogen:
Autonomous vehicles
With no hesitation, I completely 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 truck maker Kodiak Robotics releases first-year results of enhanced inspections for CMVs
- Autonomous vehicles are the topic of multiple California bills
- China’s WeRide Delays US IPO Just as Deadline Nears
- Gatik Secures Middle Mile Autonomous Funding
- Video: Intramotev shows off autonomous, battery-electric stack car
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Advanced Clean Fleets not ready for prime time, lawmakers tell governor
- Briefly: Love’s expands charging network | Messy Middle focus of next NACFE run
- DSV Orders 300 Electric Trucks in Major Volvo Deal
- Electric vehicle mandates topic of proposed New Jersey hearings
- Feds open investigation into ‘hazmat’ Tesla Semi battery fire
- Ford Scraps Electric SUV, Boosts Hybrid Production
- Love’s expanding electric vehicle charging capabilities
- Peterbilt Details Medium-Duty and EV Truck Enhancements
- Peterbilt Details Medium-Duty and EV Truck Enhancements
- Tesla Semi battery fire in California rages; spews toxic fumes and shuts down interstate
- Tesla Semi battery fire shuts down I-80 for 16 hours
- Tesla Semi fire closes California interstate
- ‘Toxic fumes’ spewing from burning Tesla Semi’s batteries on I-80
- Uber Hires Ex-Tesla Charger Executive to Oversee EV Shift
Emissions
I find the “disagreement” between Washington State and the State of California on the subject of emissions to be very enlightening.
Personally, I’m glad that some entity somewhere is standing up against California’s emissions regulation.
- California Event Showcases Zero-Emissions Vehicles
- How the Newest Cummins X15 Engine Meets EPA 2027 Emissions Regs
- WA. trucking officials urge Governor to halt alignment with Cali. truck emissions policies
- Washington is not California’: State’s truckers on ‘zero-emission’ rules
- Washington state trucking group voices concerns over zero-emission regs
Fuel
- Average Diesel Price Slips 1.6¢ to $3.688 a Gallon
- For 6 weeks straight, diesel prices drop
- Minnesota Fuel Taxes to Jump 12% in 2025 Due to New Law
- No war for now brings another drop in benchmark diesel price
- Weekly Fuel Report: August 20, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: August 19, 2024
Hydrogen
5. Regarding clearinghouse, drugs, smuggling, theft, and violations:
Clearinghouse
According to the second article in this section:
Specifically, Waste Management Holdings aims to remove the administrative burden of requalifying drivers every time they are reassigned to one of its motor carrier affiliates.
Most of the time, I hold to the idea that if an exemption is made for one group, why should it not be made for another group or everyone?
What do you think?
Please share your opinions through the form below.
- Company asks FMCSA for Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse exemption due to ‘administrative burden’
- Company requests Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse exemption
- Trash hauler seeks driver exemption from FMCSA drug regs
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- CBP finds more than 600 pounds of meth in tractor trailer’s celery load
- Drugs found in flatbed frame, loads of celery, watermelon, more crossing border
- More than $5 million in meth disguised as watermelons seized from semi truck in California
- Summertime masquerade? Border agents find meth valued at $5 million disguised as watermelons
- Trucking foundation anti-fentanyl trailer featured in Times Square
Smuggling
Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how big a “payoff” you’ve been offered.
- Driver captures bizarre proposition outside of Laredo
- Trucker tried to “do the right thing” by smuggling in Mexican family
- US government indicts Guatemalan suspect on smuggling charges over deaths of 53 migrants in trailer
- US indicts Guatemalan man in smuggling attempt that killed 53 migrants
Theft
Never take something that doesn’t belong to you, unless you have permission.
In our day, there are many types of surveillance cameras, so be on guard!
- ATRI asks carriers to weigh in on cargo theft
- ATRI launches cargo theft survey for brokers, carriers
- ATRI seeks cargo theft data from brokers and motor carriers
- ATRI seeks participation in data collection survey on cargo theft
- Carrier, Broker Input Wanted for Study on Cargo Theft
- Survey hopes to address ‘cargo theft crisis’
- Truckers asked to weigh in on ‘cargo theft crisis’
Violations
Actively seek to know, understand, and abide by the laws and regulations in the trucking industry.
- Oversized load driver who tried to bypass inspection arrested for DWI, illegal weapon, NY troopers say
- Texas Deputy nabs CMV for overweight violation, no CDL, fake docs from Facebook Marketplace
6. Regarding crashes, fatalities, hit and run, and low clearance:
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.
- 2 tractor-trailers collide on I-96 in MI; one driver suffers burns
- Driver burned after falling asleep and crashing into second trucker
- Dump truck leaves hole in covered bridge when it crashes into river in Maine
- Flatbed semi truck sparks chain reaction on Mass. Turnpike
- Injured Dallas family sues North Carolina trucking company after crash
- NTSB sends team to investigate California crash and lithium-ion battery fire involving a Tesla Semi
- OSP seeking witnesses to serious injury crash involving a Peterbilt in Yamhill County, Oregon
- Semi collides with Amtrak train in Florida
- Teen injured in crash involving semi near Ririe
- Tractor trailer lands on four-wheeler after skidding off overpass
- Trucker rescued from river after four-wheeler crowds him off roadway
- Video shows UPS driver crashing after reportedly fainting from heat exhaustion
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?
One of the saddest situations in the section below is in the next to last article: distracted driving that led to fatalities.
A truck driver involved in a multiple fatality crash on I-10 in Arizona last year has been sentenced to more than two decades prison. …
Officials say that “GPS data showed Tiner’s truck was driving 68-mph in a 55-mph construction zone. After failing to yield to stopped traffic, the defendant caused a six-vehicle collision. Some of the vehicles, including two semi-trucks, caught on fire.” …
“Digital forensic data showed Tiner accessed at least four separate TikTok videos while driving and within seconds of the collision,” MCAO said.
Remember that you are paid to drive, not be on social media behind the wheel of a truck.
- 1 dead, roads washed out as a result of Connecticut flooding
- 4 dead after semitruck slams into stopped traffic in Minnesota
- Driver killed after jumping from out-of-control drilling truck on steep grade
- Excavator operator killed in quarry rock collapse, Massachusetts police say
- Motorist dead after pass-attempt ends in semi truck collision
- One dead after semi truck rear ends second rig in flowing traffic
- One dead in crash after semi-truck driver allegedly asleep at wheel
- One dead in seven vehicle pileup involving oversized load on Washington bridge
- Resting co-driver killed when driver falls asleep at wheel
- Semi-driver plows into strip club after getting kicked out, killing 1
- Stolen truck investigation ends in deadly crash; 2 officers injured
- Truck driver using TikTok ‘seconds before’ crash that killed 5 sentenced to decades in prison
- Trucker backed over by fellow driver during trailer disconnect
Hit and run
I’ve separated this out because it is more than just a crash.
Never aim to harm someone else, especially in the midst of doing something illegal.
Low clearance
This was absolutely a preventable crash!
Never ever take a parkway in New York when you’re driving a commercial motor vehicle!
When you’re driving a commercial motor vehicle, use only approved truck routes.
When you use an official truckers atlas, all should always be well.
7. Regarding auction, bridges, infrastructure, and roads:
Auction
For auction fans, this will be right up your alley!
- Penske Launches Online Used Truck Auction Platform
- Penske Used Trucks launches online used vehicle auction platform
Bridges
Among the things that you must be aware of as a professional truck driver is routing specifically for commercial motor vehicles.
I strongly recommend that truckers invest in a hard copy truckers atlas and learn how to navigate themselves by it.
- Bridge collapses under semi truck hauling hay
- Calcasieu River Bridge construction could begin this year
- Key Bridge Collapse Spurs $5M Small Business Grant Fund
- Major bridge project underway in Rhode Island
- Rehabilitation of key U.S.-Canada bridge crossing on schedule, says report
Infrastructure
- ATA Presses DOT on Stalled Mileage-Based Fee Study
- Bank borrowing points to infrastructure developer Voltera’s maturity
Roads
- Drivers should expect delays on US 40 in Colorado Aug. 20 for wreck recovery operations
- Flooding closes highways in the Northeast
- Kansas sheriff concerned about upcoming I-70 closure for bridge removal
- Part of I-83 in Pennsylvania to be closed during the weekend
- Worst freight bottleneck in the U.S. getting a makeover
8. Regarding chain law, danger hour, and politics:
Chain law
Danger hour
Politics
- Bill to stop overregulation gains support
- Crime is the topic of a new California vehicle law
- Sales tax questions are on two Colorado locales’ ballots
- Tax Fairness for Workers Act increases co-sponsors to 191
- Trucker Bathroom Access Act gradually gains support
- Weight limit for certain trucks topic of California bill
9. Regarding economy, employment, pay, rates, and tolls:
Economy
- ACT reports Mexico, exports accounted for 13 percent of Class 8 net orders
- Air cargo industry anticipates big peak season to finish year
- ATA Reports Sequential Freight Tonnage Rise for July
- DAT: Truckload volumes rose in July as spot van rates hit parity year over year
- FreightWaves Infographics: June sets record for China-US containers
- FTR reports trailer net orders up sharply in July
- How Trucking Fleets Are Navigating the Post-Pandemic Roller Coaster
- July Trailer Orders Drop 37% Amid Slower Market
- Private Fleets Growing and Poised for More
- Refrigerated truckload market grows more vulnerable as fall harvest nears
- Sales of new Class 8 trucks remain strong but declines expected by year-end
- Small gains: ATA shows 0.3% rise in truck tonnage index in July
- Stability reigns supreme in August
- Transportation/warehouse job figures for 2024 rise after annual adjustment
- Truck tonnage saw slight gains in July
Employment
- Driver Poll: After you apply for a company, how do you feel about receiving calls/texts/emails from other companies with different job opportunities you may qualify for?
- GM to Cut More Than 1,000 Software Engineers, Mostly in US
- Modernizing CDL recruiting
- Nashville brokerage abruptly ceases operations, cuts 130 jobs
- Perdue Transportation drivers blindsided by layoffs
- Trucking industry helps veterans find purpose after service
- US Labor Cooldown May Have Started Earlier Than Thought
Pay
Rates
- Federal court shoots down STB’s streamlined rate dispute resolution process
- Rate Cuts Seem Inevitable After Fed Chair Powell’s Speech
- Should Kamala Harris cap spot rates; AI and the Dali recovery; truckload markets |
- Small improvements in freight volumes, rates may give way to turbulent times ahead
- White Paper: Q3 2024 Carrier Rate Report
- White Paper: Q3 2024 Shipper Rate Report
Tolls
10. Regarding drones, ELDs, maintenance, parking, and technology:
Drones
ELDs
Maintenance
- 4 Immediate Actions to Cool an Overheating Truck Engine
- Legacy and future torque delivery: Central drive and e-axles
- Tips to avoid brake violations
- Tips to avoid brake violations
Parking
- Batchawana Bay rest area to get $6 million in trucker-friendly upgrades
- Kwik Trip goes viral for calling out Buc-ee’s ‘no truckers allowed’ policy
- Love’s with 111 truck parking spots opens today in Bakersfield, CA
- Petro with 100 truck parking spaces opens in Nevada
- We Realize Truck Parking announces pending merger with StoreMyTruck
Technology
- Carrier Transicold Expands TRU Telematics Offering
- Dash cam catches semi trailer wheel detaching, hitting construction vehicle
- Electude launches educational program for heavy vehicle techs
- Free Guide- Your Fleet is at Risk: Download Seed-Key Exchange Guide Now
- Halliburton Warning Oil Clients After Cybersecurity Attack
- McLeod Software expands integration with Relay Payments
- Platform Science, Skybitz partner to streamline tractor-trailer pairing
- Ryder and Terminal tout success of AI-based yard traffic-monitoring pilot
- Will Amazon’s AI Bet Pay Off?
11. Regarding legal, ports, and truck stops:
Legal
- FMCSA’s Sue Lawless Praises Drivers’ Safety Focus
- J.B. Hunt to pay $4.2 million to driver applicants to settle job postings lawsuit
- Teamsters say NLRB decision undercuts Amazon delivery ownership model, could boost unionization
- Virginia driver arrested in NY for DWI and illegal weapon possession
- Wage-transparency law violations to cost J.B. Hunt $4.2M
Ports
- FreightWaves Infographics: China port explosion snarls trans-Pacific container trade
- Port Traffic Booms Despite Recession Fears
Truck stops
- Love’s opens 16th California travel stop featuring 111 parking spots, dog park
- Love’s opens one of the company’s ‘largest locations’ in California
- Waupun Truck-N-Show sets attendance record in final year
12. Regarding awards, championship, and Hall of Fame:
Awards
Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who are nominated for, compete toward, and/or win an award based on his/her achievement and skill!
- APTA seeks nominations for industry awards
- LMTA recognizes legislators with inaugural Road Warrior Awards
- Nominate a Trucking Safety Leader for HDT’s 2024 Safety & Compliance Award
- Ryder’s Darryl Tolle named International Driver Excellence Award winner
Championship
Congratulations to all truckers who compete in and/or win a trucking skills championship!
- 2024 National Truck Driving Championships and Step Van Driving Championships kickoff in Indianapolis
- 45 Finalists Announced at NTDC
- Chris Moore Wins Georgia, Readies for NTDC Competition
- Elite Truckers Test Skills in Indy
- Hobie Eirich Takes Tennessee Gold
- National Truck Driving Championships under way; 422 truckers compete
- NTDC Spotlight: A. Duie Pyle
- NTDC Spotlight: Robert Foskey
- Truck Drivers Tackle Intricate Course
- UPS’ Connor Christensen Hopes to Catch Fire at NTDC
Hall of Fame
According to the article in this section:
US Foods Holding Corp. has announced that 20 US Foods drivers have been named to the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) Truck Driver Hall of Fame class of 2024, honoring them for their exceptional safety records and longevity of service.
Congratulations to each and every honoree!
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: 2024.08.24 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
