TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.09.14 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending September 14, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ATRI – detention, NTDAW, strike, and weather:
ATRI – detention
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) sent out an email on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, about truck driver detention.
You may get their full report by filling in the form on this page:
Costs and Consequences of Truck Driver Detention: A Comprehensive Analysis (September 2024)
Here are some articles about this:
- ATRI Finds Truck Drivers Detained on 39% of Deliveries
- ATRI: New research reveals driver detention causes substantial financial, safety impacts
- How detention time impacted trucking companies, drivers in 2023
- New study shows detention improving slightly but still pervasive
- Study: Detention cost trucking industry 135 million hours in 2023
- Truck driver detention costs industry $15 billion in 2023: ATRI
- Truck Driver Detention Study Shows Some Improvement
- Truckers detained at customer facilities drive 14.6% faster than non-detained drivers, GPS data shows
NTDAW
While there is an emphasis for one week out of the year in which to appreciate professional truck drivers, I appreciate truckers all year long!
That being said, look to see if there are any reductions in price or freebies that you can gratefully accept at this time.
Some companies may be extending appreciation discounts or freebies all month long.
- Big love for big wheels: Sheetz celebrates drivers with month-long savings offers
- CH Robinson shines spotlight on drivers
- OOIDA partners with TAT for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- OOIDA, TAT plan giveaway for truckers
- Sheetz offers trucker appreciation deals for all of September
- The way you approach National Truck Driver Appreciation Week speaks volumes
- Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2024: Check out these deals and giveaways for professional drivers
Strike
Please be aware of:
- the potential impact of a strike on your income; and
- the safety of your person, your possessions, your tractor, your trailer, and the freight within during a strike.
Here are some articles about this:
- 5 port strikes that made history
- Could East Coast port strike spread to West Coast?
- Fears of an East Coast port strike grow as deadline looms
- ILA readiness to strike highest since 2012
- Potential port strike a dilemma for Harris
- Potential port strike has retailers, manufacturers scrambling
- Radiant sees volume pull forward ahead of potential strike, tariffs
- Shippers’ wariness of potential ILA strike visible in SONAR data
Weather
Please be aware of the potential for adverse weather, road closures, detours, and other changes that may happen as a result.
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.”
- American Logistics Aid Network issues call for help with Francine relief
- Briefly: Mississippi emergency order waives HOS for disaster relief
- Emergency declaration issued in Louisiana ahead of hurricane
- Emergency declared ahead of Tropical Storm Francine
- Francine gains strength and is expected to be a hurricane when it reaches US Gulf Coast
- Francine Heads for Gulf Coast; Oil Drillers Evacuate Crews
- Francine weakens and moves inland after lashing Louisiana
- Hurricane Francine causes widespread damage
- Hurricane Francine Nears Louisiana as Category 2 Storm
- Hurricane watch issued for Louisiana as Tropical Storm Francine intensifies
- LA area rattled by 4.7 magnitude earthquake Thursday
- Louisiana emergency waives hours of service regs as Francine approaches
- Louisiana reports numerous road closings due to effects of Francine
- Ports assess damage after Francine lashes Louisiana
- Tropical Storm Francine forms off Mexico and is expected to hit Louisiana as a hurricane
- UPDATE: Hurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm
- Warm oceans strengthened Hurricane Francine and could power more fall storms
- Weather service says Francine expected to make landfall in Louisiana this evening
2. Regarding fire – wildfire, and fire – Tesla:
Fire – wildfire
Please be aware of the impact of wildfire on your ability to travel.
Never attempt to drive through thick smoke where you cannot see.
- Firefighters battling wildfire near Garden State Parkway in southern New Jersey
- Lightning could worsen out-of-control wildfire east of LA
- Wildfires scorch Southern California hillside homes. More are threatened
Fire – Tesla
These articles reinforce my belief that all-electric vehicles are not as safe and efficient as some people want us to believe.
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Firefighters used 50,000 gallons of water to douse Tesla semi fire in California, NTSB says
- NTSB Describes Effort to Douse Tesla Semi Fire
- Tesla Semi fire took 50,000 gallons of water to put out: NTSB
3. Regarding bridges, chain law, collapse, roads, securement, and superload:
Bridges
Please be aware of the potential impact of bridge closures on your route, trip plan, ETA, and more.
- Eastbound I-70 bridge in Kansas City to be closed for rest of the year
- Expect delays on I-95 next 2 weekends for bridge replacement project
- I-70 bridge over Kansas River abruptly closes
Chain law
It’s that time of year again when truckers need to be aware of and plan in advance for having chains in or on your truck/trailer before driving on certain roads.
- Colorado troopers warn truckers about expanded mandatory chain law, I-70 left lane lane restrictions
Collapse
In my opinion, it does not matter what the issue was that led up to the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse because the ship’s crew should have done a thorough “pre-trip inspection” before the vessel sailed.
- Loose electrical cable found on ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse
- Loose Electrical Cable Found on Ship That Hit Key Bridge
Roads
- Construction on infamous Colo. mountain curve begins after two serious semi wrecks
- FHWA releases $3M in emergency funding to help CDOT repair roads, bridges damaged by August floods
- Intense pothole sends driver on a wild ride
- Which State Has the Worst Roads?
Securement
No matter what you haul in or on your trailer, please be aware of the need for load securement and do whatever is necessary to secure your load before you travel.
Superload
- Be on the lookout for another “superload” in Ohio this weekend
- Latest ‘super load’ to begin trek across southern Ohio Friday
- Superload moving across Ohio starting Friday
4. Regarding economy, inflation, pay, rates, statistics, and tolls:
Economy
- ACT Research releases preliminary Class 8 truck net orders for August
- Are you ready for the rebound?
- ATA’s trends report shows freight tonnage down, revenue up in 2023
- August US Class 8 Retail Sales Fall 11.4% Year Over Year
- Check Call: Q4 could get messy
- Class 8 Truck Orders Drop 16% Year Over Year in August
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Rising truck inventories a concern, spot rates disappoint
- Fleets buckle in for extended downturn, focus on internal improvements
- FTR: Class 8 Truck Production Outpacing Expectations
- Lackluster Labor Day gives no lift to trucking market
- Trailer Demand Prospects Dim Further as FTR Cuts Forecast
- Truckload carriers: ‘Normal seasonality,’ no market inflection yet
- Weak orders, growing inventories and a mirror factory fire impacting equipment deliveries
Inflation
The article in this section describes a drop in the price of diesel.
Someone I know very well said that it’s possible that the price of fuel has fallen right now because of politics leading up to the November 2024 election.
According to this article, there are 6 main causes of inflation.
Pay
- Amazon to Boost Contract Driver Pay to Nearly $22 an Hour
- Average Costs and Average Spot Rates
- Truckstop stats show overall drop in load postings, spot rates during Labor Day week
Statistics
Thanks go to the millions of truckers who safely moved all of this freight last year!
Tolls
- Gain Visibility into Toll Charges to Maximize Operational Savings
- PrePass | RFID Tolling for Trucks: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Environmental Benefits
5. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, fuel card, fuel economy, hydrogen, and oil:
Autonomous vehicles
I completely oppose the operation of self-driving, autonomous, 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.
- Aurora adding more autonomous lanes
- Autonomous trucks in the long run
- California Wants Input on Autonomous Truck Regs
- What’s next for TuSimple after last month’s multi-million dollar lawsuit settlement?
Electric vehicles
Again, before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- DOE Studying ‘Soft’ Costs to Deploy EV Charging
- Feds seek information about electric truck charging infrastructure
- FHWA asking carriers about their electric vehicle charging needs
- The future of green transportation: Insights on Illinois’ EV charging expansion
Emissions
- Automakers Urge EU to Delay Stricter Emissions Mandates
- Canada falling behind on zero-emission commercial vehicle transition: report
- Education and planning required ahead of EPA27 emissions regs
- Exploring the findings of the LABC study on drayage truck emissions
- Journey to zero-emissions must be done “at the speed of right”: DTNA’s Carson
- NC firm, owner to pay $10 million in fines for emissions defeat devices
- The road to zero-emission transport will be bumpy, panelists agree
- Truck orders may surge head of EPA27 emission standards
- Volvo Trucks ramps up use of low-CO2-emission steel
- VW Urges EU to Rethink Emissions Targets Amid Job Cuts
- Which emissions testing device is better for your fleet?
- Zero-emissions needs to be done “at the speed of right,” Daimler exec says
Fuel
- Brookfield Commits $1.1B to Infinium’s Low-Carbon Fuel Growth
- Diesel drops sharply, continuing two months of declines
- Diesel hits lowest national average since Fall 2021
- Diesel Price Sheds 7¢ to $3.555 a Gallon
- Diesel surcharge benchmark down 9th week in a row amid oil sell-off
- Essential strategies to avoid overpaying for fleet fuel
- North America Surpasses 400 RNG Facilities
- Sheetz plans 2 diesel fuel sites along I-81 in North Carolina and Virgina
- Transportation fuel topic of New Jersey legislation
- Weekly Fuel Report: September 10, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: September 09, 2024
Fuel card
Before you start to use any fuel card, please do your due diligence and read the fine print.
At least one fuel card of which I’m aware — for cars — lets the user save a certain amount of money per gallon of fuel in exchange for having a direct link to one’s bank account.
This situation has pros and cons, so please be careful and guard against cybertheft.
It’s a good idea to store any card that can be scanned for radio frequency identification (RFID) in an RFID blocking device.
Fuel economy
Hydrogen
- Auditing Report Calls EU’s Hydrogen Targets Unrealistic
- Ballard Power Systems restructures as transition to hydrogen slower than expected
Oil
- EIA predicts oil price increase in latest outlook
- IEA: Weak demand, particularly from China, still pushing oil prices lower
- US Oil Demand to Plateau This Year, EIA Says
- World’s Top Oil Traders See Boom Years Fade
6. Regarding crashes, drugs, fatalities, fraud, operations, smuggling, theft, violations, 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.
- 2 northern California big rig incidents snarl traffic for hours
- Data for 2023 reveals Texas as most dangerous state for truck crashes
- Driver airlifted after rig goes airborne and lands inside laundromat
- Felony charges dismissed against pickup driver in crash that left big rig dangling from Louisville bridge
- FreightWaves Infographics: The True Cost of Fleet Accidents
- Georgia DPS: “Urgent appeal” for info on one-armed man hit by semi truck months ago
- Motorcyclist smashes into trucker’s wheels on roadway curve
- Vancouver police searching for driver who struck bridge in 17th incident of 2024
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
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?
- Big rig struck second semi parked on I-80 shoulder, killing one, Wyoming troopers say
- Driver dead of medical condition after crashing into guardrail
- Left turn in front of semi leaves motorist dead, 3 daughters injured
- NHTSA reports ninth straight quarterly traffic fatality decrease
- NHTSA: Traffic fatalities fall for ninth straight quarter
- Traffic Fatalities Fall 3.2% in First Half of 2024, NHTSA Reports
Fraud
Never attempt to deceive, misrepresent something, intentionally pervert the truth, or pretend to be someone else for the purpose of trying to get something valuable.
- Carrier verification key to fighting freight fraud
- Truckstop on fraud: ‘It’s about time we protect each other’
Operations
- CHP nabs semi driver for 19 MPH over state’s truck speed limit
- Michigan Motor Carrier Officer struck by car during semi truck traffic stop
Smuggling
Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how large of an incentive you’ve been offered.
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.
- Cargo theft bill adds co-sponsors
- Tennessee highway official charged for stealing diesel for personal trucking business
- Tennessee Highway Superintendent accused of stealing 16K gallons of diesel for his personal trucking business
Violations
Please be aware of situations like this.
Violence
It is never right to perpetrate violence upon someone in an unprovoked manner.
All perpetrators of violence must be dealt with in a just legal manner.
- People take once unthinkable precautions as police search for the Kentucky highway shooter
- Relentless search continues into day 3 for Kentucky shooter; schools cancel classes
- Truck driver accused of trying to run over Pennsylvania law enforcement officer found guilty
7. Regarding business, employment, inspections, insurance, and leasing:
Business
- Navigate the future of freight with Truckstop’s Risk Assessment System
- Secure Your Profit: Selling Your Pre-owned Truck Made Simple
Employment
- Alberta trucking employment grows as job vacancy rates shrink: THRC report
- Truck Transportation Jobs Return to Levels Seen After Yellow’s Closure
- Trucking jobs continue to drop amid extended downcycle
- Universal Logistics eliminating a shift in Detroit, laying off 92 workers
- UPS to Lay Off More Employees to Boost Profitability
- VW Scraps German Jobs Guarantee to Cut Costs
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- 45 vehicles and 16 drivers were placed out of service by Arizona inspectors
- More than 300 traffic stops conducted during 24 hour blitz in Indiana
- MTO doesn’t have authority to verify driver’s immigration status during inspections
Insurance
- Bill to increase minimum liability insurance by 566% adds co-sponsor
- Strategies to lower trucking insurance costs and boost coverage
Leasing
There are numerous mentions regarding truck leasing on this site.
One article is entitled:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes
8. Regarding legal, legal – Daimler, legal – Wabash, and legal – Werner:
Legal
I personally found the verdict found by the jury in this case very difficult to believe:
Here are the rest of the articles in this section.
- EPA issues $10 million in fines for making, selling, and installing ‘defeat devices’ for diesel trucks
- FedEx sued for disability discrimination against ramp transport drivers
- HHG moving scheme leads to jail time for employee
- Missouri trucking company owner found guilty of federal charges
- Supreme Court to hear case of truck driver who failed CBD-related drug test
Legal – Daimler
- Another nuclear verdict in trucking: $160M award against Daimler
- Daimler ordered to pay $160 million after trucker injured in crash due to ‘defective driver’s seat’
Legal – Wabash
- EEOC sues Wabash National for pregnancy discrimination
- Jury Issues $462 Million Verdict Against Wabash After Crash
- Semi trailer manufacturer sued by feds over worker pregnancy discrimination
- Wabash hit with nearly half-billion-dollar nuclear verdict
- Wabash hit with nearly half-billion-dollar nuclear verdict
- Wabash hit with nuclear verdict in 2019 underride deaths
- Wabash National Hit with $462M Verdict in Trailer Equipment Case
- Wabash National hit with $462M verdict over 2019 accident that killed two
- Wabash Underride Verdict Raises Questions About Regulations
- Wabash’s nuclear verdict highlights fleet equipment liability risks
Legal – Werner
- Texas Supreme Court says yes to Werner’s request for verdict review
- Werner Earns Review of $100M Verdict by Texas High Court
9. Regarding ports and regulations:
Ports
- Gulf Coast ports brace for Francine as storm inches closer to Louisiana
- Most Gulf Coast ports remain open ahead of Hurricane Francine
- Port of Galveston Expands to Boost Cargo Capacity by 2026
- Port of Long Beach Hits 113-Year High in Cargo for August
- Port of Montreal begins key rail bridge rehab
- What to know about ILA demands in potential port strike
Regulations
- Coalition asks House committee to protect small businesses from overregulation
- FMCSA may not have the resources to properly enforce safety standards, Senator writes
- NHTSA Seeks New Pedestrian Safety Rules
- Regulatory guidance comment period extended
10. Regarding health, retirement, and shut down:
Health
- 8 Healthy Trucker Recipes for On-the-Road Cooking
- How can semi truck drivers stay healthy? 7 tips you need to know
Retirement
Shut down
11. Regarding technology, training, and truck parts:
Technology
- A dashcam can be a driver’s best friend when determining who’s at fault in an accident
- Smart Roads, Freight Routes Raise Privacy Concerns
- Speed-assistance technology mandate approved in California
- Stay ahead on the road: 4RoadService unveils new mobile app for repairs
- White Paper: Could AI Transform Your Distribution Center?
- White Paper: Understanding AI and What It Can Do for Your Fleet
- Wild dash cam video shows truck driving up on pickup’s trailer after sudden traffic slowdown
- WYDOT, WHP announce transition to electronic permit system
Training
- Driving Simulators Help Trucking Companies Recruit New Talent
- The CMV Tutor: Tom Gilliam hopes to help the homeless through CDL training
Truck parts
12. Regarding awards, awards – recognition, and awards – skill:
Awards
Congratulations to all truckers who achieved a level of achievement — and received recognition or an award!
- Behind the wheel with NTTC’s Driver of the Year
- Bison’s Transport’s Kirt McDougall named Canada’s driver of the year
- Trucker with 4.5 million safe miles named North Dakota Driver of the Year
Awards – recognition
Thanks to all those who help their fellow human being in a time of need!
- “Semi truck drivers who surrounded school buses” in I-75 mass shooting aftermath praised by congressman
- Trucker saves woman from suicide attempt with warm embrace
Awards – skill
I wish that the video associated with the article in this section had run just a little longer so that we could have seen the end result.
That being said, I had never before seen a trucker successfully back double trailers.
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: 2024.09.14 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
