TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2024.10.26
TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2024.10.26 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending October 26, 2024, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding concerns, fines, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton, roads, and roads – VA:
Concerns
This section may also be called “Issues.”
- As presidential candidates spar, trucking industry remains focused on the issues
- Trucking’s top issues; software driving Nikola; Port of Los Angeles $1T quarter? |
Fines
I know that the destruction of parts of two interstate highways during Hurricane Helene has greatly harmed trucking on the East Coast of the USA.
Truckers are seeking the most cost-efficient detours, which is admirable.
But in that vein, please be aware that:
- some of the detours are not truck routes; and
- the fines for taking those non-truck route detours can be high!
Here are a few articles about this topic:
- $5,000 fine for trucks using restricted road through national park
- First section of road to open in NC post-Helene will fine truckers $5k if they use it
- Police, residents don’t want trucks using Highway 30 as shortcut around I-40 closure
Hurricane Helene
- North Carolina county surrounding Asheville overcounted Helene deaths by as many as 30, sheriff says
- North Carolina’s governor approves more than $600 million in Helene recovery funding
Hurricane Milton
Roads
- 6 Major Road Construction Projects Causing Delays or Detours Around the Country
- Giant’s Despair now has chimes, clearer signs, in attempt to prevent more trucker deaths
- GSA Awards $33.2M for Pacific Highway Port Modernization
- I-285 reopens after big rig fire shuts down all lanes in Dunwoody, Ga.
- I-35 turnaround in SATX to be shut down for the next month
- I-40 closure keeping tow trucks busy in TN as truckers search for faster detours
- I-49 extension will help close gap in transcontinental corridor
- I-95 closures next weekend | Trucking conditions improved through late Summer
- Traffic on Blue Water Bridge returns to normal; some painting continues
Roads – VA
It seems to me that, right now, there are more articles about roads in Virginia getting funding than there are articles about roads in North Carolina and Tennessee getting funding.
- Feds send Virginia $10 million in emergency relief money for roads and bridges
- FHWA Grants $10M to Virginia for Post-Hurricane Road Fixes
- Virginia receiving $10M in Helene relief for roads and bridges
2. Regarding border, broker, business, containers, and ports:
Border
- A former US border official who took bribes to admit drug-laden vehicles gets a 23-year sentence
- Borderlands Mexico: Port of Corpus Christi becomes global crude oil supplier
- FreightWaves Infographics: US-Mexico trade hit $74B in August, Port Laredo No. 1 again
- Surge in Mexican cross-border trucking freight carries into August
- Uber Freight boosts cross-border logistics reach to meet demand in Mexico
- Uber Freight expands reach, services across Mexico with new location
- Uber Freight Ups Cross-Border Business as Nearshoring Booms
Broker
Business
- 7 Essential Tips For Selling Your Used Pickup Truck Online
- Old Dominion points to October as ‘a sign of hope’
- Schneider platform unleashes ‘unprecedented new opportunities for owner-operators’
- UPS Sees Profit Growth for First Time in Nearly Two Years
- US Extends 25% Tax Credit to Chip and Solar Wafers
Containers
- Containers lagged ocean shipping gains in 2023, UN report finds
- Port of Long Beach hits record container volumes
- Strong ocean container market boosts Maersk guidance
Ports
- Contract talks to resume for union workers at East, Gulf coast ports
- East Coast port employers, longshore union to resume contract negotiations
- FEMA awards $2.6M security grant to Port of Long Beach
- Flexport CEO says 80% chance of port strike; art of freight photography |
- MEA concerned about new strike notice from Montreal longshoremen
- Roaring volume drives record for Port of Los Angeles
3. Regarding California, and DEF and NOx:
California
- Advanced Clean Trucks must be delayed, NY truckers urge
- New California law extends incentive program for certain vehicles
- New York trucking association pushing for suspension of CARB-written ZEV rule
DEF and NOx
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel, and hydrogen:
Autonomous vehicles
I very strongly 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.
- Aging workforce, rising demand drive Torc’s push for autonomous Class 8 trucks
- Autonomous vehicle violations topic of new California law
- Feds investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature
- NHTSA to address automated driving systems
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Freight corridor gets electrified: EPA’s $250 million green tech grant for I-95
- GM Sees Timing Issue as Canada Reduces EV Rebates
- NACFE: Early Electric TRUs Show Promise; Struggle With Costs
- Tesla Plans to Ramp Up Electric Semi Truck Production in 2026
- Tesla plans to ramp up electric Semi truck production in 2026
Fuel
- A fuel holy grail? Or $1/gal. mirage
- Benchmark diesel price reverses course in biggest 1-week drop in 10 months
- Diesel down, rates up | More time to comment on split-sleeper exemption
- Diesel Price Drops 7.8¢ to $3.553
- Diesel Price Drops 7.8¢ to $3.553
- Diesel prices fall after two-week spike
- RNG for heavy-duty trucks: Spec it right
- Tourmaline, Clean Energy advance Western Canada’s first commercial-grade natural gas fueling corridor by opening two new stations
- Tourmaline, Clean Energy expand CNG fueling network in Western Canada
- UPS truck powered by compressed natural gas burned up on I-77, North Carolina firefighters say
- VW’s Scout Motors Adds New Hybrid Models
- Weekly Fuel Report: October 22, 2024
- Weekly NTI Update: October 21, 2024
Hydrogen
- Are hydrogen combustion engines delayed or DOA?
- DHL getting 2 Nikola hydrogen trucks, and they aren’t in California
- DHL Supply Chain adds hydrogen fuel cell trucks to U.S. fleet
- Hyundai Testing Novel Hydrogen Production
5. Regarding collapse, exemption, legal, and regulations:
Collapse
This section has to do with the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Maryland and the legal fallout that has happened since.
- Container ship companies to pay $102M in bridge collapse costs
- Ship owner in Baltimore bridge collapse agrees to pay $102 million for cleanup
- Ship Owner in Baltimore Bridge Collapse to Pay $102 Million
Exemption
On its face, I oppose exemptions for certain groups of truckers or segments of the trucking industry because they create an uneven ground upon which everyone in the trucking industry is supposed to operate.
In other words: If the conditions of the those being granted the exemption are good enough for one entity, why aren’t they good for all?
I’ve addressed this issue a number of times, particularly when there is a catastrophic weather event and certain truckers are allowed to go outside the Hours of Service that all truckers are supposed to abide by.
Just asking.
Legal
According to Wikipedia:
Equal justice under law is a phrase engraved on the West Pediment, above the front entrance of the United States Supreme Court building in Washington D.C.
Sometimes it seems that the legal landscape is slanted away from true justice.
However, in my opinion, we must keep fighting for that which is good and right in the sight of our Creator, the One who endowed us with unalienable rights!
- American Tire Seeks Bankruptcy After Deal With Lenders
- CHP nabs commercial vehicle driver for 55 MPH in a 3 MPH zone in inspection facility
- Drivers Legal Plan gets endorsement from NCTA
- Fleet owner ordered to pay more than $8 million for role in bribery scheme
- Non-compliant carriers gaming the system for profit: CTA’s Laskowski
- Sentence handed down for trucking owner’s illicit deals
- Task force to continue work on predatory trucking agreements
- Trucking company owner to pay $8.1 million for 10 year FedEx bribery scheme
Regulations
- FMCSA offers first look at registration system aimed at fraud
- FMCSA reopens comment period for sleeper berth exemption
- PHMSA Proposes Easing Burdens for Tank Truck Drivers
6. Regarding crashes, drugs, fatalities, fire, fraud, 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.
- 17 injured after big rig collides with car and school bus
- Iowa State Patrol shares semi rollover video as reminder to watch speed and secure cargo
- It’s the great pumpkin spill, Colonial Heights
- Man charged after ‘homemade’ trailer failed, spilling calves on roadway
- Pumpkins spilled in Virginia semi truck crash
- Rollover accident involving a tractor trailer sends multiple people to hospital
- Semi hauling stolen excavator strikes I-94 overpass in Detroit
- Six-vehicle crash kills 18-wheeler driver in Virginia
- VIDEO: Pickup’s sudden swerve takes out trucker’s wheel in 9 vehicle pile up
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- California border inspection produces meth find in green onion shipment
- Walmart Challenges Amazon With Prescription Delivery
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?
Regarding the second article in this section, I am glad that the truck driver remained on the scene and I truly hope that he is not charged with the death of the man.
- At least 7 dead after ferry dock gangway collapses on Georgia’s Sapelo Island
- Elderly man lying in road for quite some time before semi truck eventually hit him, witnesses say
Fire
It seems to me that there are a lot more truck fires than their used to be and I wonder if that is because more electric trucks with lithium batteries are in use.
- CN revenue up 3% on rebound from wildfires, work stoppage
- Georgia county says it’s suing BioLab over chemical fire
- Hazmat team called to truck stop fire over lithium ion battery concerns
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.
- Corporate puffery in trucking: Exaggerated claims and the risk of falling prey
- Wisconsin man sentenced for faking financial documents to obtain semi trucks
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.
- Becker Logistics study exposes cargo theft risk tied to lax security
- Cargo theft continues to rise over 2023 numbers
- Carriers Feel Insurance Premium Pinch as Cargo Theft Climbs
- Organized crime blamed for cargo theft increase in Q3 2024 vs 2023
- Quarterly cargo theft data shows increase over previous year
- This time Red Bull was stolen from a semi truck parked in Philadelphia
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.
- Man arrested for murder in trucker’s death in Utah
- Trucker’s throat cut by second driver in gas station dispute
- Trucking employee fatally shoots coworker for her “long breaks” and disinterest in him
7. Regarding downtime, parking, truckers, and trucking:
Downtime
The article in this section can guide owner-operators and says near the top:
… Getting reimbursed for those [downtime] losses can mean the difference between staying afloat and facing serious financial hardship. Knowing how to pursue claims and keep the right insurance coverages in place helps protect your business.
Parking
This week, there are numerous articles about added truck parking.
I hope that this is indicative of more truck parking being added across the board, especially in places where it is really needed, like the northeastern USA and other metropolitan areas.
- 2 new Love’s add total of 206 truck parking spaces, trucker amenities
- 260 truck parking spaces slated for Ohio, Wisconsin, and Nevada in $30M award
- Buttigieg: Truck Parking Central to Safety Mission
- DOT awards grant funding for truck parking
- DOT grants funding for truck parking in three states
- Federally funded projects will create 260 new truck parking spots
- Feds announce funding of parking, infrastructure projects
- Love’s opens truck stops in Kansas and Mississippi, adding 206 truck parking spots to network
- New Pilot opens in Laredo, Texas; has 53 truck parking spaces
- Pilot opens Laredo travel center with more than 50 truck parking spaces
- Pilot Travel Center opens in Laredo; amenities include 53 parking spaces, laundry and showers
- TA opens truck stop in West Virginia with 104 truck parking spaces
- Truck parking included in DOT’s latest round of funding
- Wisconsin DOT to spend $12.5 million on more truck parking and trucker-friendly upgrades at I-43 rest areas
Truckers
- 4 Ways Fleet Managers Can Boost Driver Behavior and Safety
- 50-year trucking veteran actually has no complaints about the industry today
- Driver behavior, fleet management can enhance fuel economy
- Driver’s missed delivery leads to his arrest in throat-cutting incident
- Living in faith: NFI’s Howard Robinson practices what he preaches
- Potato loading argument leads to truck driver’s arrest over BB gun
- Trucking One Stop website aimed at helping Arizona truck drivers
Trucking
- Analysts say trucking conditions will begin to improve — but slowly
- Key Courses Every Driver Needs to Boost Your Trucking Career
8. Regarding economy, employment, rates, retention, taxes, and tolls:
Economy
- ATA Truck Tonnage Drops 2.1% in September After Gains
- ATA: Truck tonnage index plunged 2.1% in September
- Class 8 orders jump to a strong start in September, according to ACT Research
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Trailer orders concerning, but spot market turning for the better
- First look: LTL operating income falls at TFI International
- Freight market “return to normalcy” a promising sign for trucking
- FTR, ACT report preliminary net trailer orders at lowest level for the month since 2016
- FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index improves in August but remains negative
- Market conditions improved for carriers in August: FTR
- Parts and labor costs continue downward trend in Q2
- Truck tonnage fell in September after recent increases
- US Trailer Orders Drop 61% in September
- White Paper: The State of Freight– October 2024
Employment
- FreightWaves Infographics: Over 600 layoffs hit supply chain firms in California, Illinois and New York
- Illinois carrier lays off most of its company drivers
- Mail carriers reach tentative contract with USPS that includes pay raises and air-conditioned trucks
Rates
- Hurricane impact on rates temporary until the holiday shipping surge
- Spot rates up across the board on Truckstop according to FTR
- Truckload breakeven price surges
- Truckload breakeven price surges
Retention
Taxes
Tolls
Training
- Briefly: College ends driver training program at end the end of the year
- Humber College to close commercial truck driving program
9. Regarding inspections, insurance, maintenance, and securement:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
Insurance
Maintenance
Securement
It is critical that you know how to secure your load from shifting or falling off your trailer before you move a single inch on your route.
Certain loads — such as flatbed loads — “settle” during the first miles of a trip, meaning that truckers hauling those loads need to stop and retighten the straps or chains for securement purposes.
- Cargo securement exemption granted to ATA group
- FMCSA approves five year cargo-securement exemption
- Load left sitting on shoulder after semi truck overpass strike
- Police searching for manure truck driver that lost some of his load
10. Regarding survival and weather:
Survival
- Perspective: Trucking Comes Through in Times of Need
- What Makes a Truck Ideal for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse?
Weather
Weather can severely impact the ability to drive one’s truck.
Monitor weather conditions — such as on a CB radio with NOAA Weather Channels and an Emergency Alert System — and be prepared to stop in the event that weather conditions become too dangerous in which to drive.
- Briefly: WV spends $4.7 million to improve highway weather monitoring
- Colorado OKs Tax Relief for Hurricane-Affected Residents
- FMCSA extends regional emergency
- Historic flooding hits New Mexico
- Mississippi River Dries Up Again at Worst Time for Farmers
- New Mexico authorities rescue hundreds after flooding strands many in high water and leaves 2 dead
11. Regarding technology, technology – dash cam, technology – data, technology – drowsy, technology – ELDs, and technology – GPS:
This entire section of articles all focus on some aspect of technology.
Please do your due diligence before you accept any kind of technology.
Recognize technology’s pros and cons.
Technology
- Heads up, Colorado! New 2025 law bans holding phones while driving
- How a Petroleum Fleet Transformed its Dispatch and Delivery Processes
- InfoBrief: Achieving Digital Transformation at a Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- Isaac taps AI to take guesswork out of fuel mileage through Fuel Equivalent
- Revolutionize trucking operations with custom mobile apps
- Speed cameras and red-light cameras are topic of new state laws
- West Virginia Invests $4.7M in Road Safety Tech Upgrade
Technology – dash cam
Technology – data
- DAT iQ surpasses $1 trillion in freight transaction data
- Data behind cargo and rail theft epidemic; DOT puts $30M towards parking |
- From data to decisions: How Platform Science and Phillips Connect empower drivers in the cab
Technology – drowsy
- AI technology helps fleet managers detect drowsy drivers
- Samsara Releases AI-Enabled Drowsy Driving Detection
- Samsara’s AI-powered drowsiness detection goes global for all customers
Technology – ELDs
Technology – GPS
12. Regarding awards:
Awards
Congratulations to every professional truck driver who has been recognized for various achievements and awards received.
- Mill Creek Motor Freight’s Melo named FSC provincial driver of the year
- TCA opens nominations for 2025 professional drivers of the year award
- TCA opens search for its Drivers of the Year; winners each receive $20,000
- Two truckers with a combined 10 million safe miles to haul U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on its journey from Alaska to D.C.
- Wheels of excellence: National Carriers announces Drivers of the Month
- Whiteman named FSC’s Ontario safety professional of the year
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: 2024.10.26 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
