Efficient operation is key to surviving trucking downcycle
More carriers are leaving the marketplace while fewer are starting up, according to July data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. New carrier starts
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
Electric drive axle trailers add new dimension to carrier decarbonization choices
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The press coverage of brands of heavy-duty electric vehicles is enough to confuse anyone who is currently driving an old fashioned
Take care of your brakes year-round
If you’re like most drivers, you aren’t excited about this year’s Brake Safety Week (Aug. 20-26), which is hosted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
US sales of Class 8 trucks maintain healthy levels
The market for new Class 8 trucks in the U.S. continued to defy expectations in June, with manufacturers reporting sales of 24,085 units for the
Safety precautions are vital for truckers, both on the road and off
Every truck driver is concerned about safety. Most have had hours of training, both formal and informal, and know to remain alert and attentive when
Freight rates, volumes poised to rise as fears of recession fade
The bottom. That’s what trucking industry freight forecasters are claiming has been reached. The DAT Truckload Volume Index for June was titled “June signals that
FoRRRwD initiative seeks to reduce number of crashes on two-lane roads
You might have noticed a few changes taking place on some of the roadways you’ve traveled. Maybe you’ve encountered a roundabout where there was once
It’s a woman’s world: Women taking advantage of opportunities in trucking
Remember the very first time you drove a car? You were eager, but scared, too. You did a quick check of control systems — steering,
Map apps – choose and use wisely
Many old-time truckers can remember beginning every trip with a look through a — probably tattered and stained — Motor Carrier Road Atlas. The atlas
California’s AB316 would require a driver in large autonomous vehicles
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A bill that would ban the testing of autonomous vehicles over 10,000 pounds cleared the California Assembly May 31 and was sent
Ask the right questions: ELDs are designed to ensure compliance with HOS, not for use as life-saving devices
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 2023 Evaluation Plan, determining the effectiveness of electronic logging devices (ELDs) is top of mind for the
Beyond the basics: Good customer service involves more than just on-time deliveries
It’s been a year since the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), in conjunction with the National Industrial Transportation League, issued a revised “Voluntary Guide to Good
TCA Driver of the Year Daniel Clark works to help others, both on duty and off
Drivers who pick up and deliver on time, care for their equipment, and comply with safety standards are always appreciated by motor carriers, shippers and
Communication is key: Recruiting drivers may be easy but keeping them can be a challenge
While a great deal of attention has been given to freight rates and availability, another issue is also at the forefront for carrier management: Hiring
How load boards can improve your business
The decision to buy a truck is a big one. It can be far more significant than simply deciding to own the truck you’ll be
Analysts project industry conditions are at or near bottom, poised to rebound
Each of the experts in most industries has their method of interpreting the economic “tea leaves.” However, by the end of May a common theme
Class 8 truck sales remain strong, may delay slowdown predictions
Robust May sales of Class 8 trucks on the U.S. market pushed the 2023 year-to-date total to the highest mark since 2006, according to data
ATRI study reveals no clear solution to issue of THC testing
Imagine the development of a test that could determine whether you drank a beer at that barbecue last weekend. Now imagine that you reported to
Knowing what’s on your record can save time, avoid glitches when applying for a job
When many people think of a “job interview,” they think of a candidate wearing a suit, printing up a handful of resumes and visiting some
He comes from a land down under: Freight industry analyst Dean Croke never forgets his roots as a truck driver
Some professional drivers are content with racking up awards for miles and years spent safely behind the wheel in their chosen segment of the