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WIT survey reports safety concerns of female drivers

PLOVER, Wis. – A survey of 426 female truck drivers conducted by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT) showed that more than 60% reported feeling unsafe at least once in the past year, with 20% reporting they had been threatened by a weapon. The survey also showed that 4% of women drivers said they had been raped, and 46% reported that they had an unwanted physical advance made toward them. WIT president and CEO Ellen Voie shared the survey’s findings at a recent White House Roundtable discussion on trucking industry issues. “We need to create a safer environment if we want to bring more women into this industry,” Voie said. “Our research has shown that women rate their level of safety as a female driver at 4.4 on a scale of 10. This is unacceptable, as we should all feel safe in our work environment.” The session also included an announcement to kick off a 90-day challenge to accelerate the expansion of registered apprenticeships. In addition, a task force to attract more women into the industry will also be launched, along with a task force to investigate predatory truck leasing arrangements. The session was hosted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh and White House Economic Council Director Brian Deese. Voie was one of 17 invited attendees. There were 10 carrier representatives who shared their efforts to attract a more diverse driver force, including veterans, younger drivers, more racially diverse drivers and women, according to a WIT news release. The Department of Labor and Department of Transportation will be holding listening sessions with professional drivers, industry and labor leaders and advocates in the next 30 days.

Brewery gives back to truckers

FREDERICK, Md. –  A Maryland brewery is celebrating the men and women who deliver sudsy delight to thirsty people day in and day out. Flying Dog Brewery recently launched the “Haul of Fame” program as a “holiday thank you to the many drivers who frequent Flying Dog’s loading docks,” according to a news release. Drivers who pick up and deliver to the brewery during the week of Dec. 20-23 will be greeted with festive signage and balloons before they are treated to a meal and gifted a Flying Dog-branded jacket, the news release stated. “Without the drivers who get products from point A to point B, there would be no delicious beer on store shelves – we couldn’t do our job without them,” said Ben Savage, chief marketing officer at Flying Dog. “So, this holiday season we wanted to let our drivers know how much we appreciate them with a bite to eat and a gift from our team to say thank you for all of their hard work throughout the year.”

Supreme Court to hold special session on vaccine requirements

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to weigh challenges to two Biden administration policies covering vaccine requirements for millions of workers, policies that affect large employers and health care workers. The high court’s announcement Wednesday that it will hear arguments in the cases Jan. 7 comes amid rising coronavirus cases and is an extraordinarily fast timeline. The court had not been scheduled to hear cases again until Jan. 10. A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled 2-1 on Friday that the vaccine or testing regime for workers at larger companies could take effect. The plan requires workers at larger companies to be vaccinated or wear face masks and get tested weekly. The requirement could affect some 84 million U.S. workers. Republican-led states, conservative organizations and businesses had challenged the requirement after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration published the rule in early November. The rule was to go into effect Jan. 4. The high court also will hear arguments over a rule published Nov. 5 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid that applies to a wide range of health care providers that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funding. It requires their workers to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 6 and be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4. It was projected to affect more than 17 million workers in about 76,000 health care facilities as well as home health care providers. Decisions by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as well as a federal judge in Texas have the mandate blocked in about half of states. In a statement Wednesday evening after the court announced it would hear arguments, the White House defended its policies and said that especially with the rise of the coronavirus’ omicron variant, “it is critical to protect workers with vaccination requirements and testing protocols that are urgently needed.” “We are confident in the legal authority for both policies and (the Justice Department) will vigorously defend both at the Supreme Court,” the statement said. The high court’s decision to quickly hold arguments on the requirements was unusual. Both issues arrived at the court on an emergency basis, and the court usually quickly decides emergency applications without the more typical full briefing and oral argument. But the court has also been criticized recently for how it handles the process, which has been called the court’s “shadow docket.” Justice Samuel Alito pushed back in September against that criticism, saying it was unwarranted. The Supreme Court announced earlier this year that all the justices have been vaccinated. Because of the coronavirus, however, the court is not open to the public. Lawyers arguing cases must test negative COVID-19 and journalists observing arguments must also have a negative test. Also brewing in lower courts are challenges to the Biden administration’s requirement that federal contractors receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Ho, ho, oh no!: Traffic jams expected this holiday weekend

NEW YORK — More than 100 million Americans are planning to drive over the holidays, and officials are warning that everyone —truckers included — need to be prepared for slowdowns and bottlenecks. According to a news release, AAA said it expects to respond to as many as 917,000 calls for help over the next several days. Transportation analytics firm INRIX, in collaboration with AAA, predicts only marginal delays overall throughout the holiday week. However, major metro areas across the U.S. could see more than double the delays versus typical drive times, with drivers in New York City likely to experience more than three times the delays. “With kids out of school and many Americans taking extended time off for the holidays, drivers will experience incremental delays throughout the week. Although congestion will be overall lighter than normal, knowing when and where major delays will likely happen will help save time and reduce stress this holiday season,” said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX. Outside of the New York City metro area, which is expected to see a traffic volume increase of nearly 400%, Washington, D.C. is expected to see more than 270% above normal traffic volumes, with peak congestion occurring between 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 along Interstate 95 South and Interstate 395 to VA 123, according to INRIX and AAA. Boston is expected to be the least congested of the major metropolitan areas with just 155% over normal traffic volume. Areas to watch out for in Boston at Interstate 93 north and Quincy Market to MA-28, AAA and INRIX predict.

Stolen Freightliner full of hot goods, booze

FAIRFIELD, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently seized a stolen 18-wheeler full of $250,000 worth of hot goods, including wine and other alcohol. According to a CHP news release, officers pulled over a Freightliner just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 19 that was traveling westbound on Interstate 80 at Travis Boulevard. The news release didn’t say whether CHP knew the rig was stolen before the pullover or why the rig was flagged for a stop. The driver, Ronald Edward Stevens, 30, of Clyde, California, was booked into the Solano County Jail on multiple felony charges. “Investigators from the CHP’s Golden Gate Division Cargo Theft Interdiction Program (CTIP) responded to assist with the investigation,” the news release stated. “The stolen trailer contained various products including bulk freight items, various wines and other alcohol, Columbia brand clothing, merchandise and other heavy-duty equipment.”  

Ohio to repurpose weigh stations for trucker parking

ASHLAND/MEDINA COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) plans to repurpose two unused weigh stations along interstates 71 and 76 in Ashland and Medina counties into big rig parking lots. According to an ODOT news release, the I-71 southbound location is between SR 301 and U.S. 250 in Ashland County and the I-76 eastbound location is between SR 3 and SR 57 in Medina County. ODOT said there will be no traffic disruptions along these routes during construction, which is expected to begin in early 2024.    

U.S. trailer orders about 11% lower in ’21 compared to ’20

COLUMBUS, Ind – Net U.S. trailer orders for November increased more than 84 percent from the previous month but were almost 20% lower compared to November 2020, according to the newest ACT Research State of the Industry: U.S. Trailer Report issued on Dec. 21. November orders totaled 32,103 units. Before accounting for cancellations, new orders of 33,900 units were up more than 73% versus October but 18% lower than the previous November, ACT’s report noted. Year-to-date net orders and new orders for the first 11 months of 2021 were both around 11% lower compared to the same time period in 2020, which included the COVID-stricken spring data. “Trailer OEMs continue to be cautious regarding order acceptance, as they attempt to maintain acceptable delivery schedules given their available staffing and anticipated supply-chain support,” said Frank Maly, Director–CV Transportation Analysis and Research at ACT Research. “The difficulty of developing pricing in the current inflationary market conditions also impacts order acceptance. OEMs are attempting to avoid the renegotiation cycles that occurred earlier in 2021, and the best way to achieve that is to extend their orderboards in small steps as the year progresses.” Maly added, “Expect trailer OEMs to continue closely managing their backlog horizons, which now edge into the second half of 2022 at current build rates.” Maly said that there were concerns that more 2021 commitments might need to be shifted into 2022, resulting in an additional surge in cancels. However, “it now appears that most of that adjustment occurred in September, and excluding September, the industry has had an average 1.0% cancel rate since May,” he said.  

Ohio state police release dash cam footage of trooper striking big rig

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dash camera footage from an Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) trooper’s car shows the moment he struck the rear of a tractor-trailer along Interstate 70 in Columbus. OSHP officials said the trailer’s rear impact guard likely helped save the life of trooper Jarid Fitzpatrick, 25, who slammed into it in the early morning hours of Dec. 15. Fitzpatrick, who was not on call at the time of the accident, was hospitalized in serious condition but is expected to recover. The truck driver, Thomas Ervin, 58, of Heath, Ohio, was not hurt. Fitzpatrick called for assistance on his radio following the crash, which sandwiched the front half of his cruiser underneath the semi-trailer. The cause of the accident has not been released and is still under investigation.

Four charged after I-40 blocked by drivers doing stunts

RALEIGH, N.C. — As if truckers’ duties weren’t hampered by enough obstacles while out on the road, many 18-wheelers and other vehicles were subjected to lengthy delays on the night of Dec. 18 along Interstate 40 in North Carolina after a group of people blocked the eastbound lanes by performing stunts with their cars. Charges have been filed against three adults and a teenager in connection with the disturbance, the state Highway Patrol said. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports troopers responded to reports of vehicles blocking all eastbound lanes of I-40 near Aviation Parkway, close to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, shortly after 11 p.m. on Dec. 18, patrol spokesperson Sgt. Christopher Knox said. The vehicles were reported to be performing “donuts,” maneuvers in which drivers spin their cars in circles. Video posted on Instagram showed at least two cars spinning in circles in the middle of the highway, while a small crowd of people stood nearby cheering them on, the newspaper reported. Troopers cleared the highway, which led to the people involved in the stunts to disperse, leading to two pursuits, Knox said. Long-haul trucker Jimbo Casey of Oklahoma said he was stuck in traffic for “a good long while.” “I didn’t know what was going on for a few minutes, but word finally got out that there were some idiots doing burnouts on the freeway,” Casey said. “I mean, how stupid do you have to be?” The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Mack LR Electric now in production

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The first fully-electric Class 8 tractor designed by Mack has gone into serial production at the company’s Lehigh Valley (LVO) facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania. Dubbed the LR Electric, the tractor is equipped with four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries. “Mack has long been a leader in the refuse segment, and we couldn’t be more pleased to now be producing Mack LR Electric vehicles to help our customers meet their sustainability goals,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of sales and commercial operations. “Customer response to the LR Electric has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to putting more into fleet operations now that we are in production.” The LR Electric is charged by a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system. The batteries provide vehicle propulsion and power for all onboard accessories driven through 12V, 24V and 600V electric circuits. A three-mode regenerative braking system helps recapture the energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day as a result of increasing payload throughout the day. The Mack LR Electric may be fitted with equipment bodies from numerous manufacturers based on the unique needs of the customer, according to the company. The LR Electric also features the same industry-leading ergonomics and visibility as the diesel-powered LR model. The same driver/passenger side driving configurations, as well as seating choices and door options, are offered in the LR Electric as on the diesel-powered Mack LR model. A copper-colored Bulldog hood ornament, signifying the fully electric drivetrain, is featured prominently on the front of the truck. “We are successfully producing the LR Electric at LVO, and we are fulfilling customer orders as we speak,” said Gunnar Brunius, vice president and general manager at LVO. “I’d like to recognize the hard work and dedication of LVO employees who have been eagerly preparing for this moment.” Mack recently announced that the LR Electric comes standard with the Mack Ultra Service Agreement, offering customers a tailored uptime package designed specifically to meet the unique needs of BEV. The Ultra Service Agreement includes preventative and scheduled maintenance, towing and repair, a battery warranty and monitoring via Mack connected services in a single package that can include monthly payments. Supported by Mack GuardDog® Connect, Mack’s integrated telematics solution, the LR Electric and its batteries will be monitored for battery health and performance, and fault codes will be detected when registered by the battery and electric components of the energy storage system. TEC Equipment Fontana, California, and Northwest Equipment Sales in Boise, Idaho, were the first two Mack dealers to achieve Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer status. Numerous other dealerships are currently in the process of meeting the many stringent safety, charging, infrastructure and training requirements. Updating the facility is also required. Mack announced plans to launch the LR Electric model in 2018, with the first demonstration vehicle being delivered to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in September 2020. Since then, the vehicles have been in real-world testing in the demanding environment of the world’s largest sanitation department. The second LR Electric demonstration model was delivered in October 2020 to Republic Services and is being tested in a residential application in Hickory, North Carolina. DSNY recently announced their plan to purchase seven LR Electric models that will operate in the city’s five boroughs.  

ATA freight forecast shows recovery from pandemic-induced dip

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) annual look at the future of the freight economy shows a strong rebound and continued growth for demand this year and into the future. “With a focus on the supply chain this year, it is key we understand that among the many stressors on the system, the simple growth in freight demand and the economy is a significant factor,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “After falling 6.8% in 2020, freight volumes are set to surge 7.4% this year – and we will see continued growth in freight demand across all modes for the foreseeable future.” Some key findings of this year’s forecast include: Total freight tonnage will grow from an estimated 15.1 billion tons in 2021 to 19.3 billion tons in 2032 – a 28% increase. While truck’s share of the freight tonnage will slowly decline from 72.2% in 2021 to 71% in 2032 – overall volumes will grow across all segments of the industry: truckload, less-than-truckload and private carrier. Truck tonnage should grow from 10.23 billion tons this year to 13.7 billion tons in 2023. The total revenue derived from primary freight shipments in the U.S. will increase from an estimated $1.083 trillion in 2021 to $1.627 trillion in 2032. “Trucking is continuously looking forward, and freight forecast is a tremendous tool for industry leaders and policymakers to see what the future holds for the transportation sector,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “Forecast is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in understanding not just the trucking industry, but the entire freight economy.”

As court clears way for vaccine mandate, truckers’ inclusion still questioned

CINCINNATI — A federal appeals court panel has allowed President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for larger private employers to move ahead, reversing a previous decision on a requirement that could affect some 84 million U.S workers. Meanwhile, the trucking industry is at odds with the rule, with several trucking-related organizations having filed suit in federal court against the mandate. The 2-1 decision on Dec.17 by a panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati overrules a decision by a federal judge in a separate court that had paused the mandate nationwide. The mandate from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration was to take effect Jan. 4. With the Dec. 17 ruling, it’s not clear when the requirement might be put in place, but the White House said in a statement that it will protect workers: “Especially as the U.S. faces the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it’s critical we move forward with vaccination requirements and protections for workers with the urgency needed in this moment.” So, are truckers covered under this mandate? OSHA has said it does not apply to employees who “do not report to a workplace where other individuals such as coworkers or customers are present, employees while they are working from home, or employees who work exclusively outdoors.” By that definition, many truckers may be exempt since drivers are often not employees, but independent contractors who are owner-operators of their own freelance business and operate their routes solo. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said in early November that truckers may not need to worry about the mandate. “We’ve heard some pushback from truckers today,” he said on CNBC. “The ironic thing is most truckers are not covered by this, because they’re driving a truck, they’re in a cab, they’re by themselves, they wouldn’t be covered by this.” The American Trucking Associations (ATA) said that it reads the new regulations the same way. “The rule … exempts employees who exclusively work outdoors or remotely and have minimal contact with others indoors, and all indications thus far from the Department of Labor suggest this exemption does apply to the commercial truck driver population,” ATA president and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement. However, there has been no official statement from the government about exemptions for truckers. The ATA, along with the Louisiana Motor Truck Association, the Mississippi Trucking Association and the Texas Trucking Association, is suing the Biden Administration over the mandate. Around the nation, Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups said they would appeal the Dec. 17 decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Twenty-seven Republican-led states joined with conservative groups, business associations and some individual businesses to push back against the requirement as soon as OSHA published the rules in early November. They argued the agency was not authorized to make the emergency rule, in part because the coronavirus is a general health risk and not one faced only by employees at work. The panel’s majority disagreed. “Given OSHA’s clear and exercised authority to regulate viruses, OSHA necessarily has the authority to regulate infectious diseases that are not unique to the workplace,” Judge Julia Smith Gibbons, who was nominated to the court by former President George W. Bush, a Republican, wrote in her majority opinion. “Vaccination and medical examinations are both tools that OSHA historically employed to contain illness in the workplace,” she wrote. Gibbons noted that the agency’s authority extends beyond just regulating “hard hats and safety goggles.” She said the vaccine requirement “is not a novel expansion of OSHA’s power; it is an existing application of authority to a novel and dangerous worldwide pandemic.” She was joined in the majority decision by Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, an appointee of former President Barrack Obama, a Democrat. The case was consolidated in the 6th circuit, which is dominated by Republican-appointed judges. Earlier this week, the circuit’s active judges rejected a move to have the entire panel consider the case, on an 8-8 vote. The dissent in Friday’s ruling came from Judge Joan Larsen, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, who said Congress did not authorize OSHA to make this sort of rule and that it did not qualify as a necessity to use the emergency procedures the agency followed to put it in place. Larsen also argued that vaccinated workers “do not face ‘grave danger’ from working with those who are not vaccinated.” Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, a Republican, said she would ask the U.S. Supreme Court to block the order. At least two conservative advocacy groups said they had already appealed to the nation’s highest court. “The Sixth Circuit’s decision is extremely disappointing for Arkansans because it will force them to get the shot or lose their jobs,” Rutledge said. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who also is chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, said in a Twitter message Friday that he was confident the mandate could be stopped. The vaccine requirement would apply to companies with 100 or more employees and would cover about 84 million workers in the U.S. Employees who are not fully vaccinated would have to wear face masks and be subject to weekly COVID-19 tests. There would be exceptions, including for those who work outdoors or only at home. The administration has estimated that the rule would save 6,500 lives and prevent 250,000 hospitalizations over six months. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor, which includes OSHA, said the 6th circuit’s ruling will allow the agency to implement “common-sense, science-based measures to keep workers safe and healthy during a deadly pandemic.” The vaccine rule for private employers is separate from other vaccine mandates announced by the Biden administration that apply to federal government contractors and workers in health care facilities that receive funding from Medicaid or Medicare. Those rules also are under assault from conservatives and have been paused in at least some parts of the country. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

J.B. Hunt awards millions in appreciation bonuses to frontline workers

LOWELL, Ark. — After celebrating their 60th anniversary in October, J.B. Hunt Transport Inc. announced on Dec. 17 that they are providing nearly $10 million in appreciation bonuses to company drivers, maintenance technicians and full-time hourly employees. “This year, our drivers and frontline employees have gone the extra mile to honor our commitments and meet the needs of customers,” said John Roberts, president and CEO of J.B. Hunt. “We wanted to express our gratitude for their dedication to making J.B. Hunt the industry leader it is today.” This isn’t the only bonus money the company has doled out this year. In October, J.B. Hunt recognized 116 drivers for achieving two, three, four and five million miles driven without a preventable accident, awarding more than $1.6 million in safe driver bonuses.  

NHTSA announces $260M in highway safety grants

WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released nearly $260 million in highway safety grants. These grants, part of the funding included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, were distributed to highway safety offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, United States territories and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, according to a Dec. 16 NHTSA news release. The funds will help address the traffic safety crisis on America’s roads by helping states and territories support a broad array of traffic safety priorities, the news release stated. When full-year distributions are completed, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will increase the funding available for these vital life-saving programs by 31% over the previous fiscal year’s levels. “Traffic crashes take the lives of too many Americans, but these tragedies are not inevitable, and we will not accept them as part of everyday life,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Bolstered by additional funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these grants will save lives by improving safety on America’s roadways.” The $133.3 million in State and Community Highway Safety Program funds will enhance highway safety by supporting data-driven traffic safety programs in the states. These programs include initiatives such as high-visibility enforcement campaigns and other safe driving campaigns, as well as enforcement of and education about state laws on seat belt use and risky driving. In addition, the funding will help improve traffic records and support programs on the proper use of child safety seats, including inspection stations where caregivers can confirm the proper installation of their child safety seats. NHTSA is providing an additional $123.4 million to states and eligible territories through the National Priority Incentive Programs. These funds include nearly $70 million for impaired driving countermeasures; $19 million for state traffic safety information systems to help states build databases related to crashes; more than $17 million for occupant protection including seat belt education and enforcement; more than $9 million for distracted driving prevention; $6.6 million for pedestrian and bicyclist safety programs; and $2 million for motorcyclist safety. “The variety of funds available allows each state to target its specific challenges,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff. “Traffic safety may be a national problem, but the solutions are regional and local.” This funding is part of over $13 billion in funding for roadway safety programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including a $6 billion new Safe Streets for All discretionary grant program. The Department will release its first ever National Roadway Safety Strategy in January to lay out policies and issue a call to action to officials at all levels of government and stakeholders across sectors to help reduce traffic fatalities and injuries.

Rally for trucker sentenced to century in prison draws just 8

DENVER — Only around eight people showed up for a march at the State Capitol in Denver on Monday to show support for former trucker Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, who has been sentenced to more than 100 years in prison for his role in a 2019 crash that killed four. CBS4 in Denver said the march began at around 10 a.m. at 200 East Colfax Avenue. Aguilera-Mederos was convicted of 27 counts, including vehicular homicide, and last week he was sentenced to 110 years in prison. Since then, more than 4.3 million people have signed an online petition asking Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to grant clemency, or commutation as time served. Since the verdict was handed down last week, there have been many calls online for truckers to strike in solidarity with Aguilera-Mederos. So far, no such strikes have gained momentum.

FMCSA’s Joshi leads first truckers listening session

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi met with independent truck drivers last week in Charleston, South Carolina, as part of the federal government’s efforts to help bolster the trucking industry during a time of supply chain woes. At the roundtable, DOT officials spoke with truck drivers about how the FMCSA will work closely with its federal and state partners to address truck driver retention, wages, sufficient and safe overnight parking, along with barriers facing those wishing to enter the industry. DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined the conversation virtually. Truck drivers in attendance at the Charleston event highlighted the challenges of making a living without adequate support to improve detention times, particularly at shipping ports, but also at loading docks generally. Juan Gordan, president of the South Carolina-based trucking organization Coalition 18, said, “We’ve lost two-thirds of our work. We used to make ‘6 turns’ a day, now we can only make ‘2 turns’ a day, and under these circumstances, drivers can’t survive. Younger truckers are no longer telling the stories that their fathers and uncles used to tell, instead they’re telling horror stories – the detention times are too long.” Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), agreed, noting, “There’s a lot of talk about bringing new people into the industry, but we need to think about the quality of life for the people in the industry right now.” Joshi’s visit to South Carolina took place the same day the Biden-Harris Administration Trucking Action Plan to Strengthen America’s Trucking Workforce was announced during a White House forum co-chaired by Buttigieg, Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Marty Walsh and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese. “It cannot be overstated how vital truck drivers are to every American family,” said Joshi, who announced on Dec. 20 that she would be leaving the FMCSA to take on a role as one of the deputy mayors of New York City. “As a nation, we count on truckers time and time again during crises. But truck drivers deserve not only our appreciation, but also our respect and support, including fair compensation, and safe and sufficient rest areas.” The Trucking Action Plan included the launch of the joint Driving Good Jobs initiative, which marks a new partnership between DOT and DOL. “This initiative directs FMCSA to take actions, including: conducting a series of truck driver and industry listening sessions around the country; studying the issue of truck driver pay and unpaid detention time; setting up a task force to investigate predatory truck leasing arrangements; and identifying longer term actions, such as potential administrative or regulatory steps that support drivers and improve driver retention by raising the quality of trucking jobs,” according to a DOT news release.  

Florida college creating new commercial driving facility

YULEE, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded more than $3.1 million to Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) to establish the Nassau County Transportation Education Institute, a commercial driving facility that will expand the workforce training available at FSCJ’s Nassau Center. “I am proud to make these awards to Florida State College at Jacksonville and to the Big Bend Technical College,” DeSantis said. “These awards will advance Florida’s skilled workforce by providing Floridians with state-of-the-art learning opportunities that will prepare and equip future workers while supporting continued growth in their communities.” The funds will allow FSCJ to purchase new training trucks and construct two commercial vehicle driving pads for the Transportation Education Institute, according to a news release. Through this program, students can obtain commercial driver’s license class B and class C credentials. “In turn, individuals will be equipped to enter the workforce in the high-wage transportation, logistics and supply chain industry in Northeast Florida,” the news release stated. The program will be able to provide required driving classes and endorsements for an estimated 1,240 individuals to obtain high-demand jobs in the transportation industry. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, these awards will prioritize workforce development projects that provide Floridians with the skills needed to thrive in the health and transportation industries,” said Secretary Dane Eagle of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). “Floridians will have the opportunity to earn the necessary skills to succeed in two of Florida’s fastest growing industries.” Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E., called commercial drivers a “critical component of our supply chain, as these men and women help ensure the efficient movement of goods within each of our communities. “Through these awards, Governor DeSantis is providing more opportunities for this crucial industry as the need for additional skilled drivers has been very clear, especially this past year.” The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is an economic development program designed to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state. Proposals are reviewed by DEO and Enterprise Florida Inc. and chosen by the governor to meet the demands for workforce training or infrastructure needs in communities around the state.   .

More than 3,000 Great Dane trailers being recalled

WASHINGTON — Two models of Great Dane trailers are being recalled because the wheel hubs may have insufficient amounts of lubrication, which could cause the bearings to fail. According to a news release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2022 Great Dane Champion and 2022 Great Dane Everest models are affected by the recall. In all, 3,288 trailers are being recalled, the news release stated. “Hub bearing failure could cause the wheel hub assembly to detach, causing a loss of stability and control, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash,” according to the news release. “Great Dane will work with SAF Holland, the wheel hub supplier, to inspect the wheel hubs and add the proper amount of lubricant as necessary, free of charge.” Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 1, 2022. Owners may contact Great Dane customer service at (877) 369-3493.

Reaction mixed on White House’s bold trucking plan

WASHINGTON — Mixed reaction is rolling in over the White House’s recent announcement about a plan to help the trucking industry. Some in the world of big rigs applaud it. Others hate it. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Truck Action Plan includes four strategies to strengthen America’s trucking workforce. The program will kick off a 90-day apprenticeship program for employers, expedite commercial driver licensing and identify states with CDL hurdles, as well as focus on recruiting, training and retaining drivers from underrepresented communities to jobs that are strong, safe and stable. The announcement is welcomed by industry groups who have been working on solutions to the driver shortage for years. On the other hand, many drivers and owner-operators aren’t as enthusiastic. American Trucking Associations (ATA) Executive Vice President of Advocacy Bill Sullivan said, “We are encouraged that the Biden Administration has not only recognized the importance of adding new and well-trained Americans to the trucking workforce, but has announced a path forward with what we believe will become a robust training opportunity for future commercial truck drivers.” The registered apprenticeships for trucking will allow employers of all sizes and industry segments to provide debt-free paths to a trucking career with high-quality training. The Department of Labor’s Office (DOL) of Apprenticeship will be aggressively working with interested employers to build apprenticeship programs in as little as 48 hours. As part of the effort to reduce barriers to drivers obtaining their CDLs, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced immediate funding of over $30 million to help states expedite CDL testing and issuance. Several states, including Arkansas, are experiencing significant testing delays from a backlog created by insufficient staffing, turnover and increased demand. The ATA estimates the driver shortage to be 80,000 — an all-time high for the industry — and with expected freight growth, the shortage could surpass 160,000 in 2030. The Truck Action Plan is part of the administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force that launched earlier this year to address tightening bottlenecks in the supply chain. The steps announced in the Trucking Action Plan include both short- and long-term solutions and timelines to begin taking action for the next 30 days, 60 days and 90 days as the country continues to economically recover from the pandemic. “We thank the president and his administration for recognizing the important work of the men and women in the trucking industry. We appreciate any effort to support and expand access to quality driving jobs and address the pandemic-driven delays in obtaining a commercial driver’s license,” said Shannon Newton, president of Arkansas Trucking Association. “We welcome the opportunity to work together in sharing our industry with a new cohort of drivers.” Todd Spencer, president of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), wasn’t as enthusiastic. “There are some elements in the Plan we support, including further analysis of driver compensation and unpaid detention time,” Spencer said. “However, the plan fails to address excessively high driver turnover rates. Attracting and training new drivers won’t solve the larger problem of retention.” On The Trucker’s social media platform, reactions to the plan were mostly negative. “They’re from the government and they’re here to help,” wrote Rock Bowman on Facebook. “Yeah, right. More like just another way to wash money into the pockets of the apparatchiks. It’s a highly descriptive word worth looking up.” “How about safe parking,” wrote Trevor Kiecker. “A permit to carry in every state for safety reasons healthy food that won’t break the bank and some respect. How about letting us police our selfs and have the the power to do so. I mean I’ll sleep when I’m tired and drive when I can. Instead of this dam eld.” “So a bunch of people that have never drove a truck are going to get together and make things better…,” wrote Dawn Doolittle. “Yup this will work out well!”    

Study: Trucking accidents up after electronic logging device mandate

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A new study by the Supply Chain Management Research Center at the University of Arkansas found that the federal electronic logging device (ELD) mandate has not reduced accidents and that its implementation correlates with an increase in unsafe driving incidents. “Surprisingly, the number of accidents for the most-affected carriers — those operators for whom the federal mandate was intended — did not decrease,” said Andrew Balthrop, research associate in the Sam M. Walton College of Business. “In fact, following the implementation of the mandate, accidents among small carriers and independent owner-operators increased, relative to large asset-based carriers.” In December 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began enforcing a mandate requiring truck drivers to track their working hours with an ELD. Compared to traditional paper logs, such devices made it more difficult for drivers to manipulate records to make it appear they are complying with hours-of-service regulations, when in fact they are not. After a “light enforcement” period, regulators began strictly enforcing the mandate on April 1, 2018. According to a University of Arkansas news release, Balthrop and several colleagues analyzed detailed data from the FMCSA to determine how the mandate affected three critical transportation safety-related outcomes: compliance with reporting hours of service, accident counts and frequency of unsafe driving. Focused on these outcomes, the researchers compared data over three time periods — before the mandate and during the light and strict enforcement periods. They also looked at these outcomes based on company size, ranging from independent owner-operators to carriers with more than 50,000 trucks. The mandate significantly improved driver compliance with reporting hours of service, the researchers found. This was especially true for small carriers and independent owner-operators. Large carriers had already been using electronic logging devices before the mandate and were practically unaffected. For most carriers — that is, all categories other than the carriers with more than 50,000 trucks — the number of accidents actually increased after the federal mandate took effect. Again, this was especially true for independent owner-operators. They experienced an 11.6% increase in accidents, and carriers with two to 20 trucks had a 9% increase. The researchers’ analysis of unsafe driving infractions for different sizes of carriers during the light and strict enforcement periods showed that these also increased compared to infractions before the mandate took effect. This was true for all size categories, but the increases were greater for small and medium-sized carriers who had not been using an electronic logging device before the mandate. “Our results indicate the electronic logging device mandate did not immediately achieve its goal of reducing accidents,” Balthrop said. “Drivers have reacted in ways the FMCSA has not fully anticipated, and these behaviors should be accounted for as the FMCSA revisits their hours-of-service policies.” The electronic logging-device mandate coincided with an increase in unsafe driving and speeding citations among truck drivers, and this likely caused an increase in accidents, Balthrop said. The stricter hours-of-service enforcement seems to have led more drivers to try to compress their routes into the time allotted.