The Nation

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) recently named three professional truck drivers to its pantheon of Highway Angels. Since 1997, TCA, with program sponsor EpicVue, has used the Highway Angels program to recognize professional truck drivers for their acts of courtesy and courage in situations they encounter while out on the highway. These good deeds range from simple acts of kindness such as fixing a flat tire to heroic efforts in life-or-death scenarios. The program has recognized over 1,250 Highway Angels over the years. The latest three to join that group are Brian Smith, of Louisville, Kentucky; Clyde Nelson of Neosho, Missouri; and Robert Wheeler of Crestwood, Kentucky. Smith, a professional truck driver leased to Mercer Transportation Company was recognized for helping at the scene of a fiery crash that killed four people. On March 25, Smith was driving his flatbed near Lordsburg, New Mexico, when he saw a huge plume of black smoke rise into the sky about a mile ahead. He came upon the scene of a collision between two tractor-trailers. One had crossed the center median, hitting the other head-on, along with a pickup truck. Both of the tractor-trailers had exploded. At first look, Smith figured no one survived, but he saw people were trying to get someone out of the pickup. Smith pulled over and joined them. The pickup’s roof was ripped off. Smith could see two people in the front seat. Someone said the person in the passenger seat was already dead. The driver was unconscious and seriously injured. “There were two other people trying to get him out of the pickup, but flames from the semis were spreading so fast and were getting too close to the vehicle,” Smith said. “They were trying to pull the pickup out with a two-strap (used for strapping cargo down) hooked to another pickup, but they’re not meant for that.” Smith ran to his truck and grabbed a tow chain, with which they were able to drag the pickup away from fire. A 13-year-old girl was pulled from the back seat. Smith later learned that the driver of the pickup also died. He doesn’t know how the girl is doing. “Because I know there’s a chance she survived, she’s on my mind,” Smith says. “I’ll probably never forget her face. It made me think of my own kids.” Clyde Nelson, who drives for AATCO (Tri-State) of Joplin, Missouri, was recognized for his efforts to resuscitate a colleague after she collapsed from an apparent cardiac arrest. Nelson was walking across the parking lot at work one morning in July when he saw a woman lying on the grass across the way. It was a nice day, and at figured she was taking a break and catching some rays. But something told him to go check on her. He was surprised to find her unconscious, with her eyes rolled back in her head. He said he patted her on the cheek, and she took a breath but then that was it. Another person who rushed over to help found the woman had a pulse, but she wasn’t breathing. As Nelson began performing CPR, the woman’s pulse stopped, too. A third person came over and called 911. Nelson had learned how to do CPR 40 years ago during Army basic training, but he didn’t know how to do chest compressions properly. The dispatcher talked him through it as they waited for help to arrive. “It felt like someone was guiding my hands,” Nelson said. “I stayed as calm as I’ve ever been. I knew I had to think clearly about what I was doing.” When paramedics arrived, they had to use the defibrillator four times to get the woman’s heart going again. The woman who collapsed is a colleague of Nelson’s. “I had spoken to her less than two minutes before that,” he says. “She was walking across the parking lot to put something in her car, but I didn’t see her collapse.” Nelson said he is thankful to the others who rushed over to help that day. “We were all praying she would make it.” Nelson is also thankful for what he’s learned about CPR from watching television. “I knew that the rhythm from [the Bee Gees’] “Stayin’ Alive” is how fast to do chest compressions,” he said. “And you have to deflect about 3 inches to actually do any good but, it felt like I would break her ribs.” Nelson said he was on a high for a week after that. “Usually people who have those kinds of attacks, don’t survive,” he said. “I’m glad she’ll be coming back to work soon.” Nelson hopes his experience will encourage others to step up in similar circumstances. He plans to become certified in CPR. “If I run across that situation again, I want to have the confidence to say I know how to help.” Robert Wheeler, who works for Walmart Transportation of Seymour, Indiana, being recognized for his quick action when an SUV pulled into the path of oncoming van. On August 9, Wheeler had just finished dropping and hooking a trailer in Greenwood, Indiana. He was heading south on Highway 135 when he saw an SUV pulling out of a strip mall parking lot without stopping The SUV pulled right into the path of a large commercial van. According to Wheeler, the van had no time to react and T-boned the SUV. Wheeler, who had been the van, immediately pulled over. He checked on the van driver, who was dazed but told Wheeler to check on the other vehicle. The force of the impact had pushed the SUV about 100 feet, and all of its airbags had deployed. Wheeler cut away the curtain airbags. He first found a small boy, about 2 years old, crying in the backseat. Wheeler got the boy out of the car seat and handed him to a woman who had run up and asked to help. He then checked on the woman in the front passenger seat. She was unconscious, with injuries to her face. A nurse who was driving by stopped to help and attended to her. Wheeler went around to the driver’s side and found that the door had been pushed in around her legs. She was conscious but likely had broken bones and a possible neck injury. Wheeler told her not to move her head and that help was on the way. “It was maybe just two minutes before help arrived,” Wheeler said. “There was a fire department about a mile down the road. They took the passenger out first, but it took them about 30 minutes to cut the driver out of the car.” Wheeler said he has seen a lot of bad accidents but this one has really bothered him. “The driver of the SUV simply overlooked the oncoming van,” he said. “She pulled into his lane and there was no stopping distance. There’s nothing the van could do.” TCA presented Smith, Nelson and Wheeler with a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. Their respective employers also received a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel.

Well, this is an eye-opener. Sunday, September 29 is National Coffee Day, and Pilot Flying J is celebrating it by offering everyone a free cup of what it humbly considers “the best coffee on the interstate.” Now, with a quick search over the internet, you’ll find many establishments are running some kind of promotional deal in recognition of National Coffee Day. But most of them are offering their coffee for $1 instead of whatever they normally charge, or they’re offering free coffee if you buy something else. At Pilot Flying J, everyone gets a free coffee, period, no purchase necessary. That applies to any size, any variety, hot or iced. You can even try their seasonal specialty coffees, Cinnamon Spice Cold Brew or Pumpkin Maple Cappuccino. From there, you can feel free to be your own barista and create your own signature brew from a selection of creamers, syrups and toppings. To get your free cup on Sunday, open or download the Pilot Flying J app to redeem the free coffee offer. If you aren’t already registered on the app, you’ll have to do that, but the beauty of that is when you register, you qualify for another free drink. Plus, Pilot Flying J has been running Driver Appreciation Month promotions throughout September, including free coffee every Monday. So if you’re not on the road Sunday, or you were on the road Sunday and you liked that free coffee so much you want another, you can get another free one Monday, September 30.

People in trucking often complain about being overregulated. Fair enough. And they often point to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as the chief provider of burdensome regulations. Also, fair enough. But in the interest of complete fairness, the FMCSA puts its money where its regulations are. In a press release Wednesday issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA announced it has awarded $77.3 million in grants to states and educational institutions to enhance commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety. “Safety is the Department’s top priority and these grants will further assist state and local officials in their efforts to prevent commercial motor vehicle crashes,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in the press release. The grants will be distributed through three FMCSA programs. A total of $43.3 million will be distributed in High Priority Grants (HP). There are two categories of HP grants. HP-Commercial Motor Vehicle Grants provide financial assistance to state commercial vehicle safety efforts, while HP-ITD grants provide financial assistance to advance the technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for CMV operations. A list of this year’s HP grant awardees can be seen here. Another $32 million will go toward Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants to assist states to achieve compliance with FMCSA regulations concerning driver’s license standards and programs. The CDLPI grant program also provides financial assistance to other entities capable of executing national projects that aid states in their compliance efforts, which will improve the national CDL program. Recipients of this year’s CDLPI grant awardees can be seen here. Finally, $2 million will be distributed in Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grants to 16 education institutions to help train veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers. These include accredited public or private colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, post-secondary educational institutions, truck driver training schools, associations, and state and local governments, including federally recognized Native American tribal governments.  A full list of this year’s grant awardees is available here. “FMCSA is committed to working with all of its state and local partners to reduce crashes and improve safety on America’s roadways.  These important grants demonstrate the agency’s commitment to providing local areas with the resources they need to make a difference for commercial motor vehicle safety,” said FMCSA Administrator Raymond Martinez. To learn more about FMCSA grants, visit fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants.

ATLANTA — When your event only comes around once every two years, you have to make the most of it. The North American Commercial Vehicle Show (NACV) is such an event, and this is one of its “on” years. NACV is a business-to-business exhibition focused on fleet decisionmakers and key influencers in the commercial vehicle industry. The 2019 edition will take place October 28-31 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event gives leading truck and trailer manufacturers and commercial vehicle parts and components suppliers a setting to demonstrate their latest product offerings to a large swath of their customer base. The show is also an opportunity to accumulate knowledge, as it features a full slate of seminars and workshops. NACV organizers recently announced that they have expanded the event’s education sessions. And, during the run of the trade show, all of the new NACV Show Solutions Theaters’ educational offerings are free for registered attendees. These on-floor sessions will feature top industry thought leaders who will discuss the challenges and opportunities confronting today’s fleet professionals. Registered attendees can also register for a variety of fee-based workshops and conferences on and off the show floor, including the half-day American Trucking Associations Symposium on Tuesday, Oct. 29; Ask the Expert workshops on Wednesday, Oct. 30 and ATRI Operational Benchmarking workshop on Thursday, Oct. 31. The new Alternative Fuels Solutions Theater will focus on top industry issues and advancements concerning electric vehicles, alternative fuels and fuel efficiency Oct. 30. Kicking off the day, experts will discuss “Best Use Case for Natural Gas.” A panel discussion will then focus on “Freight Efficiency” followed by a panel discussion, sponsored by Orange EV, titled “Use of Electric Vehicles.” The last session will feature a Cummins leadership presentation, “Best Use Case for Hydrogen Fuel Types.” In the center’s Solutions Theater, Deborah Lockridge, editor-in-chief of Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT), and John Seidl, vice president of risk services at Reliance Partners, will discuss how to effectively transition to ELDs from AOBRDs.  David Cullen, executive editor of HDT, will share insights from fleets that have found how hiring fewer drivers – the right drivers – can help keep more of them. Jack Roberts, senior editor of HDT, will offer a fast-paced, entertaining look at the industry’s rapidly advancing technological changes, including intelligent drivetrains, advanced safety and driver assist systems, autonomous vehicle technology, electric trucks and more. Also in the Solutions Theater, a panel of OEM and solution provider experts will discuss how they get the service job done, what data fleets should be tracking and what questions fleets should ask their potential service partners. Also, a panel of top data-centric OEM and solution provider experts will discuss how to utilize service-related data to improve the service process. The Solutions Theater sponsored by Today’s Motor Vehicle magazine will feature three education sessions. Session 1 will cover the Internet of Things, highlighting how connectivity and communications are impacting fleet management, location tracking and vehicle scheduling for various fleet sizes and configurations. Session 2 will spotlight Class 8 Automation, focusing on the new technologies that are taking over many functions once handled by drivers. Session 3 will be about last-mile delivery and the wide array of technologies available to manage routing and scheduling, as well as new systems to guarantee on-time service. Other educational sessions, including Ask the Expert workshops, the ATA Symposium at NACV Show and the ATRI Operational Benchmarking Workshop are available to NACV Show 2019 registered attendees for an additional fee. The Ask the Expert workshops will cover topics such as Federal Regulations – Understanding the BASICS, Implementing Predictive Analytics, Best Use of Electric Vehicles: Simple Steps to Successfully Deploy 100% Electric, Class 8 Trucks and more. The half-day ATA Symposium will dive into detail on today’s current issues, such as finding strategies for good used equipment or preventing and managing cybersecurity issues. The ATRI Operational Benchmarking Workshop will share high-level industry benchmarking information specifically designed for fleets. Those planning on attending the show and are interested in participating in the Ask the Expert workshops are encouraged to register for their preferred workshops immediately. The workshops, designed for fleet decisionmakers, and are open to a total of 20 attendees per workshop. To register to attend the NACV Show 2019 or to sign up for any of the show’s workshops, click here.

Arlington, Va. — The American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index declined 3.2% in August after jumping 6.2% in July. In August, the index equaled 118.3 compared with 122.2 in July. The index uses a 2015 baseline of 100, meaning tonnage has increased 18.3% in that time. “The large swings continued in August, but the good news is the trend line is still up,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “While there is concern over economic growth, truck tonnage shows that it is unlikely that the economy is slipping into a recession.  It is important to note that ATA’s tonnage data is dominated by contract freight, which is performing significantly better than the plunge in spot market freight this year.” July’s reading was revised down compared with the figures that appeared in ATA’s August press release. Compared with August 2018, the seasonally adjusted index increased 4.1%. The index is up 4.3% year-to-date compared with the same period last year. The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 125.1 in August, 2.2% above the July level (122.3). Again, in calculating the index, 100 represents tonnage in 2015. Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 70.2% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 10.77 billion tons of freight in 2017. Motor carriers collected $700.1 billion, or 79.3%, of total revenue earned by all transport modes. ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the fifth day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

Plover, Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) today announced the organization’s CEO succession plan. Deborah Ruane Sparks, an experienced industry professional, will take on a newly created role as vice president in anticipation of succeeding current WIT president and CEO Ellen Voie upon her retirement in the coming years. Sparks will assume her new position in January 2020. Voie founded WIT in 2007 and has become a powerful voice for gender diversity in the transportation industry. Today, the nonprofit organization’s mission is to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, to promote their accomplishments and to minimize obstacles faced by women working in the industry. WIT experienced dramatic growth under Voie’s guidance and now has more than 5,000 individual and corporate members in 10 countries. The organization has received numerous awards, including the Transportation Innovators Champion of Change from the White House. “Ellen Voie has such a remarkable passion for our mission,” said Laura Roan Hays, WIT’s current board chairwoman. “It was a priority for the board to find a successor with that same level of commitment. Debbie Ruane Sparks is the perfect candidate. She was instrumental in helping to establish WIT in 2007 and served on the association’s original board of directors. We are thrilled that she is returning to help lead the organization and work with Ellen to ensure a seamless transition as the future face of the Women In Trucking Association.” Sparks has been involved in the transportation industry for nearly two decades. She currently serves as director of transportation and community outreach at Wreaths Across America and will be continuing in that capacity through the end of the year. Previously, she served as vice president, business development, at the Truckload Carriers Association and as director of marketing for American Trucking Associations. Sparks will start her role at Women In Trucking with a number of new projects, including establishing a driver ambassador and managing WIT’s U.S. and Canadian Image Teams in addition to other duties. “We have supported WIT’s growth by expanding our team to include five employees in addition to our association management firm, MindShare Strategies,” Voie said.  “Now, with Debbie on board, we can further advance our mission and position Women In Trucking for continued growth. She will be an amazing asset in our efforts to increase gender diversity in the transportation industry.”

After a long, leisurely downhill roll all summer, diesel prices rose for the second week in a row, this time by 9.4 cents for the week ending September 23, to stand at $3.081 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). It is the first time the national price of diesel has been over $3 since August 12. Diesel prices rose in every region in the country, with the largest increases in the regions that have the lowest prices. The Midwest saw the largest gain, and 11 cent jump from a week ago, to finish the week at 2.992. The Gulf Coast, which has the lowest prices in the nation, saw an increase of 9.7 cents, to finish at $2.858. Diesel rose by 9.7 cents in the Lower Atlantic region, as well, to stand at 2.971. With the increases over the last two weeks, they are the only regions where diesel is still under $3 a gallon. The smallest price bump was felt in New England, where diesel rose 5.7 cents to push the price to $3.07. In the Central Atlantic, diesel rose 7.5 cents to $3.252. Meanwhile, out on the West Coast, the overall increase was 7.6 cents, with a 7.5 cent increase in California and a 7.7 cent increase everywhere else on the West Coast. Similarly, diesel rose 7.5 cents in the Rocky Mountain to $3.034 On Monday afternoon, Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 20 cents, or 0.31%, to stand at $64.48 a barrel. U.S.-based West Texas Intermediate crude was also up, by 40 cents, or 0.69%, to $58.49 a barrel. Click here for a complete list of average prices by region for the past three weeks.

There’s no question who the “First Lady of Country Music” is. That’s easy, Loretta Lynn. Or, wait, is it Tammie Wynette? Did someone just say Patsy Cline? Or what about Dolly Parton? OK, maybe there is some question about who the first lady is. But there’s no doubt that Jayne Denham is the ambassador. On September 19, Women In Trucking announced that the country music star and trucking advocate has been chosen to be the organization’s ambassador for one year, beginning her duties at the 2019 Accelerate! Conference & Expo September 30 through October 2. “Jayne Denham’s songs tell a story, and her story resonates with all of us who share a passion for the women and men who spend their days behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler,” said Ellen Voie, president & CEO of Women In Trucking. “We loved her song, ‘Stacks,’ but the new, ‘Black Coffee & White Lines’ hits home with its depiction of life on the road.  We’re especially thrilled to have our own image team members featured in her latest video. The Australian singer is a household name in country-rock, known for her songs that resonate with the trucking community. Denham’s #1 Australian country single, “Addicted to the Diesel”, helped raise the profile of the transport trucking community there. The music video for Denham’s “Black Coffee & White Lines,” which she released at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas  is set to feature stars of History Channel’s hit show “Ice Road Truckers.” Denham will perform the song at a “State Fair Bash” concert to open the Accelerate! Conference & Expo. “I am really excited to be an ambassador for ‘Women In Trucking,’” Denham said. “Cheering on women drivers through my music is something I have been passionate about since my first songs were released 13 years ago. Helping shine a light on women drivers and see changes for women drivers is a huge honor.  I can’t wait to perform at the Accelerate! Conference and get the party started.” The 3-day event, which focuses on gender equality, will take place at the Sheraton Dallas September 30 through October 2, featuring over 60 educational sessions on critical transportation issues and trends along with perspectives of women in the industry.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Friday that will make California the first state to require regular smog testing on heavy-duty diesel trucks and tractor-trailers. Senate Bill 210 requires the California Air Resources Board to set up a pilot program over the next two years and after that put rules in place for truck smog checks. The pilot program will be similar to a smog testing system that’s been in place for decades requiring passenger vehicles that are six years old or older to pass a smog check every two years. Until now, large trucks have not had such a requirement. Once the program is in place, anyone caught driving a non-gasoline vehicle weighing over 14,000 pounds without a smog certificate can be fined by law enforcement. Reaction to the bill’s signing was greeted with mixed reactions, with some touting the bill as a long-needed step in the pursuit of improved air quality. “Just as car owners have to get their own personal cars ‘smog checked’ every two years, so too should truck operators be required to maintain their emissions controls so that we can ensure long lasting air quality improvements here in California,” said state Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, who wrote the bill. The California Air Resources Board estimates that heavy-duty trucks operating in California account for nearly 60% of the state’s nitrogen oxides emissions — one of the main chemicals that causes smog. The board also estimates that this program could have the effect of eliminating the emissions of 145,000 trucks. Environmentalists say the new law will reduce emissions of soot and other contaminants, which contribute to high asthma rates in California. “This is the biggest air quality bill of this year,” said Bill Magavern, policy director for the Coalition for Clean Air. “It’s something we have needed for years. Diesel trucks are the single biggest source of air pollution in California.” The law also had the support of the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Sierra Club California, the Union of Concerned Scientists and other health and environmental organizations. Opposition to the program was led by the Western States Trucking Association, the California Farm Bureau Federation, California Cattlemen’s Association and several other industry groups. One of the trucking industry’s arguments is that the bill was unnecessary because of other truck-engine rules that are already in place or are being phased in over the next few years. Joe Rajkovacz, a spokesman for the Western States Trucking Association, said that the California Air Resources Board already does regular tests for smoke from trucks at weigh stations and trucking companies. He noted that the board has also set a rule that by 2023 only trucks that are model 2010 or newer can be driven on California roads. That rule was put in place because older trucks pollute far more than newer trucks. The trucking industry was opposed to that rule, as well, with the cost to trucking companies being the main concern. There is also concern about what this new emissions program could have, especially for smaller companies and to owner-operators. Companies could be forced to renovate or replace outdated fleets. And while the bill caps the cost of the new required smog checks at $30, it’s just one more expense that needs to be fit into operating budgets, and they are expenses that can’t be put off. Opponents are also concerned that the new law may allow state officials to take private data from trucking companies if the companies are required to share information stored in their trucks’ on-board computers. The new law applies to 18-wheelers, along with delivery trucks, dump trucks, tanker trucks, farm trucks and others. The law does not include buses. Newsom also signed a companion measure, Senate Bill 44, which will require the air resources board to study new emissions technology for medium and heavy-duty vehicles and adopt stricter standards by 2030 and 2050, respectively. Newsom rounded out his day Friday by issuing an executive order directing state agencies to examine ways to divest from oil and gas in favor of cleaner technologies. Meanwhile, the agencies that manage California’s pension investment portfolio will work with the Newsom administration on a divestment timeline.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Flying J continues to grow its presence in Illinois with the opening of a new Pilot Travel Center and Truck Care Service Center in Marshall this month. The travel center features full amenities for area residents, the traveling public and professional drivers, while adding approximately 50 local jobs and other economic benefits to the community. The Truck Care Service Center includes a two-bay garage and will add approximately 10 jobs to the area, with up to six positions currently available. “We’re committed to making a better day for people living, working and traveling through Clark County and across the nation,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “We continue to invest in new stores to bring convenience, quality, great food and amenities to those who are traveling the roadways.” This Pilot Travel Center offers many amenities, including 12 gasoline fueling positions and eight diesel lanes with high-speed pumps for quicker refueling; PJ Fresh pizza and grab-and-go offerings prepared on-site daily, including salads, sandwiches, burgers, fruit cups and an array of hot and cold snacks; Pilot’s Best Gourmet Coffees, including bean-to-cup selections and cold brew; Taco Bell; Truck Care Service Center; driver lounge and five shower rooms; public laundry; Western Union; CAT scale; and everyday products for quick shopping needs The new facility will be Pilot Flying J’s 28th location in Illinois, including travel centers and dealers, and it is expected to contribute $2.7 million annually in state and local tax revenues. In August, the company also acquired and rebranded a travel center in Vandalia, Illinois, adding a Denny’s restaurant to the Pilot Travel Center located at 10 Interstate Drive. To meet the needs of industry traffic and provide repair services to professional drivers, the travel center in Marshall will provide more than 64 truck parking spaces and a Truck Care Service Center with roadside assistance. The Truck Care team is seeking ASE-certified technicians with diesel mechanic experience and offers career development, competitive weekly pay and great benefits. To learn more and apply, visit jobs.pilotflyingj.com/technician-and-shop-jobs. In honor of Pilot Flying J’s history of giving back and commitment to fueling life’s journeys, the company is donating $2,500 to benefit the Marshall Community Unit School District C-2’s technology program. “Pilot Flying J is honored to be a part of the Marshall community and to contribute to the local school district,” said Randall Fritz, travel center general manager for Pilot Flying J. “Our friendly team members look forward to serving our guests and providing a clean, all-in-one fuel stop with a variety of food, drinks, supplies and amenities.”

TULSA, Okla. — Driver iQ, a background screening company serving the trucking industry, said Lana Batts and Billie Lee, co-founders and co-presidents of Driver iQ, will be stepping down at the end of the year, but will remain of counsel. Todd Hensley, currently serving as senior vice president of business development, has been named president, effective November 1. “We feel Driver iQ will be in good hands, as Todd has been an integral part of our growth and client relationships since joining our management team in May of 2012,” Batts said. Batts and Lee launched Driver iQ in early 2012 focused on providing a world-class background screening solution for carriers, with the initial phase dedicated to the largest truckload carriers. Today, the company counts 24 of the top 25 carriers as clients, plus hundreds more. “Until Driver iQ, there was only one other option in background screening for the trucking industry,” Batts and Lee said. “We listened and got busy. We are extremely proud of this accomplishment and give all the credit to the Driver iQ team.” “Lana and Billie were the driving force behind Driver iQ — from its inception to the highly regarded company it is today. We want to thank them for their tireless efforts, enthusiasm, knowledge, and wit.” said James Owens, president and CEO of Cisive, of which Driver iQ is a division. “Todd has some mighty big shoes to fill, but we are sure that he will succeed.” Hensley said that from the original vision and continuing efforts of Lee and Batts, Driver iQ has risen to become the preeminent background screening business in the trucking industry. “I look forward to continuing that institution of delivering accurate and compliant information to our clients through our team, whose industry knowledge, client focus and tireless dedication to delivering first class service is one of the things that sets us apart. We will continue to develop and deliver products and services that provide value and benefit to our clients as they navigate the changing landscape of hiring and maintaining their CDL driver fleets,” Hensley said. “We love the trucking industry and its people,” Batts and Lee said. “We are proud to have been a part of the trucking industry and the building of Driver iQ over the past decade. The company is in the hands of a very strong and deep team. We are very confident that Driver iQ will continue to achieve its full potential.” Hensley has over 30 years in the background screening business, extensive focus in the transportation industry. He has been with Driver iQ since 2012. He has held senior management positions with IBM, CrossCom National, DAC Services (now a part of HireRight), Lexis/Nexis and First Advantage Corp. Hensley holds an MBA from Oklahoma City University in International Business, with graduate studies at Richmond College in London, England, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas. He currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he has been actively involved with Junior Achievement, and has served on the board of directors of Big Brothers of Oklahoma.

DALLAS  — The price of gasoline crept higher after a weekend attack devastated Saudi Arabian oil output, but if the disruption to global supplies is short-lived, the impact on the U.S. economy will probably be modest. Prices spiked Monday by more than 14%, their biggest single-day jump in years, but retreated Tuesday, reversing some of the increase. U.S. oil fell nearly 5% to $59.96 a barrel, while Brent, the international benchmark, dropped 5.3% to $65.34. A gallon of regular in the U.S. stood at $2.59 on Tuesday, up 3 cents from the previous day, according to the AAA auto club. Analysts warned that pump prices could rise as much as 25 cents in the coming weeks, but it all depends on how quickly Saudi Arabia returns to normal production. Tuesday’s reversal in prices came as Saudi Arabia’s energy minister reported that 50% of the production cut by the attack had been restored. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said full production would resume by the end of the month. Even before Tuesday’s reversal in prices, economists downplayed the prospect that the price spike could send the economy reeling. After all, Monday’s surge only put prices back where they had been in May. The attack knocked about 5% of the world crude supply offline. Oil prices have been trending mostly lower since spring because of concern about weak demand due to slowing economic growth. Analysts say oil prices did not fully account for the risk posed by tension in the Middle East, but they will now. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed credit for the strike on Saudi oil facilities, but the Trump administration blamed Iran itself. The attack exposed the vulnerability of Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. Higher oil prices mean more costly gasoline, and that will sap consumers’ ability to spend on clothes, travel and restaurant meals. It will hit people who drive for a living. Brian Alectine, a New York-based driver for the ride-hailing apps Lyft and Juno, said a 5- or 10-cent bump in the price of gasoline wouldn’t be too bad, but an increase of 25 cents a gallon would make it hard to earn a profit after expenses, including the monthly rent on the car he drives for work. “The more you drive, the more gas you use,” Alectine said. “It will have a big impact.” AAA said the nationwide average price of gasoline could rise 25 cents this month. Patrick DeHaan, an analyst for price-tracking app GasBuddy, predicted an increase of 10 to 20 cents a gallon. He saw reports of price spikes and people rushing to top off their tanks. “I’m not sure where this panic is coming from,” DeHaan said. “There will be an increase, but prices will still remain over a dollar cheaper than they were earlier this decade.” Any drag on the economy from lower consumer spending would be at least partially offset by increased investment in oil and gas production, according to several leading economists. Gregory Daco, chief economist at Oxford Economics, estimated that the net effect could be a decline of about one-tenth of a percentage point in U.S. economic growth, which was 2.0% in the second quarter. “An oil price shock will weigh on consumer spending and will add a further strain on the global economy, but we’re not talking about a major price shock at this level,” he said, while acknowledging that the situation could escalate if tension increases between the U.S. and Iran — a major producer whose output has been greatly squeezed by Trump administration sanctions. U.S. crude poked above $100 a barrel in stretches between 2011 and mid-2014, yet the economy did not fall into recession. Brent peaked above $140 a barrel in July 2008, which some economists believe was an overlooked contributor to the Great Recession, which is more often linked to a financial crisis and, in the U.S., a housing-market bubble. Brent more than doubled in a few months after Iraq invaded Kuwait, another large oil producer, in 1990. The United States was far more dependent on imported oil in 1990. Saudi Arabia remains the world’s biggest oil exporter, but the United States recently eclipsed both Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the world’s largest producer. That makes the impact of higher oil prices on the U.S. economy much more mixed. Even as consumers and certain industries pay more for fuel, higher oil prices will be good for the U.S. energy industry and states where oil is produced, including Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota. The stock market has highlighted which sectors will be helped or hurt by higher oil prices. On Monday, shares of oil producers surged, naturally, while stocks in airline, cruise and retail companies generally fell. Delivery giants UPS and FedEx dipped. They consume lots of fuel, and their business will suffer if higher energy prices cause consumers to reduce their online shopping. For airlines, fuel is their second biggest cost behind only labor. Airlines were surprisingly adept at adapting to the last big run-up in fuel prices, but it takes them time to raise fares high enough to cover the extra cost. American Airlines burned more than 4.4 billion gallons of fuel last year at a cost of nearly $10 billion, including taxes. On Monday, its shares fell 7.3%, more sharply than other carriers. Unlike most others, American doesn’t buy derivative investments as a hedge against fuel spikes, and its relatively heavy debt load leaves it vulnerable if the economy slows for any reason, including a jump in energy prices. American estimates that over a full year, each penny increase in the price of fuel costs it $45 million. The price went up about 15 cents a gallon over the weekend. If the fuel price increase persists for even a few weeks, analysts said, it could cause airlines to rethink their aggressive growth plans for 2020. Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, said U.S. consumers are in good shape to handle a temporary increase in gasoline prices — with some savings, a tight job market and accelerating wage growth. Consumer psychology, however, can be difficult to predict. “I don’t think this increase in oil prices … would be enough to single-handedly tip us into a recession,” he said. “The one cause for concern is that the consumer is carrying the economy. If the consumer starts to pack it in, the recession odds increase quite significantly.”      

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is poised to revoke California’s authority to set auto mileage standards, asserting that only the federal government has the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy. Conservative and free-market groups have been asked to attend a formal announcement of the rollback set for Wednesday afternoon at Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington. Gloria Bergquist, spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, said Tuesday that her group was among those invited to the event featuring EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The move comes after the Justice Department recently opened an antitrust investigation into a deal between California and four automakers for tougher pollution and related mileage requirements than those sought by President Donald Trump. Trump also has sought to relax Obama-era federal mileage standards nationwide, weakening a key effort by his Democratic predecessor to slow climate change. Top California officials and environmental groups pledged legal action to stop the rollback. The White House declined to comment Tuesday, referring questions to EPA. EPA’s press office did not respond to a phone message and email seeking comment. But EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler told the National Automobile Dealers Association on Tuesday that the Trump administration would move “in the very near future” to take steps toward establishing one nationwide set of fuel-economy standards. “We embrace federalism and the role of the states, but federalism does not mean that one state can dictate standards for the nation,” he said, adding that higher fuel economy standards would hurt consumers by increasing the average sticker price of new cars and requiring automakers to produce more electric vehicles. Word of the pending announcement came as Trump traveled to California on Tuesday for an overnight trip that includes GOP fundraising events near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. California’s authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards goes back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. The state has long pushed automakers to adopt more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles that emit less pollution. A dozen states and the District of Columbia also follow California’s fuel economy standards. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Tuesday that the Trump administration’s action will hurt both U.S. automakers and American families. He said California would fight the administration in federal court. “You have no basis and no authority to pull this waiver,” Becerra, a Democrat, said in a statement, referring to Trump. “We’re ready to fight for a future that you seem unable to comprehend.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the White House “has abdicated its responsibility to the rest of the world on cutting emissions and fighting global warming.” “California won’t ever wait for permission from Washington to protect the health and safety of children and families,” said Newsom, a Democrat. The deal struck in July between California and four of the world’s largest automakers — Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen — bypassed the Trump administration’s plan to freeze emissions and fuel economy standards adopted under Obama at 2021 levels. The four automakers agreed with California to reduce emissions by 3.7% per year starting with the 2022 model year, through 2026. That compares with 4.7% yearly reductions through 2025 under the Obama standards. Emissions standards are closely linked with fuel economy requirements because vehicles pollute less if they burn fewer gallons of fuel. The U.S. transportation sector is the nation’s biggest single source of planet-warming greenhouse gasses. Wheeler said Tuesday: “California will be able to keep in place and enforce programs to address smog and other forms of air pollution caused by motor vehicles.” But fuel economy has been one of the key regulatory tools the state has used to reduce harmful emissions. Environmentalists condemned the Trump administration’s expected announcement. “Everyone wins when we adopt strong clean car standards as our public policy,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. “Strong clean car standards give us healthier air to breathe, help protect us from the urgent threat of climate change and save Americans hundreds of dollars a year in gas expenses.”