Truck Driving Job News Archives

Relay Payments announces top 5 finalists in 2024 Haul of Fame contest

Linda Garner-Bunch - August 6, 2024

ATLANTA — Five drivers have made it to the finals in Relay Payments’ 2024 Haul of Fame competition. The company launched the annual contest, which honors inspiring truck drivers and their contributions to the trucking industry, in 2023. According to a statement from Relay Payments, more than 2,500 votes were tallied during the public voting process, narrowing the field down to five finalists, including: Kevin Worley Worley began his trucking career hauling automobiles. Now, 48 years later, he says he’s driven across nearly every interstate. Known for his meticulous care of equipment and adherence to safety, he loves the open road. His dedication has earned him a reputation as a standout professional in the industry. Kirk Phillips Phillips has been a truck driver for 43 years with Johnsonville Trucking. During that time, he’s accrued over 3.1 million safe miles. A member of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers President’s Safe Driver’s Club for 25 years, he’s known for his dedication to safety and mentorship. He also drives the ‘Big Taste Grill’ truck, providing food and supplies during disaster relief events. Roger Machback Machback has been driving trucks for a total of 24 years, taking a hiatus after losing his right arm in a boating accident. In 2008, he returned to the road after designing a custom prosthetic arm. He was one of the first in Maine to qualify for interstate travel with an amputation. He now advocates for other amputees, helping them regain their CDLs and adapt to life post-amputation. Fidel Herrera Herrera has been a truck driver for more than 20 years, starting with a local supermarket before obtaining his CDL. Known for his dedication to safety, clean trucks and mentoring fellow drivers, he enjoys the freedom of the road and providing excellent service. Herrera is a respected owner-operator as well as a passionate advocate for the trucking community. Deb Labree Labree, who has been a truck driver for 18 years, is a key figure in the Women In Trucking association, serving on both the organization’s board and Image Team. She exemplifies that trucking is not just a “man’s job” and is a role model for aspiring female drivers. In addition, Labree is committed to safety and efficiency, making her an inspiration for all in the industry. After careful evaluation, a celebrity judging panel will select two winners of the 2024 Haul of Fame competition; these winners will be announced Sept. 3. The two winners will receive an array of prizes, including a trip to the Quaker State 400 race weekend in Atlanta Sept. 6-8, ahead of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Each winner will receive a $250 fuel voucher and will be featured on Timothy Dooner’s “WHAT THE TRUCK?!?” podcast. This year’s celebrity judges include: NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Series Cup champion and current vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports; Timothy Dooner, an award-winning podcaster who hosts and produces the “WHAT THE TRUCK?!?” podcast for Freightwaves; Clarissa Rankin, considered to be one of the most well-known female truck drivers and a TikTok influencer with 1.8 million followers who advocates for women in trucking and owns a CDL school; and Ryan Droege, CEO and co-founder of Relay Payments, a fintech company that provides payment options for the trucking and logistics industry. For more information about the Haul of Fame, click here.

For the fourth straight week, fuel prices fall

Bruce Guthrie - August 5, 2024

Diesel fuel prices continue to trend downward. For the fourth week in a row, prices fell, this time natinonally by about a penny per gallon to $3.755 from $3.768 according to the numbers released by the Petroleum Administration for Defense District. The penny drop in price was the norm across most reporting regions. The exceptions were the Central Atlantic and the Midwest. The Central Atlantic regions’ prices fell more than three cents to under $4 per gallon. That region fell four cents last week to $4.028. The price plunge continued to $3.991 per gallon. The Midwest region made a very minute jump from $$3.727 to $3.729 this week. West Coast fell by two cents from $4.370 to $4.356

USDOT withdraws rule allowing testing of oral fluids in Clearinghouse

Dana Guthrie - August 2, 2024

WASHINGTON — After receiving negative comments, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Aug. 1, 2024, published a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing a direct final rule (DFR) that was published on June 21 regarding procedures for transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing programs. “Because DOT received adverse comments on the DFR, the rule has been withdrawn, and the provisions of the DFR will not take effect,” according to an Aug. 1 press release. In May 2023, the DOT announced changes to the program to allow for the inclusion of oral fluid testing. The DFR was not intended to replace current drug testing collection methods but to add to the choices employers and drivers have when taking an agency-issued test. The final rule, established June 21, 2024, stated that the USDOT would be making a series of technical amendments to its drug testing procedures rule, which was effective June 1. According to the USDOT, the purpose of the technical amendments was “to clarify certain provisions of the rule and address omissions of which we have become aware since the publication of the final rule. ” The original proposed rule stated that the USDOT was proposing to revise its drug and alcohol testing procedures to provide temporary qualification requirements for mock oral fluid monitors, provide for consistent privacy requirements by identifying which individuals may be present during an oral fluid collection, and clarify how collectors are to specify that a sufficient volume of oral fluid iscollected. According to the Aug. 1 notice, the USDOT is simultaneously publishing the revision of its drug testing regulation as a direct final rule without a prior proposed rule. If no adverse comments are received, the agency says it will not take further action on the proposed rule. The DOT received 19 comments on the rule, including one from the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association. “NDASA previously submitted opposition to the final rule and now submits a detailed response that directly addresses problem areas for this proposed change,” the NDASA said. To view all the comments submitted on the rule, click here.

Texas ‘tech’: Southeastern Freight’s Kaitlynn Aikin embraces career as diesel tech

Dwain Hebda - August 2, 2024

If 13-year-old Kaitlynn Aikin could see herself today, as a decorated diesel technician for Southeastern Freight Lines, she wouldn’t believe her eyes. “My freshman-year self would be astounded,” said Aikin, now 20. Back then, Aikin had her mind set on a career in law enforcement. However, as a high schooler she took advantage of an opportunity to take an automotive program — and unintentionally discovered her future career. “I was always interested in mechanical things growing up, and seeing how things worked,” she said. “When I was 16, I thought it would be very fun to attend a trade school class. I fell in love; I did very well in the program, and I took a job at a shop, working in the tire shop and on cars. “They also had a diesel shop on the same property, and I got to go there and work on boats, excavators, tractors, all the big rigs,” she continued. “It was just very interesting to me.” Following high school graduation in 2022, Aikin completed a technician training program before joining Southeastern’s Fort Worth service center. To date, she has yet to share a classroom or workspace with another female, yet she insists she’s never felt any intimidation in the male-dominated field. “I didn’t find it intimidating at all being the only female. I found it more of a challenge,” she said. “There’s a competition aspect to it; I want to see how good I could be.” So far, all assessment of the Alabama native runs along the lines of “pretty damn good.” Despite being on the job for just a few months, she landed Southeastern’s award last December. She’s also blended into her work group with a poise and skill usually reserved for people with many more years under their belt, a fact she struggles to explain. “Everything about this field just came naturally to me. It’s very intriguing to figure out how something works and why it works and how it can fail,” she said. “Electrical diagnostics is just fun. It’s something that has laws; a circuit can only fail in three ways, for example. After you figure that out, it’s fairly simple from there. “I just see it as a constant puzzle of understanding how parts go together, how they function and what their purpose is,” she added. “After you understand the basics, it’s a pretty simple understanding of how to diagnose it, which is also very fun because you’re just trying to find the problem.” One of Aikin’s secret weapons in her job is humility. Despite her recent accolades and recognition, she never turns down the chance to learn or fails to ask more experienced team members for help. “[At Southeastern] you work with another technician for your first two months. I was actually put under two more experienced technicians,” she said. “They were very helpful with any questions I had, and they showed me the proper procedure to do anything that I had questions on. If they couldn’t answer my question, they would send me to someone else who could explain it. “That’s been very helpful because where we used to be called mechanics, because we worked on things that are mechanical, we’re now called technicians because we can do anything from electronics to body work on the vehicle,” she continued. “A lot of the systems that used to be mechanically controlled are now electronically actuated. So you have a lot more electronic failures and you have to do a lot more electronic diagnoses.” Despite her tender age, Aikin has quickly become a role model for other young people in general — and young women and girls in particular — to consider the field of diesel technology. It is a message that industry is desperate to deliver to prospective workers. Speaking to the Virtual Diesel Expo in 2022, Diesel Laptops founder and CEO Tyler Robertson estimated there were 80,000 open positions for diesel technicians in the U.S., while colleges only produced about 10,000 new technicians for the trade annually. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also underscored the scope of the problem, noting that between 2020 and 2030, the industry is expected to add 28,100 openings annually for diesel service technicians and mechanics. Asked what she would tell a roomful of young people about the industry were she given the opportunity to do so, Aikin’s first advice is to get the facts about a career as a tech. “I was told growing up that you need a four-year degree to be successful,” she said. “That was never the path that I wanted to take. I didn’t want to go to college for four years and then not use my degree for anything. With trade school, you’re hands-on and you get into the workforce within a year or two after graduating high school. There are plenty of different programs you can go through that teach you and will actually help you accel in using those real-world skills.” As for the courage to break stereotypes, she said she’d advise any young woman or person of color to embrace such challenges. “Some things may seem very challenging at first, but whenever you break something down it makes it a lot easier,” she said. “Take things piece by piece instead of trying to take on everything at once, slow down and take a deep breath. It’ll be OK. We all find those things that are challenging to ourselves and working through them is what makes us who we are.”

While still high, trucking unemployment trends lower

Bruce Guthrie - August 2, 2024

While displaying a trend in the right direction, the unemployment numbers for the trucking industry are still much higher than the overall percentages. According to a recent release, the unemployment rate in the U.S. transportation sector was 5.7% (not seasonally adjusted) in July 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As annotated on the the Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) Unemployment in Transportation dashboard, in July 2024, the transportation sector unemployment rate rose 0.8 percentage points from 4.9% in July 2023 and was above the pre-pandemic July 2019 level of 4.2%. Unemployment in the transportation sector reached its highest level during the COVID-19 pandemic (15.7%) in May 2020 and July 2020. Unemployment in the transportation sector was higher than overall unemployment. BLS reports that the U.S. unemployment rate, not seasonally adjusted, in July 2024 was 4.5% or 1.2 percentage points below the transportation sector rate. Seasonally adjusted, the U.S. unemployment rate in July 2024 was 4.3%. Seasonally adjusted, employment in the transportation and warehousing sector rose to 6,635,900 in July 2024 — up 0.2% from the previous month and up 0.9% from July 2023. Employment in transportation and warehousing grew 16.7% in July 2024 from the pre-pandemic July 2019 level of 5,687,800. By mode (seasonally adjusted): Air transportation fell to 575,500 in July 2024 — down 0.2% from the previous month but up 4.2% from July 2023. Truck transportation fell to 1,544,700 in July 2024 — down 0.2% from the previous month and down 1.9% from July 2023. Transit and ground passenger transportation fell to 432,100 in July 2024 — down 2.4% from the previous month but up 1.0% from July 2023. Rail transportation fell to 151,700 in July 2024 — down 0.1% from the previous month and down 0.9% from July 2023. Water transportation remained virtually unchanged in July 2024 at 76,000 from the previous month but up 8.1% from July 2023. Pipeline transportation rose to 54,400 in July 2024 — up 0.6% from the previous month and up 5.6% from July 2023. Warehousing and storage rose to 1,794,900 in July 2024 — up 0.6% from the previous month but down 0.5% from July 2023.

Freight trends from DAT One and DAT iQ show declining load posts; spot rate drops

Dana Guthrie - August 1, 2024

BEAVERTON, Ore. — According to DAT Freight & Analytics, load posts declined 3% while spot rates slumped. According to a press release, summer seasonality continued to take hold in the spot truckload freight market. The number of loads posted on DAT One fell for the second straight week, dropping by 3% to 1.83 million last week, down 7% year over year. Truck posts decreased 6% to 324,253. “At 4.1, the national average dry van load-to-truck ratio is the highest for Week 30 in eight years, except for the pandemic year of 2020, when it was 4.2,” said DAT principal analyst Dean Croke. “The national average dry van linehaul spot rate has decreased by 6 cents per mile in the last month. The average rate of $1.64 per mile is almost the same as last year.” Croke added that On DAT One’s Top 50 van lanes (based on the number of loads moved), the average rate was $2.03 a mile, down 3 cents week over week. “At $1.96 per mile, the average reefer linehaul rate was 3 cents lower year over year and 2 cents lower than the three-month trailing average,” Coke said. “Weak produce shipments have affected demand for reefer trucks: the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that truckload produce volumes for Week 30 are among the lowest in 10 years.” Dry Vans ▼ Van loads: 863,599, down 1.9% week over week ▼ Van equipment: 212,812, down 6.2% ▼ Linehaul rate: $1.64 net fuel, down 1 cent week over week ▲ Load-to-truck ratio: 4.1, up from 4.0 Reefers ▼ Reefer loads: 409,340, down 3.8% week over week ▼ Reefer equipment: 64,446, down 7.5% ▼ Linehaul rate: $1.96 net fuel, down 4 cents ▲ Load-to-truck ratio: 6.4, up from 6.3 Flatbeds ▼ Flatbed loads: 559,343, down 5.6% week over week ▼ Flatbed equipment: 46,995, down 4.2% ▼ Linehaul rate: $2.00 net fuel, down 2 cents ▼ Load-to-truck ratio: 11.9, down from 12.5

Semi-Finalists announced for the 2024 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award

Dana Guthrie - August 1, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative has announced the semi-finalists for the 2024 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award. “This year’s group of ‘Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award’ semi-finalists are inspiring examples of accomplished military veterans who are making a successful transition into the trucking industry,” said Kenworth director of marketing, Kyle Kimball. “Kenworth is honored to mark our ninth year of participation in the program with FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative. I look forward to meeting all the esteemed semi-finalists this fall and presenting the T680 keys to a deserving veteran in Washington, D.C. at the end of the year.” Launched in 2016 to recognize the achievements of veterans transitioning into the transportation industry, this year’s program semi-finalists represent multiple branches of the United States Military, including National Guard and Reserve components. The semi-finalists include: Jadarion Blakemore, U.S. Army (E-5), CRST – The Transportation Solution Inc. (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Quantae Dozier, U.S. Army (E-4), Epes Transport System, LLC (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Richard Flirt III, U.S. Navy (E-4), Legacy Express (Trained by Fox Valley Technical College) Brian Ferguson, U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard (E-7), Melton Truck Lines (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Justin Sisler, U.S. Marine Corps (E-2), Prime Inc. (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School) Douglas Couch, U.S. Navy (E-5), Roehl Transport, Inc. Mark Joseph, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard (O-3), Stevens Transport (Trained by Troops Into Transportation) Cory Troxwell, U.S. Army (E-7), Stevens Transport (Trained by Phoenix Truck Driving Institute) Shawn Haley, U.S. Marine Corps (E-4), Veriha Trucking LLC (Truck Driver Institute) William Taylor, U.S. Coast Guard (E-7), Werner Enterprises (Trained by Roadmaster Drivers School) According to a press release, the grand prize is a Kenworth T680 truck, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine rated at 455 horsepower, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. The Kenworth T680 features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 leather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The 76-inch sleeper includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge, and a rotating worktable. The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth’s Digital Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering, according to the release. “The Transition Trucking award campaign highlights the impact veterans are making in the transportation industry and introduce a new generation of veterans to the real economic opportunity a career in trucking can represent,” said president of Hiring Our Heroes and a vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Eric Eversole. As part of the ninth annual award program, each semi-finalist will attend a ceremony at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Sept. 25th in Columbus, Ohio. The following day will include a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant where semi-finalists will be recognized, and finalists will be announced. “We are immensely proud to recognize this diverse group in the program’s history, including a large number of drivers in Registered Apprenticeship Programs,” said president of FASTPORT, Inc., Brad Bentley. “These remarkable drivers assure us that the future of this industry is in excellent hands, and we look forward to saluting the heroes who navigate the highways of opportunity that trucking offers.” Finalists and the ultimate winner will be part of a greatly expanded veteran-focused week that includes a Veteran-Ready Summit on (December 11-14) the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award announcement on December 13th, Employment Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support Signing Ceremony later that afternoon, and Wreaths Across America on December 14th. According to the release, a public vote will occur online from November 1st until Veteran’s Day. This voting is an important determiner for the award’s Selection Committee, which makes the ultimate choice for the next Transition Trucking award winner. For more information, visit the Transition Trucking website.

Fleet Focus: CVSA inspection events present learning opportunities for truck owners

Cliff Abbott - August 1, 2024

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted the 2024 Operation Safe Driver Week July 7-13. The focus of this year’s event was reckless, careless or dangerous driving. The annual CVSA event is aimed at enforcement and education with a focus on sharing the roads safely. Unsafe driving behaviors by drivers of both passenger and commercial motor vehicles are targeted. The CVSA cited 42,795 fatal traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, the latest year that figures are available. There were another 15,979 reported fatal crashes in Mexico. Canada reported 1,768 in 2021. The results of the event won’t be released until September or so, but drivers and owners of commercial vehicles can learn from CVSA goals and results of past years. Truck owners who purchase their own liability insurance know that the cost is a major business expense. Accident claims only drive those costs higher and can be prohibitively high for a small carrier with large or numerous claims on their record. Results from 2023 Operation Safe Driver Week In the 2023 event, 2,634 tickets were issued to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and 1,860 to drivers of passenger vehicles. Speeding was a focus area of the week, and the distribution of citations was interesting. While truckers received 58.6% of the total citations issued, they received 35.3% of the tickets issued for speeding. The second-most tickets overall were written for “other state/local driver violations,” with the category being the number-one ticket getter for commercial vehicle drivers and the second-most for passenger vehicle drivers. The category includes such violations as no registration, no proof of insurance, size and weight violations, defective equipment and other violations inspectors might find after pulling a vehicle over. Failure to wear a seat belt As usual, a substantial number of drivers received warnings or citations for failure to wear a seat belt. 512 warnings and 553 tickets were issued, but the split says that too many truckers haven’t received the message. 455 warnings, 89% of the total, and 467 tickets, more than 84% of the total, went to commercial truck drivers. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that about 14% of truck drivers don’t wear their safety belt, nearly 50% of truckers killed in crashes weren’t buckled in. Truckers may have a reputation of being independent-minded people, but statistics that show that about one of every seven drivers don’t wear safety belts. That’s mind-boggling to some! No one plans an accident, of course, but it seems that the specter of bouncing around the cab like a BB in a rollover crash or being ejected in a direct collision would act as a deterrent to all but the most stubborn of people. Improper use of handheld devices One area that has seen some large swings in warning and citation numbers is the use of handheld devices. In the 2023 event, 243 warnings and 262 citations were handed out. Tickets were about evenly divided between commercial and passenger drivers, but about 65% of warnings went to truckers. The prior year looked much different. In the 2022 event there were 876 warnings. More than three-quarters of those went to drivers of passenger vehicles. The 496 tickets issued, however, were more evenly divided with commercial vehicle drivers receiving 48% and passenger vehicle drivers 52%. During the CVSA’s 2021 event, there were fewer warnings and more tickets. Of 917 tickets issued, 37.5% went to truckers. Differences may have been due to CVSA focus areas, local jurisdiction enforcement preferences or other reasons, but in the three years total warnings and tickets for handheld devices have dropped from 1,607 in 2021 to 505 in 2023. Perhaps that’s a result of education efforts or simply a difference in enforcement policy, but the fewer devices being used, the better. For owners of trucks and small fleets, and especially those who hire drivers for their equipment, Operation Safe Driver Week is a look into the overall behaviors of drivers on the highways. If, for example, the driver you hire is the one of seven who doesn’t wear a seat belt, an accident could be more costly to you if it occurs. One benefit of wearing a seat belt is keeping the driver in the seat after an impact, possibly eliminating a second or third impact. A driver knocked out of the seat controls nothing. Both drivers, motor carriers impacted by citations Even if there’s no accident, if the driver has violations for not using seat belts listed on the Pre-Employment Screening report or on the Motor Vehicle Report, your insurance rates could be raised and your CSA (compliance, safety and accountability) score could be impacted. Use of handheld devices has been compared with drunk driving in terms of what happens to a driver’s ability. At 70 mph, a five-second look to read a text message or social media post takes a vehicle nearly a tenth of a mile. Citations for use of handheld equipment are severe — and they should be. There are simply too many hands-free options, including Bluetooth headsets and dashboard “infotainment” screens for anyone to have a phone or tablet in hand while driving. Violations in a driver’s record for using a handheld device while driving are a large red flag, especially if there are multiple instances. It’s a good idea to ask a driver you are considering for hire how they will handle incoming phone calls or text messages. Equipment violations, especially warnings, may not show up on a driver’s MVR, but may appear on a PSP report. Repeated violations can be an indication of how well that driver will take care of your equipment. Unfortunately, some carriers take better care of tractors and trailers than others, and some violations may reflect lax inspection and maintenance schedules, but it’s always worth asking prospective drivers. Events like Operation Safe Driver Week, when combined with other CSVA operations like Operation Roadcheck, help provide a view into what’s happening on the road as well as opportunities to correct unsafe behaviors. Those who complain about those “four-wheelers” and the trouble they cause can be glad that they’re being watched, too. After all, everyone wins when safety happens.

History matters: Drivers with clean backgrounds are more likely to land the best jobs

Cliff Abbott - August 1, 2024

People can be particular about the items they buy and use. That trait extends to truckers, too. Some wear only the best in blue jeans or boots. Others carry the latest technology when it comes to smart phones or watches. Some consider their favorite brand of truck to be superior to others and won’t drive anything else. Many are just as discerning about the things they buy and use at home. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wanting only the best. When it comes to hiring or adding drivers, many carriers want the best, too. Federal regulations demand that background checks be performed on every driver. Considering the catastrophic impact of a “nuclear verdict,” the large cost of losing a lawsuit, carriers need to hire the best available drivers they can find. That’s why your background is so important. It’s also why it’s a mystery that so many drivers don’t work harder to make sure their industry history is as clean and credible as possible. After all, your background is the largest asset you have when you’re trying to get a new job or lease on to a carrier with a truck you’ve purchased. In the interest of full disclosure, the writer of this story (that’s me, The Trucker’s Cliff Abbott) has managed driver recruiting teams at several carriers. I’ve seen thousands of applications and reviewed so many MVRs (Motor Vehicle Reports), DAC (employment history) reports, PSPs (Pre-Employment Screenings) and a mountain of other documents. Maintain a clean driving record, and remember that inspections matter Let’s start with the driving record. I was always amazed at drivers who listed “zero” traffic citations on their application, only to act surprised when a recruiter informed them that we knew about the ones listed on their MVR — all six of them. Maybe they truly forgot about one or two of those citations, or perhaps they thought the date they received them was outside of the time limit specified on the application. After all, three years ago vs. a decade … who can remember? The Department of Motor Vehicles, that’s who. And employers have access to all of this information. Checking an applicant’s PSP report was usually interesting, too The PSP report lists mostly accident or inspection information for the past two to three years — but it also lists any citations issued, even if they were only a warning or the driver was acquitted in court. Sometimes the citations on the PSP showed up on the driver’s MVR, and sometimes not. For example, if the PSP has an entry of “speeding,” some carriers will treat the incident as an actual violation, while some won’t unless it also appears on the driver’s MVR. The PSP report also shows inspection results. While chafed air lines or inoperative lights aren’t counted as traffic tickets, the PSP can indicate patterns in a driver’s behavior. Multiple violations for the same issues can be a sign that a driver isn’t performing pre-trip inspections or doesn’t properly secure cargo. Poor performance in the past can trip you up, now and in the future The employment history report often reveals information the driver didn’t disclose. Many motor carriers subscribe to HireRight’s DAC report, but there are other companies that provide this information as well. Sometimes the carrier you’re applying with will reach out directly to your ex-employers, too. The information carriers will report about a previous employee’s history varies, with some providing a minimal amount of information — while others don’t hold back about “the good, the bad and the ugly” of a driver’s performance. For example, there are legitimate reasons a driver might not return a carrier’s truck to a company terminal when resigning. However, if eight different employers report that you quit while under dispatch and abandoned their truck, that’s a major red flag that most recruiters will notice. Another common issue is whether or not your work record with each employer is satisfactory and if you are eligible for rehire. Conflicts do happen, and not every job ends with good feelings on both sides. But if multiple carriers report that your employment was terminated and your work record unsatisfactory, there is cause for concern. With the creation of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, positive drug screens and refusals to test are much more difficult to conceal. If you answered the question, “Have you ever tested positive…” with a “no” — and then the prospective employers spots a positive result or a refusal to test on a Clearinghouse query, you can add “dishonest” to your reputation … and you won’t be hired. Your reputation is more than what you put on the application. You may not need a new job today, but tomorrow you might. Or you may want to purchase your own truck and lease it to a carrier. A background check will be done for that, too. The best practice is to keep your record as clean as possible. If you need to resign, don’t let your emotions dictate your actions. Even if you’re angry, leave as a professional. Take care of citations. Comply with physical exam requirements. Don’t do drugs. The first step in looking for a new job, before you fill out the first application, is to find out what’s already on your record. Find out how to order your MVR from the jurisdiction that issued your CDL, then order it. Know what’s in your reports and make sure your application information is accurate Order your PSP report. Obtain a copy of your HireRight DAC report. It’s free. Check with the Clearinghouse to make sure there’s no derogatory information in your file. If you find errors in ANY report, find out how to correct them. Since your employment history is stored and reported by a consumer reporting agency, they are bound by law to investigate anything in your record at your request, and they must include your rebuttal if the problem isn’t resolved. Finally, you’ll be miles ahead if you make sure the information you put on your job application matches your background records. Your employment history includes your dates of employment. Your MVR will include the dates of each citation, or show that you didn’t have any. Your PSP will show the carrier that employed you when your truck was inspected or in an accident, so make sure you list that carrier on the application. In an industry that averages more than a job per year per employee, changing jobs isn’t uncommon. It can be tough to remember who you worked for years ago and the dates you worked there. Traffic stops are forgotten and remembering if that speeding ticket was three years ago or five can be confusing. Checking your own background before you apply helps the recruiter see your efficiency and honesty.

Stop the nutritional merry-go-round: Pick the right ‘fuel’ for your body’s needs

Bob Perry - July 31, 2024

It seems that every week there’s a new finding on how to eat, what to eat, what not to eat — all advice designed to help us lose weight. I’m always interested by the number of people I come into contact with each week who are trying a “new” diet program because the one touted in last week’s big news splash didn’t work. The first question I ask is this: how often do you change the brands or types of oil or fuel you use in your truck? This may seem completely unrelated to your food intake — but think about it. When it comes to your truck, or even your personal vehicle, I’m sure you want to put in the best products that will give you the best outcomes in terms of mileage, performance and endurance. The same could be said of what you put into your body. This why it’s important to learn about understanding what works best for you when deciding what foods are best for fueling your body. Here are some tips that can help you navigate the jungle of food and diet options out there. Be realistic when setting goals, and then be consistent. Reaching and maintaining good health is about being consistent, along with setting realistic goals based on the lifestyle of everyone who’ll be impacted by your food choices. For instance, if you typically travel and cook with a partner whose nutritional needs vary from yours, meal prep can be a challenge. Find middle ground, or make it a rule that you each prepare your own meals. In addition, eating healthy can be a challenge for drivers. When shopping at your favorite travel center when you stop to fuel up, options are often limited. If you must eat at a travel center, a good rule to follow is search for salads in the cold-case section. I suggest stocking up on prepackaged, ready-to-eat tuna, chicken or salmon packs that you can add to a salad for extra protein. (You can also look for canned products in the convenience store.) Pay attention to food labels and ingredients. Know what’s in the food you’re eating. In particular, beware of an item’s sodium level (this means salt). Consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, even for a healthy person — and if you already have high blood pressure it can make it hard to manage your levels. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for sodium is no more than 2,000 mg. That’s equivalent to about one teaspoon of salt for the entire day! Watch your serving sizes. Another rule to follow is to pay attention to the number of servings noted on a product’s nutritional label. Food packagers are tricky! That “individual” package that has two oh-so-yummy chocolate-chip cookies probably actually contains TWO servings rather than one. That means that if you eat both cookies, you’re getting double the calories, sugar, etc. The nutritional info for other packages that appear to be “single serving” may actually allow for three — or even more — small servings. This is where many of us make a huge mistake in not calculating our caloric intake, if you are counting calories and watching sugar. For example, one 12-ounce can of non-diet soda has about 36 grams of sugar. Let’s see … 1 tablespoon of sugar is equal to 12 grams, so 36 divided by 12 equals 3 full tablespoons of sugar in a single serving. According to the American Heart Association, the RDA of sugar is 36 grams (9 teaspoons) for men and 25 grams (6 teaspoons) for women. That means that, for women, one can of soda can be responsible for 50% of sugar intake for a 24-hour period! In short, it’s vital that you understand the amount and type of fuel your body (your “engine”) requires and needs, and that you meet those needs without going over the recommended limits. To read more from Bob Perry, click here.

CVSA promotes education, outreach and safe equipment during Brake Safety Week

Cliff Abbott - July 31, 2024

Brake safety week will be here before you know it! The Commercial Vehicle Training Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled this year’s event for Aug. 25-31. During this inspection blitz, safety checks — including a large number of Level IV inspections — will be conducted on large trucks and buses across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Brake Safety Week is one of two annual CVSA events that focus on commercial motor vehicles’ (CMVs) brake systems. Brake Safety Day (which is never announced in advance) was conducted on June 10 this year. During that event, inspectors placed 570 vehicles — that’s 11.8% of those inspected — out of service for critical inspection item violations. The most common violation was 20% or more of brake devices out of adjustment. An 18-wheeler has 10 wheel-ends, so it only takes two for an OOS condition. Other OOS violations included worn brake lines or hoses, air leaks, broken brake drums, defective low-air warning devices and more. Brake Safety Week, unlike the one-day surprise event, is announced early, giving truck owners, fleet managers and drivers plenty of time to prepare. This year’s focus areas are brake linings and pads During this year’s week-long brake safety event, inspectors will pay extra attention to brake linings and pads. Linings that show excessive wear or that are loose, broken or contaminated with a substance (such as oil from leaking wheel seals) will be cause for a vehicle being placed out of service (OOS). Although not an area of focus, inspectors will also measure brake adjustment and the make note of the condition of parts and air lines, too. In-cab checks may be conducted to determine the condition of low-air warnings and the operation of tractor and trailer protection valves. Some jurisdictions are equipped with performance-based brake testers, machines that measure the braking forces at each wheel end, for an axle or for the entire vehicle. While these devices can’t identify the particular brake part responsible for a problem, they can identify when brakes don’t have the stopping power to safely bring the vehicle to a halt. The condition of brake linings is an issue for some drivers Brake linings may be hidden by inspection plates and can be difficult for drivers to access. Many drivers don’t know how to measure push-rod travel, so they leave that task to the technicians in the maintenance department. When an automatic slack adjuster (the device that pushes the push rod) is out of adjustment, manufacturers advise against trying to adjust it. The correct action is to have it replaced, something drivers aren’t equipped to do on the road. In most applications, slack adjusters should appear to be at about the same angle, so if one adjuster stands out at a different angle than the rest, there may be a problem on that wheel end. Other brake components, however, aren’t difficult to inspect. Drivers can check air lines, including lines from tractor to trailer and those hanging under the trailer, for damage and leaks. In-cab checks for low air pressure warnings and protection valve operation should be performed regularly. With the truck turned off and the windows down, even small air leaks can be heard. It takes a little effort, but a good look under the truck to make sure everything is connected and nothing damaged should also be done regularly. If the steering pulls to one side or the other when brakes are applied, that’s an indication the brakes are out of adjustment on at least one wheel. That’s a dangerous condition, and an automatic OOS violation if found at an inspection. Pre-inspect your vehicle ahead of time It’s a good idea to have the brakes inspected shortly before the CVSA event (or whenever the driver isn’t sure they are in proper working condition). Some carriers routinely perform inspections when the truck is in the shop for maintenance, but some utilize vendor services while the truck is on the road. Carriers that utilize a lot of trailer pools to create drop-and-hook opportunities for drivers sometimes don’t get trailers in for proper inspection as often as necessary. That’s why pre-trip inspections by the driver are critical to keeping them in good condition. Unfortunately, the conditions at pickup aren’t always good for inspections. Finding and hooking up to a loaded trailer in a muddy lot at midnight is difficult enough. The trailer may need to be moved to a better location, and a flashlight will be needed. No matter the circumstance, hauling the trailer to your destination without inspecting isn’t an acceptable way to operate. What is the CVSA and what do they do? Drivers sometimes assume that the CVSA is a law-enforcement group that exists to make their jobs more difficult. This is not exactly the case. While law enforcement groups are a part of CVSA, so are manufacturers of vehicles and vehicle components, as well as carriers. The CVSA is a partnership of industry groups that conducts regular meetings to decide on inspection criteria and develop inspection procedures. Inspectors can’t simply decide they don’t like the way something looks; they must follow detailed guidance developed by CVSA. Check out these online resources The CVSA provides a great deal of information on its website, including downloadable guides for inspection types and procedures and guidance for drivers to pass inspections. For example, drivers can download a flyer with detailed information about checking brake shoes, pads, drums and rotors here. Another document that provides brake adjustment information can be viewed and downloaded here. A flyer explaining how the performance-based brake tester works can be found here. A large part of the CVSA’s mission is education and outreach. This includes educating drivers on how inspections are conducted and how to pass vehicle inspections. It also includes accumulating data that is used to help manufacturers make better products and carriers develop better maintenance and safety processes. It’s a team effort designed to keep everyone safer. Although being inspected by a uniformed law enforcement official can be inconvenient — and sometimes intimidating — it doesn’t have to be. Inspectors and drivers are both trying to do their part to save lives. Many inspectors are glad to explain what they are looking for and what constitutes a violation. Being impatient or confrontational only adds stress to everyone’s day. Take advantage of the information available and be prepared for Brake Safety Week — and every week.

Nominations now open for WIT’s 2024 Influential Woman in Trucking award

Erica N. Guy - July 31, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) and Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) are now accepting nominations for the “2024 Influential Woman in Trucking” award. Created in 2010, the award honors women in the transportation industry who make or influence key decisions in corporate, manufacturing, supplier, owner-operator, driver, sales or dealership settings. The women also have a proven responsibility and mentorship record and serve as role models to other women in the industry. “Celebrating the successes of women in the transportation profession is a key part of the mission of Women In Trucking,” said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of WIT. “It’s an honor each year to share the stories and successes through this award.” “The Influential Woman in Trucking award highlights the incredible contributions of women in our industry and aligns with our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce,” said Angela Lentz, Chief People Officer at DTNA. “We have seen the representation of women in the truck industry grow at all levels, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite, and we believe that by celebrating the accomplishments of women in trucking, we can continue to drive positive change and innovation in our industry.” Nominations will be accepted through September 11 at https://witawards.secure-platform.com/site. The winner will be announced at the WIT Accelerate! Conference & Expo held in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 10-13, 2024. Each finalist will be asked to serve as a panelist for the coffee chat discussion on Nov. 12. The winner will receive a two-hour virtual coaching session with keynote speaker Ankha Marza prior to the Accelerate! Conference & Expo. Past recipients of the Influential Woman in Trucking Award include: 2023 – Shelley Simpson, president, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. 2022 – Trina Norman, Southern California feeder operations manager, UPS 2021 – Lily Ley, vice president and chief information officer, PACCAR 2020 – Kristy Knichel, president of Knichel Logistics, and Jodie Teuton, co-founder of Kenworth of Louisiana 2019 – Ruth Lopez, director, transportation management, Ryder System, Inc. 2018 – Angela Eliacostas, founder and CEO, AGT Global Logistics 2017 – Daphne Jefferson, principal and executive coach, Jefferson Consulting Group, LLC (former deputy administrator, FMCSA) 2016 – Ramona Hood, president and CEO, FedEx Custom Critical 2015 – Kari Rihm, president, Rihm Kenworth 2014 – Marcia Taylor, CEO, Bennett International Group 2013 – Rebecca Brewster, president & COO, American Transportation Research Institute 2012 – Joyce Brenny, president, Brenny Transportation Inc./Brenny Specialized Inc. 2011 – Rochelle Bartholomew, CEO, CalArk International

Navigating the road to positivity: Understanding the ‘positive person cycle’ for truck drivers

Hope Zvara - July 31, 2024

The life of a truck driver — spent navigating endless miles and spending long hours in solitude — presents a unique set of challenges. Amidst the vast stretches of road, stress, isolation and, at times, negativity, can loom as constant companions. However, as someone once said, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For truck drivers, that step is the cultivation of positive self-talk within a very isolated and often stressful space. This is where the concept of the “Positive Person Cycle” emerges as a beacon of hope. The positive person cycle is a journey of self-improvement and positivity that begins with how individuals communicate with themselves and then extends to the world around them. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing a positive internal dialogue; this is a cornerstone for surviving and thriving amid the solitude of the road. Why does positive self-talk matter? For men and women who spend much of their lives on the road, embracing positive self-talk is crucial. That inner voice can either be a harsh critic or a strong supporter. Positive self-talk helps combat stress, boost self-esteem and helps build resilience against the challenges faced while driving. It is the first step in the positive person cycle, influencing how one feels, reacts and connects with others, ultimately impacting overall health and well-being. What should I talk to myself about? Here are a few simple ideas: Affirm your strengths. Think of your resilience, skills and achievements. “I am a skilled driver who can easily handle challenging situations.” Embrace optimism. Cultivate an optimistic outlook. “Every mile I drive brings me closer to success.” Seek learning. View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. “This setback is an opportunity to improve my problem-solving skills.” Celebrate the small wins. Acknowledge and celebrate every success, no matter how small. “I handled today’s route efficiently.” Don’t underestimate the power of your surroundings. The positive person cycle isn’t just about self-talk. It’s also significantly influenced by the people you surround yourself with and the content you consume. The environments we immerse ourselves in can either elevate our mindset or pull us into negativity. Here are some tips: Choose positivity. Engage with colleagues who uplift you and encourage your growth. Limit exposure to negative news and content that drains your energy. Listen to inspiring content. Opt for podcasts, audiobooks and music that boost your morale and offer new perspectives. Connect with supportive communities. Participate in forums or social media groups dedicated to truck drivers, offering a platform to share experiences and positive vibes. Beyond food and exercise: The holistic approach to health It’s essential that you understand that your health extends beyond the physical, encompassing the food you eat, the exercises you practice and the thoughts you harbor about yourself and the world. Improving your health often begins with reshaping how you think about yourself. Incorporating positive self-talk and cultivating a supportive environment are fundamental steps in enhancing your overall health and well-being. The positive person cycle invites you to embark on a journey of self-improvement, where each positive thought and interaction propels you further along the path of physical, mental and emotional well-being. As you continue to navigate the open road, remember that your journey to health and happiness is ongoing. By embracing the positive person cycle, you are not just driving on highways but also on the pathway to a healthier, happier you.

Diesel prices continue downward trend for third straight week

Bruce Guthrie - July 31, 2024

While not quite as drastic as last week’s diesel plunge, prices did tick downward again for the third consecutive week according to information released July 29. According to the numbers released by the Petroleum Administration for Defense District, diesel fuel prices are continuing to move downward nationally by an average of 1.1 cents from $3.779 to $3.768 per gallon. It was last week that prices dropped the sharpest in the latest continuous downward trend that saw prices fall from an average of $3.826 per gallon to $3.779. The largest decrease in prices came from the Gulf Coast week. This week prices actually went slightly up from $3.461 to $3.468. The Midwests’ prices fell nearly 10 cents last week from $3.551 to $3.461. That ever-so-slight uptick did not sway the trend or affect the national average. The East Coast and Lower Atlantic regions dropped sharply again. The Lower Atlantic region fell by nearly three cents per gallon from $3.778 to $3.751. Meanwhile the East Coast dipped nearly three cents as well from $3.872 to $3.844. California’s diesel prices declined again from $4.874 per gallon $4.831 The two west coast regions’ prices also fell by nearly two cents per gallon. The Midwest did not enjoy as much of the relief as many did, but did edge downward by about a half cent from $3.732 to $3.727.

Van spot rates ease as seasonally stronger period approaches, FTR report shows

Erica N. Guy - July 30, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — When it comes to spot rates, the trend recently has been downward. That trend continued this week. According to a press release issued recently, FTR Transportation Intelligence reported that the broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system declined for the third straight week during the week ended July 26, following holiday-related strength in early July. As noted in previous reports, rate softness in July is the norm, but spot rates for van equipment — especially refrigerated vans — are on the verge of a typical firming period heading into Labor Day. Van spot rates remained higher year-over-year in the latest week, although their positive comparisons tightened. Flatbed spot rates were marginally below the same 2023 week. According to the release, the total load activity bounced back a bit increasing by 2.5% after declining 6.5% during the previous week. Additionally, total volume was nearly 11% above the same 2023 week but more than 24% below the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings increased more than 5%, and the Market Demand Index — the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system — declined to its lowest level since February except for the week that included the Fourth of July holiday. Data also showed that the total broker-posted rate eased just over 1 cent after decreasing nearly 3 cents in the previous week. Total rates were nearly 1.4% above the same 2023 week but about 7% below the five-year average for the week. Although rates usually decline week over week during week 30, decreases are less reliable than they are for week 29. Total rates typically stabilize around early August as gains in van rates start to offset declines in flatbed rates. Week 31 usually sees week-over-week increases in van spot rates but declines in flatbed rates. Dry van spot rates decreased 1.6 cents after falling nearly 6 cents in each of the two most recent weeks as well, according to the release. Rates were up 1.6% year-over-year — the smallest positive comparison in the last four weeks — but were still down almost 11% versus the five-year average. Dry van loads eased 1.1%with the volume standing at more than 8% below the same 2023 week and 30% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated spot rates decreased nearly 3 cents after falling 4.6 cents during the previous week. Rates had risen week over week during each week 30 between 2020 and 2023. Refrigerated rates were about 2% above the same 2023 week but more than 8% below the five-year average. Refrigerated loads decreased 3.1%. Volume was about 7% below the same 2023 week and nearly 30% below the five-year average for the week. Flatbed spot rates declined nearly 2 cents, decreasing more than 1 cent during each of the two most recent weeks. Rates, which usually decline during week 30, were down 0.2% from the same 2023 week and nearly 7% below the five-year average. During week 29, the flatbed saw its first positive year-over-year spot rate comparison in nearly two years. Flatbed loads rose 5.3%. Volume was nearly 38% above the same week last year — the strongest year-over-year comparison since the end of 2021 — but about 23% below the five-year average for the week.

Despite positive signs, freight rates remained stagnant in June

Cliff Abbott - July 30, 2024

Overcapacity continues to suppress the freight market, holding down rates — but are we nearing the long-awaited uptick in the cycle? Most of the analysts think so, but there’s little agreement on how soon it will happen. Despite the evidence that there are still too many trucks available to haul the freight being offered, new trucks are selling. “Class 8 tractor backlogs are thinning, but retail sales remain above replacement, more than two years after the spot market turned down,” said Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research. Dean Croke, principal analyst for DAT IQ, had a slightly different view. “I’m seeing an exodus of capacity from the market,” Croke said. “New trucks are still selling, but much of the sales activity is from private fleets, including dedicated fleets at some carriers. Private fleets are a hedge against higher freight rates. Manufacturers that depended on the spot freight market to move their products were severely impacted by the record spot rates reached in the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased shipping costs ate into corporate profits. In response, manufacturers increased the size of their private fleets so they could deliver more of their own product. In some cases, the costs associated with operating a private fleet exceed those of a for-hire carrier, especially when freight rates are so low. However, those costs are more acceptable when compared with market shipping expenses when rates are high. Larger private fleets harm the spot market in two ways. First, the freight that manufacturers used to send to the spot market is now being hauled on their own trucks. Second, some of those fleets look to increase the efficiency of their trucking operations by picking up backhauls from the spot market. Another reason new truck sales remain strong is the current equipment pre-buy. As the 2027 model-year approaches, more carriers are buying trucks now to avoid buying the 2027 models. The cost of a new Class 8 tractor is expected to rise $25,000-$30,000 due to the newer technology and government-mandated longer warranty periods. Buyers might be willing to spend more if they’re guaranteed that repairs made necessary by the new technology will be covered under warranty, but there’s still the issue of down time while waiting for those repairs. New trucks are expected to use larger amounts of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which has been shown to leave deposits in the exhaust system. Cylinder deactivation may be used to increase fuel mileage. “I get nervous any time you talk about cylinder deactivation and DEF fluid,” Croke said. “I own a Caterpillar engine, and heat is a problem.” Whatever the reasons for buying, the more trucks that are sold, the longer freight rates will take to recover. The June Cass Freight Index for Shipments showed a decline of 1.8% from May levels, while expenditures for shipping dropped 3% for the same time period. Compared to June 2023, shipments were down 6% and expenditures down 9.4%. The Cass indexes are compiled using payment data from Cass customers. “Owner-operators ae as resilient as ever, but ongoing private fleet capacity additions are putting less freight into the for-hire market in a slowing economy,” explained ACT’s Tim Denoyer, who writes for the Cass index. Expectations in the Motive Monthly Economic Report were more positive. The software distributor compiles market information based on GPS and other data that tracks visits to warehouses of the top 50 U.S. retailers. Motive’s Big Box Retail Index jumped 10.8% over May and rose 16% over July 2023. “We’re seeing particularly strong momentum in brick-and-mortar retail as these stores anticipate a very strong summer peak season,” Hamish Woodrow, head of strategic analytics for Motive, wrote in the report. “For example, department stores, electronics, and apparel retailers with brick-and-mortar locations saw a 13.8% jump heading into July, representing a 33% YoY (year over year) climb.” The largest retail gains were in department stores, apparel and electronics and in home improvement, according to the Motive release. Woodrow summarizes the report by saying, “Rising trucking rates, trucking transportation job stability, and what we predict to be a very strong July across retail sales, especially brick and mortar, are all pointing to a rebounding freight market. We predict this momentum will continue through the summer.” As the 2024 holiday season approaches, analysts predict retailers will need to increase inventories in preparation. Doing so will be more expensive if freight rates rise before orders are placed. Other factors that could impact freight markets are delays in the Red Sea, potential labor troubles at East Coast and Gulf ports, and the predicted active hurricane season. Houthi rebels continue to harass shipping in the Red Sea, which is on the route to and from the Suez Canal. A disabled ship completely blocked the canal in 2021. Shippers concerned about potential loss due to rebel activity are re-routing ships, resulting in longer transit times. The International Longshoremen’s Association, which represents 45,000 dockworkers at seaports from Maine to Texas, has threatened to strike if a new deal isn’t reached by the expiration of the current contract on September 30. A strike would cause major disruptions to trucking in and out of the ports, as well as down-line destinations served by rail. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an above-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic due to La Nina and warmer ocean temperatures. One major hurricane has already made its impact felt, reaching Category 5 status before weakening due to wind shear and striking the Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 2 hurricane. The same storm made landfall near Matagorda, Texas and slowly weakened as it moved all the way to Ontario. The outer bands of the storm spawned tornadoes in Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, New York and Ontario. Carriers that depend on the spot market for their revenue should pay close attention to rate fluctuations in different regions, as there may be opportunities to book higher rates when markets are impacted by outside forces. Overall, however, it will be more of the same as the trucking industry continues to wait for better days.

IdriveAI launches NEXUS fleet managment platform

Erica N. Guy - July 30, 2024

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Technology advancements in trucking are becoming more the norm than the exception. The latest is the IdriveAI announcement of the launch of its cutting-edge fleet risk management platform, NEXUS. According to a media release, the NEXUS video-based IoT platform is designed “to revolutionize fleet safety operations. It leverages advanced AI-driven insights from both edge and cloud computer vision models and real-time data analytics to provide fleet managers worldwide with an unparalleled understanding of risk.” “We are excited to introduce NEXUS to the market,” said Calin Mihalascu, chief revenue officer at IdriveAI. “Our new platform is designed to empower fleet managers with the tools they need to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and enhance overall fleet performance. NEXUS represents a significant leap forward in fleet safety management technology, combining real-time data and AI to deliver actionable insights that drive results.” NEXUS offers a comprehensive suite of features, including real-time video analytics, vehicle tracking, driver behavior monitoring, predictive risk alerts, and customizable reporting. “This state-of-the-art platform is set to redefine fleet management by enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and improving safety standards across the board,” the release states. Key features of NEXUS include: AI-Driven Insights: Harness artificial intelligence to gain deeper insights into fleet operations and optimize performance. Real-Time Tracking: Monitor vehicle locations and movements in real time for enhanced visibility and control. Driver Behavior Monitoring: Analyze driver habits and provide feedback to promote safer driving practices. Customizable Reporting: Generate tailored reports to meet specific business needs containing action items for a more efficient operation. “Constructed using the most advanced technology from Amazon Cloud, NEXUS boasts theoretical infinite scalability and the ability to process data at unparalleled speeds,” according to the release. “A standout feature is its intelligent custom reports, crafted to save fleet managers time and allow them to concentrate on their primary duties. From the beginning of IdriveAI, we have diligently refined our offerings and heeded the feedback from our clients and partners. NEXUS stands out as a revolutionary tool for real-time fleet risk management.” Starting in August, all existing customers will receive a complimentary upgrade from IRIS to NEXUS.

Covenant can allow drivers with CLPs to bypass regulations, says FMCSA

Bruce Guthrie - July 30, 2024

WASHINGTON — If public comments are an indicator, then the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has made what will likely be a controversial decision regarding a request from Covenant Transport. That request was to allow commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders who have passed a commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test but have not yet received a CDL document to drive a Covenant Logistics’ commercial motor vehicle (CMV), without being accompanied by a CDL holder in the passenger seat. After public comments, which were overwhelmingly against, the FMCSA ruled to grant the request. In its published statement, the FMCSA stated that it “has evaluated Covenant Logistics’ application for an exemption and the public comments and believes Covenant Logistics will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.” The statement further read that the premise of comments opposing the exemption is that commercial license holders (CLP) holders “lack experience and are safer drivers when directly observed by a commercial drivers’ license (CDL) holder who is on duty and in the front seat of the vehicle. However, CLP holders who have passed the CDL skills test are eligible to obtain a CDL without further training. If these CLP holders had obtained their training and CLPs in their State of domicile, they could immediately obtain their CDL at the in-State SDLA and begin driving a CMV without any on-board supervision. Because these drivers have passed the CDL skills test, the only necessary step to obtain the CDL is to visit the SDLA in their State of domicile. Furthermore, the CDL holder will be in the CMV while the CLP holder is operating the CMV.” In addition, FMCSA reminded that it had approved “this same request” dating as recently as December 2022 to Stevens Transport, Inc. (87 FR 79931), and has granted five-year renewals for the following five motor carriers: CRST The Transportation Solution, C.R. England, Inc.; New Prime, Inc.; Werner Enterprises; and Wilson FMCSA announced in May that it had received an application from Covenant Transport Inc. and Landair Transport Inc., jointly doing business as Covenant Logistics, requesting the exemption. FMCSA requested public comment on the applicant’s request at that time as well regarding the request for exemption. The public comment window closed on June 24 of this year. The tone of the 27 comments on the request was overwhelmingly negative. “To allow a student driver to drive such a large and heavy vehicle without an instructor onboard is absurd, it is asking for more accidents, needless deaths, and cost to taxpayers for damages. Please do not allow this,” wrote one commenter. The Truck Safety Coalition’s executive director, Zach Cahalan, wrote a formal letter in opposition to the request. “This exemption request should be denied,” he wrote. “It has been well-documented that inexperienced drivers are at an elevated crash risk. Cahalan cited report from the National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence (NSTSCE). “Generally speaking, the first year of driving a CMV is riskier in terms of crash rates, crash involvement, and moving violations…Thus, motor carriers may want to focus on driver training, including engaging older, experienced drivers in driver mentoring programs to share their knowledge with inexperienced CMV drivers,” Cahalan cited. “These are the very drivers that Landair Transport Inc. claims, without substantiation, will be safer if they do not receive in-cab supervision from a CDL. Somehow, safety will improve with the supervisor in the sleeper berth? Curiously, Landair Transport Inc. fails to explain this phenomenon that defies logic and intuition. Cahalan cited that Landair Transport Inc. has experienced four fatal crashes and thirty-eight crashes causing injuries in the past two years alone. “Any freight company killing roadways users must be expected to adhere to the highest levels of safety requirements, not be rewarded with meritless exemptions,” he stated. “The second reason this request should be denied is that it undermines the safety benefits that direct CDL holder supervision requirement provides in the first place, he added. “One could argue that the CDL CLP supervision requirement provides de facto best practice observation of Entry Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC) recommendations. The EDLTAC overwhelmingly agreed that prospective drivers must meet a minimum BTW training requirement. This committee comprised of stakeholder experts worked rigorously to establish the minimum requirements set forth in the ELDT Final Rule. Despite this, FMCSA inexplicably dropped the BTW requirement for ELDT Training with very little in the way of documentation justifying how this decision supported safety outcomes.” Finally Cahalan stated, “It is abundantly clear that new truck drivers need additional interventions to decrease their crash risk and the existing statutory requirement that CLP holders be directly supervised at all times provides one such intervention. Petitioners who request exemption applications must prove that the exemption does not have an adverse impact on safety.” According to the FMCSA ruling, when operating under the exemption, Covenant must abide by certain terms and conditions: Covenant Logistics and its drivers must comply with all other applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR parts 350–399); The drivers must be in possession of a valid State driver’s license, a CLP with the required endorsements, and documentation from the testing State that they have passed the CDL skills test; A CDL holder with the proper CDL class and endorsements must be in the operated CMV; The drivers must not be subject to any out-of-service order or suspension of driving privileges; The drivers must be able to provide this exemption document to enforcement officials FMCSA stated in its ruling that it does not believe the drivers covered by this exemption will experience any deterioration of their safety records.

Texas point of entry adds new commercial lanes between US and Mexico

Dana Guthrie - July 30, 2024

PHARR, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the City of Pharr have announced the construction completion of a small-scale infrastructure improvement project at the Pharr Land Port of Entry (LPOE). “The completion of the donated project construction at the Pharr LPOE highlights another effective partnership with federal and local entities to enhance CBP’s mission,” said Diane Sabatino, acting executive assistant commissioner, Office of Field Operations. “The benefits of the additional infrastructure will improve processing through the port of entry thus enriching the economic competitiveness of the community.” According to a press release announcing the project’s completion, under CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, CBP, GSA, and the City of Pharr constructed two new inbound commercial lanes and two new exit commercial inspection booths including all related infrastructure and technologies at the Pharr LPOE over a 25-month period. “We are excited to reach this milestone in support of CBP’s mission at the Pharr LPOE,” said GSA regional administrator Jason Shelton. “DAP projects require many years of hard work and today we are joyful and eager to continue delivering results that positively impact our stakeholders.” In 2015, the City of Pharr submitted a formal proposal for infrastructure improvements at the Pharr LPOE. After years of planning and designing, the partnership was formalized by signing a Donation Acceptance Agreement (DAA) in April of 2019. “As imports from Mexico continue to increase, having these additional spaces and improvements will have a significant positive impact on our ability to expedite shipments to get them into U.S. commerce,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. According to the release, the project intends to increase throughput by providing additional infrastructure. The addition of two new lanes and booths are anticipated to increase the ports’ ability to inspect imports transported by semi-trailer and truck vehicles. The two new exit booths will direct necessary traffic to the new Border Safety Inspection Facility (BSIF), upon its completion in the coming months. “Pharr was eager to partner with CBP and GSA through the DAP to expedite the construction of these new bridge projects,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Flexible and innovative partnerships such as these helps produce tangible solutions to address critical needs, and these and other major projects are mutually beneficial to improve trade and increase productivity and efficiency of processes at our international port of entry. We are proud to see the culmination of our joint efforts come to fruition. Pursuant to 6 U.S.C. § 301a, and more generally, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. §§ 112 et seq., as amended, CBP and GSA are authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property (including monetary donations) and non-personal services from private sector and government entities. Accepted donations may be used for port of entry construction, alterations, operations, and maintenance activities.

Trucking Hub launches free ELD solution

Erica N. Guy - July 29, 2024

CHICAGO — It could be a game changer for drivers and trucking companies alike. Trucking Hub on July 29 announced the launch of an industry-first — a free electronic logging device (ELD) solution. The company stated in its release that “the innovative offering is seamlessly integrated into Trucking Hub’s Carrier TMS, providing a unified platform that enhances compliance, real-time driver management, and data analytics — all within a single, user-friendly interface.” The release also noted that the ELD also serves as an advanced telematics device, operating on the Verizon network, streaming real-time truck data to optimize fleet management, asset tracking, and overall operational efficiency. “Our solutions are meticulously designed to automate essential processes, providing carriers of all sizes with advanced technology to manage their entire operations effortlessly,” said Milos Pavlovic, CEO and industry veteran. “Being a family and employee-owned company, we are free from external pressures, allowing us to prioritize our customers’ needs and focus on enhancing their profitability.” Trucking Hub also announced that for a limited it will offer to buy out existing ELD contracts.