Truck Driving Job News Archives

Surprise! The Corporate Transparency Act could impact your trucking business

Brad Klepper - February 23, 2024

I am, and always have been, a big fan of surprises. The good surprises, I mean — things liking finding an extra $20 in your jeans pocket, or having a friend say, “Drinks are on me.” These always bring a smile to my face (even though the latter sometimes leads to regrettable life choices on my part). But I digress. However, what I don’t like are the “surprises” I normally encounter the first few months of each new year. Now, to be honest, I can’t really call these things surprises, as most are regulatory, and notice has been given that the new regulation or requirement will be going into effect. I know, I know — they told me these things were coming, but it’s the federal government. After a lifetime of dealing with them, why on earth would I take their timeline seriously? (Yes, you are correct; this position makes me both cynical and lazy. To this I say … well, nothing, because I am too lazy to disagree.) The most recent surprise/but-not-really-a-surprise that’s going to have a big impact on the trucking industry is a little thing called the Corporate Transparency Act. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was enacted in 2021 and went into effect Jan. 1, 2024. The goal of the CTA is to catch things like tax fraud, money laundering and financing of terrorism by gathering additional ownership information on certain U.S. businesses that are operating in or access the country’s market. According to Congress, the CTA will prevent folks from hiding or benefiting from ownership of U.S. businesses to conduct illegal operations. Per Congress, this is a widely used tactic by bad actors that impacts national security and economic integrity. I gotta say, I am very much on the anti-terrorism side of the equation, and all this sounds like a good idea. However, how does it work? Well, I’m glad you asked! As of Jan. 1, 2024, damn near all small businesses are required to file a Beneficial Owner Information (BOI) report with the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identifying individuals associated with the reporting company. “Well, great,” you say. “But is this going to impact me?” Unfortunately, the answer is most likely a big fat yes! As we all know, many owner-operators and small carriers operate as single-member LLCs or other types of business entities. Ding-ding-ding! If you operate such an entity in the U.S., the CTA says, “You’re a winner!” You will need to file a BOI. Lucky you. “OK, so I need to file. What information is required?” you ask. Let’s keep it simple. If your business was created during 2024 you will need to include just the basics (place tongue in cheek here). Those “basics” include beneficial owners (those owning over 25% interest in the entity) and applicant’s names, addresses, birthdays, identification numbers (such as driver’s license or passport number) and the jurisdiction of the documents. In addition, all reporting companies must provide their legal name and trademarks, the current U.S. address of its main business site (or if it’s a foreign company, the operational U.S. location), the taxpayer identification number and the jurisdiction where the entity was formed or registered. In a show of kindness, companies formed before Jan. 1, 2024, can omit the requirement of identifying company applicants. Wheeeeee. “Good grief, that’s a lot of info to report! But OK. When and how do I report it?” you ask. Trucking entities created before Jan. 1, 2024, must file the report before Jan. 1, 2025. That seems easy enough. However, entities created AFTER Jan. 1, 2024, must file a BOI report within 90 DAYS OF THE CREATION OF THE ENTITY. This is a good reason to keep your calendar updated. Now to play the devil’s advocate, let’s say you get busy and forget to file a BOI. What will happen? The answer is nothing good. Failure to comply with the filing deadline can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties include a fine of up to $500 for each day the violation continues. Criminal penalties can include up to two years of imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000. As you can see, the penalties are substantial. In addition, running a small business is hard work and time-consuming. With the importance of complying with this new law, you may want to work with a qualified third party, such as a law firm or accounting firm, to make sure the required information submitted is both correct and that it’s submitted in a timely manner. Of course, there are a few exemptions to the CTA, and this article does NOT contain all the details (remember my earlier comment about being lazy?) so I suggest you review the CTA yourself or consult with a professional.

Analysts report ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for freight rates

Cliff Abbott - February 22, 2024

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — According to most analysts, freight rates are due for a rebound. The problem is that nobody can agree on when it will happen. In the meantime, January happened. It’s typically a slow month after the rush of the holiday season, but this year the spot market received a boost from a spell of unusually cold weather. As retailers were restocking shelves and dealing with returns, cold weather closed some roads, creating a short-term shortage of available trucks and driving spot rates upward. Unfortunately, the effect was only temporary. The freight market is poised to get better, according to industry experts. DAT Freight and Analytics reported that rates rose for dry van, flatbed and refrigerated freight. The average rate for dry van loads reached just shy of $1.72 during the third week of January but by mid-February had declined to $1.60 per mile. Refrigerated rates rose as high as $2.13 on the average but dropped by 12 cents per mile a month later. Flatbed rates also fell, reaching $1.97 in January’s third week and falling to $1.60 in February. Truckstop.com reported that spot rates declined for all equipment types in the final week of January, ending up about where they were just before the Christmas rush last year. Total load activity declined 5.7% in the final week of the month, while total volume was down 10% compared with the same week of 2023. The cold January weather impacted some key economic indicators, according to Truckstop.com and FTR Intel. The Federal Reserve cited weather as a factor in declining industrial production. Housing starts fell 14.8% in January, the lowest level they have been at since August. Compared with December 2023 starts were down 0.7%. Multiple family starts suffered the most. The Cass Freight report summarize the market conditions perfectly with a headline of “Frozen Freight.” Compared to December, the January Cass Freight Index for Shipments declined 3.5%, about normal for the first month of the year. Compared with January 2023 however, the Index declined 7.6%. The Cass Freight Index for Expenditures fell even further, down 24.3% from January 2023 and down 4% from December. Over the full year of 2023, the Cass Shipments index fell 5.5% after rising 0.6% in 2022. Tim Denoyer, vice president and senior analyst at ACT Research, who writes the Cass report, said things could be improving soon. “It’s been over two years since the first year-over-year decline of this freight recession and with destocking playing out and goods consumption rising, the downturn is likely nearing its end,” he said. Denoyer pointed to increases in real disposable incomes and a strong labor market as positive signs indicating freight demand could improve in 2024. Cass reported that overall spending for shipping fell 19% in 2023 from 2022 levels. That’s a huge drop, but it’s important to note that spending rose 38% in 2021 and another 23% in 2022. FTR predicts that freight spending will decline another 16% in the first half of 2024, if normal seasonal patterns hold. As many trucking business owners can attest, operating costs have grown substantially in the past year. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that inflation rose by 7% in 2021 and another 6.5% in 2022. In 2023, while rates were falling inflation grew another 3.4%. Currently, freight rates sit about where they were in March 2020, before the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic began. Unfortunately, operating costs have not returned to 2020 levels and aren’t likely to ever do so. The federal funds rate that stood at 0.25% through 2021 has been raised to its current 5.5%. The cost of credit has risen dramatically for truckers. Financing costs for new or used equipment have risen, and credit card interest has gone up dramatically. More of each payment is going to satisfy interest charges and less to reducing the principal. Cass reports on multiple modes of shipping, including trucking, rail, pipeline, ship and air, using billing statistics compiled from its customer base. Trucking comprises about 75% of the shipping they report. The news at the fuel pump wasn’t good either, as average U.S. diesel prices began rising near the end of January, topping $4 per gallon the first week of February. The monthly Motive Economic Report is compiled using GPS data from in-truck devices and shows how often trucks equipped with Motive equipment visit retail warehouse locations for the top 50 retailers in the U.S. Motive reports that grocery and superstore retailers saw a 14.8% increase in visits in January compared to January 2023. Home improvement retailers experienced a 14% increase for the same period. The Motive report attributes the additional visits to “the return of more steady re-stocking patterns” compared with 2023, when many retailers were “destocking” to bring inventories in line with consumer demand. Motive also commented on the number of carrier registrations and revocations at the Department of Transportation. 3,707 carriers left the market in January, 20% fewer than in December. One reason for the decline might be that business owners who planned to close up shop may have wanted to do so before year end to avoid 2024 tax reporting requirements. New carrier registrations were up 22% in January over December 2023 numbers. Again, this may have been due to the changing of the year with owners waiting for the new year to start before registering. At any rate, the decline in carriers is good news for freight rates. As carriers exit the market, the supply of available trucks decreases. With the demand for trucks expected to grow, rates will begin rising again as trucking enters the positive side of the cycle. It’s looking like 2024 will be a better year for trucking, although conditions aren’t expected to improve quickly or by a large margin. Controlling costs and being selective about loads is still very much the tactic for survival.

‘Im-peck-able’ record: Robert Timmons has driven 4 million accident-free miles for Perdue Farms

Linda Garner-Bunch - February 21, 2024

SALISBURY, Md. — You might say Robert Timmons is one “clucky” guy. Not only has he achieved 4 million accident-free miles as a professional driver — he’s driven every one of those miles for the same employer. Timmons, better known as “Holly Trolly” on the road, has driven for Perdue Farms for more than four decades. He is only the second driver to achieve this milestone in the company’s almost 104-year history; the first was Alvin Smith. The fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural products company employs nearly 800 professional drivers. “I am so excited that I achieved 4 million miles of safe driving,” Timmons said. “I’m excited and proud that I was able to do this while working at Perdue.” Perdue’s drivers take pride in their safety records. The company has had 184 drivers reach 1 million accident-free miles, 45 have traveled 2 million safe miles and an even dozen have achieved 3 million miles. “Our drivers are among our most visible brand ambassadors and have the most direct contact with our customers,” said Tim O’Hea, senior director of transportation for Perdue Farms. “Robert achieving 4 million safe driving miles in just 43 years is no small feat and is a testament to his dedication not only to Perdue but also to our customers and those he shares the roads with every day.” During his time with Perdue, Timmons has delivered dressed poultry from Salisbury, Maryland, to Lewiston, North Carolina; delivered live haul and oil; and has been an over-the-road driver delivering as far west as Iowa and throughout the Perdue marketplace. He currently delivers local short-haul loads. Perdue Farms wasn’t Timmons’ first gig. He started his career hauling litter for Holly Farms using a large pneumatic trailer. It was there that he earned the call name of Holly Trolly, and, he says, the name just stuck! When he’s not on the road, Timmons enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is an avid carpenter and is currently building an addition to his Maryland home. He also enjoys taking cruises — a lot. He’s been on 16 cruises so far.

Van spot rates continue to fall, Truckstop reports

John Worthen - February 21, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Total broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system rose for the first time in four weeks during the week ended Feb. 16 (week 7) solely on the strength of rates for flatbed equipment. Spot rates for both dry van and refrigerated equipment fell for the fourth straight week after the weather-related spike in mid-January. The increase in flatbed rates nearly offset the cumulative decrease in the prior two weeks, which were the only weeks of the year to see a decline week over week. Total loads Total load activity rebounded 6.1% after declining for the past three weeks. As was the case with rates, flatbed was solely responsible for the gain. Total volume was 4% below the same 2023 week and almost 34% below the five-year average. Truck postings ticked up 0.5%, and the total Market Demand Index – the ratio of loads to trucks – increased to its highest level in four weeks. Total rates The total broker-posted rate increased nearly 4 cents after decreasing 3 cents in the prior week. Rates were nearly 6% below the same 2023 week and almost 5% below the five-year average. Aside from the weather-related strength in mid-January, total market rates have been relatively stable this year. The total market rate in the latest week was about 2 cents higher than in the first week of this year. Dry van rates Dry van spot rates eased 1.5 cents after falling more than 10 cents during the previous week. Rates were nearly 3% below the same week last year and almost 11% below the five-year average. Dry van loads declined 1.6% after dropping nearly 15% during the prior week. Volume was about 15% below the same 2023 week and about 43% below the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated rates Refrigerated spot rates fell 4.5 cents after dropping more than 8 cents during the prior week. Rates were nearly 4% below the same 2023 week and more than 11% below the five-year average. Refrigerated loads decreased 6.7% after falling nearly 11% during the previous week. Volume was about 8% below the same week last year and nearly 44% below the five-year average. Flatbed rates Flatbed spot rates rose 5.4 cents after declining more than 2 cents in the previous week. Rates were about 7% below the same week last year and about 3% below the five-year average. Flatbed loads jumped about 15% after rising more than 8% during the prior week. Volume was about 7% above the same 2023 week and more than 28% below the five-year average for the week.

Sleep apnea, COPD are treatable safety hazards for truckers

Cliff Abbott - February 19, 2024

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The typical truck driver is getting older. Unfortunately, a majority of drivers smoke, and it’s common for them to be overweight, too. All of those things can contribute to health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke and, increasingly common, pulmonary issues. These include obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Sleep apnea and COPD are names for different conditions, although they often occur together. Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing while you’re sleeping. The stops are temporary, and you’ll eventually start breathing again. However, these episodes often occur with a sudden jerking or body movement that keeps you from falling into a state of restful, deep sleep. COPD refers to a whole group of conditions that can range from emphysema to bronchitis. These conditions can make breathing difficult even when you’re awake. Both conditions can prevent you from being rested and alert during your driving and working periods. In 2008, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published the Large Truck Crash Causation Study indicating that fatigue was a factor in 13% of crashes involving large trucks. The crashes resulted in at least one fatality over the test period. The evidence for this conclusion often came from sources such as log books that couldn’t prove adequate rest. However, even adequate rest periods may not provide enough rest when sleep apnea or COPD are factors. Like other health issues, sleep apnea and COPD can develop gradually, making it more difficult to notice that something is wrong and to seek treatment. Since many drivers are away from home for days or weeks at a time, scheduling doctor visits for evaluation or treatment can be difficult. Time away from the road means loss of income for many, and who wants to spend their home time at medical facilities? Unfortunately, putting off diagnosis and treatment comes with increased risk of an event you might not recover from. Some people, for example, have multiple heart attacks, while others only get one. A fact of pulmonary issues is that your body can’t rest and rejuvenate itself without enough oxygen. Sleep apnea and COPD both deprive the lungs of oxygen, causing levels to fall in the bloodstream so that muscles, nerves and brain cells can’t be nourished properly. The result is that neither brain nor body function properly during waking hours. It’s more than a health issue. When your reaction and response times are slowed due to fatigue, the safety of others is at risk, too. You may have carefully planned your rest period and gotten plenty of sleep, but if you weren’t breathing properly, you most likely did not get enough rest. It’s important that you recognize the warning signs of sleep apnea and COPD so that you can get tested and, if necessary, treated before disaster happens. But it’s easy to put off for one more week on the road or whatever reason seems good. After all, nothing happened today. Diagnosis of sleep apnea and COPD often requires some testing. Common testing includes overnight oximetry, a test that measures blood oxygen levels while you sleep, arterial blood gas testing and sleep apnea testing, the “gold standard” used to detect apnea. Sleep apnea testing (polysomnography) usually occurs in a medical facility and measures breathing patterns, blood oxygen, body positions and stages of sleep, including periods of rapid-eye movement sleep, the deep restful period you need to be fully alert the next day. A home version of this test is sometimes used, depending on doctor requirements and patient condition. When sleep apnea or COPD is diagnosed, it can be treated in different ways. For COPD, bronchodilator inhalers are often prescribed along with other medications. For sleep apnea and often for COPD, machines that maintain positive airway pressure are often prescribed. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure machines are commonly prescribed and are effective at reducing episodes of waking or gasping for breath during sleep. In more severe cases of COPD, oxygen therapy may be prescribed. In cases where sleep apnea and COPD overlap, your doctor will decide if supplemental oxygen is necessary. In many cases, sleep apnea and COPD can’t be cured, but treatments can make a big difference in how much energy you’ll have during waking hours. More rest can result in greater alertness and faster response times while driving, increasing safety for everyone. If you fit in any of the categories commonly associated with sleep apnea and COPD (age, overweight, smoker), look for signs that you may need treatment. One of the first is complaints of frequent snoring from a spouse or someone else. If you have difficulty staying asleep or if you’re frequently sleepy during the daytime, it’s reasonable to suspect sleep apnea or COPD. Increased coughing is another symptom you may notice. There are actions that you can take to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnea even before you see your doctor. If you smoke, stop. Your heart and lungs will thank you. You’ll sleep better and have more energy. If you can lose weight it will also help. Eating sensibly on the road can be difficult and making time to exercise nearly impossible, but both can help you get to a more reasonable weight. It can be done if you’re serious about your health. Of course, sleeping well doesn’t help if you don’t schedule enough time for rest. If the work you’re doing prevents you from getting enough sleep, a change is in order. It may mean getting a different route or assignment from your company, or even changing companies. It’s like going downhill, if you do nothing, you’ll continue your descent. To change direction will take effort on you part. If you’re successful, you’ll improve your chances of living longer and you’ll be a safer driver, too.

JB Hunt receives accolades for workplace environment

John Worthen - February 16, 2024

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has been selected as one of America’s Best Large Employers of 2024 by Forbes, the third time in the company’s history. The company was also named to the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies 2024 list, its 13th time to be included, according to a news release. “We are honored to receive these recognitions showcasing the integrity of our brand and the confidence of the people behind it,” said Shelley Simpson, president of J.B. Hunt. “Being among Fortune’s most respected and admired companies in the world demonstrates our mission of driving long-term value for our people, customers and shareholders. It’s all made possible by our employees, and the Forbes acknowledgment indicates that the workplace culture we have fostered is one they are proud to recommend.” In 2023, Forbes also named J.B. Hunt one of the Best Employers for Women. The company received multiple awards for its workplace culture from Newsweek, including America’s Greatest Workplaces (overall), Greatest Workplaces for Women, Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and Greatest Workplaces for Parents and Families.

Trucker Bathroom Access Act gains new supporters

John Worthen - February 16, 2024

WASHINGTON — Support for Trucker Bathroom Access Act is growing. On Tuesday, Feb. 13, Reps. Brian Babin, R-Texas, and Jefferson Van Drew, R-N.J., said they were on board with helping to ensure the measure passes through Congress and on to the president’s desk for final approval. The bipartisan bill, HR3869, would ensure truckers have access to restroom facilities when they are picking up or delivering cargo is receiving strong support from some members of the industry. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said it “strongly supports” the proposal. “Over 70% of America’s freight is exclusively carried by trucks, yet every single day men and women truck drivers are forced to ‘hold it’ because they aren’t allowed access to the restroom when picking up or delivering freight,” said Todd Spencer, president and CEO of OOIDA. “OOIDA and our 150,000 members thank Representatives Nehls and Houlahan for showing tremendous leadership on this issue and we look forward to working with them and our coalition partners to get this commonsense, bipartisan legislation signed into law.” Ellen Voie, founder of the Women In Trucking Association, is also lending support. “As more women enter the trucking industry, the need for restroom access increases while access to facilities has decreased,” she said. “We applaud Rep. Nehls’ support to require shippers and receivers to offer our drivers this very basic need.” Nehls said he is “proud to reintroduce legislation that supports our nation’s truckers.” “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, facilities across the country have shut down their bathrooms which have caused essential employees, like our truckers, not to have access to use the restroom at work,” Nehls added. “Truckers are this nation’s backbone, and we owe them for the tireless contributions they continue to make to keep our country moving. I am glad to once again partner with Congresswoman Houlahan on this commonsense legislation to allow our nation’s truckers access to bathrooms while they are transporting goods on the road.” The legislation would: Require retailers, warehouses and other businesses to give truckers access to bathroom facilities when they are picking up cargo or making deliveries Not require businesses to construct new restrooms. It only requires that if a business has a restroom available to their customers or employees, truckers should have the same access Require the operators of ports and terminals to provide bathroom access to drayage drivers “Our economy depends on truck drivers, but we face perpetual challenges with recruitment and retention. One unique and unnecessary challenge these drivers face is lack of restroom access at delivery points while on the road. This is especially difficult for female drivers, which are a growing demographic of truckers who helped power our economic recovery from the pandemic,” said Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure every truck driver has the certainty that a restroom is accessible as they do their jobs. There’s no reason truckers shouldn’t have the same rights that other employees experience in their own workplaces.”

January cold snap leads to spot-market surge, DAT reports

John Worthen - February 15, 2024

BEAVERTON, Ore. — According to the latest report from DAT Freight and Analytics, which operates the DAT One online freight marketplace and DAT iQ data analytics service, January spot freight volumes were pushed to all-time highs due to a winter-related bump in demand for truckload capacity. All three equipment types in the DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), a measure of loads moved in a month, increased compared to December: Van TVI: 250, up 11% month-over-month and 6% higher year-over-year Refrigerated TVI: 206, up 14% month-over-month and 1% year-over-year Flatbed TVI: 232, up 11% month-over-month and 6% year-over-year “Winter weather increased the need for trucks at a time when shippers were moving holiday returns and springtime retail goods through supply chains, and for-hire carriers were rejecting a higher percentage of contracted loads,” said Ken Adamo, DAT chief of analytics. “This was not a case of freight volumes sustainably trending higher. Barring some other disruptive event, we expect demand for truckload capacity to meet seasonal expectations during the months ahead.” Weather drove demand for trucks Load-to-truck ratios, which measure the number of loads posted to the DAT One marketplace relative to the number of trucks, increased for all three equipment types: Van ratio: 2.7, up from 1.9 in December Reefer ratio: 4.1, up from 2.6 Flatbed ratio: 8.3, up from 5.1 Ratios peaked in the middle of the month when a snap of winter weather snarled transportation across much of the country and pushed more loads to the spot market. They fell as conditions normalized and closed the month in line with December averages. Low ratios signal weak negotiating power for truckload carriers. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates. Reefer rates jumped Demand for trucks on the spot market pushed broker-to-carrier rates higher. The van rate was $2.14 per mile, up 4 cents compared to December, while the reefer rate jumped 10 cents to $2.57 a mile. The flatbed rate rose 6 cents to $2.47 a mile. Year-over-year, average spot rates were down 24 cents for vans, 21 cents for reefers, and 29 cents for flatbeds. Line-haul rates, which subtract an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge, strengthened further: Line-haul van rate: $1.71 per mile, up 6 cents compared to December Line-haul reefer rate: $2.10 a mile, up 12 cents Line-haul flatbed rate: $1.95, up 8 cents Last month’s rates were substantially higher than in January 2020, before the supply chain disruptions of the pandemic. At that time, the benchmark van line-haul rate was $1.57 per mile, the reefer rate was $1.91 a mile, and the flatbed rate was $1.81 a mile. Demand for spot reefer equipment increases during cold snaps as shippers look for ways to protect van freight from freezing. Rates for contracted van and reefer freight were unchanged month-over-month. DAT’s benchmark contract van rate was $2.49 a mile, and the reefer rate was $2.57. The flatbed rate declined 4 cents to $3.10, the lowest monthly average since May 2021. The gap between spot and contract rates narrowed compared to December. It was 35 cents for van freight, down 4 cents; 31 cents for reefer loads, down 10 cents; and 63 cents for flatbeds, also down 10 cents.

Ed Heard: Former lawman heard, heeded the call of the road

Dwain Hebda - February 14, 2024

The map of Ed Heard’s career can best be described as following the call of opportunity. He never intended to be a truck driver — but now he’s in the running for the biggest award any tanker driver can earn. Heard, who’s driven for Highway Transport for a decade, is in the running for the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) association’s 2023-24 Driver of the Year award. “I had never heard of (the award), actually,” Heard told The Trucker. “When one of the managers came to me with it, he just said, ‘Hey, Ed, we want to nominate you for driver of the year.’ I said, ‘OK.’” A little confused about exactly what he was being nominated for, Heard asked around. “Then I talked the vice president of safety in corporate,” he said. “He explained everything to me — that we were talking about something huge. I thought they were talking about something just company-wide, but they were talking about something on a national stage.” According to the NTTC, the award spotlights drivers who demonstrate exceptional driving skills, a strong commitment to safety and a history of community service. Heard is one of eight finalists; the winner will be announced during the association’s annual conference in May. Heard may have only been driving a comparatively short time, but when it comes to setting a good example, he’s an old pro. He came to trucking after a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement with the Houston Police Department. While there, he received special training in defusing situations involving suspects with mental health issues. “In Harris County, Houston, there is an actual mental health group,” he said. “Us deputies, that’s a lot of what we did — we picked up people that were in crisis. It could be very dangerous sometimes, but it also taught me to be a better listener, to be empathetic when I needed to be. It taught me to be a good judge of character. It just gave me an uncanny way of solving problems and relaying messages.” After retiring from the force, Heard dabbled in business ownership and spent more time with his beloved pursuit of hunting and fishing. However, he found that one generally came at the expense of another, so he sold his business without much thought to what he’d do next professionally. “I just so happened to be on a hunting trip, and a guy that was a commercial driver watched me back a 30-foot trailer into this hole,” he said. “He brought it up to me and asked me if I’d ever thought about driving a semi. I was like, ‘No, that’s nothing I’ve ever thought about.’ “He gave me some information and I told him I’d look into it,” he continued. “I thought it was interesting, and I thought, ‘You know what? Can’t hurt to have a CDL.’ I didn’t really know at the time how much was entailed in it. I was just thinking I could get a license and just have it. That’s kind of how it started.” The more he considered embarking on a second career behind the wheel and on the open road, the more convicted he became that if he was going to do this job, he was going to be the best at it. For Heard, that meant driving a tanker. “I look at everything from every angle,” he said. “When I started first getting interested in driving, I started looking at the whole industry. I was like, ‘If I’m going to get into this, it’s going to be the most dangerous (option), for better pay. As long as I have a commercial license this is what I’ll do, chemical tanking.’” Many drivers shy away from tankers in general — and even many tanker drivers hesitate to haul chemicals because of the many challenges and hazards that come with that brand of trucking. Heard, by contrast, gravitated toward it, signing on with Highway Transport’s chemical division. He says the experiences of his previous career were invaluable for gaining proficiency and confidence in his current one. “I believe anybody that is a new commercial driver, no matter what industry you’re in, it’s going to be a learning process,” he said. “It’s a big learning curve with all of us. I’m glad I didn’t go into other types of trucking first, because tanker is all I had to learn and focus on and get better at. “I tell you what, it was a lot easier because I already had the mental fortitude for danger and something real critical,” he explained. “I was already equipped with that. Everything that I’ve learned in my multifaceted background applied to being a tank truck professional. I think that’s kind of why I’m in this moment. It made me better.” Heard says one of the biggest hurdles he had to navigate in his new role was personal: His wife, Aileen, didn’t initially like the idea of him driving because she thought he’d be gone all the time. Luckily, that was not the case. Heard has settled into a set route between Houston and Dallas that allows him to be home every night. As an added bonus, he gets to spend time mentoring other drivers, something he relishes about his role. “Mentoring is my passion. I’ve probably trained over a hundred new guys, and I’d be willing to bet that 60 to 65 of them have personal issues that affected their training. It affects their learning, because they’re distracted,” he said. “If tenured drivers do not mentor drivers that are coming behind them, then you’re not helping your industry. Each one has to teach one in order for things to get better.” Heard’s mentees are privileged to have someone who’s a good listener, but who also pulls no punches when talking about the keys to success. “You’re going to have to put in the work, and you have to be safe, always,” he said. “When you’re a new driver, you’re very nervous and you’re afraid, probably. Well, that meant you got out and looked things over, you were extra careful with your mirrors, safety was a high priority. “Don’t ever lose that. Don’t get complacent. Safety has to be a priority and it has to be first,” he concluded.

Managing tax liability helps avoid unpleasant surprises when filing

Cliff Abbott - February 13, 2024

Most folks know that the amount of income tax you owe for a given year depends on how much you earned. What a lot of folks don’t know is that there’s another tax that’s dependent on your income — the Self-Employed-Contributions Act (SECA) — and for most owner-operators, there is only one bracket. As an owner-operator, you’re most likely to be in the 15.3% bracket. Unfortunately, this tax catches many trucking business owners by surprise when they file. “One key piece of advice for new truck business owners is to stay proactive about their taxes,” said Vanessa Gant, founder of proVision Accounting Solutions. “This means not only keeping meticulous records of expenses, mileage and income but also understanding how different business decisions can impact their tax situation.” Gant has worked with hundreds of small trucking businesses, helping them preserve the information necessary to comply with the maze of tax requirements while keeping tax liability as low as possible. To understand SECA, it’s necessary to go back to 1935, when Congress passed the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) to collect funds to support the Social Security and Medicare programs. Under the terms of the act, employers paid half the tax amount and employees the other half. Those who worked for themselves were overlooked. In 1954, Congress passed SECA. Under that law, if you’re self-employed you’ll pay both the employee and employer shares of the taxes. For Social Security, that’s a total of 12.4% of your net income. For Medicare, it’s another 2.9%. It’s important to understand that if you’re an employee and you decide to buy a truck and go into business, your Social Security and Medicare taxes are going to double. Keep in mind that the deductions you take for your Federal Income Tax do not apply to the Self-Employment tax. You (or your accountant) will complete an IRS 1040 Schedule C to determine how much profit your business made; then Schedule SE is used to calculate the tax you owe. That amount is added to your form 1040 and calculated into your payment or refund. When it comes to deductions, it’s common to hear someone say about an expense, “I just write it off on my taxes.” Unfortunately, too many business owners assume that “writing it off” means it’s FREE. That’s not how it works. If the expenditure is for your business, you’ll save the 15.3% self-employment tax and the amount of income tax you would have paid on that amount. The remainder is an expense you won’t get back. In other words, calculating tax savings into your purchase decisions can make the price of whatever you’re buying much more attractive — but it’s still an expense. Now, let’s talk about profit. Profit, in its simplest form, is whatever’s left over after your business expenses. Successful business owners know that profit must be managed. Everyone wants to make more money, but no one wants to pay the higher taxes associated with higher profits. The timing of purchases can make all the difference when you sit down to do taxes. For example, 2023 was a difficult year for most trucking businesses. Freight rates were (and still are) hovering near the bottom of the scale, while the cost of equipment, parts, tolls, interest on loans and more has risen. It’s quite possible your business may show only a small profit — or even a loss — for the year. On the other hand, most analysts are predicting freight rates will start rising by the second half of 2024 and continue rising into 2025. It’s early yet, but if your business lost money in 2023, conditions likely won’t be a lot better in 2024. Returning to the topic of tax write-offs: If you strongly suspect you’re not going to make a profit for this year, or only make a small one, ask yourself this: Does it make sense to make a large purchase this year, or should I hold it over for 2025? On the other hand, if you’re confident 2024 will be a good year for you, spending cash on your business before the year is out can help reduce your tax liability. Be sure to consider depreciation, too. For example, the value of your truck declines each year after it was made until it reaches a minimum. If you were to sell the truck for its current value, you’d lose money. Since your business has lost value because your truck is worth less, the IRS allows you to claim that lost value as depreciation. The IRS has depreciation tables to help you calculate how much to deduct and how many years you’ll be allowed to take the deduction. When you’re self-employed, the IRS expects you to make estimated quarterly payments on the tax you might owe at the end of the year. You won’t need to file a return with each payment. Since the payments are estimates, you’ll resolve all the numbers when you file your annual return. Remember, the IRS can impose penalties if you don’t make quarterly payments or if you underestimate the amounts. Finally, a good accountant or tax advisor is invaluable to your business. Even if you’re good at calculating the numbers, accounting is only a sideline to your main business of hauling freight. For your accountant, it’s a full-time job they’ve been specially trained for. A professional will help you identify all the deductions you’re entitled to and help determine the best way to claim them. If there’s an issue with the IRS, your adviser knows your history and can help you resolve it. You can help your accountant by keeping good records and communicating promptly. “It’s vital for new owners to familiarize themselves with the specific tax benefits and obligations for the trucking industry, such as deductions for overnight travel expenses and the heavy vehicle use tax, Gant said. “Understanding these nuances can significantly affect the bottom line.” Of course, another benefit of using accounting professionals is that their services are tax deductible.

Sheetz’s newest location in North Carolina includes 41 free truck parking spaces

John Worthen - February 12, 2024

ALTOONA, Pa. — Sheetz is opening a new store on Feb. 15 along Interstate 95 in Hope Mills, North Carolina, that will add 41 new truck parking spaces to the area. According to a news release, the store, located at 310 Chicken Foot Rd, will officially open to the public at 9 a.m. The following day, Friday, Feb. 16, Sheetz will hold grand opening festivities for the store that will begin outside the store at 9 a.m. with multiple prizes awarded, including a grand prize giveaway of free Sheetz for a Year, a news releases states. The store’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 10:45 a.m. This new location will welcome customers by offering free self-serve coffee and soda for the entire grand opening celebration day. In honor of this grand opening, Sheetz will donate $2,500 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina, which serves seven counties in the state and partners with over 200 nonprofit organizations to distribute food daily to those in need. Customers attending the grand opening are encouraged to donate a non-perishable food item to the nonprofit. Those who donate will receive a Sheetz branded thermal bag, limit one per customer while supplies last from 9-11 a.m. A second donation of $2,500 will also be presented to the Special Olympics of North Carolina. The store will include seven lanes that offer high flow diesel fuel and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for semi-trucks, along with 12 fuel terminals for other vehicles. The store will also feature 41 free parking spaces, available for overnight parking to truckers. This new location, which will be Sheetz’s 41st store to offer truck diesel fuel lanes, can be accessed by truck drivers from I-95’s exit 41.

ABF Freight trucker named TCA Highway Angel following heroic actions

Erica N. Guy - February 12, 2024

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver David Garduno from Albuquerque, New Mexico, a TCA Highway Angel. Garduno drives for ABF Freight out of Fort Smith, Arkansas. At around 2 a.m. on Jan. 9, Garduno’s heroic story took place, according to an account reported by TCA. Driving down U.S. 64 in Kirtland, New Mexico, Garduno drove upon another tractor-trailer operator whose trailer was on fire. “I sped up and informed the driver his truck was starting to catch fire — the trailer was catching fire — and to pull over,” Garduno said. “We both pulled over.” Once the rigs were safely parked on the road’s shoulder, Garduno grabbed his fire extinguisher to try to put the fire out but was unsuccessful. Noticing that the fire was on molten metal, he informed the trucker to break apart the two trailers to avoid losing his entire truck to the flames. “We split the two trailers apart,” Garduno said. Garduno then noticed there was hazardous material in the truck’s load as the other trucker called 911 for help. He then got his traffic safety triangles out and placed them on the road behind the flaming truck to attempt to keep traffic at a safe distance. He also moved his truck away from it as the fire department arrived. “The fire department came, and it took about two hours to put out, even though it was 10 degrees or less outside,” Garduno said. As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Garduno credited his military training for being able to stay calm. He also felt obliged to stop and help the other trucker during the incident. “If I was in his position, I would want someone to help me,” he said. “You always gotta help each other out.” Since the TCA Highway Angels program was established in August 1997, nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for their extraordinary kindness, courtesy and courage displayed while on the job. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors, DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA is able to showcase outstanding drivers like Garduno. The TCA Highway Angels website can be accessed at https://www.truckload.org/highway-angel/.

USDOT supports protections for truckers against predatory towing

John Worthen - February 8, 2024

WASHINGTON — The federal government is working to shield truck drivers from predatory towing fees. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expressed strong support for trucker protections against these costly fees in a comment filed on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule banning junk fees. FMCSA’s comment notes that predatory towing junk fees “significantly increase costs for commercial motor vehicle owners and operators.” The comment also offers support for the proposed ban on hidden and misleading fees and urges the FTC to consider additional restrictions against the types of unnecessary and excessive mandatory junk fees plaguing truckers. “When a truck driver’s vehicle is towed, they can’t earn a living until they get it back — leaving them vulnerable to predatory junk fees from towing companies,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We support FTC’s efforts to stand up for truckers by acting to ban junk fees and prevent predatory towing fees that can cause significant financial harm.” Towing can occur at the request of the trucker after a breakdown, or at the request of law enforcement or a property owner if the vehicle has been parked illegally. In either case, towing causes substantial distress for truckers who are unable to earn a livelihood until they can regain access to their vehicle, a news release states. “Once their vehicle has been towed, truckers are in a very vulnerable position and highly susceptible to predation,” according to the news release. “FMCSA is concerned that predatory towing companies can and do use their possession of the vehicle as leverage to prey upon truckers who are in no position to push back.” While there are a wide range of predatory tactics associated with towing, a number of them center on the mandatory or otherwise unavoidable fees that towing companies charge. FMCSA’s comment outlines several potentially unfair or deceptive fee practices used by predatory towers. These include hiding fees until the tow is completed, charging for unnecessary or worthless services and imposing an excessive number of fees for excessive amounts. These predatory fees can add up to thousands of dollars for truckers. In October, the FTC proposed a ban on junk fees that would prohibit businesses from charging hidden and bogus junk fees by requiring them to include all mandatory fees when quoting a price. “FMCSA believes that predatory towing fee practices fall within the purview of FTC’s proposed rule, which would greatly benefit truckers if finalized,” the news release states. In its comment to the FTC, FMCSA expresses strong support for the “important protections and offers suggestions for additional restrictions that would further help protect truckers from predatory towing junk fees.” These suggestions include: Ban junk fees for unnecessary goods or services — FMCSA suggests adding a provision that prohibits companies from charging any fee for an ancillary good or service that has no value, costs nothing extra to provide, or that reasonably would be assumed to be included in the upfront price of the good or service. For example, towing companies often charge “equipment fees” for using equipment that they already own and use routinely to provide the towing service. Prohibit or restrict excessive junk fee practices — FMCSA encourages the FTC to consider prohibiting or imposing restrictions on excessive fee practices. These practices include charging an excessive number of fees, charging excessive amounts for a fee, or charging variable fees for fixed costs. The provision on excessive fees could focus on consumers who have little to no ability to avoid, negotiate, decline, anticipate, or limit the number or cost of the fees, or consumers who are vulnerable, in distress, or otherwise limited in choice by their circumstances. Treat each illegal junk fee as a violation — FMCSA suggests that the final rule treat each illegal junk fee as a separate violation and that the rule expressly prohibit companies from charging or collecting mandatory fees that are not appropriately disclosed, are not included in the total price, and/or cannot be fully calculated upfront. “Predatory towing negatively impacts consumers, including commercial motor vehicle drivers and trucking companies,” said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless. “It is detrimental to the overall health of the trucking industry, and it’s time to end excessive rates, surcharges and other unfair fees associated with predatory towing.”

Can your brakes pass inspection? Proper inspection, maintenance is critical

Cliff Abbott - February 6, 2024

Brake lights — we see thousands of them every day, on city streets, country roads and busy highways. When we spot those bright red indicators on other vehicles, the message is obvious: Someone is slowing, perhaps preparing to stop. Brakes are a vital component of any vehicle, but are perhaps even more important for Class 8 tractor-trailers, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. These rigs can’t “stop on a dime,” as they say, so the driver’s reaction time and the condition of the brakes are often the only difference between a normal day on the road and a catastrophe. Despite being one of the most important systems on a truck, the mechanics of how brakes work are a mystery to most drivers. The expectation is that when the driver steps on the brake pedal, the vehicle will slow and stop. Unfortunately, many drivers aren’t aware there’s a problem with their brakes until they don’t work as expected when driving. By then, it may be too late to avoid an accident. The luckier drivers tend to find out during a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspection. While being penalized or placed out of service isn’t a pleasant experience, this scenario is more appealing than an accident. One part of the problem is that it’s not easy to inspect a truck’s brakes. Most of the components are difficult to get to. Crawling under the truck is necessary, and no one wants to come in contact with pavement in most truck parking areas. In addition, a flashlight is often needed for an inspection, and access plugs or panels may need to be removed to get a look. Another issue is a lack of knowledge. If you ask the average driver what the acceptable push rod travel is for the brakes installed on the truck he or she is driving, you’ll rarely get an answer. Ask how thick brake pads or shoes are (or should be), and most won’t know that either. Many drivers assume that brake maintenance, like engine or transmission work, is the job of maintenance technicians. The end result is that brake issues are almost always the top issue in roadside inspections. Even then, unless the driver owns the truck, it’s easier to put the blame for any problems on the carrier. Even so, the driver still pays. Two or more brakes out of adjustment is an out-of-service condition, meaning the driver can’t move until the issue is corrected. For many drivers, that means no miles — and no pay. This gets expensive when delivery appointments have to be rescheduled, sometimes costing the driver a day or more of earnings. Depending on the carrier, drivers may be responsible for paying all or part of any fines that are incurred during inspections. Then there’s the impact that carrier and driver share — points on the Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) score and Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) record. When, for example, slack adjusters aren’t within required specifications, not just one, but two violations are typically noted on the inspection. The first is a brake out of adjustment; the second is an automatic slack adjuster that failed to maintain the proper adjustment. In the case of a driver, PSP scores are interpreted differently among carriers. In general, a large number of vehicle maintenance violations on the driver’s PSP could be an indication the driver doesn’t adequately perform pre-trip inspections on their equipment. The PSP can mean the difference between getting a new job and not. And, of course, any accidents resulting from inadequately maintained brakes can result in serious injury or death, as well as expensive litigation. At a minimum, a pre-trip inspection should include a check of visible brake parts. Hoses and fittings should be secured so they don’t rub against one another or against vehicle frames or parts, and they should be checked for chafing. There should be no audible leaks. Mounting hardware for air chambers and other components should be intact and snug. In the case of disc brakes, Bendix recommends checking brake pads for abnormal wear and cracks, and for minimum pad thickness of .125 inch (that’s an eighth of an inch). Rotors should be inspected for cracks and for thickness. Some light surface cracks are acceptable, but they definitely should be brought to the attention of a technician. With the brakes off, there should be adequate running clearance between pad and rotor. For drum brakes, again, some light surface cracks in the drum are acceptable, but they should be checked. There should be an acceptable amount of free play in the slack adjuster and push rods; the amount differs among manufacturers, so it’s necessary to find out what equipment is installed on the truck. Brakes may differ between axles too, so allowable free play on one may not be the same for another. Shoes should be checked for cracks and breakage, and for even wear. Slack adjusters and S-cams need occasional lubrication. Braking systems include a compressor, tractor and trailer protection valves, compressed air tanks and various warning gauges, lights and audible signals. It’s important to periodically perform in-cab checks. These involve holding the brake pedal down and watching the gauge for air pressure loss, pumping down the brakes to observe the pressure remaining when warning lights and buzzers activate, and at what pressure the tractor and trailer valves activate. It’s also important to make note of how long it takes for the compressor to build air pressure back up. Automatic slack adjusters have been required by regulation since 1994 for tractors and since 1995 for trailers. Unless your equipment is very old, chances are slim that you’ll encounter manual adjusters. If you do, it’s important to know how to keep them in adjustment to maximize your braking power. Manufacturers of automatic slack adjusters recommend that they NOT be adjusted between brake jobs. If the brakes are out of adjustment, it’s an indication the adjuster is no longer working correctly and must be replaced. The adjustment screw on the automatic adjuster is used only for resetting the adjustment after a brake job. When it comes to brakes, it doesn’t much matter whether the driver or a technician inspects the brakes; what matters is that it gets done periodically. With preventive maintenance intervals of 60,000 miles or more, brake systems may not get the attention they need to catch potential issues before they become safety problems. Any time a tire is removed, of course, a thorough inspection of the brakes on that axle end is a must. If the driver isn’t qualified to fully check brake components, the vehicle should be scheduled for a check by a technician at a company or road vendor location. Brakes are easy to take for granted. Issues like improper adjustment or inadequate shoe thickness may not show up under “normal” braking conditions, but when a panic stop is necessary under a full load, those issues can suddenly become critical. Make sure you have the ability to stop when you need to by being sure your brakes are in tip-top shape.

Volvo Trucks North America honors America’s Road Team captains

Erica N. Guy - February 6, 2024

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks recently honored the newly appointed captains of the 2024-2025 America’s Road Team — a national public outreach effort led by expert professional truck drivers organized by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). “Exclusively sponsored by Volvo Trucks for more than 20 years, America’s Road Team shares the company’s overarching mission of enhancing road safety and striving for zero accidents,” a news release states. “To support this year’s education program, Volvo Trucks is donating a Volvo VNL 760 long-haul tractor that will be used to haul the ATA Interstate One mobile classroom as it visits cities across the nation.” Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, expressed admiration for these captains, stating, “In their role as captains, these men and women represent the driving force behind our nation’s economy. We commend their unwavering commitment to safety and professionalism, and they serve as exemplary role models within the trucking industry. With the ongoing challenges in the global supply chain and the continued growth of e-commerce, society is beginning to understand and appreciate the critical role that the trucking industry and safe, experienced drivers play in advancing the movement of essential goods and services.” According to the ATA, this year’s 24 captains hail from diverse backgrounds, representing 14 motor carriers and 14 states and accumulating an impressive 61.6 million accident-free driving miles. Their selection was based on their industry knowledge, effective communication skills regarding safety and transportation and an exemplary safe-driving record, the news release states. In support of the 2024 America’s Road Team campaign, Volvo Trucks donated a fully loaded Volvo VNL 760. The VNL 760 tractor will tow ATA’s Interstate One mobile classroom — a state-of-the-art 53-foot trailer equipped with a truck driving simulator, seven presentation screens, educational displays and a conference room. The mobile classroom will serve as a platform for interactive trucking demonstrations, exhibitions and displays, emphasizing advanced safety measures as the trucking ambassadors engage with diverse stakeholders, including students, lawmakers, community groups and government officials nationwide. Powered by Volvo Trucks’ enhanced D13 Turbo Compound engine with Dynamic Torque, the VNL 760 features a 13-speed Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission that enables optimum fuel efficiency without impacting performance. Innovative safety and productivity technologies, such as the Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) system, Position Perfect steering configuration, Volvo Trucks Remote Diagnostics and Remote Programming services and the Volvo Active Driver Assist (VADA) safety system, enhance the overall driving experience. These captains, appointed to serve for a two-year term, will be among the first to drive the all-new Volvo VNL, scheduled to enter production later this year. They were also the first drivers to witness the all-new Volvo VNL at the Volvo Customer Center in Dublin, Virginia. “As the first drivers to lay eyes on the all-new Volvo VNL, the professional drivers comprising America’s Road Team stand as the elite in their profession,” Voorhoeve said. “We value their feedback as we embark on this new era for Volvo Trucks, our customers, and their drivers. The new Volvo VNL is designed to change everything and crafted to meet the demands of the North American market, promising a transformative driving experience, and we look forward to hearing the feedback from this distinguished group of drivers.”

Spot rates in Truckstop’s system fall further in the latest week

John Worthen - February 6, 2024

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop system declined for all equipment types during the week ended Feb. 2 (week 5) as dry van and refrigerated rates have fallen back to about where they were during the week before Christmas. Flatbed rates fell for the first time in five weeks. Even though total spot rates have fallen in three of the year’s five weeks, rates are still less negative year-over-year than they were during any week between mid-August 2022 and the third week of this year. Total loads Total load activity declined 5.7% after easing more than 2% during the previous week. Total volume was down nearly 10% compared to the same 2023 week and about 30% below the five-year average. Truck postings increased 1.1%, and the total Market Demand Index — the ratio of loads to trucks — fell to its lowest level of the year. Total rates The total broker-posted rate declined more than 4 cents after decreasing just under 4 cents in the prior week. Rates were about 6% below the same 2023 week and about 4% below the five-year average. Total rates have been basically steady in 2024 aside from the temporary boost due to winter weather. Dry van rates Dry van spot rates were down nearly 5 cents after declining about 3 cents during the previous week. After being slightly higher year-over-year for two weeks, dry van rates were down more than 1% from the same 2023 week and close to 5% below the five-year average. Dry van loads declined 10.7% after holding steady during the prior week. Like rates, volume had been above prior-year levels in the two most recent weeks, but it was down nearly 9% compared to the same 2023 week. Volume was down about 25% from the five-year average for the week. Refrigerated rates Refrigerated spot rates fell more than 12 cents after plunging nearly 19 cents during the prior week, which was the week following the major weather event. As was the case with dry van, refrigerated rates had been positive year-over-year for two weeks, but they were down nearly 3% in the latest week and 6% below the five-year average. Refrigerated loads fell 11.1% after dropping about 17% during the previous week. Volume had been sharply higher year-over-year in weeks 3 and 4, but in the latest week it was down about 12% from the same 2023 week and about 32% below the five-year average. Flatbed rates Flatbed spot rates declined 3.5 cents after rising for four straight weeks. Rates were nearly 8% below the same 2023 week and more than 3% below the five-year average. Flatbed loads eased 0.4% after ticking up the same percentage during the previous week. Volume was about 10% below the same 2023 week and more than 37% below the five-year average for the week.

DAT One stats show load numbers fell nearly 17% in early February

John Worthen - February 6, 2024

BEAVORTON, Ore. — The number of loads on DAT One fell 16.7% the week ended Feb. 3 to 951,931, 47% lower compared to the same week in 2023 and 33% lower than the same week in 2020. Van loads: 448,964, down 19.8% compared to the previous week and 43% lower year over year Reefer loads: 188,723, down 20.7% week over week and 50% lower year over year Flatbed loads: 314,244, down 8.7% week over week and 50% lower year over year Truck posts dipped by 3% There were 309,855 trucks on the network last week, down 3% compared to the previous week. That’s 24% lower year over year and down 25% compared to the same week in 2020. Van equipment: 210,141, down 1.3%. Pre-pandemic Week 5 average: 239,717 Reefer equipment: 58,706, down 7.8%. Pre-pandemic Week 5 average: 67,252 Flatbed equipment: 41,008, down 5.8%. Pre-pandemic Week 3 average: 36,357 Load-to-truck ratios declined for all three equipment types Vans: 2.1, down from 2.6 the previous week Reefers: 3.1, down from 3.7 the previous week Flatbeds: 7.5, down from 7.9 the previous week Line-haul van and reefer rates decreased The van rate is $1.70 net fuel, down 3 cents. Broker-to-carrier rate: $2.14 (fuel: 44 cents). Contract rate: $2.07 net fuel Reefer rate: $2.03 net fuel, down 7 cents. Broker-to-carrier rate: $2.50 (fuel: 48 cents). Contract rate: $2.40 net fuel Flatbed rate: $1.97 net fuel, up 2 cents. Broker-to-carrier rate: $2.50 (fuel: 52 cents). Contract rate: $2.58 net fuel DAT benchmark rates are calculated based on $150 billion of invoice data submitted to DAT directly and exclusively by more than 1,300 freight brokers and other contributors. Load posts, truck posts, and load-to-truck ratios are sourced from DAT One, a marketplace for spot truckload freight.

Decker Truck Line’s Timothy Olden honored as TCA Highway Angel

Erica N. Guy - February 5, 2024

ALEXANDRIA, Va. —The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Timothy Olden of North Chesterfield, Virginia, a TCA Highway Angel for stopping to help a fellow driver who fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his rig. Olden drives for Decker Truck Line of Fort Dodge, Iowa. According to an account of the story given to TCA, the incident happened at around 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2023, when Olden was driving along Interstate 40 near mile marker 319 through Crossville, Tennessee. He saw a flatbed driver veer off the offramp, crash, and the trailer ended up lying on the driver’s side. “He rolled his truck,” Olden said. “He admitted to me and to the cops that he fell asleep.” After witnessing the crash, Olden immediately pulled over, called 911 and helped the driver get out safely. The driver appeared to only have minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises. Olden remained with the injured driver until law enforcement arrived. He also told the driver the “Three Yawn Rule.” “If you yawn three times in a row, get to a truck stop and rest,” he said. “Go stretch out in the back of the truck.” Since the TCA Highway Angels program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers have been recognized as Highway Angels for the exemplary kindness, courtesy and courage displayed while on the job. The TCA Highway Angels website can be accessed here: https://www.truckload.org/highway-angel/.

10 easy ‘pit stops’ along the highway to heart health

Hope Zvara - February 2, 2024

February is American Heart Month, and I have 10 practical, easy-as-pie strategies to boost your ticker’s well-being right from the driver’s seat of that truck. The best part? There are no fancy gym memberships or personal trainers needed. So, carve out a little time in your delivery schedule, and let’s get truckin’ along the road to heart health! Sip Smart Hydration is vital for a healthy heart. Try to swig at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily — that adds up to a half-gallon (also known as 64 ounces), folks! Put a portable water jug in your cab and make it a mission to finish it by the day’s end. Snack Savvy Those salty snack stops can sneak up on your arteries. Opt for healthier alternatives like unsalted nuts, fruits and veggies. Pack some in your truck for on-the-go cravings. Stair Stepping Any time you’re on a break and there’s a flight of stairs nearby, walk up and down them a few times to give your heart a quick, effective workout. Stretch Out the Stress Heart health isn’t just physical — stress often hitches a ride on the cardiac bandwagon too. Take time every day to take a few deep breaths and stretch. Every little bit helps! Say No to Nicotine I’m sorry to be a buzzkill for some of you, but busting any tobacco habits will do wonders for your heart. Trade the smokes for those healthier snacks I mentioned in Pit Stop No. 2! Goodnight, Good Heart Prioritize sleep like you would a pizza delivery — it’s important and necessary! Ensure you’re rested enough. A well-rested you means a happier, healthier heart. Short Workouts Don’t have the time or equipment for a full workout? No problem. Short bursts of exercise will do the trick. Think tricep dips on the driver’s seat, or jogging in place at a rest stop. Show Some Leg Legs cramped up after a long haul? Stop, get out and do some leg stretches or lunges. Your heart will appreciate the increased blood flow. Don’t Skip Checkups Keep those annual screenings with your doctor. Regular checkups help catch any heart issues early. Happy Thoughts Finally, remember to feed your mind as well as your body. Read a positive quote, or listen to an uplifting podcast. It’s remarkable what a little positivity can do for your heart! And that’s it, my friends. Ten small changes you can make today for a healthier, stronger heart. These simple strategies are your roadmap to a happier, healthier heart. So, together, let’s take the driver’s seat on the path to heart health, and keep those wheels — and hearts — turning!

CarriersEdge announces 2024 Best Fleets to Drive For winners

Erica N. Guy - February 2, 2024

NEWMARKET, Ontario — CarriersEdge, a provider of online driver training for the trucking industry, announced the Top 20 winners of the 2024 Best Fleets to Drive For awards on Jan. 31. Each for-hire trucking company is being recognized for providing the best workplace experiences for their company drivers and independent contractors. To be considered for the 2024 Best Fleets program, North American for-hire carriers operating 10 tractor-trailers or more had to be nominated by a company driver or independent contractor currently driving for them. These nominated fleets were then evaluated in a variety of categories, including compensation and benefits, human resource strategies, operations, professional development and work/life balance. Finally, each fleet collected surveys from their drivers to measure the satisfaction of the fleet. The results of the questionnaire and surveys were compiled and scored to identify the top performers. The fleets with the highest overall scores are recognized as Best Fleets to Drive For. Fleets receiving the distinction for 10 consecutive years (or 7 consecutive years plus an overall winner award) are inducted into the Hall of Fame. “The past year has been exceptionally difficult for the trucking industry,” saidJane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge. “However, the Best Fleets continued to find new ways to improve the work experience for their drivers and independent contractors, once again raising the bar on what’s possible. The Hall of Fame took that even further, with all 10 of last year’s Hall of Famers requalifying through a range of innovative programs and driver supports.” The Top 20 Best Fleets to Drive For for 2024, in alphabetical order, are: American Central Transport, Inc. – Kansas City, Missouri Brenny Specialized, Inc. – Saint Joseph, Minnesota C.A.T. Inc. – Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada Challenger Motor Freight Inc. – Cambridge, Ontario, Canada Chief Carriers, Inc. – Grand Island, Nebraska Continental Express Inc. – Sidney, Ohio Crawford Trucking Inc. – Des Moines, Iowa Decker Truck Line Inc. – Fort Dodge, Iowa Erb Transport – New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada Fortigo Freight Services Inc. – Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada Fremont Contract Carriers Inc. – Fremont, Nebraska K & J Trucking Inc. – Sioux Falls, South Dakota Kriska Holdings Limited – Prescott, Ontario, Canada Leonard’s Express Inc. – Farmington, New York Nick Strimbu Inc. – Brookfield, Ohio PGT Trucking Inc. – Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Thomas E. Keller Trucking Inc. – Defiance, Ohio TLD Logistics Services Inc. – Knoxville, Tennessee Transland – Strafford, Missouri Wellington Group of Companies – Aberfoyle, Ontario, Canada Fleets requalifying for the Best Fleets to Drive For Hall of Fame are: Bison Transport Inc. – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Boyle Transportation – Billerica, Massachusetts Central Oregon Truck Company Inc. – Redmond, Oregon FTC Transportation Inc. – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Garner Trucking Inc. – Findlay, Ohio Grand Island Express Inc. – Grand Island, Nebraska Halvor Lines Inc. – Superior, Wisconsin Nussbaum Transportation Services Inc. – Hudson, Illinois Prime Inc. – Springfield, Missouri TransPro Freight Systems Ltd. – Milton, Ontario, Canada In addition to the Top 20 and Hall of Fame, five Fleets to Watch (honorable mentions) were recognized: Ippolito Transportation Inc. – Burlington, Ontario, Canada Magnum Companies Ltd. – Fargo, North Dakota Mill Creek Motor Freight LTD – Ayr, Ontario, Canada Peninsula Truck Lines Inc. – Federal Way, Washington Stokes Trucking LLC – Tremonton, Utah From the Top 20, two overall winners will be unveiled, in large and small fleet categories, duringthe Best Fleets Education and Awards Conference, April 8-9, 2024, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to announcing the winners, the conference will also share full details of the data collected during this year’s edition of the program — statistics, trends and innovative programs from all the Top 20 and Hall of Fame fleets. The conference is sponsored by EpicVue, TruckRight, and Netradyne. To learn more about the Best Fleets to Drive For program, click here. For information about thE Best Fleets Education and Award Conference, click here. Follow #BestFleets24 on social media for updates on this year’s program.