The Daily Trucker

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Tuesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Spot load truck rates are soaring scary… a man threatened a trucker with a gun then chokes a police K9 and a little boy has a great Make-A-Wish granted So, let’s get trucking! Britnee: First, we start with spot truckload truck rates… they are soaring, according to a DAT Freight & Analytics report. After a year of touching bottom right before the pandemic, spot truckload rates reached near all-time highs during the week ending May 3rd. Compared to the same week last year: The seven-day average line-haul rate for dry vans was $2.27 a mile for the week, 95 cents higher. Also, spot refer freight averaged $2.61 per mile, up 94 cents. The average flatbed rate was $2.62 per mile, a 93-cent increase year over year. Some trends to watch: dry vans volume increased by 5 percent, although van rates declined in large markets, refer load posts increased by 11 percent, and Mother’s Day shipments were in bloom. US consumer spent around $28.1 billion dollars for Mother’s Day which equates for around 150 thousand truckloads. Carlin: A Utah trucking company employee is in hot water for PPP load fraud. Lisa Rowberry, from Provo, Utah, pleaded guilty to her role in a fraud scheme involving the Paycheck Protection Program. According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, Rowberry unlawfully obtained a federal PPP loan by falsifying a loan application. Rowberry wasn’t in this alone either, her co-defendant, Hubert Ugarte, owned the Frisbu trucking company, where she worked. Ugarte, pleaded guilty to PPP loan fraud, is also under federal bribery charges involving the Salt Lake City FedEx Ground Hub in federal court in April. In that case, Ugarte was convicted of fraud and money laundering for his involvement in a pay-to-play trucking scheme. It involved 10 defendants who paid around $1 million in bribes to a Utah FedEx Ground Hub manager in order to exploit the manager’s position with FedEx and make their trucking businesses as lucrative as possible. On May 14, 2020, Ugarte received $210,000 from Transportation Alliance Bank under the PPP loan. Ugarte used 60% of the loan to pay past due truck payments – leaving 40% for payroll costs, instead of the mandated 75 percent for payroll costs. Britnee: Well here is a scary story for you – a man threatened a trucker with a pistol and then choked a police dog. The incident happened near Blackfoot, Idaho. Cory Cox got into a road rage altercation with a truck driver, then Cox pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot out the tires of a driver’s semi-truck. The driver explained to police officers that Cox had gotten him to pull over and immediately started yelling at him. The trucker said Cox wasn’t making any sense when he pulled a black gun and began to make threats. The trucker says he feared for his life, and eventually, Cox got into his vehicle and drove away. Cox then crashed into a farm field’s irrigation system where he fled the scene but deputies soon caught up to him. During a struggle with the police dog, it is stated that Cox kicked the K9 before grabbing it around the throat to choke the animal. The K9 dog bit Cox, and deputies placed him into custody into the Bingham County Jail. He remains behind bars on $35 thousand bail. Carlin: Swedish-based autonomous trucking company, Einride, will set up headquarters in Austin, Texas after raising $110 million. The autonomous electric freight vehicle company is planning to establish Austin as its U.S. headquarters later this year. Einride’s primary offering is a futuristic Pod vehicle with no cab that can be deployed in fenced-in facilities using predetermined routes as well as on public roads. The company offers its vehicles on a subscription basis, its customers include Coca-Cola, Oatly, Lidl and Electrolux. Einride says it is the world’s first company to operate autonomous, all-electric freight vehicles on public roads. The company has raised a total of $150 million for the new headquarters, with backers including Temasek, Soros Fund Management, Northzone, and more. Einride also plans to open offices in New York and Silicon Valley, and has 50 job openings posted on its website. The company is one of several autonomous vehicle companies hiring in Austin. Britnee: According to U.S. Border Patrol, a trucker was attacked by three undocumented immigrants at a Texas truck stop. people were apprehended after attacking a truck driver on Friday. The incident occurred at a truck stop in Encinal, Texas, where authorities say the truck driver was resting in his vehicle, when he heard people try to climb into his windjammer. As he stepped out of the truck to look, three individuals ran away. Then a second time the driver observed the same three subjects attempting to climb back into the windjammer. The driver went to investigate again, with a flashlight that’s when he says the three individuals rushed him and he used the flashlight to defend himself. The three subjects then ran towards I-35. The authorities were able to locate three people hiding behind a store. Two of the people were bleeding from head injuries and admitted that they were struck by the truck driver during the altercation. Police later confirmed that the three individuals were from Mexico and had entered the U.S. illegally. Carlin: Make-a-wish partnered with Macy’s and UPS grated a wish for a little boy who’s dream was to be a delivery person. Mateo’s dream came true when the foundation brought a functioning, custom-made UPS truck, he was able to make deliveries all over his hometown of Stockton, California. Mateo practiced driving his own truck with personal driving lessons from his favorite UPS driver, Dave, with sign dubbed #MateoDeliversHope along his journey. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Tuesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The Roadcheck is behind us, but Safe Driver week is coming… The Department of Labor withdraws the Independent Contractor Rule… and free lunch for truck drivers? You heard right! So, let’s get trucking! Britnee: Now that we have the CVSA Roadcheck behind us, it’s time to look ahead at the next trucker blitz because its right around the corner! The CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week 2021 will be July 11th through 17th and this year the emphasis will be on speeding. Officers will issue warnings or citations to violators or other dangerous driving behaviors including: reckless or aggressive driving, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to use a seat belt, and evidence of drunk or drugged driving. The CVSA selected speeding this year despite the fact the pandemic reduced overall roadway travel. Last year, the CVSA issued commercial drivers just under 11 thousand warnings and just over 3,000 out-of-service violations during Operation Safe Driver Week 2020. Carlin: Well the Department of Labor has withdrawn the Independent Contractor Rule that was put in place days before Donald Trump left the Presidency. The Jan. 7 Independent Contractor rule aimed to define the difference between an employee and an independent contractor. The DOL originally stated that the rule promoted certainty for stakeholders, including the trucking industry, as well as in an effort to reduce litigation and “encourage innovation in the economy.” Now the DOL says the withdrawal of the Independent Contractor rule would maintain workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The DOL cited other reasons for the withdrawal stating “The rule would have narrowed the facts and considerations comprising the analysis of whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor, resulting in workers losing FLSA protections.” Since the Rule was never implemented, its withdrawal won’t have a huge impact on the trucking industry. There are many mixed opinions on this, and some are pointing to California’s controversial Assembly Bill 5 as an example of issues that could arise. Britnee: Well, we are on a bit of a roller coaster when it comes to trucking employment lately. Trucking employment was down in April but is up since the beginning of the year. Trucking employment fell by 15-hundred jobs after gaining more than 3,000 in March. Revised data from February shows a job loss of 18-hundred and was the month that broke the nine-month streak of job increases. Trucking employment is up more than 1,000 jobs since the end of 2020, and compared to April 2020 there was a decrease of 93,000 jobs due to the pandemic. Those pandemic stay-at-home orders that caused businesses to shut down, erased more than 5 years of trucking employment growth. Carlin: Well we have been talking about it… the impending gas shortage, and it has more to do with there not being enough truck drivers than diesel. And if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is as you may have seen the eye-catching headline earlier this month that one Fort Worth, Texas trucking company was offering to pay experienced drivers $14,000 per week or $728 thousand per year. But there’s a catch, you have to supply the truck and the trailer. The company does not actually hire drivers as employees instead it contracts with independent owner-operators. Sisu Energy states “our frac (pronounced frack) sand haulers can make $14k a week depending on how many loads they run. We don’t pay them that amount outright.” The shortage of truck drivers is nothing new. It’s estimated that an additional 60 thousand plus truck drivers are needed immediately. And the trucking industry forecasts the need for around 1.1 million new truck drivers over the next 10 years. Britnee: A Georgia convivence store is offering free lunch to all truck drivers throughout 2021. On the first Friday of every month for the rest of the year, truckers can pick up a free boxed lunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Enmarket’s The Eatery at their Pine Barren Road location. A Savannah-based trucking firm, Veteran Carriers, launched a program to provide free lunches to drivers as a way to show its appreciation for the trucking industry. The “Feed a Trucker” program is a partnership between Veteran Carriers and Enmarket Convenience Stores and will be located on Pine Barren Road and Highway 80. This is a high-volume area of big rigs going in and out of the Georgia Ports Authority. Carin: A former truck driver is biking his way across the country to raise awareness about truck driver health. Wayne Cragg from South Haven, Mich., decided to hit the road for a 2,000 mile trek to Seattle to raise awareness and remind truck drivers about the importance of maintaining their health. Cragg started in South Haven two weeks ago, and says when the pandemic hit, he was driving a lot, eating unhealthy and not taking care of himself. He does have some help though; a friend is joining him for the second half of his ride. He plans to make it to Seattle by the end of July. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Tuesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Why California farmers say they need more truck drivers How a man used fake military documents to get CDL’s And what Ohio is looking to do to stop distracted driving So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The fight over California’s Assembly Bill 5 isn’t over yet… The California Trucking Association says it will appeal a court decision. In April, a 3-judge panel of the 9th circuit court of appeals overturned an injunction that stopped the law, which looks to create a way to tell if a contractor should remain such or should be labeled an employee, from being enforced. CTA claims AB 5 will make it impossible to continue independent operator models in the state and the rule is pre-empted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act – but the judges’ decided this was not the case. It expected this legal battle could take up to 2 years – and may make its way to the supreme court. Britnee: Speaking of California a shortage of truck drivers is raising concerns among California farmers. If something isn’t changed soon – this year’s harvest may not make it to market. CTA says the shortage could be roughly 30-percent of California’s trucking workforce – due to factors like age and drivers choosing not to return to work during the pandemic. This situation, along with the congested California ports, could mean higher food prices if it continues. One solution could be a truck-weight exemption, allowing loads to exceed the 80,000 pound limit by 10-percent. CTA says whatever the solution is, it needs to happen fast so produce isn’t wasting away in the fields. Carlin: A Maryland man is facing large fines and jail time after pleading guilty to forging military documents and identity theft.. According to court documents, Philip Mungin used the forged discharge documents to get fraudulent military waivers for commercial driver’s licenses for money. Mungin was enlisted in the army from 1997 until 99 when he was discharged… Apparently, he had been using the signature on his own discharge documents to create fake ones for others… Investigators say 44 people had submitted the fraudulent waivers – which even had a made-up colonel listed as the commanding officer. Mungin was charging 500 to 2-thousand dollars for each fake form… and had made between 15 to 40-thousand dollars with his scheme. He will be required to return all the money he made and forfeit any property he purchased with it… he faces up to one year in federal prison for forgery of a military discharge certificate and up to 15 years in federal prison for identity theft. Britnee: A Texas trucking company has filed for bankruptcy – and now small-business truckers and logistic companies are owed thousands. Gainco Incorporated, which specializes in oilfield waste disposal and chemical clean up filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in April. In the filing, the company’s assets are listed between 5-hundred thousand to a million dollars, while its liabilities are between 1 and 10 million. The company says it has up to 99 creditors – but assures funds will be available once administrative fees are covered. A hearing on the emergency motion is set for Tuesday. Carlin: A man has been arrested after police say he pointed a high-intensity laser at an airplane and truck! This happened along Interstate 40 in Tennessee… According to police the truck driver was the first to report the laser pointer – then air traffic control. Police were able to track down the man, who witnesses say was shining the laser from a hotel room and arrest him. He has not been identified. Britnee: Holding a cell phone or other electronic devices could soon be illegal in Ohio. A bill introduced last week aims to decrease distracted driving by outlawing holding any device. The bill provides exceptions for first responders on their way to an emergency, and it also includes a “one-swipe” exception to allow people to answer incoming calls and then disconnect them. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Monday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Which famous truck stop is hosting a vaccine clinic How much DOT fines have increased in 2021 And what the National Truck Driving Championship looks like this year. So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The Iowa 80 Truckstop Hy-Vee Pharmacy will offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics starting today! They are open to anyone 18 and older and will be on the third floor of the main building at the Iowa 80. Both the Pfizer and the Johnson & Johnson single shot vaccines will be offered. The dates are today, May 10: 2-4 p.m. – Wednesday, May 13: 5-8 p.m. – Thursday, May 14: 5-8 p.m. – Friday, May 15: 5-8 p.m. – Saturday, May 16: 5-8 p.m. To make an appointment visit Iowa 80’s website or give the Hy-Vee Pharmacy a call. Walk-ins are also welcome. Britnee: The United Auto Workers strike at Volvo’s New River Valley truck assembly plant has ended after a two-week work stoppage. The parties reached a tentative 5-year agreement. The details are being withheld until UAW members can be briefed before a vote in the coming days. If approved the contract will cover about 2,900 plant employees. The plant employs more than 33 hundred people and is using a 400 million dollar investment for advanced technology upgrades, site expansion and preparation for future products. The plant has added 11 hundred jobs since the current union agreement in 2016 and is on track to have 600 more positions in 2021, according to Volvo. Carlin: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Medical Review Board will look at the vision standard for truck drivers at its next meeting, May 19-20. The virtual meeting is open to the public. The board will evaluate comments from a proposed rulemaking from January. If finalized, that rule would allow drivers who cannot meet either the current distant visual acuity or field of vision standard, or both, in one eye to be physically qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. Currently, these drivers can not be qualified without an exemption from FMCSA. The board will also conduct a review of the medical assessment form for CMV drivers with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. If you want to take part in the meeting, you can! You can even register in advance, but that’s not a requirement. Britnee: For the second time this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, along with other Department of Transportation agencies, is updating fines for violations of federal trucking regulations for inflation. These increases are required by law – and the new fine amounts are effective immediately. To find the 2021 adjustment amount, DOT had to multiply the penalty amount by the percentage change between the October 2020 Consumer Price and the October 2019 Index, which means for 2021 all fines increased by 1.02 percent. Carlin: Check this out! A friend of the Truck Boss Show – Ed Miller, who is a former driver, carrier operator, and safety man – has his memoir featured by Amazon! “A Trucker’s Tale: Wit Wisdom and True Stories From 60 Years on the Road” is part of Amazon’s “Kindle Monthly Deals” program. Through the 30th, you can snag the book on any Kindle device for just 1-99! You can also find our interview with him on the truck Boss Show YouTube! Just search Ed Miller. Britnee: The American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championship will be different this year… It’s going virtual. Beginning July 31st with State Rounds, there will be trivia contests with questions about driver facts, federal and state laws, state trucking history, and culture. Prize rounds are on August 11 through 13 and the National Battle of the States will take place on August 14. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

On this week’s Feature Friday, Isela visits with 2 Frogs Grill owner, Aubry Harris, about the little hidden gem right off I-35, exit 31A, with some of the best food you can find in Oklahoma. Sauces and seasonings are in-house secrets, fresh meats are brought in daily and don’t be surprised in you see some big names in the music industry pop in and out from time to time

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Wednesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The passing of a Texas Bill The Use of CBD for Truckers The top Ten States with Rude Truckers So, let’s get trucking! Britnee:  According to ACT Research, the data on Driver Availability has tightened for the fourth year in a row. The Driver Availability Index for February was 23.6 given March being down 16.7. March dipped due the recovery was only beginning and February only rose slightly because of winter storms. In coming months driver availability will continue to see downward pressure due to capacity, demographics and unemployment benefits, the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. Another hurdle to the rebound will be limited Class 8 production and tight vehicle inventories – both are likely to limit the pace of recovery this year. Carlin: The state of Texas has passed a bill that would make it harder to successfully sue commercial trucking companies is now moving forward after a series of postponements on the House floor. According to Plano Republican, Jeff Leach, the legislation would create a fair supporting structure that ensures victims in collisions involving commercial vehicles now can have their day in court, while also protecting commercial motor vehicle operators from excessive lawsuits. Leach believes that with the passage of this bill we will see commercial vehicle insurance rates fall in the state of Texas. The “Keep Texas Trucking Coalition” praised the legislation for promoting business across the state. More than 550 businesses have supported the written bill. Britnee: Here’s a very Hot Topic. “Cannabidiol” or CBD. For the past few years, marketers of CBD products have promised to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and reduce daily joint pain. But many truck drivers worry that if they use CBD products could their commercial license be put at risk? In 2020, the U.S. DOT indicated that the use of CBD is  “safety-sensitive” for employees who are in the transportation industry, such as pilots, train engineers, and truck drivers. DOT also reminded those workers that it is not acceptable for employees who are subject to drug testing regulations to consume marijuana. Since the use of CBD products can lead to a positive drug test result those employees should also be cautious when considering the use of CBD products. CBD laws do vary from state to state and it is recommended to check with your state on the specifics of CBD use. Carlin: Peter Albanese a trucker out of Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to wire fraud, Social Security fraud, and making false statements, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. According to the indictment Albanese collected more than $80,000 in S.S. disability benefits while not disclosing his work income as a truck driver. He also used a false Medical Examiner’s Certificate during a roadside inspection to hide the fact that he was not certified as required by FMCSA regulations. The investigation is still on-going with assistance from the FMCSA. Britnee: Navistar is recalling certain LT and RH Class 8 trucks on the following years 2018-2020 for the second time due to a connector rod defect. The truck maker recalled 4,972 trucks in the U.S. and in Canada. Three on-road engine failures have been identified and were related to bushing material in the small end bore, or the wrist pin of the connecting rod. The connecting rod may develop cracks over time or lose chunks of bushing material. In some cases, connecting rod failure can result in engine shut down causing the driver to pull the truck to the side of the road. But a stalled vehicle in or near the road can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. No crashes or injuries have been reported but Navistar expects to alert customers and international dealers to the new recall around July 8th. The NHTSA recall number is 21V-281. Carlin: Rude Truckers? Didn’t know there was such a thing. But according to Insurify, an insurance comparison site, used data from more than 4 million car insurance applications to compile a list of the top ten states with the rudest driving behavior. 8 of the 10 states that ranked in 2020 kept their position in 2021. And believe it not but Virginia held the top spot for the second year in a row. With 43 infractions out of 1,000, Virginia was 41% higher than the national average. The most, polite state was Kentucky. 8 out of the top 10 indicated the most common rude violation is failure to stop at a stop sign. So like I mentioned before Virginia is at the top of the list, followed by Delaware, Idaho, Georgia, Wyoming, Ohio, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, and lastly Alaska placing #10. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!  

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Wednesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: A bill aimed at requiring all new trucks to have automatic emergency braking A new Love’s location means more truck parking And what do a cow and an alligator have in common? You’ll see coming up! So, let’s get trucking! Britnee: Congress is forging ahead on requiring automatic emergency braking and lane-assist technology on all new trucks. The Protecting Roadside First Responders Act is being uplifted by safety advocates but rejected by many small-business truckers. The bill aims to reduce roadside crashes involving distracted driving and requires advanced driver assistance systems, including AEB, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist and blind-zone detection systems on commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. The main concern with truck drivers and trucking associations is that AEB systems cause more harm than good because drivers are encountering serious problems with the technology including controlling trucks in bad weather, and “highly distracting” false alarms. But the truck safety coalition has a different outlook on the proposed bill saying “when this lifesaving bill is enacted into law and the safety reforms are implemented, we will finally realize significant and sustained reductions in highway crashes, deaths, injuries and costs.” Isela: A California court has ruled that California’s gig economy law does apply to around 70,000 truck drivers who can be classified as employees of companies that hire them instead of independent contractors. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco overturned a 2020 ruling, now leading to truck drivers receiving the right to overtime, sick pay or other benefits. The appellate court’s decision found that the 2019 Assembly Bill 5, one of the strictest labor laws in the country, doesn’t conflict with federal law because it QUOTE: “is a generally applicable labor law that affects a motor carrier’s relationship with its workforce and does not bind, compel, or otherwise freeze into place the prices, routes, or services.” But there are some mixed opinions on the court’s decision. While the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, says the ruling is a massive victory for California’s truck drivers, who have faced exploitation and misclassification at the hands of trucking companies that place corporate profit ahead of drivers’ safety and well-being. The California Trucking Association, says it will take legal steps to continue this fight for independent owner-operators and motor carriers operating in California. Britnee: Did you know, there could be felony convictions that arise from misdemeanor safety violations? The Truckers Justice Center says truck drivers must not assume the only risk they have in violating a FMCSR… is being placed out of service by an enforcement officer and getting a mark on their CSA Score. Criminal penalties may also incur for violating those regulations leading which could lead to a felony criminal prosecution of drivers and carriers. These penalties typically occur after an investigation of a fatal crash by law enforcement or an FMCSA compliance review, but could also occur where widespread log falsification is found and management is facilitating the log falsification. Some areas where criminal penalties come into play include: falsification of logs, other violations of safety regs, bumping weights of household goods, and coercion in hiring a lumper. Isela: Love’s Travel Stops opened a new store in Portage County, Ohio located off State Route 225 in Diamond, Ohio. The best news??? The new location includes 93 truck parking spaces! Other amenities at the new Love’s include: Godfather’s Pizza and Subway restaurants, eight diesel bays, seven showers, laundry facilities, a Speedco, a CAT Scale, and a dog park. Greg Love, co-CEO of Love’s says the Oklahoma City-headquartered company is excited to open its 18th location and add nearly 100 truck parking spaces in Ohio while providing great service to truckers. Britnee:  This is a crazy one for you – an 18-wheeler and its nearly $1 million worth of cargo was stolen in Texas while the diver was away from his rig! Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office discovered an 18-wheeler stuck and unable to move. And guess what they found inside? 50 pallets, approximately 30,000 pounds, of Dell laptops estimated at almost 1 million dollars. Deputies observed the trailer’s seal had been tampered with and broken. There were also two missing laptops from the bunch. Turns out the tractor-trailer was stolen in Terrell, Texas from a truck stop while the driver was taking a shower. Isela: And let’s end on a fun one today – a cow and an alligator became the main attraction on a Houston highway! In two separate situations, the steer and alligator caused major traffic delays, and one related accident, as they went on their adventure. The steer had escaped from a nearby farm, and was roaming around the highway during morning rush hour at 8am on Interstate 10. The local sheriff’s livestock team was able to get control of the cow and return it to its owner. A few hours later an alligator, way more dangerous than the cow, also decided to park itself on the Fred Hartman bridge. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, was called out to help, ultimately placing a rope around the gator as they wrangled it into the back of a truck and later released it in a nearby waterway. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Tuesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Why there could be a fuel shortage during the summer travel months When New York State is looking to go all electric And an incredible story of driver walking away from a scary crash on a bridge So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: It looks like Pennsylvania’s bridge toll plan will be facing some hurdles in the state’s legislature. A bill was passed by the state’s Senate which would require the state Department of Transportation to have approval from the Legislature for projects. This is in response to the plan to toll 9 major bridges – which some lawmakers say is a violation of the law that founded the Public-Private Transportation Partnership Board in 2012. The bill now heads to the state House but it’s unlikely to get approval from the Governor. Right now, PennDOT hasn’t made the final decision on which bridges to toll – but it’s expected the tolls would be between 1 and 2 dollars, both ways. Britnee: As the country begins the summer travel months, many Americans could be seeing major prices at the pump… But not because of a fuel shortage – but a driver shortage! According to the National Tank Truck Carriers group, about a quarter of all tanker trucks are parked because there aren’t enough qualified drivers to handle them. The reason for this shortage? The NTTC group says lot of driver schools were closed due to the pandemic and the Drug and Alcohol Clearing house. Carlin: A bill has been passed by the New York State legislature that would mandate all new cars sold in the state run on electric power by 2035 – and would also have trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles do the same by 2045. The bill will direct the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish laws that will make sure the goal is met… The bill will now head to Governor Andrew Cuomo for approval or vetoing. Britnee: Speaking of electric vehicles, one of the biggest concerns is lack of charging stations… Well now, the first of its kind heavy duty electric truck charging site – called Electric Island – has opened in Portland. The site is a joint venture between Daimler Trucks North America and Portland General Electric – and is across the street from DTNA’s Portland headquarters, less than a mile from Interstate 5. It has 8 charging stations – most are open for public use – and can be used for charging trucks, buses, vans, and cars. This is the first site designed for medium and heavy duty trucks as part of the West Coast Clean Transit Corridor Initiative, a plan to electrify 13-hundred miles of I-5 across 3 west coast states. Carlin: Two truckers will face prosecution after U.S. Customs and Border Protection found 4 and half million dollars’ worth of marijuana at the U.S.-Canada border in North Dakota… Officers discovered the almost 3000 pounds of marijuana after a second inspection at the Pembina port of entry. The drivers have not been identified and the investigation is ongoing… But marijuana busts have been common since the border was closed for nonessential travel. Britnee: A truck driver in South Carolina was able to escape their cab that was left overhanging the Black and Pee Dee Rivers in Georgetown after an accident. According to first responders, the truck ran into another vehicle, before smashing a barrier and hanging over the edge… Thankfully, no one had any major injuries. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Monday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The new deadline to get those real ID’s The decision from a US Court of Appeals on California’s AB-5 And we share the winner of Women in Trucking’s Driver of the Year! So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The Senate Republicans have released their response to President Biden’s 2 trillion-dollar infrastructure plan – with a plan costing almost 570 billion dollars. While neither proposal is anywhere close to being accepted, it’s seen as a starting point to negotiations. The Republican’s plan has 5-hundred-68 billion to invest in infrastructure over 5 years… It breaks down like this: 299 billion for roads and bridges 61 billion for public transit 20 billion for rail 13 billion for safety 35 billion for drinking and waste water infrastructure 17 billion for inland waterways and ports 44 billion for airports 65 billion for broadband And 14 billion for water storage Britnee: It looks like the Department of Homeland Security will be giving everyone some more time to get those real ID’s. The department moved the deadline from October 1 of this year to May 3, 2023 – a 19-month extension. The reason – the covid-19 pandemic. According to DHS, the pandemic has made it difficult for many agencies to operate at full capacity – slowing the process to get the new ID, which is needed for airport security and federal facility admittance. Despite the issues facing agencies, nearly all state-issued driver’s licenses are now real ID compliant. Carlin: California’s controversial AB-5 can now be enforced. The injunction stopping the bill was overturned by a 3-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals in a 2 to 1 vote. The main concern of the bill, which looked to clarify if a contractor is truly a contractor or an employee by using an ABC test, was if it was preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act. With the injunction being overturned, the bill will be enforced, but it’s unclear how that’s going to look for trucking companies who employ contract drivers. Britnee: We have another recall to tell you about, this time for dry van trailers. Utility trailer is recalling almost 3000 trailers, model year 2006 to 2021 VS2DC, VS2DX, and VS3DX dry van trailers. According to the NHTSA, the well that attaches the mild steel angle to the slider rail for super doubles/pintle hook may be missing Without it, it may detach from the trailer. Utility will let owners know and fix the weld, free of charge. The company recall number is SB-07-015 and the NHTSA number is 21V-243. Carlin: The Outrageous American Truck Show or OATS scheduled for July 8 through the 11 in Ohio has been canceled. According to show organizers, the cancellation was due to Ohio’s order to limit most indoor events to 25-percent capacity. Anyone who bought a ticket for the pre-sell price of 99-dollars will receive a full refund soon. Britnee: Women in Trucking has announced the winner of their second annual Driver of the year award. A huge congrats to Nikki Weaver, a company driver for FedEx Freight has been driving for more than 20 years – and has over 2 million accident-free miles and zero moving violations! That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

On this week’s Feature Friday we are asking drivers what they think is considered to be the King of the Iron Giants? Well, some say it’s the Peterbilt… is this fact or foe? We will let you be the judge after you check out this review of the latest Peterbilt 579 model.

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Thursday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Kansas City Freightliner has a new place to call home Class 8 best ever status? You’ll see coming up! And TravelCenters of America announced it’s Citizen Driver Award honorees. Britnee: The FMCSA wore orange yesterday for a national “Go Orange” Day to show support for highway workers. The mission was to bring awareness about the dangers of work zones. This week, April 26th through April 30th is National Work Zone Awareness Week. FMCSA Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi says, Fatal crashes occurring in work zones are both tragic and absolutely preventable. Go Orange Day reminded everyone to stay alert, obey traffic signs and allow all vehicles extra space as the nation’s annual roadway repair and construction season commences. The Federal Highway Administration reports that in 2019, 842 people died in highway work zone crashes, compared to 757 the year before. That’s an increase of 11.2%, the largest percentage increase of highway work zone fatalities this century. Carlin: Kansas City Freightliner has a new place to call home as it was sold to Penske Automotive and Premier Truck Group. Performance Brokerage Services, a commercial truck and car dealership broker, announced the sale of Kansas City Freightliner in Kansas and Missouri from the Westfall O’Dell Dealer Group to Penske Automotive Inc. and its subsidiary, Premier Truck Group. This acquisition is projected to add $450 million in annual revenue. Five full-service dealerships, four parts and service centers, and two collision centers with locations in Kansas City, Joplin, Neosho, Springfield, and Columbia, Missouri, and in Olathe and Parsons, Kansas are included in the purchase. The dealerships will be renamed Premier Truck Group and continue to provide sales, rentals, leasing and vehicle service. Britnee: A driving safety corridor is leading to less crashes on an Ohio highway. The distracted driving safety corridor was established in a section of Interstate 75 in Allen and Hancock counties in March 2020. The corridor features a series of signs in the northbound and southbound lanes, warning drivers of the dangers of driving distracted. The signs also notify motorists they are entering the corridor, and that there is zero tolerance for unsafe driving behaviors. This isn’t the only distracted driving corridor in Ohio though, a corridor was placed on U.S. 6 in Wood, Sandusky and Henry counties in 2018. Excessive speed still remains prevalent along the corridor, however, with many drivers traveling more than 20 miles over the speed limit. Similar corridors in crash-prone areas within the state have proven to be effective. Carlin: Class 8 best ever status? Almost!  According to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: North American Classes 5-8 Report, Class 8 orders booked during the past six months are in second place only to the six-month period ending October 2018. Not quite as good as it gets yet, but very close. So, who can we thank? Well, the economy growing in all the right places pushing freight rates and carrier profits into record territory. “In response, Class 8 orders the past two quarters have driven rapid backlog growth. Stating the obvious, perhaps, the supply chain’s ability to respond will be the key determinant of commercial vehicle production in 2021.” ACT’s current expectation for GDP growth in 2021 is 6.4%, and GDP-based freight proxy anticipates freight volumes jumping by 12.6%. According to Kenny Veith, president and senior analyst at ACT, freight growth is expected to moderate, as consumer spending patterns begin to revert to more traditional levels of goods spending relative to services, both GDP and freight activity are expected to remain elevated. Britnee: TravelCenters of America announced it’s eighth annual Citizen Driver Award honorees for 2021. Truckers Don Talley from Indiana, and Dan Porter from Ontario, Canada, are the lucky honorees of this year’s award. The two drivers have a combined 73 years of freight-hauling experience, with nearly six million accident-free miles. Each year, the Citizen Driver Program honors those who go above and beyond in their service to customers and the community. The two men were chosen from a pool of nearly 100 nominations. As a Citizen Driver Award recipient, drivers may choose a TA, Petro or TA Express location to be dedicated in their honor. Also, a bronze historical marker with the driver’s image and story will be installed on front of the building, letting their names be shared with all travelers that pass through. The icing on top? A dedication ceremony held with 30 of Don and Dan’s closest family and friends. Carlin: A long-haul driver finds a way to make a difference by taken it upon himself to clean a stretch of Interstate 90. “Trucker Matt” picks up trash and debris on his daily route on the northern Idaho freeway that connects Idaho to Montana and Washington State. He says it’s very rewarding when he sees a clean stretch of highway that was once cluttered with trash. Culver has driven the route every day for almost four-and-a-half years and signed on with the Idaho Transportation Department’s Adopt-A-Highway litter pickup program about two years ago to keep making a difference. Trucker Matt has picked up nearly 100 bags of litter from “his” stretch of the interstate and says he would love to see more people get involved in keeping roads clean. Carlin: That does it for today’s update! Britnee: Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!https://youtu.be/tt-aSxYyfQohttps://youtu.be/tt-aSxYyfQo

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Wednesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: A judge in hot water for a trucker ticketing scheme… Daimler truck recalls… will you be getting a notice? “Night Shiftin’”… are you an overnight driver? If so, you’ve got new company. So much news to talk about. Carlin: So, let’s get trucking! Britnee: First up today – a former chief tribal judge finds herself in hot water for her role in a truck driver speeding ticket scheme. The former Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council chief judge, Roni Brady, was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay back almost $11,000. Brady played a vital part in the ticketing scheme that illegally collected fines from truck drivers who were speeding on the reservation. Once pulled over, the drivers were offered the option to make a $250 donation and having no ticket record rather than paying the standard $125 ticket. Brady then deposited the donation money into a separate account. Under Tribal Law, Tribal law enforcement is restricted from imposing fines on anyone who is not a Native American tribal member in criminal matters on the reservation. The scheme collected $24,000 from truck drivers over a three-year period, and Brady plead guilty to wire fraud. Carlin: The CVSA’s Roadcheck is right around the corner and a seasoned trucker is offering some important tips for drivers looking to coast through the upcoming blitz. Smart Trucking posted a video late last week outlining important tips for drivers as the CVSA’s biggest trucker enforcement blitz draws near. May 4th through 6th, inspectors will be focusing on two areas – “Hours of Service” violations and lighting violations – during the 72 hours. The Smart Trucking video outlines these key points: know how to check your brake lights yourself, make sure ALL of your lights and reflectors are working and are not broken, and be sure to keep print outs of prior violation paperwork with you. The DOT, like usual, will be checking all of your paperwork, so make sure your license, certifications, and permits are up-to-date. The video even offers an interesting idea for avoiding violations during this time… take a few days off and go fishing. Britnee: Well, if you own a new Daimler truck, keep a look out in the mail for a recall notice. Almost 18,000 Daimler trucks are now recalled for a steering issue. Daimler Trucks North America issued the recall notice for certain 2021 through 2022 models of Freightliner, Western Star, and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation trucks. The recall notice states, the steering arm and tie rod bolts on the recalled trucks may have a defective seam that can fracture, which could result in a loss of steering and ultimately a crash. Daimler is notifying truck owners, and dealers will repair the defect at no cost to the owner. The recall will begin June 10, 2021. Carlin: Next month, you might start seeing a new truck cruising the highways! The Shell Starship 2.0 to be exact. The newest hyper-fuel-efficient tractor-trailer conducted regional testing earlier this year and now prepares for its cross-country drive. The trip will start in San Diego, California, and end in Jacksonville, Florida and carrying around 40,000 pounds. The 2018 Shell Starship achieved 8.94 miles per gallon, and the Starship 2.0 is looking to improve this number during the cross-country journey. The North American Council for Freight Efficiency will monitor the results of the Starship 2.0’s journey. Shell’s Starship Initiative’s goal is to improve technology, energy efficiency, and sustainability for class 8 trucks and trailers. Britnee: Well, overnight drivers you’ve got a new radio show to keep you company! Boss Radio Networks’ “Night Shiftin’” airs Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 a.m. Central Time, and will feature nationwide weather reports, news, any requests, and dedications for truckers. The show is hosted by 45-year veteran radio personality Ric Stratton from his studio in Utah. “Night Shiftin” is transmitted through the internet, it should be available without interruption on most interstate highways and in major cities from coast to coast. And it’s super easy to access the show, all you have to do is use your smartphone and play the stream through your rig’s sound system, although, data charges may apply. “Night Shiftin” is available through myTuner Radio, Radioline, Simple Radio, radio.net, or by visiting bosscountryradio.com and clicking “Listen Live.” Carlin: And, let’s end on a good note! California’s highway 1 opened back up last week ahead of schedule. The newly repaired stretch of Highway 1 was completely damaged by a major storm that swept the road into the ocean nearly three months ago. During that storm, more than 14 inches of rain caused flooding and mudslides, which left a 150-foot-damaged section of the road. Crews working 12-hour days and seven days-a-week are who we should thank for the highway being reopened two months ahead of schedule. All-in-all the highway cost $12 million rebuild and reopened on April 23. Carlin: That does it for today’s update! Britnee: Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

It’s time for your Tuesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Georgia police go on a three-day citation blitz, More highway and parking nightmares, And chickens flew the coup – literally! So, let’s get trucking! Britnee: Georgia police went on a three-day blitz issuing nearly 800 citations during the surprise law enforcement operation. This all went down last week along the I-95/I-16 corridors and the areas near the Port of Savannah and Brunswick. The Georgia DPS officers’ main goal? To catch distracted drivers. Another focus was on inspecting CMV transporting intermodal containers, CMVs transporting hazardous materials, and the unsafe operations of a CMV. During the blitz, officers conducted 679 non-hazmat inspections and 118 hazmat inspections. 84 CMVs and 45 drivers were placed out of service by the officers during the three days. And there’s more… officers issued 50 citations for “Following Too Closely”, 57 citations for “Improper Lane Usage”, and 148 citations for “Cell Phone Usage/ Distracted Driving”. This adds to the many surprise CMV-focused enforcement operations Georgia DPS has conducted on I-16 so far this year. Niki: More citation news – we are on a roll today! A truck driver was reportedly slapped with a citation for an unsuccessful attempt to cross a historic Delaware bridge. The Smith’s Bridge, originally built in 1839, is located over Brandywine Creek in New Castle County, Delaware. According to police, the semi-truck attempted to cross the bridge, but ultimately caused damage to the historical site. The Smith’s Bridge is still structurally sound though the truck’s trailer suffered significant damage. The truck driver was cited for “inattentive driving” along with other violations. The bridge was built in 1839 and rebuilt after it was set on fire in 1961. Britnee: Here’s a scary story for you – a major Houston highway is closed due to huge cracks and lots of buckling in the roadway. Transportation officials closed the southbound highway 288 in Houston, Texas citing dangerous structural damage. Some good news though – Tolls have been waived from the Southmore Boulevard entrance ramp to the Beltway 8 road entrance ramp to reduce traffic congestion caused by the road closure. Not dates yet on how long the highway will be closed, but if you’re headed that way checkout Drive288.com for alternate routes. Niki: Serious unrest is happening in a county in Florida as officials look to solve the truck parking deficit in the area. A few years ago, civic leaders and citizens joined forces to oppose the plan for a giant truck stop along Interstate 4 in West Volusia, Florida. Well, the plan for the truck stop is back, and if citizens want to continue having their needed items, they might have to learn to live without it at this point. There are only 37 truck parking spots at rest stops along I-4 in Longwood. Florida’s Department of Transportation has proposed adding 500 truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridors in Volusia surrounding counties. Britnee: Quite the haul! Almost 160 pounds of cocaine was seized at the Canadian-US border. Canada Border Services Agency officers seized 64 bricks of cocaine during a secondary inspection.  The commercial tractor-trailer appeared to be carrying personal-care products as it tried to enter Canada. But during that secondary examination, officers noticed anomalies. As the officers unloaded the trailer, they found 64 individually wrapped brick-shaped objects. The contents tested positive for cocaine. Get this – The bricks of cocaine had a combined weight of nearly 160 pounds, with an estimated value of more than 3.5 million dollars. Niki: And finally, chickens literally flew the coup! Last week, a tractor-trailer hauling live poultry overturned near Lynnville, Kentucky leading to chickens making their great escape! This all happened on Kentucky State Highway 94 East in Graves County after the truck overturned around 1 p.m. The highway was blocked for about 3 miles until about 7:30 p.m., when all lanes were reopened. But, sadly the chickens didn’t get to have that long of an adventure… they were quickly rounded back up. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Monday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The U.S. Border Patrol getting quite the surprise. IT snags causing medical card headaches, what you need to be prepared for. And chicken guts everywhere??? What? There’s so much to cover on today’s Daily Trucker! So, let’s get trucking! Britnee: The numbers are in… and recent study done by ACT Research shows sales of commercial electric vehicles, specifically Classes 4 through 8 trucks, is expected to top 300,000 by year 2040. This new ACT study extended the forecast to 2040, takes into account additional vehicle applications, and dives into the potential for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle adoption for commercial vehicles. Based off a comprehensive total cost of ownership, the forecast covers 14 sub-segments and 23 application types, ranging in vehicle size from Class 4 through Class 8. The study details the benefits of CV electrification by a combination of advances in battery technology, environmental considerations and government policy, plus the potential for significant operational cost savings. CEV share gains are projected to grow from a small batch today to more than 40% by 2040 for the market in aggregate. Niki: U.S. Border Patrol agents got quite the surprise last week when they discovered 149 undocumented people locked inside a semi-truck. The human-smuggling attempt happened at the Interstate 35 checkpoint north of Laredo, Texas. Agents got suspicious when a nonintrusive scan of the commercial tractor-trailer revealed multiple anomalies. That’s when agents opened the sealed cargo area of the truck and uncovered the undocumented individuals locked inside. Agents found the people were in the U.S. illegally and are citizens from other countries in South America. The truck driver, a U.S. citizen, and all 149 people were placed under arrest pending further investigation by Homeland Security. Border Patrol then seized both the tractor and trailer. Britnee: Well, there are more medical card headaches… IT snags are now causing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to seek a 4-year delay for medical card compliance. State and federal regulators are asking for more time to work through the IT problems that are making it difficult to streamline the compliance system. Drivers and their employers will now be responsible until June 23rd, 2025 for ensuring that their medical certifications are properly registered. The main problem? The FMCSA is not connected electronically with each of the 50 states DMVs. Causing drivers to do all the work themselves. First having to take their medical certifications to the DMVs… then their employers are supposed to make sure that the information gets posted on their CDLs. Niki: Spot vans and refer rates are setting records… according to the newest data in from the DAT Truckload Volume Index. Spot truckload van and refrigerated freight rates reached all-time highs in March. Also skyrocketing into record territory, the demand for flatbed transportation, driven by strong construction and manufacturing activity. The total number of loads increased 22.3% month over month, while the number of available trucks was up 30.9%. All of this indicating a return of traffic after being disrupted by winter storms in February. The DAT Truckload Volume Index, was up 31% in March to the highest level since the index was rebalanced in January 2015. The previous high was September 2020, when shippers were positioning freight for holiday shopping. Britnee: The state of North Dakota is now offering free vaccines to Manitoba truck drivers who transport goods across the border. Manitoba, a Canadian Province, and North Dakota’s agreement is the first of its kind between Canadian and American jurisdictions. Getting some help from Manitoba Trucking Association, Manitoba and North Dakota are quickly identifying eligible drivers and scheduling vaccination appointments during truckers’ routine trips to the U.S. over the next six to eight weeks. Around 2,000 to 4,000 Manitoba drivers are currently taking part in the program, receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Niki: And it’s always fun to end on a crazy note, right? Picture this… chicken guts all over the highway!!! That’s what happened in Australia when a motorist cut off a semi-truck that was hauling loads, and I mean loads, of chicken guts. The truck driver slammed on their brakes avoiding any major accident with the frantic 4-wheeler, but catapulting chicken guts and parts all over the trailer, truck cab and the highway. The driver had minor injuries and was taken to the hospital, and that highway was shut down for 3 hours to clean up the mess. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

The newest model rigs are always supposed to have the latest and greatest new things. But have you seen those new toys in action? Check out this review of the Kenworth T680.

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Thursday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The record-breaking freight rebound recorded in March How a driver helped save a man in California And a surprise gift for a driver in Charlotte So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: Truck manufacturers are dealing with several issues right now – and Volvo can add another issue to the list. The company is dealing with its first strike since 2008. Nearly 29-hundred United Auto Workers struck the only North American plant in Dublin, Virginia. The strike comes after a 5 year agreement between Volvo and the UAW expired in March – but was extended for talks. A vote showed members were 97-percent in favor of the strike… Right now, it’s expected talks to end the strike won’t start until at least April 26. Isela: Freight has surged again in March – payments were more than 27-percent higher year-over-year and almost 8-percent higher than February. That makes it the third all-time highest over the past 4 months… Storms in February threw off many transportation networks, but the industry quickly bounced back, hitting levels equal to the peak of 2020 shipping. Experts say if this keeps up shipment indexes will be up 30-percent year-over-year in the second quarter. Carlin: President Joe Biden is expected to nominate Meera Joshi to lead the FMCSA – the administration she’s been leading on an interim basis since January. Joshi has more than 16-years of experience, serving as chair and CEO of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission – where she led Vision Zero campaigns, using data to keep high risk drivers and unsafe vehicles off the road. She also helped with other major policy, like open transportation data standards for app-based providers, the nation’s first for-hire driver pay protection program, and access to for-hire transportation for passengers who use wheelchairs. She also served as the inspector general for NYC’s Department of Corrections and the first deputy executive director of New York City’s Civilian Complaint Review Board. Isela: California Highway Patrol and a truck driver are being called heroes after their quick thinking saved a man who was trapped 35 feet in the air! According to CHP, a man was working on a traffic light in Santa Rosa when his truck caught fire… He tried to lower himself down, but the controls were fried… An officer in the area noticed the smoke and waived down a tractor-trailer nearby. The officer guided the truck underneath the basket, allowing the man to jump on top of the trailer – and was driven to safety. The fire was put out, but not before the boom and bucket fell to the ground. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Carlin: Talk about a surprise! A driver with Ward Transport was in Charlotte when a bird happened to drop their load onto the semi’s window! And no, we’re not talking crap… We’re talking carp!! Okay, it kinda looks more like perch… But, either way – the bird lost its lunch, and the driver got one heck of a surprise! Despite the shock, the driver is fine and there was no major damage to the rig. Isela: If you’re in Florida this weekend – get ready for the 75 Chrome Shop Truck Show in Wildwood! There will be food, fun, more than 130 trucks, and music from Tony Justice! More than 25-thousand dollars in prizes will be handed out, including the “Prime Shine” and People’s Choice Award! And the best part, if you’re just there to watch, you get in free! Go check out 75 Chrome Shop’s Social Media pages for more! That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Wednesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Which controversial bill has been reintroduced in Congress Which autonomous truck maker is going public And find out the 3 finalist of Women in Trucking’s Driver of the Year award. So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: A bill that would tie the minimum amount of liability insurance truckers have to pay to medical inflation has been reintroduced in the U.S. House. The bill, called the Improving National Safety by Updating Required Amount of Insurance Needed by Commercial Motor Vehicles per Event or (Insurance) Act, was first introduced in 2019, but didn’t make it past the House Transportation Committee. The bill is expected to have similar language to the 2019 version, which called for minimum insurance levels to be raised from 750,000 dollars – to meet medical inflation costs. It would also require the DOT to adjust the minimum every 5 years. Isela: The American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council task force is looking to develop best practices to help address cab corrosion, and they need help from you drivers! The task force hopes that by getting suggestions from the drivers, it can develop solutions to help prevent moisture or chloride getting into the cab area – which can wreck several different part of the truck… Mounts could weaken, wire connections could short and become damaged, seat belts retractors could not work, the corrosion could even lead to exhaust fumes leaking in. This isn’t the first time the task force has asked for volunteers, but the hope is now that more awareness has been raised – it will be easier to get volunteers. Carlin: With several automakers looking to manufacturer more electric vehicles, the government is offering funding to help get the ball rolling for big rigs. The Department of Energy announced two funding opportunities, totaling more than 162 million dollars, as part of the SuperTruck Initiative – the effort to make rigs more efficient and reduce their carbon emissions. The money can also be used to expand EV infrastructure and lower emissions for on and off the road vehicles. The Department is offering up to 100-million dollars over four years to pioneer electrified medium and heavy-duty rides and freight systems. The remaining money will be available for research and implementation of creating the EV infrastructure. The application process with have two parts, a concept paper and a full application. Isela: Autonomous Truck startup TuSimple is looking to go public – and it’s first initial offering is just over one billion dollars. It is the first autonomous software developer to do so. Right now, the company operates 50 quote, “High autonomy” level 4 trucks in the Southwest – but it plans to focus more on providing software and support, allowing it to stop operating as a trucking company. The company has major investors, such as United Parcel Service, Schneider National, Werner Enterprises, U.S. Express, Goodyear, and Nvidia. And the company plans to launch a purpose-built Level 4 heavy duty truck with Navistar International in 2024 Carlin: Trucking may have had a bright light shown on it thanks to the pandemic – but that isn’t translating into more people breaking into the industry. In fact, while truck driver jobs rose by more than 3-hundred thousand in 2020 – there were only about 70-thousand drivers looking for jobs… Experts say many of those skilled drivers looking for jobs are opting to go with final mile delivery instead of over the road – for several reason, including: Fewer regulations and less difficulty getting started Ability to make their own schedule, control pay, and limit increasing costs like insurance And the ability to drive routes that are familiar And the ability to go home after a shift. Isela: Women in Trucking have announced the 3 Driver of the Year finalist. They are: Carmen Anderson of America’s Service Line, LLC Ingrid Brown, of Rolling B LLC And Nikki Weaver with FedEx Freight. The winner will be announced on April 27th – and they will walk away with a plaque and commemorative ring. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Tuesday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: How much money is up for grabs for infrastructure project through the DOT Which important item is now in short supply – and how it’s impacting manufacturers And why a Texas company is being forced to refund truck drivers in Iowa So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: Two bills looking to make CMV weight limit violations easier two enforce are working through the state’s legislature. Senate Bill 691 outlines the fines for vehicles are exceeding the weight limits – 2-hundred dollars for 7-hundred-fifty to 3-thousand pounds over the limit – and 6-hundred-fifty if the vehicle is 7-thousand to 10-thousand over the limit. The second bill, SB 617, would transfer some enforcement duties from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to the Department of Safety. The Corporation Commission says it doesn’t support the bill as they are written but wouldn’t be opposed to consolidation. Isela: The US Department of Transportation has announced 1 billion dollars in funding is available for infrastructure projects if states wish to apply for it. The program, known as Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity or Raise, will evaluate projects on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership. Priority will be given to projects that reduce climate change, demonstrate improvements to racial equity, and the ability to create jobs. The maximum grant award amount is 25 million dollars – and no state can be given more than 1-hundred million. The DOT plans to host webinars to help states through the application process – and answer any questions or concerns. Carlin: We know vehicles manufacturers are struggling right now – thanks to the pandemic and the global chip shortage… But now, we can throw another wrench in the system – a rubber shortage. What’s causing that? Well – disrupted shipping and supply lines, stockpiling by China, and a leaf disease… As a result, prices are on the rise, and many auto suppliers are trying to secure their own stockpile before it gets worse. And it would seem this rubber shortage could last a while – the tree that is used to make it doesn’t’ mature for 7 years. Isela: Volvo Trucks North America has made its first double digit order of zero-emission battery-electric class 8 trucks. The company will lease 14 VNR Electric daycabs to a Southern California food distributor, Quality Custom Distribution. The leases and charging infrastructure will cost about the same as diesel-powered rigs thanks to a almost 4 million dollar grant to Volvo from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Inland Port Program.  QCD will use the trucks for last mile delivery routes in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties – and are based out of Fontana. Deliveries of the trucks will begin in the Fall 2021. Carlin: Another scammer has been caught and forced to return money they stole from truck drivers. Texas based Compliance Processing Group LLC of Frisco sent past due notices to Iowa truck drivers – telling them they must contact the company immediately or face fines up to 10-thousand dollars. The company then charged the drivers nearly 1-hundred-50 dollars to submit a federal document that could be filed for free. The company is now offering full refunds for any Iowa driver who requests one within a year. Isela: Check this out! Trucking and transportation companies can now have access to 24/7 on demand telehealth programs – thanks to a partnership between MeMD and the Healthy Transportation Foundation. Companies who are members of HTF can sign on for the program – and have access to the virtual primary care services it provides, which includes care for common injuries and illnesses via computer, app, or phone! That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!  

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Monday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The plea from truck manufacturers to President Biden Recalls that could spell disaster on the road if left unchecked And why a driver who helped stop a high-speed chase now needs your help So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: Truck parking is a major problem – and now cities are being asked to look at available space and consider using it for truck parking. The National League of Cities, made up of city leaders from across the country, made the request of its members early in April. It suggested looking at several parking areas that could be repurposed, including: Excess airport parking City owner staging areas, like ports, rail yards, or other major businesses Stadium parking Government building lots Transit or maintenance yards Major shopping malls Government owned sites waiting for development And warehouses or other major shipping/receiving pressure points. The NLC reminds it’s members there are federal grants available for use towards truck parking – and there’s more legislation for the problem on the way. Isela: Truck manufacturers have warned the Biden administration the severe semiconductor or “chip” shortage is hurting their ability to meet demand for new trucks, which could hurt the freight industry. The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association made the claim to the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security – saying the current situation has caused many to adjust and even stop truck production. These concerns come after Biden issues an Executive Order in February to identify the risks to the semiconductor supply chain and submit a report within 100 days. President Biden has requested more than 440 million dollars to supply chain security in his 2022 discretionary budget, which includes 150 million dollars to fund two semiconductor manufacturing innovation institutes. Carlin: We’ve got some recalls you need to know about! There are two separate recalls from Navistar – impacting more than 14-hundred International Trucks. One recall includes 845 models – the 2021 International HV, LT, MV, and RH models equipped with Bendix pressure switches. A retainer was not properly seated and may not provide source air isolation – which doesn’t meet the air brake system requirement. Navistar will notify owners and dealers will replace it for free. The Navistar recall number is 21503 and the NHTSA recall number is 21V-227. The second Navistar recall involves a spring in the spring brake chamber – which can cause the pressure plate to shift and wear a hole in the diaphragm, leading to an air leak, which can cause the parking brake to engage. The Navistar recall number for that issue is 21502 and the NHTSA’s number is 21V-226. Isela: Navistar isn’t the only manufacturer with recalls. Mack Trucks is recalling almost 600 model year 2018 – 2022 Mack Anthem, Granite, and Pinnacle rigs equipped with camelback rear suspension and electronic stability control. The trucks may not stay in the right lane at certain speeds – which of course violates safety standards. Mack will let owners know – the recall number is SC0423… and the NHTSA number is 21V-233. Carlin: The National Transportation Safety Board has released the updated “Most Wanted List” of safety recommendations. They include: Requiring collision avoidance and connected vehicle tech on all vehicles A comprehensive strategy to reduce speed-related crashes A plan to eliminate distracted driving A stop to alcohol and other drug impaired driving And protecting vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians/bicyclists/ and motorcyclists, through a Safe System approach. The NTSB has no regulating power – but the recommendations from the board does have some influence on rules and regulations passed at a federal level. Isela: Last week, we told you about Ahmed Shabaan – a driver who helped stop a police pursuit in California – using his rig! Now, the community is rallying around him, donating money to help him get his truck fixed! He was told insurance may not cover it since he chose to pull out in the intersection to stop the pursuit. You can find a link to the GoFundMe page for Shaaban in the comments below. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

On this week’s Feature Friday, we visit with Drov Technologies, an Oklahoma based smart-trailer developer – and how they have launched a new platform to help you better track that trailer, and it’s precious cargo!