The Daily Trucker

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Thursday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: A Sassy TikTok Driver FMCSA’s warning on fraudulent or misleading marketing attempts And a mini surprise for a big UPS fan So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: Two men in New Jersey have been arrested in connection to a scheme to fraudulently use debit cards to purchase diesel fuel to sell to truck drivers. New Jersey residents Alateef Perry and Rajohn Dawkins were arrested on April 9 and charged with conspiracy to commit access device fraud. From July 2019 through March 2020, Perry and Dawkins fraudulently used Debit Cards in the names of other individuals, without the cardholders’ consent or knowledge, to purchase diesel fuel for commercial truck drivers in exchange for cash. If convicted, the two men could face up to five years in prison and a maximum potential fine of $250,000, or twice the amount of the crime violation, whichever is greater. Niki: I know we have mentioned some rising stars on Tik Tok from time to time, but here is one who really has a growing following! Clarissa Rankin, 34, who owns her own Charlotte-based trucking business, and typically travels within a 250 mile radius into Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina. Wherever she goes, she brings her nearly 1 million followers on TikTok with her, sharing the ups and downs of the job, giving motivational pep talks, and taking questions from fans. She’s known as the Sassy Trucker on social media, and like others in this rapidly increasing transportation sisterhood, she loves to poke holes in dusty trucking stereotypes. Carlin: A Utah man has pleaded guilty to paying $490,000 in bribes from 2012-2019 in to steer $24 million in business to trucking operations he founded. Hubert Ugarte, 52, of Draper, Utah, also earlier this month pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining a federal Paycheck Protection Program loan for some of his other trucking companies. During the scheme, Ugarte’s companies received approximately $135 million in gross payments, resulting in net profits of approximately $24 million. As a result of his plea agreement, Ugarte forfeited to the federal government 14 of his companies, 35 trucks, more than $261,000 in bank accounts, six properties, four other vehicles, and $684,000 in currency seized from a company building at one of his residences. Niki: The (FMCSA) issued a warning to truckers about predatory companies that pose as government agencies. In a Facebook post last Friday, the FMCSA issued a reminder about fraudulent or misleading marketing attempts targeting motor carriers. The agency wrote: FMCSA does not: Contact carriers by telemarketers or “robo-call’ automated telephone solicitations, nor do they request credit card numbers by telephone or charge a fee for downloadable U.S Government forms. The FMCSA provides additional information about fraudulent or misleading marketing attempts on their website at fmcsa.dot.gov Carlin: Infrastructure has been a reoccurring topic here lately. The Biden White House is amplifying the push for its $2.3 trillion infrastructure package with the release of state-by-state breakdowns that show the dire shape of roads, bridges, the power grid and housing affordability. Drawn from an array of private and public data, the reports show there are 7,300 miles of highway in Michigan alone that are in poor condition. Damaged streets in North Carolina impose an average yearly cost of $500 on motorists. Iowa has 4,571 bridges in need of repair. There is a roughly 4-in-10 chance that a public transit vehicle in Indiana might be ready for the scrap yard. Pennsylvania’s schools are short $1.4 billion for maintenance and upgrades. President Joe Biden was scheduled to meet Monday afternoon, April 12, with Republican and Democratic lawmakers and intends to use the state summaries to show that his plan would help meet the needs of their constituents. Niki: Two-year-old Marco Elizondo of California received his own, mini UPS truck from the delivery drivers he waves to each day. Elizondo was surprised with the gift in early March, though his love for the big, brown trucks started around Christmas when he’d see them drive by his California home. Elizondo and his mom have made it a morning routine to wave as the drivers leave for their daily routes. As a “thank you,” the workers created a special UPS truck for Elizondo. Now, Elizondo is having fun “delivering” his own, mini UPS boxes from his truck. 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 high-speed highway chase in California A family’s ground-breaking dream come true And trucking themed gender reveal So, let’s get trucking! Carlin:  This week, The American Transportation Research Institute launched a new data collection initiative to better understand the rising costs of trucking insurance and how those costs are ultimately impacting the industry’s overall operational costs. This research was identified by ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee as a top research priority in 2020. Motor carriers provide data through an online data collection form that will quantify changes in deductibles, excess insurance over minimum requirements, and how drivers and fleets are balancing insurance costs against rising risk levels. The research will be complementary to ATRI’s annual Operational Costs of Trucking but will provide more granular detail on one of the most volatile cost centers in the annual analysis. The data collection form is available online at truckingresearch.org and carriers are asked to provide data by Friday, April 23, 2021. Niki: Carlin, this next story is sure to have you wondering if fate is real. Last week, 36-year-old Michael Caleb Reed, driving a black pickup truck, led authorities on an hour-long high-speed chase that stretched across three California counties. During the chase, Reed passed 44-year-old tractor-trailer driver Ahmed Shaaban, who had driven more than an hour from his home in San Diego to the Los Angeles area to pick up a load only to find it had been taken by another driver. Shaaban, while stopped at an intersection, realized the police were trying to stop the black truck so he slammed on the gas pedal of his semi, causing Reed to crash into the right side of his rig as he tried to speed through an intersection. Shaaban’s impulse helped authorities arrest and book Reed on a felony charge. Days later, Reed was named a person of interest in a March 28 homicide. Carlin: A new augmented-reality video game is giving young people an early glimpse of the trucking maintenance and repair industry in the hopes that it develops into a career interest. TMC SuperTech: The Game was developed as a joint project between the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) and Arkansas State University-Beebe and is produced by Florida-based Design Interactive. TMC SuperTech requires the player to manipulate a rig through a series of challenges, including maneuvering through a city and dealing with mechanical problems. Players learn to diagnose and repair tractor-trailers through a series of three mini games focused on tire/wheel, brake, and engine repair. Gamers can progress through 15 levels of game play, starting as a student technician and ultimately becoming the owner of their own repair shop. The game is available free for both Apple and Android platforms.   Niki: Carlin, this next story is sooo stinking cute!!! A trucking couple recently combined what appears to be a wedding reception and gender reveal celebration all into one fun, trucking-themed day, and it’s very fun to watch. In this short clip you can see the very creative gender reveal they incorporated with their big rig. Check it out. Carlin: Last week the Freyberg family had one of their dreams come true when they broke ground on their new travel center in Mankato, Minnesota. The Freyberg’s have a history in the oil, tire, service, and trucking industry and are already known in the community for their family-run businesses. The truck stop will include a 3,000-square-foot lounge area, 70 initial truck stalls, eight diesel fueling stations, a truck scale, car wash, and eight gas pumps for cars. The two-story facility will feature a 2,700-square-foot restaurant and a 3,100-square-foot convenience store on the first level. The second story overlooks the truck-parking area and will include four individual restrooms with showers and a laundry area. The travel plaza is expected to open later this fall. Niki: Now here is a story about someone who wanted their cake and ate it too. Dan Ravenhorst of Wisconsin, has found a way to do both, driving his 2019 Mack Anthem 64T and volunteering at the city’s Township Fire and Rescue Station 1. Ravenhorst’s firefighting career is as lengthy as his tenure in trucking. He’s been a firefighter or EMT for the past 21 years, beginning in Lake City, Minnesota. Few people would pick Ravenhorst out of the crowd at the scene of a local emergency, but many will notice his distinctive black Mack driving along the highways of Wisconsin. 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! I’m Isela Rios. And I’m Carlin Stafford. We have a lot of news to cover today, including: What a truck manufacturer is doing to keep that assembly line moving; The latest out of California involving the controversial AB5; and Find out where and when the first Bandit Big Rig Series Racing event is happening this year. So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The American Trucking Associations is teaming up with the American Property Casualty Insurance Agency and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud to get legislation passed to combat towing fraud and staged accidents. According to ATA, a survey of motor carriers found more than 70% of drivers have had issues with towing companies, even those recommended by law enforcement — from ridiculous storage and access fees to high towing rates. Some have even had their trucks held hostage, and others have had issues getting their cargo back. The group is also working on battling staged crash rings — an issue they called “dangerous and pervasive.” Isela: We’ve been covering the congested ports for a while now — and there’s no signs things will die down anytime soon. In fact, it’s now possible other ports that are being used while the major ones sort through the pileups may soon face a similar issue of their own. In fact, the South Carolina Ports turned in the highest cargo handling performance in history — with volumes more than 30% higher year over year. SCPA moved almost 250,000 twenty-foot equivalent units in March, smashing the previous record of 233,000. Right now, the port authority is expanding, and the new terminal will add almost two-and-half-million TEUs of capacity, which doubles the ports current capacity. Carlin: We have reported on the Class 8 truck manufacturer shortage before — and the cause of it all — the semiconductor, or “chip,” shortage. Well, many manufactures are expecting downtime while they wait for those chips, halting production until supply catches back up, but others are simply putting the unfinished trucks in a secure parking lot with the intent of throwing them back on the assembly line when they have the chips. PACCAR is delaying deliveries of Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF Trucks — about 3,000 builds across all three brands — instead of halting production all together. Right now, it’s about six to nine weeks to get one chip for an auto manufacturer, and PACCAR is working with suppliers to match chips to the mostly finished rigs instead of trying to put them in higher-profit models. Isela: It looks like another California court has ruled that the state’s Assembly Bill 5 DOES apply to motor carriers and owner-ops. The state’s Second District Court of Appeals ruled that the ABC test used by the bill is not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Act of 1994 or the F4A. Trucking has been operating under an AB5 exemption since 2020, when it went into effect — as a lawsuit by the California Trucking Association against the bill is still happening and an injunction is in place. Right now, the CTA’s case against the bill is headed to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which will either uphold or end the injunction. Carlin: Operation Safe Driver Week is July 11-17, and this year the CVSA and law enforcement partners will be focusing on speeding. Officers will be on the lookout for unsafe drivers of all vehicles, big rigs and four-wheelers alike, and they will be pulled over and ticketed. Speeding is the focus this year because, despite less people on the roads in 2020, the number of deadly crashes on our nation’s highways increased by 24%. Also, it was the most common violation last year, with more than 5,500 warnings and citations issued. Officers will also be on the lookout for other dangerous driver behaviors, like reckless or aggressive driving, distracted driving, following too close, not using a seatbelt and driving under the influence. Isela: You know, there’s one place you won’t get in trouble for going fast though — the raceway. That’s right, Bandit Big Rig Races are back! This year, the first race is happening at the Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, on Saturday, April 24. Tickets are $20; kids under 8 are free. Check out the Bandit Series Facebook page for more info. 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: How President Biden’s Infrastructure plan could help trucking jobs Why states could have to compete for money to fix bridges And the reason you should always double check that parking brake! So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: A new report from Georgetown University shows commercial truck driver jobs are set to make some of the largest gains if President Biden’s infrastructure plan passes without any major revisions. The report says the plan could create or save 15 million jobs and increase, at least temporarily, the amount of infrastructure related jobs to 14-percent of the entire job market. It’s estimated 2-point-8 million of the 15 million jobs would be for commercial drivers. Most of the jobs created by the plan are expected to go to Midwest and Southeastern States. Isela: Sticking with the American Jobs Plan – it calls for the 10 most “economically” significant bridges in the country to be reconstructed… However, none of them were specified. Instead, the plan would create a competitive grant program – which states would have to apply for – explaining why the bridge qualifies, how much traffic moves across it, and the condition of the bridge. Right now, it’s estimated 1 out of every 3 bridges in the US needs repairs… And it’s said it would cost nearly 42 billion to get them. all. Carlin: Gas prices are surging – just as many Americans are planning to hit the road again after a year indoors. According to the Energy Information Administration, summer gas prices could be at the highest price point since 2018. Prices will average around 2-dollars and 78 cents from April to September, a 30-percent increase from last year. Prices aren’t the only thing increasing – the EIA expects the US to consume almost 8-point-9 million barrels a day – a rise of just over a million from last year. Isela: While gas prices are expected to climb, diesel prices are expected to even out. The EIA is expecting the barrel price for crude oil to even out around 58 bucks… but that could all change if the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries – a 14 member organization that controls more than half the world’s oil supply and 90-percent of its reserves – decides to slash production again. Which, is part of the reason for the rising fuel costs in general… But, even with several issues stacking up, including OPEC+ slashing production and the Suez Canal blockage, diesel prices have only gone up about 14 cents from where they were pre-covid. Carlin: Alright guys – this next story is a great reminder of why you should always pay attention to your load! A driver in Maryland was headed southbound on I-95 near Elkridge when they noticed the load of garbage they were carrying was on fire! Thinking quickly, the driver dumped the garbage along the highway – allowing firefighters to douse the flames and keep the truck and trailer from catching fire! It did block the road for a few hours, during rush hour, but no one was hurt. Isela: Guys – make sure you’re being safe when you park your rig… These photos are from the scene of an unattended truck that rolled into a gas station! According to the driver who posted the images on Facebook, a driver stopped to get gas at the Petro in Dupont, Pennsylvania and forgot to set their brakes… As they walked inside, the truck rolled past them and hit the building, hitting the station’s gas and electric lines! No one was hurt – but the station was without power and fuel. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Carlin talks with David Schnautz, at the Busted Knuckle Truck Show in Tonkawa, OK about his beautiful Kenworth W900.

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Thursday Daily Trucker News Update! We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Worst truck bottlenecks A thankful trucker The Nation’s Biggest trucker enforcement blitz So, let’s get trucking! Isela: The American Transportation Research Institute has provided a list of the top worst spots for truck bottlenecks. According to the study, Texas takes the cake with 12 spots of the worst bottlenecks… with California and Washington bringing up the rear with merely eight of their interstates making the list. Here are the Top 5 to avoid during peak hours: Fort Lee: I-95 at SR 4 Cincinnati: I-71 at I-75 Atlanta: I-285 at I-85 (North) Houston, Tx: I-45 at I-69/US 59 Chicago: I-290 at I-90/I-94 Carlin: How young were you when you knew what you were going to be when you grew up? Well this 4 year old little boy Samuel ray out of Wister, Ok hasn’t wasted anytime he already knows what he’s going to be. A UPS driver, and that’s thanks to Matt Thomason who is a UPS driver himself and has been delivering packages to Ray and his mother since he was 6 months old. According to Ray’s mother the excitement can’t be contained as Ray screams with excitement and he’ll usually chase the UPS driver. His reason for the excitement is because Ray gets to see and play with his best friend and loves delivering packages with him. The two deliver packages to a strip of businesses in downtown Poteau, Ok. Thomason is honored and feels humbled by the experience. Isela: A thankful trucker took to his social media page to thank the folks who helped him in a hot situation. A 35 year old, truck driver was hauling a load of 40 thousand pounds of rolls of paper north on I-95, when his rig experienced a mechanical problem. According to Virginia State Police, the issue caused his truck to crash and catch fire. The driver was able to escape without injuries but his two fur babies, Smokey and Bandit, were trapped inside. First responders were quick to take action before the truck exploded and safely rescued the cats. The report states, both the driver and his pets are happy to be alive and are doing well. Carlin: A little over $30 Million in grants have been designated for 33 truck safety projects across the state of New Jersey… along with an additional $21.4 million from project sponsors thanks to the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The funds will come from the Local Freight Impact Fund that was created back in 2016 as part of the Transportation Trust Fund. The cash will fund projects considered to promote the safe movement of truck traffic and include bridge preservation, new construction, pavement preservation, and the renewing of aging structures. The funding will also promote economic development, support new transportation opportunities, along with truck safety and mobility projects. Isela: This next story takes us back in time and it shows that women have been in the trucking industry since the 1920’s. The FMCSA had a great way to end Women’s History Month. Through out the whole month many women were featured as they gave a little insight on female pioneers that contributed to the trucking industry by sharing personal stories and triumphs. Lillie Elizabeth Drennan was Texas’s first female licensed driver and a pioneering trucking company owner and she made it clear that she was no desk trucker. Also one of the women mentioned was “Bitsy” Gomez founder of the Coalition of Women Truck Drivers… she believed “ A good truck is to a woman what a man ought to be.” To check out more stories on these awesome women make sure to check out the FMCSA’s FB page. Carlin: It’s that time again. One of our nation’s largest inspection blitzes will be happening soon. The CVSA International Roadcheck takes place May 4th thru the 6th throughout U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This year, the enforcement officers will focus on Hours of Service violations and Lighting violations. They will also scrutinize brake systems and adjustments, tires and cargo securement as these areas consistently rank among the top 5 in violations. The CVSA has also provided a Cheat Sheet to help drivers to prepare, look for the info at cvsa.org 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: New Director of ATA Trucking Career for Young Women And the search for the owner of a sentimental photo So, let’s get trucking! Isela: A semi-truck driving along HWY 45 alternate collided with a Mississippi Department of Transportation Truck, that ended up sending two workers to the emergency room. The semi-truck was hauling a mobile home while the Mississippi workers were patching potholes caused by recent winter weather. One of the men was transported by ambulance and one by life flight. They were both responsive throughout transportation. The truck driver was not hurt but the accident is still under investigation. Carlin: Talk about a miracle! A motorist in Ohio that was traveling east on Old Troy Pike pulled in front of a tanker truck that was heading north on Ohio 235. The truck was unable to avoid the car and it slammed into it. The Honda was ripped apart sending half of the vehicle skidding into the middle of the highway and the other half to the grassy shoulder. Believe it or not but the motorist only suffered non-life threatening injuries and the driver of the tanker truck was not hurt. The accident is still under investigation. Isela: A woman in Idaho is now facing felony charges for domestic battery inflicting traumatic injury. So, let me explain. Police received a call from a gentleman who claimed a woman was throwing rocks at his vehicle, but when police arrived at the scene they discovered a different man standing in the trucking yard half naked in below zero weather screaming in pain. He explained to officers he was asleep in the sleeper berth of Crystal Allery when she tried to drive her truck while under the influence of alcohol and he refused to let her get behind the wheel. She sprayed the man on the head and shoulders with bear spray. She then fled the scene and was later found by officers at a nearby truck stop where she claimed the gentleman tried to strangle her. Officers found no signs of such so she was arrested and went for a ride only to get booked into the Bonneville County Jail and now she has a $10 thousand dollar bond. Carlin: We’ve been told vegetables are very important for many reasons, but I don’t think these veggies were what they meant. A shipment of broccoli coming from Mexico was sent for secondary inspection when agents discovered 64 packages weighing 421 pounds over $8 million worth of methamphetamine. The drugs were discovered at Pharr International Bridge cargo Facility In Pharr,Texas. But thanks to High tech equipment such as an X-ray system and the team-work of officers made sure that shipment was not crossing the border. Good looking out! Isela: I love hearing about women who join the industry and succeed. But also shares her story to help other women. Katrina Dailey a young single mom of 3 not only joined the trucking industry in 2016 she has now owns her own trucking company and driving academy that is launching a non-profit aimed to providing more opportunities for single moms to join industry. Dailey is the founder of Legacy Truck Driving Academy and the non-profit HER legacy, NC, launches in August on Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount. The resources offered are, connecting drivers with childcare centers, for working single mothers with children who are 17 years and younger and for moms who complete their training will receive an 8-5 job at her company. She hopes to change the negative perceptions that women might have about the trucking industry and prove that it is a successful career path for moms. One of her first students a single mom of four that worked long hours at a convenience store has jumped on the opportunity and is ready to be able to take trips and vacations. Carlin: While on the road a truck driver found as he described a “well loved photograph”. Based on the picture it likely means something to someone. The trucker took to Reddit to search for the owner of the picture. Take a look and if you happen to know the owner of the photograph let them know the picture was found at the Lenova, Whitsett NC and it was left with shipping. 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 trucking industry’s latest turnover rate. When you can expect to see the Mercedes eSprinter van hit the US. And what caused a destructive fire in Amarillo that destroyed 5 rigs. So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The American Trucking Association has released the Quarterly Employment Report – and it shows the annualized turnover rate for over-the-road drivers held steady over the last three months of 2020. The turnover rate for fleets with more than 30 million in annual revenue was around 92-percent and around 72-percent for carriers who earned less. For the full year, the turnover rate at larger carriers was around 90-percent, down one point from 2019… And for smaller carriers it hovered around 69-percent in, down 3 points from 2019. Isela: It’s a broken record at this point – the US infrastructure is in desperate need of help. Several states are working to generate funding for repairs and maintenance… Like Louisiana, where lawmakers were considering an increased gas tax to pay for infrastructure. But – that proposal has been withdrawn as the state is expected to get more than 3 billion dollars of coronavirus aid – that lawmakers say could be used for road and bridge work. Carlin: FedEx announced in early March it was going fully carbon-neutral by 2040 – and now the company is pledging to help the 55-hundred US ground delivery contractors do the same. The company says it will work with the contractors to ensure all pickups and deliveries are done by electric vehicles within 20 years – but it did not say what that support looks like, however some industry experts say it will probably be some sort of subsidies written into the contracts. Isela: Last-mile drivers listen up – Mercedes-Benz will begin production of its new electric delivery van in the second half of 2023. The next gen eSprinter will be built at the Charleston, South Carolina plant alongside a combustion engine model. The company is spending nearly 410 million dollars to convert 3 plants, the one in South Carolina and two in Germany, to make the new model. Carlin: This next story is a lesson of why it’s always important to make sure your equipment is always in good shape. Five trucks were destroyed at an Amarillo truck stop after an early morning fire that was sparked by an equipment malfunction on the last day of March. According to first responders, one truck was hauling a pool cleaner – that acted as fuel and caused the flames to grow. Another truck was hauling recycled plastic and caused toxic smoke… Which made it even more difficult for firefighters. Eventually the fire was put out – and one driver was taken to the hospital with minor burns. Isela: The Saint Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is hosting its first ever Highway to Hope benefit concert in May – and the headliner is country music singer Wynonna Judd! Other singers on the lineup include John Schneider, Billy Dean, Lindsay Lawler, and Heath Sanders. Some of the proceeds from the concert will go directly to the Saint Christopher Truckers Relief Fund… And everyone who purchases a ticket in the US will receive a free CD. Tickets for the livestream cost 20 dollars with a 2 dollar transaction fee. The concert is set for Sunday, May 16 – from 6 to 8 PM. 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: Details of Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan The new tech planned for a busy bridge in the Northeast And what a group of truckers in Georgia is doing to help those impacted by severe weather. Anchor 1: So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The White House has released the outline of President Biden’s infrastructure plan – a $2 trillion, 10 year American Jobs Plan – which includes upgrading infrastructure and the electric grid, setting up a high-speed broadband for the US, and delivering clean drinking water to all communities. Of the 2 trillion dollars – more than 6-hundred twenty billion dollars will be used on transportation infrastructure – focusing on modernizing highways, roads, and bridges. Biden expects the plan to pay for itself in 15 years – but that’s if another plan to increase corporate taxes from the current 21-percent to 28-percent is passed along side it. Isela: A bill has been reintroduced in Congress aiming to help ease the parking issues around the country for commercial vehicles. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act – sponsored by Republican Representative Mike Bost of Illinois and Democratic Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota – would dedicate funds from the Department of Transportation for state agencies to use for lots and facilities. The bill is expected to be considered during the House transportation panel’s upcoming debate. Bost introduced a similar bill during last Congressional session, but it never made it to the President’s desk. ATA reports: 11 truck drivers for every 1 parking space • Average driver spends 56 minutes looking for parking • $5,500 loss in annual compensation Carlin: The California Air Resources Board has released proposed changes to the heavy-duty vehicle smog inspection and maintenance program… and many truck drivers aren’t happy about it. The changes will require motor carriers to smog test fleets quarterly instead of the current requirements of annually. It will also require carriers that operate but aren’t based in California to submit smog test before entering the state. It extends the timelines for those who are not compliant – giving them an extra day to repair their rigs. A final rule is not expected to be considered until December and it wouldn’t go into effect if accepted until Jan 2023. Isela: If you’re traveling between Maine and New Hampshire – you may notice some new tech along the Interstate 95 bridge that connects the two states. Cameras and sensors will be added to the bridge as it continues it’s remodel to detect traffic flows and slowdowns. This will let engineers know when to open breakdown lanes – boosting traffic flow in each direction by more than 1-thousand vehicles per hour. The project, which costs nearly 53-million-dollars, began in spring 2019 but is expected to be complete by May 2022. Carlin: The Georgia Motor Trucking Association has activated the Convoy of Care to help families affected by severe weather and tornadoes in several Georgia counties. The town of Newman in Coweta County was hit by an EF4 tornado – with winds up to 170 mph. The convoy will bring donations of toiletries, nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, and yard tools to those who need it. The group is also asking for use of forklifts, tractors and trailers, drivers, crates, and other supplies. Anyone wishing to help and donate should head to the GMTA website. Isela: Women in Trucking Association has announced its fourth annual list of Top Women to Watch in Transportation – 73 women selected by WIT based on their accomplishments and efforts. Some of the women on the list include: Donna England, vice president of safety and member services for Tennessee Trucking Association Samka Keranovic, vice president and COO for US Truck Driver Training School And Erin Luke, assistant director of North America materials for Peterbilt Motors All 73 women will be recognized at the upcoming 2021 Women in Trucking Accelerate! Conference on November 7 through the 9 in Dallas. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

On this week’s Feature Friday, it may be small but it’s mighty! Check out the littlest Peterbilt you’ve ever seen – and meet the family behind the design and the wheel! To read The Trucker‘s full story about Rooster, his dad and the Week Pete as well as a photo gallery, click here.

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Thursday Daily Trucker News Update! I’m Carlin Stafford. And I’m Isela Rios. We have a lot of news to cover today, including: If you lie about your time, you’ll do the time California wildlife taking action And a floodwater rescue in Tennessee So, let’s get Trucking! Isela: A woman who was employed at M&D Trucking company was busted stealing more than one hundred thousand dollars. The investigation began in January and is still being conducted. According to police 45-year old Jennifer Lynn Garland had been altering her time card to give herself more hours, gave herself a $3 raise, and even extra hours of personal time , sick time, and vacation days. She also wrote unauthorized company checks, depositing them into her personal bank account and covered it up by altering company records. The company owners discovered the embezzlement when they realized they had been locked out of the system. Investigators expect the cash amount to rise as the investigation continues. Carlin: California is not playing when it comes to the safety and health of native wildlife. California prosecutors are pressing charges against Jesse Villasana who was hauling crude oil along Hwy 166 through Santa Barbara County when he made an unlawful turning movement at an unsafe speed and overturned the tanker causing it to come loose from the truck and roll into the Cuyama River, spilling over 45 hundred gallons of crude oil into the river. The accident took place in March 2020 but charges are now being pursued due to the death of 2 birds, a belted kingfisher, and a mallard, that were killed in the oil spill. The charges also include several misdemeanors for violating the California Fish and Game Code. Villasana is scheduled for arraignment on June 25th. Isela: A school bus collided with a semi traveling along Route 20 near Avalon Way in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The bus was transporting kids to school when the accident occurred. The front end of the bus was struck and children were tossed around. Seven children and the bus driver were transported to a nearby hospital to get evaluated for minor injuries. The truck driver was not hurt. The exact reason for the crash is still under investigation and no citations were issued, but locals say that the roadway has been a safety issue for school busses in the past. The principle of the academy has asked for something to be done and asked for a safety signal along the route. City authorities declined because of the school’s location to adjourning streets….. this sounds crazy to me….. Carlin, what you got? Carlin: A wreck that involved 3 semi-trucks caused the shutdown of a major street in Illinois. According to police a 51-year old driver from Richon Park was going south on Chicago street when he failed to slow down at a red light swerving into the northbound lanes to avoid striking a vehicle stopped at a light –  but then overcorrected, hitting another semi-truck driven by 58-year old Tinley Parkman. The force of the impact caused his rig to crash into a third. The first semi-truck overturned trapping the driver inside. Both the first and second drivers were transported to a nearby hospital and the third driver was lucky to have no injuries. Isela: Last Sunday near Murfreesboro, TN a truck driver was rescued from floodwaters. Rutherford County Fire & Rescue received a call that a truck driver was stranded. The crew responded to Sulphur Springs Road to find a semi-truck completely submerged in water and the trucker standing on the hood of the rig, holding onto the roof for support. The rescue of the truck driver was just the second of five water rescues performed that evening. Thankfully the driver was unharmed. Authorities always caution everyone to exercise caution when you encounter areas with standing water. Carlin: This next story proves wide loads are the best loads! A historical building in San Jose, California, known as the Pallesen Apartment building, a four- plex built in 1910, has been moved down the road from it’s original location. The building originally sat on the corner of South First and East Reed streets and was moved to East Reed Street and South Fourth Street. The building was built by the team of Frank Delos Wolfe and Charles McKenzie. The building was hauled just three blocks by specialty movers and will be preserved, renovated and sold as affordable housing. Check out the video as the building is hauled safely to its, hopefully, final destination. 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! I’m Carlin Stafford. And I’m Isela Rios. We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Law Enforcement Advisory Board Drop Zones A Senior Citizens Appreciation for Truckers So, let’s get Trucking! Isela: The ATA has announced the formation of an advisory board comprised of trucking industry stakeholders and law enforcement officials. The purpose of the Advisory Board to provide direction on ways to grow and strengthen relationships between the trucking industry and law enforcement. The 22, member panel will meet bi-monthly and focus on issues including combatting human trafficking, increasing truck parking capacity, ensuring driver safety at rest stops, commercial motor vehicle safety and security and enhancing training for drivers and safety personnel. The ATA president stated, “No two groups have a stronger or more consistent presence on our nation’s highway than law enforcement and American trucker.” Now that’s some pretty cool collab! Carlin: A San Francisco startup is developing a business in which it believes that will keep truckers from being held up at receiver yards. The company called Baton has raised $10.5M to develop a network of “Drop Zones” outside of busy city centers. Here is how “Drop Zone” works. Drivers would drop off their loaded freight at a Drop Zone yard and local fleets would then head to the Drop Zone, pick up the freight and deliver it to the final destination. And the driver who originally dropped it off gets to head to their next load without any delays. Drop Zones locations can be found in Los Angeles, but the company plans to open more Drop Zones in Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas within the next year and a half. Isela: A trucker driver in Caddo, Louisiana had to be freed from his big rig that had smashed into a bridge. The driver’s truck got struck on an overpass beam as he was on Interstate 220 and Lakeshore Drive. The cab was seriously damaged and trapped the driver inside. The driver was rescued by EMS, who had to use the jaws of life to extract him from his cab. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital. No word on the extent of his injuries….. but we hope he was soon released and back with his family. Carlin: Over the weekend a tractor trailer decided to take a different route that is notorious for winding dirt roads and typically requires vehicles with high clearance and four wheel drive. The driver took North Star Mesa Road, in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico and well, got stuck – forcing the closure of the road and several others. According to State Police the shut down could last until April 27th. Isela: A truck driver was busted when he attempted to smuggle illegal immigrants in Pearsall, Tx. According to a witness they noticed an arm swinging from the back of the truck and then witnessed someone sticking their head out of the same opening. The witness called police and they responded quickly. When the big rig was pulled over, illegal immigrants jumped from the trailer and began to flee the scene – including the truck driver who tried to blend in with the fleeing immigrants. Witnesses were able to identify the driver based on his clothing. Several immigrants are believed to have escaped but the driver is currently in federal custody. You can run but you can’t hide. Carlin: On a positive note we have a senior citizen who is showing her appreciation for truckers by hand delivering personalized thank-you cards. Mrs. Beverly Perrin noticed the essential work truck drivers perform despite the challenges they’ve faced during the pandemic this past year. We all know if it wasn’t for our drivers we would not have food on the shelves. So, Beverly and her husband Dick took it upon themselves to hand out some thank you cards to a truck stop near their Chatham home in Ontario. To date they have handed out 1,000 cards. The cards read “Thank you so much for bringing supplies to our stores. Even though it is sometimes under harsh circumstances. Take Care. Stay Safe. God’s blessing on you always. Love Beverly Perrin, a very grateful senior.” 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 reason you’ll want to get those truck orders in now and not later… Why a truck only bridge in Alabama is getting push back from truckers… And find out what was found hiding in a truck full of spinach! So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: If you’re looking to order a Class 8 truck in 2021 – you better get to it! Right now, the number of orders for new rigs is outpacing how quickly they can be built. In February, more than 15-thousand trucks were sold in the US, that’s down more than 8-percent in January… But, the number of orders for trucks totaled 43-thousand-8-hundred – that’s up more than 2-hundred percent from the same time last year… And as of March, the backlog of trucks that still need to be built is 2-hundred-28-thousand! The biggest reason for the backup?? Parts – specifically steel and semiconductors or “chips” which are currently in short supply around the world. Isela: Navistar International is offering free one-year factory-backed warranty for engine and aftertreatments on used International LT Series or International RH Series. The offer includes trucks from any International Dealer, International Used Truck Center, any non-international dealer or independent seller, including fleet resellers and auctions. To be eligible, the vehicle must be: Model year 2018 or newer LT or RH series Delivered to an end user by Dec. 31 2021 Must have less than 550-thousand miles, 475 horsepower or less A clean health report provided by an international dealer Preventative maintenance or DOT inspection completed within the last 12 months. Clean title Retail sale in the US Completed Warranty Registration within 15 days of purchase. Carlin: A plan has been unveiled for a toll bridge meant just for 18-wheelers in Alabama. The proposal is for an I-10 Toll Bridge over the Mobile River – the bridge would be meant only for trucks… It would also expand the Bayway to 3 lanes East and westbound, using the existing shoulders as lanes. Proponents say the new bridge would remove large trucks from the Wallace Tunnel – which they say would increase traffic flow by 40-percent and would decrease delays by more than an hour. However, truck drivers are opposed to the plan – saying cars should pay the toll as well. The proposed toll would cost between 10 t0 15 dollars each way… The proposal is still in the planning phase but it approved construction would begin in 2022 and could take 4 years to complete. Isela: Frito-Lay has completed the transformation of a facility in California to a zero-emission and near-zero-emission site for production and transport. The company replaced all of the diesel vehicles at the Modesto side – using now 12 electric forklifts, three BYD yard trucks, and six 220EV Peterbilt box trucks to distribute product to local retailers. A fleet of 38 Volvo VNL natural gas rigs do the larger local and regional hauls. The company is also expected to receive a shipment of 15 electric Tesla trucks later this year. PepsiCo, the parent company of Frito-Lay, plans to be completely zero-emission by 2040. Carlin: We’ve all heard about hiding leafy greens in other foods so picky eaters will eat them… You know, smothering them in cheese or chopping them up to easily hide them. But – it’s not often we hear about hiding things in leafy greens! But that’s what happened at the Otay Mesa, California-Mexico border. According to Customs and Border Protection – more than 1-million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine was discovered hidden in a shipment of fresh spinach! They were wrapped in paper and labeled with pictures of spinach… The truck, trailer, and narcotics were seized, and the driver was arrested. He is expected to face federal charges. Isela: Actor and musician John Schneider, known for Dukes of Hazard and Smallville, is releasing a new album “Truck On” this week! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Saint Christopher Relief Fund. You can hear one of the songs on the album, “Born at a Truck Stop” on YouTube right now to get you ready for the album’s release! 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! I’m Isela Rios. And I’m Carlin Stafford. We have a lot of news to cover today, including: The changes proposed by the U.S. Postal Service; The scoop on new devices put up in Indiana; and What a pair of UPS drivers did that saved a man’s life! So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: The U.S. Postal Service announced a 10 year plan last week — in it, plans to add a day or more to First Class Mail Delivery, higher rates and reduced post office hours. Right now, First Class mail delivery is one to three days; in the new plan it would be stretched to as many as five. However, the service said mail delivered to a local area will still arrive in one to three days and, quote, “70%” of all First Class mail will arrive within three days or less. The plan also detailed moving away from air transport and to ground transportation. The service says the plan, which will also introduce pricing flexibility for mail categories and increased stamp costs, could generate nearly $44 billion. The plan now heads to the Postal Regulatory Commission. Isela: The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded almost $19 million to eight states to test user-based funding methods. Ohio, Kansas, Minnesota, some members of the Eastern Corridor Coalition, Delaware and Utah all received funds. This will allow the states to explore user-based ways to provide long-term support for the Highway Trust Fund. Right now, the trust fund is paid for by the federal fuel tax, which hasn’t risen since 1993. Usage based fees have been discussed on a federal level for a while, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has mentioned he could support a usage fee, but privacy concerns would need to be addressed. You may recall the American Transportation Research Institute recently released a study that showed the cost of implementing a usage based model could exceed $15 billion. Carlin: The California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, has also received more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the ongoing research into alternatives to the state gas tax to fund road and highway maintenance. The program would look into a road charge system, charging drivers for the miles they travel. The Director of Caltrans says as the state moves towards a zero-emission future, the state needs to understand how a road charge program would impact all who live in the state. California is also partnering with Oregon to explore a regional road charge system. Isela: If you frequent Indiana, you may have noticed something that looks like this picture, a pole with cameras on them. Don’t be alarmed — these devices are part of the WeighIn-Motion system INDOT is piloting for research. The system weighs trucks as they pass, so you won’t have to go through a weigh station. This is just a pilot program; laws would still need to be passed in order for the information to be used for compliance and enforcement purposes. Carlin: A pair of UPS drivers are being called heroes after they saved a man’s life in Nevada. Julie Jefferson and Spencer McVay were driving on U.S. 95 near Tonopah, just north of Las Vegas in February when they saw the accident. A truck jack-knifed pinning a man underneath, nearly severing his leg. The drivers jumped into action, using a bystander’s belt as a tourniquet. The two stayed by his side until paramedics arrived, nearly 45 minutes later! First responders say the quick thinking of the pair kept the man from bleeding out — saving his life. Isela: This is such a heartwarming story! A color blind UPS driver of 44 years retired earlier this month, and his friends bought him a pair of enchroma glasses as a present — that allowed him to see color for the first time!! Check out the sweet video posted on Twitter. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

CVSA road check’s are right around the corner. On today’s Feature Friday, Matt the Little Guy, tells you how to prepare for those upcoming inspections.

Hey everyone! It’s time for your Wednesday Daily Trucker News Update! I’m Carlin Stafford. And I’m Niki Snyder. We have a lot of news to cover today, including: CVSA International Roadcheck Dates A Drivers Last Mile And A mountain climber fitness challenge So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) recognizes the growing number of women who are supporting the trucking industry and working to keep America moving forward. Mandy Graham, CEO of Great West Casualty Co., said she has always been amazed at truck drivers’ commitment to service, regardless of what is thrown at them, adding that trucking truly is the backbone of America. She believes that anyone who is looking for a career that provides daily adventure with a sense of purpose and community, they can find a professional home in trucking. Niki: It is time to mark your calendars because the CVSA International Roadcheck is set for May 4th through the 6th. This Annual three-day event is when CVSA-certified inspectors conduct compliance, enforcement, and educational initiatives targeted at various elements of motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety. Carlin: A Lafayette Parish trucker who died of cancer got one last ride Saturday. 54 year old Alex McLean of Carencro was a long-time truck driver who in 2019 was diagnosed with colon cancer. McLean passed on March 9th at home surrounded by family and friends. A semi bearing McLean’s body was escorted to its final resting place. (Play video) Niki: Truckload freight pricing jumped and national average load-to-truck ratios for dry van and refrigerated (reefer) freight hit record highs in February as severe weather across much of the United States distressed supply chains and disrupted transit times. The DAT Truckload Volume Index, a measure of dry van, reefer and flatbed loads moved by truckload carriers, declined 9.8% from January to February, reflecting a reduction in freight movement for the month. The DAT market outlook in March is for spot rates and truckload freight volumes to fall from record highs but remain elevated as they track a more normal pattern of activity. Strong import volumes continue to put pressure on supply chains as shippers try to replenish their inventories. Carlin: Walmart Inc. has removed rules requiring sellers on its marketplace website to be registered in the U.S. — an attempt to close the e-commerce gap with Amazon.com Inc. and tap into China’s vast network of manufacturers. This month, the world’s largest retailer began opening up its third-party marketplace to foreign sellers, who no longer need a U.S. address or business tax identification. Walmart is looking to expand its marketplace, where suppliers can offer their products via the company’s website, and the services that branch off of it, like fulfillment and advertising. Niki: Interested in a friendly competition where you get fit and healthy? Well, The Fit to Pass® “Continuing to Drive Your Way to Good Health” contest is a virtual event for professional drivers designed to test your strength and conditioning and get you on the road to better health. You compete by doing as many mountain climber exercise repetitions as you can in one continuous set, providing a video as verification. Winners will be those who do the most mountain climbers in one set, and they have male and female divisions. Contest started on March 22 and ends May 8. Make sure you head over to fittopass.com to enter. 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! I’m Carlin Stafford. And I’m Niki Snyder. We have a lot of news to cover today, including: Driver had seconds to save a life Economic Predictions for 2021 And make-a-wish convoy is back in business So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: Volkswagen AG’s TRATON Group, which soon will be the parent of Navistar International Corp will spend $1.9 billion on truck electrification by 2025. Some of that money could help Navistar advance early battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell programs. TRATON earlier committed to spend $1.2 billion on electric mobility by mid-decade. As it increases investment in battery-electric and fuel cell commercial vehicles, TRATON will trim spending on traditional powertrains. Less than one-fifth of product development dollars will be spent on conventional drives. Niki: A Canadian truck driver, Dominic Lefrancois, shared astonishing dash cam video of his evasive maneuver to save the life of a person who ran in front of his vehicle. Viewer discretion is advised. According to the video description, the man survived without serious injuries. Carlin: Economists predict the United States economy broadly and the trucking economy specifically are poised for a rocket-like recovery in the second half of 2021, propelled by $1.9 trillion in federal stimulus and millions of Americans who will receive COVID-19 vaccinations and return to restaurants, ballparks and theaters. Adding to this optimism is a recent analysis from BMO Capital Markets that indicates American households have saved a whopping $1.7 trillion in 2020 and early 2021. Niki:  Well, here is more good news Carlin. After nearly five decades of professionally driving for YRC Freight, Robert Herber has logged his 5 millionth consecutive mile without a single preventable accident. During Herber’s 45-year career with Yellow, he has worked out of seven different terminals across the country. He currently drives a dedicated route from Jackson, Mississippi, to Jacksonville, Florida. Congratulations Robert! Keep up the good work. Carlin: The U.S. House passed legislation March 16 that would extend the application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program by three months. The measure now goes to the Senate. The PPP Extension Act of 2021 would extend the March 31 deadline to June 30 for businesses interested in a loan. The process for effectively turning a PPP loan into a grant had been simplified since PPP’s first round. Those interested in applying should visit sba.gov to find a lender in your area. Niki: The annual Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy in Pennsylvania returns to its traditional weekend this year after being delayed to later in the year last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s 100-truck convoy will include the top 30 drivers who raise the most money for the Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley Make-A-Wish chapter, key sponsors, and drivers who commit to fundraising at least $500. The drivers will leave Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 9. Make-A-Wish will be broadcasting the convoy live on their Facebook page for fans to watch at home. That does it for today’s update! 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: How much it could cost the US to have a vehicle miles traveled tax Why an Alabama based carrier has been listed as a hazard to public safety And we have images of an incredible rescue in Idaho you have to see to believe So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: A study shows the proposed national vehicle – miles – traveled fee system would not only be complicated but extremely expensive. On March 17 – the American Transportation Research Institute released “A Practical Analysis of a National VMT Tax System” – a look into the requirements, costs, and benefits of the proposed plan. In the study, it showed it’s much more complicated and expensive to track and collect money from the millions of vehicles instead of collecting a fuel tax. The costs of installing an electronic monitoring system to track miles of the more than 2-hundred-70 million private vehicles registered in US is more than 13-billion dollars… That’s just the hardware… That doesn’t include the enforcement and administration fees – it could easily exceed 7-and-a-half billion dollars. According to ATRI, the US would go from 70-million dollars a year… To over 20 billion. The full report is on ATRI’s website – go check it out. Isela: Demand surged for goods during the pandemic – but experts expect it to remain high even as things return to normal. The Consumer Brands Association says the rate of purchases is expected to grow anywhere from 7-and-a-half to 8-and-a-half percent from 2019. And as we all know, the more products are in demand, the more demand for truckers who move them. Carlin: Well we all know Covid changed everything… And one of those things was the number of audits the FMCSA conducted. Though they ramped up offsite audits of trucking companies in 2020, the overall reviews dropped by about 8-percent from 2019. FMCSA enforcement Chief Joe DeLorenzo says that while 2020 was kind of a surprise, the administration already had plans to implement off-site audits, just on a much smaller scale at first. However, experts say, the lower number of inspections could show inspectors aren’t ready to go fully off-site just yet. Isela: Speaking of inspections, Alabama-based Woods Dependable Towing LLC has been declared it was a hazard to public safety by the FMCSA. An order was also handed out to Woods Dependable Towing driver Samuel Lee Wren, which keeps him from operating any CMV for interstate commerce. The investigation by the FMCSA found the company had several violations including: Failing 16 of the 31 roadside inspection Falsifying records of duty status. And failing to make sure drivers were qualified. Isela: As the saying goes, don’t cry over spilled milk! A semi hauling nearly 8-thousand gallons of milk crashed in North Dakota, spilling it all on the road near the town of Wing. According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol the truck went into a ditch, overturned, and came to rest on its wheels… But the trailer didn’t and spilled almost all of its contents. The driver, 38-year-old Orlando Nieves was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Carlin: A rescue in Idaho is being called a miracle… A couple hanging off a bridge was rescued by a truck driver who was at the right place at the right time. Look at some of these photos posted to social media… Rod Drury was driving a rig that he says he doesn’t normally take out – when he saw a pickup truck hauling a camper go off the edge of a bridge. The camper caught the barrier and left the truck dangling above the gorge. When the Idaho State Police arrived, they hatched a plan to use Drury’s rig and some chains to help keep the truck secure until rescue crews arrived. The couple and their dogs were rescued and amazingly had no serious 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: Which proposed Department of Labor rule could be withdrawn… The reason republicans say they won’t back an infrastructure bill… And dramatic video showing the importance of moving over! So, let’s get trucking! Carlin: A new bill has been proposed by Senators to help the trucking workforce. The Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy – aka the DRIVE Safe Act – looks to establish an apprenticeship to allow CDL holders under 21 to operate commercial motor vehicles across state lines. The Senators who sponsored the bill say it could help the supply chain by allowing more drivers – especially as the nation continues to struggle with a driver shortage. This isn’t the first time the bill has been introduced, which is supported by the ATA; it was unveiled during last year’s session but didn’t make it to the president’s desk. Isela: The Department of Labor has proposed withdrawing the independent contractor rule that was adopted in the last days of the Trump administration. The law, which changed the interpretation of independent contractor status would take effect in May… But, the Department says they are going to take a closer look to see if it matches more with the Fair Labor Standards Act. The rule uses 5 factors to determine a contractors status. They are: nature and degree of the worker’s control over the work, the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss, the amount of skill required for the work, the degree of permanence of the working relationship between worker and employer, and whether the work is part of an integrated unit of production. It is considered better by many, including the ATA, than the ABC test used in California’s AB-5… And as we’ve reported before, the PRO Act, looks to implement a similar test on a national level. You can comment on the proposed withdrawal – but you have until April 12 to do so. Carlin: Well it doesn’t look like Republicans are looking to support an infrastructure plan – especially if the plan includes increased taxes as a way to pay for it. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says Republicans wouldn’t back the plan – and he predicts Democrats would have to use the some “reconciliation” tactic – which allows a bill to pass with a simple majority vote — they used to pass the 1-point-9 trillion-dollar stimulus package, which Democrats haven’t ruled out. The plan, if it includes a tax increase to pay for it, would be the first one in nearly 30 years. The Gasoline tax, which pays for highways, hasn’t been increased since 1993. Isela: The FMCSA says Hours of Service violations have dropped since the regulations changed, but not by as much as was expected. In total, it dropped by about 12-hundred cases – but the administration believes it’s due to fleets and drivers who are still learning the new rules. Carlin: Dramatic video out of Florida is showing us all why it’s important to move over when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road. Take a look… Dash cam footage shows a semi ramming into a Polk County Sheriff patrol car as it tried to rejoin traffic, forcing it to nearly hit three individuals. Luckily, no one was seriously injured… Florida, like many other states has a move over law – so make sure you’re changing lanes or slowing down when you see emergency vehicles while on the road. The investigation is ongoing and charges for the driver are pending. Isela: This next story is an example of karma… A driver who was involved in a hit and run in Las Vegas was caught when his truck overturned on an on-ramp to I-15. According to police, 41-year-old Isaac Hugh Kennedy hit a vehicle at a stop sign when he was traveling down a road in the wrong direction. He took off – with the vehicle he hit following the truck until it rolled over… Kennedy was arrested for suspicion of impaired driving and reckless driving. That does it for today’s update! Tune in tomorrow for all the trucking news you need!

Isela takes a tour with Gary Jones, Owner/Operator of SPB Trucking, around his badass redone 99 Peterbilt named Excessive Bahavior II. Check it out!