Fear of COVID-19 panickers and of jails being emptied of prisoners has prompted the Small Business in Transportation Coalition to petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to enforce preemption of Federal gun regulations over state laws.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 30, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul the CVSA postpones May's International Roadcheck, register for a free COVID-19 webinar, FHA urges states to keep rest areas open, and fewer cars mean faster freight deliveries.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 27, 2020
The Federal government has issued new guidelines for truck drivers and employers over the past couple of days explaining how certain waivers might work during this period of reacting to the COVID-19 virus.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 25, 2020
Investor money going to other autonomous vehicle startups instead of to his company, and a downturn in freight rates, is the reason given by Starsky Robotics co-founder Stefan Seltz-Axmacher for ending Starsky’s experiment with remote-driven trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 23, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul states open up more truck parking during COVID-19 panic, FMCSA expands HOS waiver, and freight prices increase amid COVID-19 worries.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 20, 2020
Those of us who are pretty sick and tired of the "All coronavirus all the time" current news cycle are not going to find any relief in today's Trucking Truth News. But, unlike a lot of news going around about COVID-19 we actually have a positive slant for truck drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 18, 2020
On Friday, in answer to President Trump's declaration of a national emergency over the COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced a nationwide exemption to hours of service rules for truckers transporting essential supplies, equipment and persons in support of relief efforts.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 16, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul Western Express, Inc., of Tennessee digs out from tornado aftermath, a big rig driver is involved in two fatal crashes within six minutes, and another trucking firm quits due to rising insurance premiums.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 13, 2020
Daimler Trucks North America has announced a late 2021 market launch of its heavy duty Freightliner eCascadia and its lighter eM2 electric commercial trucks. Both electric trucks are currently undergoing real-world customer testing, mostly in the Los Angeles basin area.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 11, 2020
As commercial carriers acquire more telematics capabilities it was only a matter of time before someone came along and offered a way to integrate all of that information into a way to track, coach and train drivers, even to the point of making decisions about letting a driver go.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 9, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul a UK research study finds a correlation between high-caffeine consumption and crashes, Amazon tells its drivers to stay home if they feel sick, and the FMCSA holds a trucking safety summit.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 6, 2020
A company out of Michigan unveiled last week a 15-pound device that can be retrofitted to just about any existing trailer landing gear mechanism that takes all of the work and strain out of retracting or lowering a landing gear.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 4, 2020
While many carriers are faced with high turnover and struggle with ways to overcome it one company has put the whole issue to rest – and reaped rewards for its efforts.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 2, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul DOT lays out CBD info, FMCSA finds 8,000 violations in first weeks of Clearinghouse, and laptop theft lands an Alabama trucker in prison.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 28, 2020
Taking a page from the ride-sharing playbook a Canada company offers the same kind of service for truckers to have access to trailers. The company, vHub, has announced its desire to expand its services globally, beginning with the United States.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 26, 2020
A watermelon association convention might not be the first thing that comes to a trucker's mind in looking for insight into his profession, but a speaker at the February 21 National Watermelon Association convention offered an interesting take on several aspects of the industry.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 24, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul a company moves forward with autonomous, electric yard trucks, Knight-Swift partners with Truckstop.com for load brokering, and a TA security guard shoots a driver who was parked in a reserved spot.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 21, 2020
With competition to recruit new drivers still fierce despite the declining freight numbers third-party training providers are touting their systems for getting new-hires up to speed and driving safely as efficiently as possible.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 19, 2020
Despite a November 2019 executive order by Idaho Governor Brad Little temporarily allowing transportation of industrial hemp through the state of Idaho, actions taken against three truckers discovered transporting hemp earlier in 2019 still stand.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 17, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul, Tennessee's Howard Baer's Inc calls is quits, signs a carrier might be on the verge of closing, and five ways carriers should consider attracting and retaining drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 14, 2020
To help alleviate the pain of long wait times at shippers a mobile app developer company called Truckerd-In has created an app that they hope will get accepted by drivers and shippers alike that allows drivers to communicate with shippers via their smart phones rather than by in-person and standing in lines.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 12, 2020
The United States Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety invited testimony from trucking representatives on February 4 to allow them to sound off with their opinions on the U.S. trucking industry … and committee members got an earful.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 10, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul TCA announces top 20 fleets to drive for, FMCSA delays implementation of its ELDT rule, and Cold Carriers Logistics closes its doors to bankruptcy.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 7, 2020
While Baylor Trucking is not one of the Big 10 in the commercial carrier lineup the recent ELD outage experienced by the 240-truck fleet illustrates the numerous issues that can arise when a company is fully converted to ELD and telematics technology and that technology fails.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 3, 2020
Kellylynn McLaughlin, a driver and training engineer for Schneider National, has been named as Women In Trucking Association's first ambassador in its just-launched Driver Ambassador program.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 3, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul ATA attends White House signing of the USMCA, AB-5 to be challenged in 9th Circuit Court, and most physically demanding jobs are ranked.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, January 31, 2020
Drivers and their compliance with driver requirements will be the focus of this year's International Roadcheck when the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will conduct an vastly increased number of inspections over a 72-hour period in May.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 29, 2020
There appears to be a growing movement among state legislatures now to address the issue of lane blocking.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, January 27, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul Pilot Flying J announces a name change to Pilot Corporation, CRST and Swift continue to battle it out in appeals court, and Schneider wins a 2020 BIG Innovation Award.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, January 24, 2020
The Truckload Carriers Association has named seven drivers to its Highway Angels program, earning each of them a certificate, patch, lapel pin, and truck decals. Each of their employers also receives a certificate acknowledging their driver as a Highway Angel.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 22, 2020
This was an ugly weekend for drivers caught out in the major snow, sleet and ice storm in the Midwest. That same storm quickly moved into the Northeast causing highway closures and vehicle travel restrictions.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, January 20, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul U.S. Senators demand smart phone map apps update with truck-specific information, FHWA to study truck parking, ATA applauds the USMCA trade agreement passage, and FMCSA conducts a truck crash survey.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, January 17, 2020
So far, 35 states have some form of a policy regarding testing of autonomous vehicles on their highways. And some 50 cities have seen pilot tests of autonomous vehicles on their roads, or are planning to allow testing in the near future. But following the results of research on autonomous vehicles by the American Transportation Research Institute, autonomous semi truck innovators are hoping that Congress will step up and propose legislation tying separate state and local AV regulations into one national policy.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 15, 2020
Departing a little bit from our usual fare at Trucking Truth News this article in the South China Morning Post about truck drivers in mainland China caught our eye for the similarities with driver complaints in America, but also with the different difficulties that drivers in China are faced with.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, January 13, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul another court rules against California's AB-5, a truckers' coalition takes on FMCSA, and Can Opener Bridge continues to entertain.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, January 10, 2020
In a decision on January 6 that could have far-reaching consequences for every carrier operating in California, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's ruling granting Walmart's California drivers lost wages for time spent on their 10-hour layover break while they are responsible for their truck.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 8, 2020
Women in Trucking and Walmart have joined together to find a deserving female driver for their first-ever Female Driver of the Year award. This driver will then be presented the award at the March 27 Mid America Trucking Show's Salute to Women Behind the Wheel.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, January 6, 2020
In this Friday Short Haul, Sweatshop on Wheels video, a Federal District Court judge exempts truckers from AB-5, and another carriers closes its doors.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, January 3, 2020
Not surprisingly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration dominated the news that directly impacts commercial truck drivers. In fact, five of the 10 articles in this, albeit subjective, selection of the top stories on Trucking Truth in 2019, were the result of activity out of the offices of that regulatory agency.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 1, 2020
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is invoking an almost two-decades old provision and will require carriers to double the number of random drug tests they perform on their drivers next year.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, December 30, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Neuron EV introduces a new EV semi, ATA reports that November freight tonnage is down but driver turnover increases, a driver was found dead on the Grapevine, and runaway loose truck tires demolish a parked car.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, December 27, 2019
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Association hard deadline for enforcement of the electronic logging device mandate took a dark turn today as a major carrier was put out of service for 10 hours just as millions were supposed to be receiving special deliveries.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, December 25, 2019
The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against FleetCor, a multi-billion dollar company that provides fuel card services to businesses.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, December 23, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul a Congressman from Texas takes the FMCSA to task for ineffective enforcement of driver coercion, CARB pushes for zero emissions, and truck driving is highest rating for occupational fatalities.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, December 20, 2019
Yesterday, Tuesday, December 17, is the day that law enforcement ended any kind of reprieve for truckers found to be driving without a fully compliant electronic logging device … in other words, no more grandfather, no more exceptions.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, December 18, 2019
State commercial licensing agencies get a three-year reprieve from the mandatory compliance with the new Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse mandate that goes into effect on January 6, 2020.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, December 16, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul J.B. Hunt participates in Wreaths Across America, a self-driving truck makes a cross-country butter run, and states sign on to a zero emission goal for big rig trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, December 13, 2019
From among the stories of driver abandonment and hardship resulting from the largest truckload carrier bankruptcy in American history there are emerging heart-warming human-interest stories of just what it means to be a part of the truck driver community, where drivers take care of each other.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, December 11, 2019
Amazon is taking a revolutionary approach to paying drivers who will be hauling their cargo … changing the way drivers have been paid since about the 1930s. Amazon has been using a method for the past couple of years to pay drivers by the day, eschewing the almost century-long method of paying drivers by the mile.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, November 27, 2019
There is no question that freight is down from the heydays during 2018 when commercial carriers were scrambling to find extra capacity, and experiencing a driver shortage with their need to put men and women behind the wheel to haul that expanded freight volume.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, November 25, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul -- Fallout from California's AB-5 continues, winter weather resources, and Louisiana's ransomware attack affects trucking companies.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, November 22, 2019
One would think that commercial carriers would want all the shipping customers they could handle, and would do anything to hang on to them. And, statistically, more than half of fleets surveyed by CCJ say they rarely give shipping customers the old heave ho. But that leaves the other nearly half of all carriers who are constantly evaluating the profitability of continuing with certain shippers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, November 20, 2019
With the driver shortage in view, and having an eye toward attracting prospective new drivers to its company, Schneider National, Inc., announced it is donating 10 used Schneider tractors to CDL training programs at four community and technical colleges. And two U.S. senators introduced a bill last week that would create a "Women of Trucking" advisory board reporting to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, November 18, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul the CTA files a lawsuit against California's AB-5, Highway Heroes seek nominations, and Iowa DOT posts a "Move Over" crash video.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, November 15, 2019
Two years after rolling out a prototype Class 8 electric semi truck, appropriately named "Tesla Semi," Tesla will unveil this week a new version that incorporates autonomous features. While some Tesla Semis have been spotted on America's roads, full production will not begin for another year or so.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, November 13, 2019
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's considering whether to delay implementation of one leg of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, originally set for full enforcement on January 6, 2020, has created a bit of drama in the trucking industry.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, November 11, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul PBS examines AI and it's eventual effect on drivers' jobs, truckers are arrested for a CRV scam, truckers protest AB-5, and ELD quit working for thousands of drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, November 8, 2019
Trucking Truth News has reported recently on several high-dollar truck accident lawsuit settlements, with several of the high-profile lawsuits originating in the New Orleans area; which has been hard hit by what, for all intents and purposes, appear to be a rash of fraudulent lawsuits. That pattern of seeming insurance fraud has come to the attention of the United States District Attorney's Office investigators, and federal judges presiding over several Louisiana truck accident cases have put those cases on hold pending investigations into the "victims'" alleged fraudulent practices.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, November 6, 2019
The mission of Trucking Truth is to help prospective new drivers make important decisions about starting their driving careers – like, which training/licensing method is best, and which are the best companies to begin driving for, among others. And, while many independent-minded new drivers initially believe they would be happier going on their own as owner-operators, Trucking Truth generally discourages new drivers from taking that route.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, November 4, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul the FMCSA declares emergency rules suspensions for wildfires and winter weather, Idaho transportation officials say to watch out for snow plows, and a FedEx employee is charged with receiving more than $1 million in bribes.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, November 1, 2019
United States Custom and Border Patrol agents say that increased security at the U.S. border with Mexico is resulting in more migrants taking the risk of being transported via semi trailers – sometimes with deadly consequences.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, October 30, 2019
As the dust settles on the recently passed new California independent contractor law motor carrier companies and independent drivers are scrambling to make sense of the law and to decide what to do about it.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, October 28, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul simulator training should encourage millennial recruitment, Truckers Christmas Group ramps up, four fleets unhappy with Navistar settlement.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, October 25, 2019
It's probably safe to say that all truck drivers are aware that each of the 50 states has a "Move Over" law. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it seems that 71 percent of other drivers haven't got the memo, and whoosh by dangerously close to law enforcement personnel, emergency vehicles and tow trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, October 23, 2019
America's 1.8 million truck drivers haul some 71 percent of this country's freight, amounting to an $800 billion dollar chunk of the economy. So, the question remains: Why don't truck drivers wield this supposed influence and strike nationally, ending their grievances and bettering their situation?
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, October 21, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul passenger car drivers think they are safer drivers than truck drivers, the spotted lanternfly still on the move, and women drivers enjoy the equal pay of truck driving.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, October 18, 2019
In answer to the proposed new FMCSA hours of service rules, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has given the FMCSA a 15-page letter to digest that is compiled from a survey conducted among some of the 160,000 members who collectively own and operate more than 240,000 individual heavy-duty trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, October 16, 2019
Over the past several years, the number of large trucks on our roadways has continued to increase. Along with the growing number of miles driven by truckers has come an overall increase in crash rates and truck-related crash deaths.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, October 14, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Amazon orders a fleet of new day cabs, a legislator is under fire for lack of disclosure with trucking insurance bill, and a Washington trucking group petitions the FMCSA.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, October 11, 2019
American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear is fed up with exorbitant lawsuits against trucking companies and their drivers, and is asking trucking industry leaders to join him in lobbying Congress for tort reform legislation.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, October 9, 2019
"In trucking, 20 pounds can make all the difference." That's the catchy phrase headlining the top of the Mutts4Trucks website announcing a new campaign pairing truck drivers with dog companions.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, October 7, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul: Is the sky falling for ag haulers? Man pleads guilty to fraudulent freight brokering, FMCSA committee discusses HOS changes, FMCSA opens the Clearinghouse to registrations.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, October 4, 2019
Edging out its competition in the race for commercial drone deliveries, the drone subsidiary for UPS became the first in the field to receive Part 135 Standard certification from the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, October 2, 2019
Besides filling drivers' seats, carriers are benefiting from an added bonus by hiring women – it appears that they are safer drivers than their male counterparts in most categories.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, September 30, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Embark expands and adds LA and Phoenix hubs, FMCSA announces safety grants, Covenant exits Mexico routes, and some interesting trucking stats.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, September 27, 2019
In a looming battle between Federal supremacy and States' rights reminiscent of the Obama administration campaign against the State of Arizona a few years ago, but on opposite ends of the ideological political spectrum, the Trump administration has all but declared war on the State of California.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, September 25, 2019
As if California truckers didn't have enough to worry about with the signing of the independent contractors law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, a proposed new law that mostly flew under the radar got signed into effect by him on Friday that requires smog testing on heavy-duty diesel trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, September 23, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Volvo introduces its dynamic steering, Meals for 18 Wheels seeks volunteers, trucks nabbed in speeding crackdown, OOIDA opposes trucking legislation.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, September 20, 2019
Continuing Trucking Truth's unofficial series on telematics and other advanced technologies in the trucking industry we take a look at how the insurance industry is reacting to this new dynamic, and how that interest by insurers benefits carriers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, September 18, 2019
Despite its many advantages, a significant number of fleets don't intend to implement new telematics technology beyond what is required by the electronic logging device mandate – which has a final full-compliance deadline of December 16 of this year.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, September 16, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Walmart promotes a Driver Appreciation Week video, expert says it is churn, not driver shortage, California passes an independent contractor bill, and hemp drivers accept pleas.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, September 13, 2019
It's time for Trucking Truth to again highlight some caring truck drivers who were honored last week by the Truckload Carriers Association as Highway Angels.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, September 11, 2019
While Class 8 tractors are getting smarter, and even learning to drive themselves -- and getting all of the media attention – there's one other element in the trucking supply chain that is getting a boost in smarts as well, but still riding relatively under the radar.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, September 9, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul FMCSA deadline for comments coming up, truck orders are on the decline, and new maritime law will affect diesel fuel price and availability.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, September 6, 2019
A recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board not only kicks the teeth out of the independent contractor/employee controversy, but sets the stage for some major head-butting with California authorities if that state's latest attempt to force employee status on independent truck drivers is successful.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, September 4, 2019
In March of this year Trucking Truth ran a comprehensive article about FMCSA's new drug and alcohol clearinghouse. As the time to allow registering with the new clearinghouse approaches this fall, questions and concerns have begun to surface.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, September 2, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul, logistics aid organization mobiles for Hurricane Dorian, a speed limiter bill is "retired", and Pilot Flying J mounts "Thank a Driver" campaign
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, August 30, 2019
After a weeklong trial wrought with emotion that ended on August 23, a Muscogee County, Georgia, jury awarded more than a quarter of a billion dollars to the family of one of the women killed in a five-person fatal accident when a driver for Schnitzer Southeast crossed the centerline and hit the family's SUV head on.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, August 28, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Freightliner delivers two all-electric Class A trucks, a study finds top cities for truck driver jobs, and a Missouri State legislator drafts a bill regulating autonomous trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, August 23, 2019
The effects of last year's California Supreme Court ruling against Dynamex Operations West, Inc., continue to reverberate through the halls of California's state legislative bodies with the ultimate result that California will no longer recognize a truck driver's status as an independent contractor.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, August 21, 2019
TuSimple, the San Diego-based company that also has operations in China, announces that United Parcel Service has made arrangements with them to test the viability of using autonomously-driven tractor trailers to haul packages within its UPS network.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, August 19, 2019
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has finally published its long-anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking on changes to hours of service for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, August 16, 2019
Today, beginning drivers and grizzled veterans alike will appreciate that there is a new technology called AMT, automated manual transmission, that is becoming increasingly integrated into commercial fleets as well as driving schools' lesson trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, August 14, 2019
Citing frustration by truck industry decision makers in having to use crash data that is almost two decades old, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is asking the U.S. Senate to add to the 2020 transportation bill funding for a new study of commercial vehicle crashes.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, August 12, 2019
Friday Short Haul - HOS revisions are still under OMB review, Legislators introduce an AEB bill for trucks, and Koch & Sons is sued for sex discrimination.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, August 9, 2019
Kodiak Robotics, Inc., another startup in the autonomous trucking industry, this one being only 16 months old, claims a first with its commercial freight business hauling middle-mile highway routes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, August 7, 2019
City of New York spokespeople, fed up with an increase in cyclist fatalities involving large trucks, are calling for the New York Police Department to target oversize trucks, and especially trucks driving outside of designated routes.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, August 5, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul CRST awarded $15.5 lawsuit against Swift, OOIDA opposes legislation hiking insurance rates, and UPS has an in-house navigation system that saves millions a year.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, August 2, 2019
While the big rig driver shortage has been getting all the press these days, there's another truck industry-related labor shortage that has been flying under the radar – diesel mechanics and technicians.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, July 31, 2019
Infrastructure projects in 19 states are proposed to receive $856 million in grants from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program, Elaine Chao, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, announced last week.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, July 29, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul the DOL writes an opinion on sleeper berth pay, UPS set for nationwide drone deliveries, and Geowiz offers no-fee, FMCSA-compliant ELD logging.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, July 26, 2019
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a notice into the Federal Register yesterday announcing the agency will be undergoing an investigation to "understand the prevalence, seriousness, and nature of the problem of harassment and assaults against truckers."
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, July 24, 2019
CDL Life, a trucking news and entertainment website, underwent an experiment recently to illustrate the danger for truckers of anti-idling laws.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, July 22, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Utah experiences a rash of truck rollovers, new truck designers consider aging driver population, FMCSA permanently bans human-trafficking drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, July 19, 2019
The city of Key West might be the first in a wave of jurisdictions nationwide to severely regulate or outright ban LED advertising trucks.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, July 17, 2019
We all know that for learning truck driving skills nothing beats being in the driver's seat with a qualified instructor sitting in the passenger seat. And while there are a number of YouTube videos offering instruction as a second-best choice, none have the thoroughness and realism of those produced by YouTuber David Crowley of My Trucking Skills. He has taken his instructional technique to a higher level – literally.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, July 15, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Rhode Island rakes in big bucks with truck tolls, man guilty of sneaking illegal aliens onto trucks, and California Senate considers contractor driver law.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, July 12, 2019
With the hard deadline for ELD compliance looming ever closer, and with no more extensions or grandfathering to be counted on, a significant portion of commercial carriers industry wide have yet to install the devices in their fleets.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, July 10, 2019
A relatively new "boot" device, combined with draconian Walmart parking enforcement, is becoming the nemesis of truck drivers wishing for nothing more than a quiet, uninterrupted night's sleep.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, July 8, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Prime Inc files complaint against Amazon, a mother challenges proposed HOS rules changes, ATA announced driver appreciation week.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, July 5, 2019
If you find yourself on the road this Fourth of July, like many truck drivers do, you might be wanting to display your American pride by flying the American flag on your truck. But don't be too quick to mount that flag any which way without considering what is the legal, ethical and respectful way to do it.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, July 3, 2019
Roundabouts: They're either a boon to traffic efficiency or a truck driver's worst nightmare. Which is it?
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, July 1, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul FMCSA proposes new rule regarding skills testing, a study looks at the driver shortage, Idaho postpones hemp sentencing, and Starksky remote pilots a big rig on Florida highway.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, June 28, 2019
The world watched in horror last year as some of America's worst wildfires in history took a record number of lives, cost billions of dollars in damages, destroyed one whole town, closed highways and disrupted commerce. Now government agencies responsible for predicting wildfire potential are saying the West Coast this year should be preparing for a repeat of last year's devastation.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, June 26, 2019
In truck driver lore it was common for truckers to be thought of as Knights of the Road. That sobriquet might not be so common these days, but drivers are increasingly being enlisted to aid damsels in distress by spotting and reporting instances of human trafficking.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, June 24, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul top shippers are named, insurance rates increase, wheel spikes are questioned and Women in Trucking seeks candidates.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, June 21, 2019
The $800 billion U. S. trucking industry, considered by many insiders to be the canary in the coal mine in regard to the health of the nation's economy, is getting some worried glances by some of those insiders. According to recent figures, freight rates and loads on the spot market, were down by 62.6 percent in May compared to previous years' May numbers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, June 19, 2019
In a move that might at first glance appear to be counter-intuitive in light of the driver shortage, a trucking group is calling for the purging of at least 300,000 drivers -- but their main concern is public safety, as this is the number of drivers they estimate are un-caught illicit drug abusers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, June 17, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul a community college offers a first-ever self-driving driver certificate, engineers look at truck platooning, and SoCal ports are stacked up with cargo.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, June 14, 2019
A specific segment of the trucking industry is just two weeks away from enjoying the benefit of a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration waiver mandating the use of electronic logging devices and observance of the 14-hour rule.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, June 12, 2019
Driver detention time is coming under the scrutiny of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and drivers and other interested parties are being asked to submit comments regarding this important area of the truck freight-hauling industry.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, June 10, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Boxbot steps up the game with autonomous last-mile deliveries, FMCSA updates HOS rules changes progress, hundreds forced to retake CDL tests.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, June 7, 2019
During the annual compliance event called International Roadcheck 2019 being conducted Tuesday through Thursday this week commercial vehicle drivers throughout North America will find themselves undergoing Level I inspections – at the rate of nearly four trucks every minute during the 72-hour period.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, June 5, 2019
In response to the large amount of publicity given to a truck driver being arrested in Idaho for legally transporting a hemp load the United States Department of Agriculture released a statement last week clarifying that hemp is no longer subject to the Controlled Substance Act and thus can be legally transported.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, June 3, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Waymo announces Phoenix test of self-driving big rigs, Iowa troopers conduct a "move over" sting, and comments continue for FMCSA's under-21 pilot program proposal.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, May 31, 2019
In response to the extreme weather, particularly flooding, that has continued to plague the central part of the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended its Regional Emergency Declaration of March 19 to July 2.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, May 29, 2019
Memorial Day weekend is something to look forward to for a large segment of the United States population, including truck drivers, but it's that time that drivers are away from their trucks and their loads that makes Memorial Day weekend prime time for cargo thieves.
Dave Wickenhauser on Sat, May 25, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul a driver is arrested for hauling hemp, carriers lose a $26.5 million lawsuit, and FMCSA is looking at new rules for autonomous vehicles.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, May 24, 2019
TuSimple, a San Diego-based self-driving truck company, announced on Tuesday that the United States Postal Service will be a test bed for a first-ever, long-haul regular delivery route across state lines.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, May 22, 2019
A Swedish company named Einride that defines itself as, "The intelligent movement company -- part commercial enterprise, part revolutionary movement," says it is "bent on a complete transformation of the transportation industry." And May 15 marked a milestone in that company's mission as it is the day the first cab-less electric truck was allowed to drive on a public road.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, May 20, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul FMCSA's under-21 comments open with a bang, a Tesla crashes under autopilot, and 24,000 drivers sign contract with YRC
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, May 17, 2019
After running a pilot program for the last 10 months allowing under-21-year-old drivers with military experience to drive big rigs interstate, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced this week it is seeking public comment on potentially opening up interstate highways to non-military drivers 18 through 20 years old as well.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, May 15, 2019
Five of the professional commercial drivers who were announced earlier this year as American Trucking Associations' American Road Team for 2019-2020 have something unique in common. They are all active members of the Trucking Buddy International organization.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, May 13, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul a Texas driver was awarded $80 million settlement, an Old Dominion driver won SC contest, and industry leaders talk about a loading dock "black hole."
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, May 10, 2019
Like a visiting brother-in-law who doesn't realize he's overstayed his welcome, a giant "winter" storm is blowing through the Midwest this week bringing blizzard conditions with winds of 40-50 mph, record snowfall of 10-15 inches, and more flooding as warming weather melts off what this storm deposits.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, May 8, 2019
With the ongoing driver shortage and the capacity problems that the shortage creates for shippers truck industry watchers are seeing an increase in manufacturers and retailers starting up their own private fleets – or signing with carriers for a dedicated operation.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, May 6, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul FMCSA announces HOS rules report date, locals protest proposed new Love's, and Falcon drivers get hired.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, May 3, 2019
Truck drivers normally give little notice of bugs in the areas they drive through except for having to deal with the occasional bug swarms dirtying up their windshields. But beginning today truckers delivering or picking up loads in certain counties of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia need to know they could face severe penalties for not carrying a Spotted Lanternfly Permit.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, May 1, 2019
Training simulators have been in use for aviation and military purposes for some time, but these training devices are now catching on in truck driving schools across the country.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, April 29, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we hear a recommendation to think about electric trucks, Penske opens an electric charging station, prices might increase because of the border crossing crisis, and railroads are taking business away from trucking companies.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, April 26, 2019
Now, into its second year of full mandatory use, there are concerns in the industry that not only have ELDs not reduced accidents, but that the devices are causing some to question whether the wall of separation between independent contractor and employee status is disappearing.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, April 24, 2019
Truck drivers arriving at a distribution center in the very near future could be greeted by the sight of yard trucks running around the facility as usual -- hooking, unhooking, pulling trailers and hitting docks – but with one major difference … all that without a human being behind the wheel.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, April 22, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul Nikola announces new big rigs, WIT welcomes Peterbilt to Gold Level, we learn about Oregon crash numbers, and update border crossing issues
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, April 19, 2019
A number of trucking companies lately are reaping the financial benefits of putting their drivers up in hotels overnight rather than having them spend the night in sleeper cabs.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, April 17, 2019
Uber, the ride-hailing giant that gives taxi companies headaches has set its sights on competing against the top players in the freight brokerage business.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, April 15, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we hear about a CDL examiner arrested, learn about a new toll recommendation, and discover marijuana testing for more positives
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, April 12, 2019
With electronic logging devices now mandatory and enforced, and with more than half of American trucking companies in its customer base, a relatively new technology company called KeepTruckin is now entering the load board field with a new app called Smart Load Board.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, April 10, 2019
Trucking companies and U.S. manufacturers breathed a collective sign of relief late last week when President Trump backed off from his threat of closing the southern border. But problems still remain for cross-border truckers as they face increasingly longer lines and wait times to get across.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, April 8, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we discuss how state laws concerning marijuana affect truck drivers, learn about a new ATA campaign against crumbling road infrastructure, and hear FMCSA explain personal conveyance rules.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, April 5, 2019
Volvo Trucks has upped the ante in electronic connectivity with its new Parameter Plus Package addon to its existing Remote Programming feature; which now allows over-the-air updates to a large number of functions, all within the time a driver takes to eat a meal.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, April 3, 2019
Fuel pump scammers are busy, but there are ways to avoid being a victim of card-skimmers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, April 1, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we look at the new semi-autonomous Freightliner Cascadias, see the results of a motorist survey about truckers, learn about a U.S. Xpress award, and view the rollout of new technology that helps drivers find parking spots.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 29, 2019
On March 5 both the United States Senate and House of Representatives introduced bills requiring trucking companies to install underguards on trucks and trailers that will prevent vehicles from riding underneath the truck or trailer in the event of a crash.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 27, 2019
The "It's a convoy!" of lore and ballad is morphing into an entirely new concept for truck transportation on America's highways. But, it's doubtful that movies and songs will spring forth in honor of what motorists may soon be encountering along this country's interstates.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 25, 2019
In this week's Friday Short Haul we announce the WIT survey, learn why a motorist is irate at truckers, report FMCSA's easing of HOS for flood states, and announce a new ball cap for truckers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 22, 2019
According to some industry spokesmen, trucking companies are performing more poorly in the area of unscheduled roadside repairs than they should be, resulting in higher overall maintenance costs and affecting their customer experience.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 20, 2019
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in a news release on March 14 that a new website is available for persons wanting more information about the soon-to-be-implemented mandatory new drug and alcohol clearinghouse program for drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 18, 2019
In this week's Friday Short Haul we report on the $100 million Prime-Swift settlement, see why Barron's thinks the driver shortage is a myth, and announce the TCA Best Fleet to Drive For award.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 15, 2019
Distraction is the nemesis of anyone trying to observe safe driving practices. We all know that. Cellphones, GPSs, ELDs, lane-change warnings, etc., all contribute to taking away a truck driver's attention while on the road. But what many don't realize is that the problem goes much deeper than being distracted by gadgets and such. There is actually a science behind this, and it has a name – inattentional blindness.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 13, 2019
A spate of fake accident claims against commercial vehicles in the New Orleans area highlights a growing problem for trucking companies.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 11, 2019
In the Friday Short Haul for March 8 we see the results of failure to sweep snow off the roof, catch truckers bypassing a new toll road, and see what NYPD is up to concerning Google's Waze app.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 8, 2019
At what point is the American public going to stand up and take notice of the truck driver shortage? According to spokespeople for the retail industry, that time is right about now.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, March 6, 2019
Researchers at MIT have found a way to turn a driver's lowly smartphone into a tool that they tout as being able to reduce fuel consumption by 5 to 10 percent, monitor tire pressure and even monitor wheel alignment.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, March 4, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we look at possible changes in the way freight rates are calculated, find out about new HOS rules possibly coming soon, and get January's tonnage report.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, March 1, 2019
Fleet drivers, like a lot of other company workers who have un-reimbursed expenses, and whose income is reported on a W-2, can no longer deduct their daily expenses of meals, cell-phones or other common expenses used in doing their jobs that were deductible until this year's new tax laws went into effect; which results in decreased refunds this year.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 27, 2019
Late last year the FMCSA announced their Under 21 Military CDL Pilot Program, allowing carriers to put drivers under 21 to work driving outside of their home states.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 25, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we see why Connecticut trucking companies are riled, we look at what's happening with hydrogen fuel-cell trucks, and discover the roads with the worst cell phone use.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 22, 2019
That America's roadways are a deteriorating mess is no surprise to anybody who has sat behind a wheel any time recently. But the problems of our nation's crumbling infrastructure go far beyond just the discomfort of a jarring ride. Simply put, our country's economic health demands that our roads get an upgrade.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 20, 2019
In a report recently released by SensiGuard Supply Chain Intelligence Center the number of cargo thefts were down by 19 percent across the United States last year, but the value of goods stolen is about the same.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 18, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we look at a successful program to improve the safety of trucks crossing over from Mexico, report on the State of California suing FMCSA over meal and rest-break rules, and follow opponents as they lobby against larger truck-trailer combinations.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 15, 2019
Detention, the on-duty but not-driving time a driver spends waiting at a shipper or receiver, is a necessary evil in the trucking industry, but the consensus among drivers is that there should be compensation to the driver for his or her non-driving, on-duty time.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 13, 2019
Since 1997, the TCA Highway Angels program has honored hundreds of professional drivers -- several every month -- for "the exemplary courtesy and courage they have shown others while on North America’s roadways." They announce the Feb. 1 honorees.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 11, 2019
In this Friday's Short Haul we report on C.R. England's driver pay raises, the effect that eCommerce has on the trucking industry, and announce TCA's Best Fleets to Drive For.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 8, 2019
In the ongoing effort to alleviate the driver shortage trucking companies are beginning to consider a new strategy to entice new drivers – they are taking a hard look at their reasoning behind sign-on bonuses. They are asking whether they should ditch them entirely in favor of offering guaranteed pay.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, February 6, 2019
The trucking industry is looking at a new tactic in the battle to alleviate the ongoing driver shortage problem. The problem, according to a recent release from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association is that long delays in some states' CDL testing programs are resulting in almost a quarter million potential drivers annually having to delay their entrance into the driving workforce … or, they give up entirely and take other jobs.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, February 4, 2019
In this Friday Short Haul we discuss Walmart's hiring and salaries, Uber's new Facilities Ratings app, a proposed speed-limiter law, and introduce members of this year's America's Road Team.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, February 1, 2019
A researcher with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries teamed up with researchers from North Carolina State University to put to the test something that most truck drivers do every day … sometimes several times a day. Their goal was to find out what is the safest, least injurious way to crank the landing gear on a trailer.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 30, 2019
Appeals against California's low-carbon fuel standard by transportation industry interests failed this month at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals level. Judges in the case stood on their belief that the state legislature reasoning behind the stricter California standard was concern that climate change, and particularly global warming, presented a risk to California.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, January 28, 2019
In today's "Friday Short Haul" of news we discuss highway robbery in Mexico, will autonomous trucks replace drivers, and fleets of new trailers coming soon.
Dave Wickenhauser on Fri, January 25, 2019
A North Carolina startup that specializes in lithium battery technology is giving big-rig truck drivers the same portable jump-start capability enjoyed by car and light truck drivers.
Dave Wickenhauser on Wed, January 23, 2019
Despite an economic decline in some sectors in 2018, particularly in December, the transportation industry continues to show economic expansion.
Dave Wickenhauser on Mon, January 21, 2019
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