Profile For DaveW

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.

Friday Short Haul - Pilot Flying J name change, CRST-Swift lawsuit, Schneider named innovator

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.

Seven drivers named as TCA's Highway Angels

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.

Travel advisories and restrictions announced for Midwest weekend storm

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.

Friday Short Haul - Senators demand GPS app updates, Jason's Law survey, ATA applauds USMCA, FMCSA's truck crash survey

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.

Research group recommends a national autonomous truck policy

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.

A glimpse into driving long-haul in China

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.

Friday Short Haul - Court blocks AB-5, SBTC vs. FMCSA, Can Opener Bridge

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.

Loses appeal: Walmart ordered to pony up $54 million to drivers

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.

WIT and Walmart seek nominations for Female Driver of the Year

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.

Friday Short Haul - Sweatshop on Wheels, judge exempts truckers from AB-5, Fleetwood closes doors

You're doing great Dave! Keep up the good work.

I can't recall, were you able to talk the company with self driving trucks near you into getting a ride along?

I emailed them awhile ago, and they replied that they have me on their list for when they begin doing media ride-alongs. Haven't heard further from them.

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.

Trucking Truth's top stories for 2019

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.

Random drug tests of drivers to double in 2020

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.

Friday Short Haul - New EV semi, tonnage down, turnover up, Grapevine fatality, runaway truck tires demolish car

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.

Trucking industry goes out of its way for charitable Christmas giving

Merry Christmas, everyone, especially to drivers who have to be on the road today and away from their families.

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against FleetCor, a multi-billion dollar company that provides fuel card services to businesses.

Fuel card provider hit with FTC lawsuit

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.

Friday Short Haul - Driver coercion, zero emissions, driver fatalities

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.

Hard enforcement for ELD compliance now in effect

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.

State CDL agencies get reprieve from drug & alcohol clearinghouse deadline

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.

Friday Short Haul - JB Hunt's Wreaths Across America, Plus.ai butter run, states look for zero emissions