This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending March 30, 2019.
We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
According to a March 26, 2019, article, "The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced ... that 2019 International Roadcheck will be taking place from June 4 - 6 throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada."
Furthermore, "this year's violation emphasis category [will be] steering components and suspension systems."
Related articles are here(a), here and here.
You will always want to keep your truck in tip-top condition, not just before a planned safety inspection.
Although Wyoming lawmakers were unsuccessful in imposing tolls on I-80 in 2009, one state Senator wants to toll the entire length of the state's interstate highway.
The article further states that an "estimated 85,000 to 100,000 vehicles pass through the proposed toll stretch of I-80 each day" in Will County, Illinois, that some state lawmakers want to transition to a toll road there.
A truck driver took a load of cars that was too tall to fit under an overpass in Norwalk, Connecticut, according to a March 25, 2019, article and the video embedded in it.
Always know the height of your load and never attempt to take under an overpass a rig that is taller (because it won't fit!)
See our Low Clearance page for tips.
The surveillance video embedded in a March 28, 2019, article clearly shows that a truck failed to stop for a stopped school bus, resulting in "an intense rear end crash".
Although truckers should always be on the lookout for slowed or stopped traffic, it is ultra-important to do so on school bus routes.
The video embedded in a March 24, 2019, article clearly shows that a truck driver was in the process of changing lanes right into the path of a car in that lane and wound up overturning.
Before you attempt to change lanes, make sure that there are no vehicles in the space that you want to move into.
Mike and I have found that three extra mirrors on the trucks we have driven really help:
Also, as I watched the video, it concerned me that the trucker that eventually overturned was traveling too fast.
Don't be in too big of a hurry.
A March 26, 2019, article lists "7 ways" that new owner-operators can reduce their expenses, two of which are
Separately, Land Line Magazine published an article about "Red flags to watch for in a lease-purchase".(b)
There were a number of articles this week about truck parking:
While I'm glad that ATRI will be looking at this, don't we already know the answers that they will find?
As of early on March 29, 2019, a poll on Overdrive.com reports that 49.53% of respondents (or 787 votes out of 1,589 total votes) stated that they have "felt pressured by carriers, brokers or shippers to violate hours regs" ... "More often than before the mandate".
We knew this was going to happen, didn't we?
If you use Rockpro's windshield repair kit, as is described here, please write and submit a product review.
A March 27, 2019, article reported that once the company gains FAA approval, the United Parcel Service (UPS) "will begin using drones to deliver medical samples at WakeMed's flagship hospital in Raleigh, N.C."
I anticipate that we will see more and more "lighter packages" delivered by drone in the coming years.
Just saying.
A March 21, 2019, article reported, "[A Springfield,] Illinois Walmart... is finally giving in to city officials and eliminating semi truck parking after they were hit with tens of thousands of dollars worth of fines."
Ouch!
But that's not the end of it.
Now we read that "The Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) is ... demanding answers from more city leaders about the lack of accommodations being made for tractor-trailer parking" at that Walmart Supercenter.
The letter signed by SBTC president James Lamb was, in my opinion, well-worded and I'm glad he's going to bat for truckers.
Did you find any products or services at the Mid-America Trucking Show that will help you save money, time, or both?
If so, what was it (or were they)?
Please comment below. Thanks.
My husband Mike and I wish you -- and all professional truck drivers -- safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2019.03.30 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
Reference:
a. http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=73959 (no longer online)
b. https://tandemthoughts.landlinemag.com/ooida/red-flags-to-watch-for-in-a-lease-purchase/ (no longer online)
c. https://tandemthoughts.landlinemag.com/ooida/members-sound-off-on-truck-parking-hours-of-service-during-ooida-town-hall/ (no longer online)
d. http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=73951#.XJ2_alVKiM8 (no longer online)
e. http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=73951 (no longer online)