TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2020.08.29

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending August 29, 2020.

We welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.

 

1. Regarding storms:

According to an August 27, 2020, article, "Hurricane Laura slammed southern Louisiana early Thursday as a Category 4 storm, one of the most powerful to strike the Gulf Coast in decades. The storm made landfall at 1 a.m. near Cameron, La., about 35 miles east of the Texas border."

The storm has been downgraded to a tropical depression and is still dumping rain far inland.

Much destruction was left in Laura's wake and there will most likely be a lot of "picking up the pieces" and rebuilding in the days to come.

Please monitor travel advisories and road signs -- as some roads may have been swept away by fast moving water (as pictured here).

Never drive through running water as you may not be able to see what is beneath it and your truck may be swept downstream.

Remember: Turn around, don't drown.

Here are some recent articles about storms, including Hurricane Laura.

• As Hurricane Laura lunges shoreward, oil markets remain nonplussed
  
  
• Breaking News: Most of I-10 reopens in Louisiana post-Hurricane Laura - FreightWaves
  
  
• Carriers move out of Laura's path NOW
  
  
• Daily Infographic: Hurricane Laura makes landfall
  
  
• Dangerous conditions remain as Laura moves inland; truckers providing relief may qualify for FMCSA's emergency waivers
  
  
• Drivers risk empty fuel tanks along Gulf Coast after Laura
  
  
• FMCSA Issues Emergency Declaration in Four States in Preparation for Hurricane Laura
  
  
• FMCSA suspends hours regs for hurricane relief haulers
  
  
• FreightWaves CEO: What to look out for when hauling FEMA loads
  
  
• How Hurricane Laura could impact freight markets
  
  
• How Hurricane Laura could impact freight markets
  
  
• Hurricane Laura on track to become life-threatening storm (with forecast video)
  
  
• Laura expected to become major hurricane upon US landfall (with forecast video)
  
  
• Laura pushes Houston into oversupply NOW
  
  
• Laura, downgraded to tropical storm, continues rampage inland (with forecast video)
  
  
• Major ports and roads remain closed after hurricane makes landfall
  
  
• Portions of I-10 in Louisiana close ahead of Hurricane Laura
  
  
• Ports closed as tropical cyclones approach US (with forecast video)
  
  
• Remnants of Hurricane Laura remain dangerous inland (with forecast video)
  
  
• Roadways gradually reopening in wake of Hurricane Laura
  
  
• Storms prompt suspension of some hours regulations
  
  
• The Daily Dash: Hurricane Laura's aftermath; Convoy names new president
  
  
• Tropical storms stir up spot market activity along Gulf Coast as shippers reposition freight
  
  
• Truckers Urged to Avoid Stretch of I-10 in Louisiana as "Unsurvivable" Storm Surge Expected
  
  
• Two Major Storms to Slam the Gulf Coast This Week
  
  
• Update: Texas eases up on some trucking rules in wake of Laura

 

2. Regarding autonomous trucks:

I am distressed every time I read about professional truck drivers potentially being replaced with technology.

Still, to keep you informed, here are recent articles about autonomous, driverless, or self-driving trucks.

• Another Self-Driving Truck Company Now Testing its Fleet of 13 Peterbilts in Texas
  
  
• Looking for an Autonomous Truck Driving Job? Waymo Is Hiring In Texas
  
  
• Waymo Begins Testing Autonomous Heavy-Duty Trucks in Texas

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What is even more distressing to me is how the U.S. government seems to be on-board with replacing truckers, too!

The August 27, 2020, article entitled USDOT Secretary Addresses "Biggest Challenge" Facing Driverless Trucks opens as follows:

A recent interview with United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao is providing more insight into how the Department is working to bring about its goal of speeding the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AV) on American roadways.

If this distresses you, contact your elected officials to voice your concerns.

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If you see your trucking job as being shaky in any respect, you may want to consider starting to earn a second income from the cab of your truck.

 

3. Regarding accidents:

My husband Mike once drove for a motor carrier which claimed that every truck accident can be prevented by the trucker.

Of course, we have debunked that over and over again, plus, it as been reported: "10 Crash Types FMCSA Says Could Be 'Not Preventable.'"

I was grieved to learn of how a Teen Pickup Truck Driver [was] Ejected and [the] Passenger [was] Killed After Crashing Into [a] Disabled Big Rig.

Still, this type of accident underscores the need for truckers in disabled trucks to have everything on their end in order, including:

• turning on flashers;
  
  
• putting out hazard triangles at the correct distances;
  
  
• updating logs; and
  
  
• notifying one's driver manager.

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Sometimes justice does catch up with people.

Here are the most recent articles about the people who staged truck accidents in order to take money that wasn't theirs.

• 11 More People Indicted For Staging Big Rig Crashes in New Orleans, Watch How It's Done
  
  
• Eleven charged with staging truck accidents in New Orleans
  
  
• The Daily Dash: 11 indicted for staging truck accidents...

Oh, what a tangled web we weave
when first we practice to deceive.

 

4. Regarding economy-related articles:

Border:

• Transborder freight up 46% in June

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Economy:

• CTA's recovery roadmap promotes trucking crackdowns and incentives
  
  
• Truck arrivals rebound after falling for six weeks in a row
  
  
• Trucking industry expected to remain on upswing through 2021
  
  
• Used trucks sales continue climb from abyss

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Employment and trucking jobs:

• Pandemic spurs more freight-related job cuts
  
  
• Driver hiring picks up again after pandemic pause
  
  
• Ranking Driving Jobs with the Best & Worst Drivers

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Brokers:

• Think Brokers Should Be More Transparent About Rates? FMCSA Wants To Know!
  thetruckersreport.com/think-brokers-transparent-rates-fmcsa-wants-know/ (no longer online)

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Rates and spot market:

• Carriers get it while the gettin's good — $3/mile LA to DAL
  
  
• ECONOMIC WATCH: Canada's spot market volumes continue to rise

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Cargo policy:

• Double-check cargo policy for exposures and exclusions

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Cargo theft:

• COVID-19 slowdown drives cargo theft spike

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Money, funding, loans:

• Breaking: House passes $25 billion funding bill for USPS
  
  
• Commentary: With PPP loans ended, what comes next?

 

5. Regarding supply chain, 3d printing, and tractors:

Supply chain:

• Preparing Supply Chains For COVID-19 Treatment Distribution

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3d printing

• 3D printing Desktop Metal going public, eyes manufacturing shake-up

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Tractor record:

• Navistar delivers 5,000th LT Series tractor to J.B. Hunt

 

6. Regarding FMCSA:

An August 24, 2020, article -- Trucking Groups Urge Congress to Reform "Unlawful and Unethical" FMCSA -- stated:

In a letter sent to key U.S. lawmakers on Friday, the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) and United Transportation Association (UTA) argued for the immediate need to hold Congressional hearings for the purpose of reforming the FMCSA. ...

A continued criticism leveled at the FMCSA by the SBTC and UTA is that the Agency acts in the interest of large carriers and safety groups instead of small business truckers.

 

7. Regarding drugs and smuggling:

Do not attempt to haul illegal drugs or illegal aliens in any part of your tractor or trailer(s).

Drugs

• Almost $30 MILLION of Meth Seized From Commercial Trucks at World Trade Bridge
  
  
• Border officers seize $29M in meth in shipments from Mexico
  
  
• Canadian Trucker Busted Attempting To Smuggle 1,000 Pounds of Drugs Into U.S.

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Smuggling people

• Mexican Trucker Convicted of Smuggling 83 People Into U.S.

 

8. Regarding electric and emissions:

Here are the most recent articles about electric trucks and emissions:

• Here's where electric trucks make sense
  
  
• NACFE reveals top regions for electric truck deployment
  
  
• Navistar, In-Charge Partner to Help Fleets Electrify
  
  
• Daily Infographic: One mile of emissions

 

9. Regarding inspections:

Be prepared for a truck inspection at any time!

Here are the most recent truck inspection articles:

• 2020 DOT Inspection: Here is Your DOT Compliance Checklist
  
  
• Love's offers inspection deals ahead of CVSA Roadcheck
  
  
• NH troopers place 8 trucks, one driver out of service

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Under no circumstances should you put up with driving for a company that will not keep its equipment maintained, as was the case written about here:

• Truck driver posts pictures of 'dangerous' equipment he was told to drive

 

10. Regarding protests and violence:

Whenever possible, avoid areas of protest and where violence is being perpetrated toward truckers.

Here are the most recent articles on these subjects:

• ADVISORY: Police-Involved Shooting of Black Man Sparks Riots in Wisconsin
  
  
• ALERT: State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin Amid Ongoing Rioting
  
  
• Investigation Ongoing After Man Found Shot Dead in Overturned Big Rig
  
  
• Man Murders Trucker at Truck Stop to Steal His Rig After Killing Woman, Police Say
  
  
• Multiple People Dead Following Truck Stop Shootout and Big Rig Crash
  
  
• UPS Truck Driver Suspected of Being Serial Interstate Shooter in Oregon
  
  
• UPS Trucker Faces 29 Charges So Far in Series of Interstate Shootings
  
  
• Widow of murdered trucker seeks answers six years later

I still want to know how it is possible for a trucker to protect himself/herself from being shot from outside his/her truck.

If you have any ideas, please share them through the form below.

 

11. Regarding technology:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a two-edged sword.

According to a December 6, 2016, article:

Artificial Intelligence is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way that we would consider "smart".

Here are some recent articles about AI as it concerns trucking and technology:

AI

• Commentary: Applying AI to decision-making in shipping and commodities markets
  
  
• Using AI to improve efficiency, safety
  
  
• Warehouse picking robot startup XYZ raises $17 million

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Being connected and connectivity

• Five benefits of the connected truck
  
  
• The benefits of connectivity

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Telematics:

• The Three Biggest Trends in Telematics: What You Need to Know

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Dash cam:

• Trucker's dash cam tells the truth after brake checker gets bashed

 

12. Regarding Hours of Service (HOS) and regulations:

It was 7 years ago this month that I predicted that the 2013 Hours of Service regulations change was about control, not saving lives.

It was one of those predictions that I was not happy to make, but did come true. {Sigh!}

Here we are in 2020, and the Hours of Service regulations is fixing to change again!

Here are some of the most recent articles about that:

• Breaking News: FMCSA to consider easing 14-hour driving window restrictions
  
  
• FMCSA considers allowing truckers to hit 'pause' on 14 hour driving window
  
  
• Learn how to pause your 14-hour clock under new hours regs
  
  
• Pilot program proposed to study three-hour pause in on-duty time

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Regulations

• California's New Low-NOx Rules Concern Truck, Engine Makers
  
  
• CARB's new omnibus rules crack down on NOx from trucks
  
  

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Snow chains

• Colorado's "Chain Law" Begins Next Week, Non-Compliance Could Cost You $1,000

 

13. Regarding nuclear verdicts:

I'm glad to see that at least one "nuclear verdict" was overturned!

• Record 'Nuclear Verdict' Thrown Out on Appeal
  
  
• Texas appeals court wipes out $31.6M nuclear verdict as 'excessive'

 

14. Regarding truckers getting booted at a truck stop:

Ever since the Hours of Service regulation was changed to require truckers to take a 30-minute break, some truckers have rudely parked their trucks in the fuel island -- and expected others behind them to wait!

Now, one truck stop has taken decisive action to curtail the practice at their fuel island lanes -- and it is costly.

• Fuel island lingerers may end up booted at Little America Travel Center
  
  
• If you park at this truck stop's fuel island for too long, you might get booted and fined

 

15. Congratulations!

According to this article, "This year's National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 13-19, 2020..."

My husband Mike and I appreciate truckers all year long, so we don't have to make an emphasis just once a year.

Even so, there are special emphases done to recognize or reward truckers at this time.

The most recent articles about truckers' driving records, appreciation and awards are below:

Cleaner driving records

• Truckers have cleaner records than many other working drivers: report

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Appreciation:

• TA appreciates truckers throughout September

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Awards

• ABF trucker named Arkansas Driver of the Year
  
  
• Army vet and longtime driver named Pilot's top Road Warrior
  
  
• Overdrive announces 2020 Small Fleet Champ award winner
  
  
• Pro drivers from Tennessee, Ohio and Florida take top spots in Pilot Flying J's annual Road Warrior contest

Woohoo! Thanks for doing a great job, y'all!

 

My husband Mike and I wish you -- and all professional truck drivers -- safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.

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Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2020.08.29 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.

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Recommended Trucker Accessories

• Portable Toilet
  
  
• Cold Food Storage Device
  
  
• Appliances to Cook in Your Truck
  
  
• Powering Your Appliances
  
  
• Navigation Tools
  
  
• Communication Tools

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