TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2020.09.05

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending September 5, 2020.

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

 

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

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1. Regarding autonomous trucks:

As you know, I appreciate some features on trucks that help truckers do their jobs better or with less fatigue — like a cruise control — but I am absolutely opposed to truckers’ jobs being replaced by self-driving, driverless or autonomous trucks!

That being said, I am listing the most recent articles about truck automation so that you can stay informed:

If you think it is best to start putting more money in your pocket, consider how to earn a second income from the cab of your truck.

2. Regarding Hours of Service:

According to the FMCSA’s website:

On June 1, 2020, FMCSA revised the hours of service (HOS) regulations to provide greater flexibility for drivers without adversely affecting safety. Motor carriers are required to comply with the new HOS regulations starting on September 29, 2020, not before.

I’m sure that the Summary of Hours of Service Regulations page will be updated with the new HOS around that date.

You may also wish to see the Hours of Service Drivers Final Rule

This is a list of the most recent articles having to do with the Hours of Service regulations in the USA:

 

3. Regarding testing:

Even though drivers may find these resources on the FMCSA’s website —

— it seems that the FMCSA will never be satisfied until they have the most invasive means of testing truckers for the presence of drugs and/or alcohol in their bodies.

Here are the most recent articles on this topic:

 

4. Regarding pilot program for under 21 drivers:

Do you remember one song from Meredith Willson’s The Music Man when Professor Harold Hill started singing “Ya Got Trouble.”

Of course, Harold Hill was a fictitious scam artist who stirred up River City in an attempt to get parents of boys to buy his band stuff.

However, it is very true that the FMCSA is proposing a new “under-21” commercial driver’s pilot program, according to the articles listed here:

Unless this is greatly limited or put to a stop, I see trouble ahead for the trucking industry.

There is a reason why the insurance rates of males under about the age of 26 are higher than after that age.

Let’s hope that safeguards are put in place!

5. Regarding drones:

There are many modes of transportation available to people to get freight from one point to another.

Here are the most recent articles about commercial delivery via drones:

 

6. Regarding economy, facts and AB5:

These are the most recent articles about:

Economy


Fact Book


AB5

 

7. Regarding technology, telematics, and trucks:

Technology


Telematics


Trucks

 

8. Regarding safety:

Various recent articles about safety include:

 

9. Regarding money, holidays, tolls, tax:

Money


Holiday hauling season approaching


Tolls


Fuel Tax

 

10. Regarding accidents and nuclear:

Many truck accidents are totally preventable!

Can you find any in this most recent list of accidents that are not preventable?

If so, please comment through the form below.


Nuclear Verdicts

 

11. Regarding theft and Labor Day:

Every major holiday or long weekend — during which some truckers will be home or waiting for their trailers to be unloaded — run the risk of having the cargo on their trailers stolen.

The upcoming Labor Day holiday is one of those times.

Please follow best practices regarding making sure your truck and trailer are locked up and inaccessible to thieves.

 

12. Regarding competitiveness:

Hmm…

While some truckers are still trying to eke out a living following the mandatory shutdowns, here comes the DOT with another plan:

What are your thoughts on this plan to help the USA maintain its “competitive edge”?

13. Regarding ranks:

Two types articles were recently written that mentioned ranks.

Maryland’s roads


The Best and Worst Cities to Drive In

 

14. Regarding appreciation:

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is coming up September 13-19, 2020.

However, my husband Mike and I appreciate truckers every day of the year!

Here are most recent articles about truckers being appreciated.

If you know of other celebrations, awards, or demonstrations of appreciation being shown to professional truck drivers, would you please mention them through the form 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.



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