TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2020.12.05

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

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

 

1. Regarding pay, rates, and taxes:

Pay

According to a December 1, 2020, article:

When the American Transportation Research Institute released its report on the Critical Issues In The Trucking Industry for 2020, driver compensation ranked second out of the top 10 issues overall.

...

The survey also found that personal finances worry truckers. When we asked, "What are your top three concerns right how?" 28% said their number one concern is paying their bills each month. Another 13% ranked paying their bills as their second concern and 11% more ranked it third.

Other recent articles about trucker pay include:

• Carriers continue raising driver compensation
  
  
• KLLM Rolling Out Major Driver Pay Increase
  
  
• KLLM rolls out 'one of the largest' driver pay hikes in company history
  
  
• KLLM, Pride Transport Increase Pay for Truck Drivers
  
  
• Survey: Drivers say they need more money
  
  

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Rates

• Carriers flexing pricing power on the East Coast
  
  
• Dry van and flatbed rates accelerate in Nov., reefer slips
  
  
• Pitney Bowes hikes US, international e-commerce shipping rates
  
  

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Taxes

• HVUT evaders in Kentucky focus of federal grant
  
  
• Trucker tax evaders to be targeted with enforcement blitz thanks to $400K grant
  
  

 

2. Regarding economy and employment:

Economy

• Class 8 Orders Surge to Fourth-Highest Monthly Volume Ever
  
  
• ECONOMIC WATCH: Canadian spot market remains strong in November
  
  
• ECONOMIC WATCH: Class 8 orders surge as fleets lock in 2021 build slots
  
  
• Fed Sees Moderate Growth With Virus Causing Slowdowns
  
  
• Nevada wins eight more Amazon facilities
  
  
• November Class 8 truck orders third-highest ever
  
  
• Old Dominion sees tonnage accelerate from August inflection
  
  
• Preliminary reports show 'explosion' of Class 8 truck orders in November
  
  
• Sales of used Class 8 trucks jump 20% year to date; average price drops 11%
  
  
• The Daily Dash: State of the market; top challenge facing DOT's next leader
  
  
• Transportation capacity tightens further, pricing climbs higher
  
  
• Truck orders hit highest level in more than 2 years
  
  
• Truck Orders Strong Heading into New Year
  
  
• Trucking industry lender's quarterly data shows significant market improvement
  
  
• Trucking rate increases expected to hover under 5%: Survey
  
  

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Employment

• Employment follow-up: Big gain in jobs in latest report but 'not enough'
  
  
• Jobs Recovery Slows as Virus Rages, Boosting Aid Chances
  
  
• News Alert: 12,700 more truck transportation jobs in November
  
  
• Transport America pivots to dedicated to woo drivers, shippers
  
  
• Drivers too are culpable for industry turnover
  
  

 

3. Regarding accidents:

According to a December 4, 2020, article -- Semi destroyed after bursting into flames at Illinois truck stop -- it appears as though the truck's brakes overheated.

This is the first time that I've heard of a truck catching fire from overheated brakes after it has been safely parked.

Also, remember that driving without a trailer's weight on the back of a tractor requires special handling: Wet roads spell trouble for bobtail driver

• Court affirms $16.5 million award for trucker's death in pileup
  
  
• Five killed after SUV rear-ended stopped semi
  
  
• Georgia DPS issues sobering reminder about distracted & fatigued driving
  
  
• High winds topple 2 semi trucks, I-8 closed to high profile vehicles
  
  
• New Prime on hook for $16.5M for fatal multi-vehicle crash
  
  
• Seven semi pileup shuts down eastbound I-40 in New Mexico
  
  
• Several tractor-trailers involved in I-70 pileup
  
  
• Sleeping driver knocked out of bed by second semi sliding on ice
  
  
• Two hurt in 10 semi truck pileup on I-40
  
  

 

4. Regarding electric, fuel, and autonomous trucks:

Electric

• Freightliner Electric Trucks Surpass 500,000 Miles in Real-World Use
  
  
• CCJ Daily Dispatch, Dec. 1: Daimler co-developing large electric truck charging station in Portland
  
  
• Electric Island' public charging site for commercial electric vehicles planned for Portland, Oregon
  
  
• Electric-powered trucks rule, vehicle fee passes Pennsylvania Senate
  
  
• Ford focusing on all-electric vehicles, working on fuel cell
  
  
• GM walks away from stake in electric vehicle maker Nikola
  
  
• Nevada looks to implement more strict emission regulations
  
  
• PG&E releases online tool for electrifying medium- and heavy-duty trucks
  
  
• Pushing to Reach 100% Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Sales by 2050
  
  
• Southern California Edison Begins Testing of Battery-Electric Freightliner eCascadia
  
  
• Volvo launches VNR Electric model in the U.S., Canada - Land Line
  
  
• Volvo readies production of 50-state VNR Electric trucks
  
  
• Volvo readies rollout of its VNR Electric model
  
  
• Volvo rolls forward with VNR Electric trucks
  
  
• Volvo to Start Production of VNR Electric Early in 2021
  
  

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Fuel

• Biodiesel 101: Your Questions About Biodiesel Answered
  
  
• Chicago Mayor's Budget Plan, Including Fuel Tax Hike, Is Approved
  
  
• Diesel price per gallon rises to over $2.50 nationwide
  
  
• How to manage fuel costs using telematics and data analytics
  
  
• The 3 Main Factors That Affect Fuel Efficiency in Trucking
  
  
• Weekly Fuel Report: November 23, 2020
  
  

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Autonomous

A December 2, 2020, article -- Research: Automated driving techs increase driver disengagement -- stated:

A four-week field trial conducted recently and released in November by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed common lapses in attention associated with driver-assist technologies that tend to compound in individual drivers the longer they drive with assist technologies active.

So, if you're driving a truck with "driver-assist technologies," do whatever is necessary to make sure that you don't allow your attention to "lapse" or wander.

• Assembling the Autonomous Truck
  
  
• NACFE Launches New Initiative to Explore Autonomous Trucking
  
  
• TuSimple sets sights on autonomous truck goal — Midday Market Update (with video)
  
  

 

5. Regarding COVID-19:

As I covered last week, please be on your guard against any and all potentially negative and irreversible impacts of any and all COVID-19 vaccines -- for yourself and for others.

On a separate note, I wonder why the ATA wants for truckers to haul COVID-19 vaccines.

Remember that the best way to protect your body from pathogens is to boost your immune system with products that support your health and wellness.

As a courtesy, I am listing here the most recent articles on this subject.

• ATA calls for trucking workforce to be among first to receive COVID-19 vaccine
  
  
• ATA: Truckers Need Priority Access to COVID-19 Vaccine
  
  
• Big 3 US airlines gear up to transport COVID-19 vaccines
  
  
• Breaking: FMCSA expands HOS waiver to include COVID-19 vaccine transport
  
  
• By the Numbers: Violation Data During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  
  
• CCJ Daily Dispatch, Dec. 2: DOT readies for COVID vaccine distribution
  
  
• CCJ Daily Dispatch, Dec. 3: COVID-19 hours of service waiver extended
  
  
• CCJ Daily Dispatch, Dec. 4: ATA wants drivers prioritized for COVID vaccine; Swift founder Moyes named CEO of Top 250 fleet
  
  
• Cold Chain Adds Vaccine Distribution Facility
  
  
• Coronavirus Likely Altered Supply Chains Permanently, XPO's Chowdhury Says
  
  
• COVID-19 Exemption Expanded as Nation Prepares for Vaccine
  
  
• COVID-19 vaccine 'cold chain' target of cyber attacks
  
  
• Curing Remote Workers' Blues
  
  
• Democrats Eye New COVID-19 Aid
  
  
• DOT Makes Preparations Ahead of COVID-19 Vaccine Transport
  
  
• DOT prepares for quick transport of COVID-19 vaccine
  
  
• Florida Trucking Association VP speaks on behalf of truck drivers - Truckers are "ready and willing" to deliver the COVID19 vaccine
  
  
• FMCSA expands emergency declaration to include transport of COVID-19 vaccine; extends regulatory relief through end of February
  
  
• FMCSA extends historic 50 state COVID-19 waiver into 2021, expands to include vaccines
  
  
• FMCSA lays regulatory groundwork for COVID vaccine distribution
  
  
• Greater focus on life sciences transport as vaccine nears release
  
  
• How PPP, other COVID-related developments could impact tax bills
  
  
• Inside the PPP data: Lots of small companies benefited from the program
  
  
• News Alert: Specific PPP loan information released by SBA; 4 companies in key sectors got maximum
  
  
• O COVID Christmas tree
  
  
• Steps taken to prepare for vaccine distribution
  
  
• Truck Drivers Could Be Among Earliest to Get COVID-19 Vaccine
  
  
• Truck drivers roll, even as other Canadians face new Covid-19 restrictions
  
  
• Trucker struggling to provide for family after wife falls ill with COVID-19
  
  
• Truckers feel "forgotten" as pandemic rages on
  
  
• Trucking Industry, Regulators Gear Up For COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
  
  
• U.S. DOT announces plans for 'swift' mass shipment of COVID-19 vaccine
  
  
• UPS pilots want more COVID testing as infections spike
  
  
• US fine-tunes plans for COVID vaccine distribution
  
  
• Working Group Tackles COVID Food Supply Chain Disruptions
  
  

 

6. Regarding technology and Hours of Service:

Technology

• Fleets make transition to 4G network and beyond in 2021
  
  
• POLL: Is it time for a national review panel of industry/enforcement to decide DataQs appeals?
  
  
• Popular driver-facing camera maker rolls out 'Mask Detection' feature
  
  
• SkyBitz Kinnect Telematics Gateway for SmartTrailer
  
  
• Telematics offer hope for nuclear verdicts in the industry
  
  
• The Rising Threat of Ransomware: How Trucking Can Fend Off Cyberattacks
  
  

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Hours of Service

• FMCSA emergency declaration extended, expanded
  
  
• Hours waiver for COVID relief haulers extended into 2021
  
  
• Understanding the New 30-Minute Break Rule
  
  

 

7. Regarding drugs, smuggling, and legal:

Drugs

• CBP intercepts trucks smuggling over 480 pounds of hard narcotics
  
  
• CBP seizes more than $10 million in narcotics hidden in commercial trucks Thanksgiving week
  
  

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Smuggling

• Driver given 'cell phone, $200 and a hotel room' to transport 86 illegal immigrants

Never treat people like freight!

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Legal

• Truck driver sentenced to 25 years for 'transporting a minor in interstate commerce' for sex
  
  
• Feds urge appeals court to reconsider ruling in Pilot fraud case
  
  
• Prosecutors want Pilot Flying J rebate scheme convictions restored
  
  
• Publix exonerated in trucker's discrimination lawsuit
  
  

 

8. Regarding free shipping, operations, parking, statistics, violations, and goals:

Free shipping

• Free shipping? There is no such thing
  
  
• Walmart+ plus: No minimum for free shipping
  
  

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Operations

• Consider carefully before signing a contract
  
  
• E-Smart Targets Better Tractor-Trailer Connectivity
  
  
• Pandemic-induced volatility driving more companies to seek visibility solutions
  
  
• Tips for reducing operating costs for fleet managers
  
  
• U.S. Xpress, MIT team up to study driver efficiency; dwell a focus
  
  
• VIDEO: Truck driver's dangerous pass forces pickup off the road
  
  

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Parking

• East coast truck parking a "nightmare," lament passing truckers
  
  
• Georgia weigh station shuttered for more than two years reopens
  
  
• Growing truck parking shortages emerge in latest survey
  
  
• Jason's Law Survey Shows Truck Parking Remains a Challenge
  
  
• NYPD cracks down on illegal truck parking
  
  
• Updated inventory and survey shows truck parking worsening
  
  

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Statistics

• Carrier profits surge thanks to pandemic freight boom
  
  
• Daily Infographic: Freight Weight
  
  
• Daily Infographic: Pandemic-induced driving decrease
  
  
• Outbound tender volumes slip due to holiday but rejections notch all-time high
  
  

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Violations

• The most common e-Log errors & violations - and how to avoid them
  
  
• Toughest 15 states for maintenance, brake violations
  
  

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Goals

• 6 steps for assessing goals and preparing for the new year
  
  

 

9. Regarding OOIDA:

• OOIDA boss eyes FMCSA's top role
  
  
• OOIDA President (and actual CDL holder) asks Biden for top seat at FMCSA
  
  
• OOIDA provides Biden list of trucking priorities
  
  
• OOIDA submits wish list to incoming Administration
  
  
• OOIDA's Spencer asks Biden for top post at FMCSA
  
  
• Todd Spencer sets sights on leading FMCSA
  
  

 

10. Regarding roads, tolls, and routing:

Roads

• Austin's I-35 has worst traffic for truckers in Texas
  
  
• Michigan bill would tap beet juice to clear roads
  
  
• Most unforgiving bridges for truckers in the US
  
  
• Notoriously tricky route closed for winter season after 'dooming' too many semis
  
  
• Story Time: Road hazards come in all shapes and sizes
  
  
• Vermont scenic route 108 closed for winter season
  
  

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Tolls

• NYS Thruway approves plan to hike tolls starting January 1
  
  

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Routing

• Truck restrictions make the Coq safer
  
  

 

11. Regarding ELDs:

• 5 days later, Rand McNally says ELD system back online
  
  
• More ELD questions emerge ahead of mandate
  
  
• Rand McNally ELDs back online after outage
  
  
• Rand McNally ELDs working out kinks following 'cyber incident'
  
  
• Rand McNally makes progress after 'cyber incident'
  
  
• Rand McNally reports DriverConnect operational again
  
  
• Rand McNally restores ELD but work continues on full outage
  
  
• Rand McNally says most ELD features are up and running after malfunction
  
  
• Rand McNally's DriverConnect back in service
  
  
• Search continues for fix to ELD 'cyber incident'
  
  
• Three Signs It's Time to Choose a New ELD Provider
  
  

 

12. Regarding awards and charity

Awards and Opportunities to Win

• Arizona association names its driver of the year
  
  
• Drivers can have an extra happy "Hauliday' season thanks to this Pilot Flying J giveaway
  
  
• Drivers can win prizes in PFJ Hauliday Giveaway
  
  
• HK Truck Center Salutes Hereos of 2020
  
  
• Pilot Flying J Hauliday Giveaway under way
  
  
• Pilot Flying J wishes truckers a happy 'hauliday' with daily giveaways through Dec. 12

We congratulate all truckers who have earned an honor for their trucking skills.

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Charity

• How to help truckers in need on Giving Tuesday
  
  
• VIDEO: Woman waiting in the parking lot for a truck driver has a heart-melting surprise

We also acknowledge and thank those who have contributed to truckers -- and/or their families -- from their own private means.

 

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: 2020.12.05 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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