TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2020.12.12

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending December 12, 2020.

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

 

1. Regarding award and giveaway:

Our heartiest congratulations go to the professional truck driver who has been named as the winner!

• Army veteran wins Transition Trucking award, KW T680
  
  
• Hernandez wins 2020 Transition Trucking award
  
  
• Ivan Hernandez named Transition Trucking's Top Military Veteran Rookie Driver of the year
  
  
• Ivan Hernandez of Werner Enterprises Awarded Kenworth T680 as Top Military Veteran Rookie Driver
  
  

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Giveaway

According to Pilot Flying J holds Hauliday Giveaway: through Saturday, Dec. 12:

• "Pilot Flying J will ask a question on its Facebook page in its Hauliday Giveaway post for professional drivers";
  
  
• "To enter, drivers need to answer the question in the comments of the post within 24 hours for the chance to win that day's prize"; and
  
  
• "Prizes include inverters, radios, GPS units, and Pilot Flying J gift cards."
  
  

 

2. Regarding economy, employment, AB5, travel:

Economy

• CCJ Daily Dispatch, Dec. 8: Trucking's IC law exemption still in effect in Calif. despite recent court opinion
  
  
• Class 8 Sales in November Slip
  
  
• Consumer behavior drives change — Midday Market Update (with video)
  
  
• Consumer Sentiment in US Rises Unexpectedly on Vaccine News
  
  
• Daily Infographic: Truck sales rebound
  
  
• Freight availability outpaces truck capacity, continues to drive rates higher as market balance tightens
  
  
• Freight volume picks up; available trucks down, DAT reports
  
  
• Port of Long Beach goes on the record with another No. 1
  
  
• Prolonged uptick in truck and trailer orders 'cause for concern'
  
  
• Truck arrivals continue to fall
  
  
• Used truck price increases in U.S. outpace Canada
  
  
• What to Expect in Used Truck Market for 2021
  
  

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Employment

• Jobless Claims Jump More Than Forecast Amid New Shutdowns
  
  
• Jobs in transport sector experience second-largest increase on record
  
  

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AB5

• California's passage of Proposition 22 could influence classification of truckers under AB5
  
  
• We get letters: AB5 contestants interpret Cal Cartage to federal judges
  
  

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Travel

• More Than a Million Americans Will Travel Over Christmas, TSA Says
  
  

 

3. Regarding accidents and violations:

Accidents

These two articles refer to the same accident:

• Milk tanker truck driver killed after losing control on soft shoulder
  
  
• Michigan tanker driver killed in single-vehicle rollover accident
  
  

Quote from the first article listed above:

A preliminary investigation by Indiana State Trooper Brandon Johnson revealed that the tractor was initially traveling eastbound on I-90 in the left lane when, for reasons unknown, the truck went off the edge of the road onto the soft shoulder.

Comment: This accident is still under investigation.

No matter where you drive:

• do not allow yourself to become distracted;
  
  
• do not swerve to avoid hitting an animal in the road; and
  
  
• watch your lane control at all times.
  
  

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Violations

I'm super glad that this requirement is being sunsetted!

FMCSA to abolish driver requirement to list traffic violations

 

4. Regarding COVID-19 and face masks:

Remember that once a vaccine is injected into your body, the ingredients may:

• take over your body (be life-altering) and
  
  
• cause irreversible, life-long consequences that can be far more critical to your health, your earning capability, and your future than you could ever imagine.

Quoting StandForHealthFreedom.com:

• "COVID-19 vaccines must be voluntary!"
  
  
• "Personal choice, not public pressure or coercion, must be the only factor in getting the vaccine."
  
  
• "No pharmaceutical product should ever be forced, especially a fast-tracked, experimental vaccine that's free from liability for any harm it might cause!"

There are far better ways to stay healthy than having a man-made concoction injected into your body!

Support and work with your body's immune system, not against it.

I am listing these articles about COVID-19 as a courtesy so that you may keep up with the most recent information:

• Snapping the chalk line': An OWS update on Tiberius
  
  
• Alberta truckers protest Covid-related shutdowns
  
  
• Commentary: Assessing the COVID cargo crunch
  
  
• Could COVID-19 vaccines carry fraud risk? — WHAT THE TRUCK?!? (with video)
  
  
• COVID-19 uncertainties, PSR part II: What's on the minds of rail execs
  
  
• COVID-19: The latest news releases from federal, state authorities
  
  
• Details of $908 Billion US Pandemic Relief Plan Set for Release
  
  
• Dockworker sues trucking company after he says he was fired for COVID-19 concerns
  
  
• Dry ice: The Russian An-124 freighter's COVID vaccine advantage
  
  
• FAA issues dry ice alert to airlines carrying vaccine
  
  
• FDA Head Expects Vaccine Emergency Use Soon
  
  
• FedEx, partner win $70M Canada COVID-19 vaccine logistics contract
  
  
• Freight Executives to Testify at Senate Panel Dec. 10 on Vaccine Logistics
  
  
• Freight interests, pilots press for priority vaccinations
  
  
• House Passes One-Week Stopgap Spending Bill to Avert Shutdown
  
  
• JBS Sends Thousands of Meat Workers Home During COVID Surge
  
  
• Mullen Group Adapts 2021 Business Plan to COVID
  
  
• Pelosi, McConnell Negotiate COVID-19 Relief with Transportation Aid
  
  
• Poll: majority of truckers won't seek COVID vaccination
  
  
• POLL: What aspect of a COVID relief bill should be most prioritized by Congress?
  
  
• Report Covers Issues for States on Vaccines
  
  
• Senate Scrambles to Avert Government Shutdown at Midnight
  
  
• Supply chain challenges with COVID-19 vaccine distribution
  
  
• The Daily Dash: Celadon, one year later; COVID lawsuits pile up
  
  
• Truck drivers should be among first to get Covid-19 vaccine, says Johns Hopkins prof
  
  
• Truck safety groups caution against exemptions on hauling vaccines
  
  
• Trucker Priority for COVID-19 Vaccine Unclear
  
  
• Trucking group wants drivers prioritized for COVID vaccine
  
  
• UPS begins nationwide shipping of vaccine kits
  
  
• UPS Says It Can Handle Vaccine Rollout, Holidays
  
  
• US Experts Convene to Decide on Go-Ahead for Pfizer Vaccine
  
  
• Vaccine logistics a huge hurdle — Freightonomics (with video)
  
  

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Face masks

Just so you know, in the course of his independent contractor work this week, my husband Mike talked with a woman who said she had:

• worn a face mask "all the time,"
  
  
• came down with COVID-19 anyway, and
  
  
• spent 3 days in the hospital!

He told her that by wearing the face mask, she had

• restricted the amount of oxygen that her body was getting,
  
  
• breathed in an increased amount of carbon dioxide (and other things that her body was trying to get rid of), and
  
  
• had induced her own sickness!

She had never made the connection, but was so glad to be able to breathe freely again!

The human body was designed to breathe in oxygen!

 

5. Regarding drugs and smuggling:

Never, ever haul illegal drugs or smuggle humans!

Drugs

• Abandoned flatbed yields $63M in illegal drugs
  
  
• CBP seizes 225 kilos of pot from truck
  
  
• FMCSA Drug Clearinghouse Records 46,000 Violations in First 10 Months
  
  
• Mexican police find $62M in drugs in abandoned truck near border
  
  
• Truckers who pulled into Indiana weigh station caught with $1.5 million in cocaine
  
  

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Smuggling

• Truckers attempted inspection bypass leads to discovery of 80 undocumented immigrants
  
  

 

6. Regarding ELDs, technology, tolls, UCR, and wait times:

ELDs

• ELD Violations: How to Avoid Them
  
  
• Rand McNally still working with ELD customers to resolve issues
  
  

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Technology

• Red-light cameras target of bill in Florida statehouse
  
  
• Blockchain could soon protect drivers hauling hemp
  
  
• 'Contactless' unload on the rise in trucking
  
  
• Fleet president on cyber-attacks: 'Even if you think you are safe, you probably are not'
  
  
• Grote Industries granted FMCSA waiver to mount brake-activated pulsing lamps on trailers
  
  

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Tolls

• Comments to Oregon DOT Reveal Concerns Over Tolls
  
  
• Raimondo must face ATA's subpoenas in toll lawsuit
  
  
• Study: Owner-operators willing to pay truck-only tolls in Southern California
  
  
• Washington state expects lower toll revenue amid pandemic, considers increasing rates
  
  

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UCR

• 2021 UCR enforcement set to begin Jan. 1
  
  

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Wait times

• The 10-44: Drivers' all-day wait times at USPS facilities punctuates a log-jammed supply chain
  
  
• Truck drivers report 15 hour wait times at Ohio post offices
  
  

 

7. Regarding fuel, electric trucks, and emissions:

Fuel

• First fuel cell electric Kenworths to be delivered this month to Calif. ports
  
  
• First Toyota, Kenworth hydrogen trucks headed to customers
  
  
• Fuel-cell electric heavy-duty trucks slated for delivery to customers at two California ports
  
  
• Hydrogen-Fuel-Cell Trucks Going to Work at SoCal Ports
  
  
• Hyundai, Daimler, Toyota Announce Hydrogen Fuel Cell Initiatives
  
  
• Toyota equips Kenworth Class 8 truck with updated fuel cell
  
  
• Toyota Unveils Second Generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck
  
  
• Toyota, Kenworth bring fuel cells to California ports
  
  
• US carloads bounce back while import gains fuel intermodal
  
  

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Electric trucks

• Electric multipurpose vehicle maker Canoo nears public debut
  
  
• Electric truck startup gets purchase order from Dickinson Fleet Services
  
  
• Volvo's VNR Electric Launches Wave of Advanced Technology Trucks
  
  

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Emissions

• EPA awards Port of New Orleans more than $1.2 million to help reduce diesel emissions
  
  
• Trucking Takes Steps Toward a Zero-Emission Future
  
  

 

8. Regarding insurance, parking, theft:

Insurance

• These violations might be hurting your trucking insurance rates
  
  

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Parking

• Commentary: Is truck parking really that big of a problem?
  
  
• Truck parking remains top concern among truckers, according to FHWA's latest Jason's Law survey
  
  

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Theft

If you are a company driver, ask your driver manager (or perhaps someone in a position higher up in your company), what they recommend that you do to protect yourself, your truck, and the freight you are hauling from thieves.

• Gangs target moving trucks 'Fast and Furious' style to steal popular PlayStation 5 consoles, D.C. drivers hit by armed robberies
  
  
• Police chase involving stolen tractor-trailer results in fatality
  
  
• Semi truck theft is on the rise in the Texas Panhandle, officials say
  
  

 

9. Regarding recalls:

• Freightliner Cascadia trucks recalled for clutch assembly issue
  
  

 

10. Regarding roads, snow chains, winter and weight:

Roads

• FreightWaves Flashback: Return to national speed limit?
  
  
• Georgia Wants Input on I-75 Commercial Vehicle Lanes
  
  

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Snow chains

• Chain Up Laws by State 2020
  
  

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Winter

• Box truck driver could face assault charge for failing to clear snow, injuring motorist
  
  

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Weight

• Idaho Transportation Department seeks comments on proposed changes to truck weight limits
  
  

 

11. Regarding rates, taxes, supply chain:

Rates

• Daily Infographic: Shipping Rates & Inflation
  
  
• Is there light at the end of the tunnel for shippers?
  
  
• Rejection rates find a floor NOW
  
  
• Strong freight rates driving demand for new commercial vehicles, ACT analysts say
  
  

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Taxes

• Missouri Lawmakers May Ask Voters to Raise Gas Tax in 2021
  
  
• Missouri's crazy-low gas taxes may soon be a thing of the past thanks to this infrastructure improvement proposal
  
  

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Supply chain

• North American Supply Chain Summit to look back at 2020 disruption and ahead to 2021's promise
  
  
• The Daily Dash: COVID supply chain bumpy; Mnuchin says YRC loan was 'risky'
  
  

 

12. Regarding year-end and planning;

Take some time to plan things that you need to do before year end, including making sure that your records are in order.

• A little year-end preparation can help to start the new year right
  
  
• One last leg up before the new year?
  
  

 

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: 2020.12.12 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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