TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2021.01.02

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending January 2, 2021.

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

 

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

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1. Regarding 2020 highlights and 2021 predictions:

As typically happens at the end of one year going into the next, various people and groups create lists of:

  • highlights of the year ending and
  • predictions of what they think will come in the new year.

Here are some of the lists from trucking sources.
Enjoy!

2020 highlights


2021 predictions

 

2. Regarding accidents:

Please learn what you can from the descriptions of these accidents (and a near-miss), so that you don’t wind up being someone about whom a similar article is written.

Accidents


Near-miss

 

3. Regarding clearinghouse, technology, drones, and COVID-19 vaccine:

Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse


Technology


Drones

I am including these articles to help you stay up-to-date with this technology, because it could be that packages delivered by drone may start to cut in on what is hauled by truck.


COVID-19 vaccine

I was delighted to read the poll results linked to the article Now that it’s here, will you take the COVID-19 vaccination?, that 90% of truckers said “No.”

You may also be interested in these articles:

 

4. Regarding economy, trucker shortage and turnover, and pay:

Economy


Trucker shortage and turnover


Pay

 

5. Regarding fine, recalls, and the now-illegal:

Fine


Recalls


The now-illegal

 

6. Regarding operations, electric trucks, and inspections:

Operations


Electric trucks


Inspections

 

7. Regarding roads:

 

8. Regarding violence:

Violence toward truckers and other members of the motoring public must STOP!

 

9. Regarding fuel gelling in winter:

According to the article What is Diesel Gelling and How to STOP it?:

Diesel gelling is when cold temperatures cause diesel fuel to turn from a liquid into a gel-like substance.
The diesel fuel solidifies into a waxy or gel-like substance. Fuel is no longer able to be pumped or filtered through the engine.

So, it’s imperative that truckers driving diesel-powered trucks have the means by which to prevent their trucks’ fuel from gelling.

There are numerous fuel treatments on the market, including this one just announced:
Pilot Flying J Offers Winter Fuel Protection.

If you use this product, please write and send us your product review.

Thanks!

10. Regarding taxes, surcharges, and tolls:

Taxes


Surcharges

  • Delivery nation 2021: Surcharges uber alles“For years, delivery surcharges — the fees that carriers charge on top of their base rates — have nicked and cut parcel shippers’ budgets. But what occurred in the past may be nothing compared to what lies ahead, at least for unprepared shippers.”If you’re an owner-operator or independent trucker, please watch your contracts for surcharges!

Tolls

 

11. Regarding charity:

Thanks so much to those who helped others, whether mentioned here or not:

 

12. Congratulations!

We extend our heartiest congratulations to these award seekers and finalists:

Also, Happy New Year!

Would you please contact us through the form below to let us know how you plan to have a safe and prosperous year this year?

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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