TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2021.02.13

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 13, 2021.

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

 

1. Regarding economy, costs, and trucker concerns:

There is a lot going on with the economy that is not covered in trucking publications, including:

8 Million More Living In Poverty, 9 Million Small Businesses In Danger Of Closing, 10 Million Behind On Rent

The economic turmoil we are facing in the USA is due to:

• very bad decisions (a series of them) having been made by numerous elected officials; and
  
  
• very bad advice from unelected bureaucrats (some of whom have conflicts of interest).

According to Investopedia: "M1 is the money supply that is composed of physical currency and coin, demand deposits, travelers' checks, other checkable deposits, and negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) accounts. M1 includes the most liquid portions of the money supply because it contains currency and assets that either are or can be quickly converted to cash."

The Federal Reserve states, "The money supply is the total amount of money -- cash, coins, and balances in bank accounts -- in circulation."

A continually updated chart shows M1 for the United States.

From the resource listed just above, we see that the money supply in the USA was increased:

• from $3.9751 Trillion in January 2020
  
  
• to $6.0476 Trillion in November 2020 (the most recent month for which numbers are available as of this writing),

an increase of over 52% (the percentage increase of which you may calculate for yourself).

This is what happens when money is printed "out of thin air."

Listed on TreasuryDirect.gov is the USA's "Total Debt" -- and as of February 11, 2021, is well over $27 Trillion.

The population of the USA varies, but as of this writing is estimated at 328.2 million people.

Let's do the math (which you may calculate for yourself on a Big Number Calculator:

$27,846,645,214,540.70 /
328,100,000 =
$84,872.43
for every man, woman, and child.

If this disturbs you, please contact your state and federal lawmakers (U.S. House and U.S. Senate).

Meanwhile, please learn what you can from these articles...

Economy

• Class 8 Retail Sales Rise 7.7% in January
  
  
• Daily Infographic: Trucking bankruptcies
  
  
• Economy Is Improving, but Challenges Remain
  
  
• Increase in Online Shopping Spurs Innovation for Shipping Packaging
  
  
• Manufacturing gains add to van volumes
  
  
• New Entries in Trucking Surged in 2020
  
  
• Trailer order strength carries over to 2021
  
  
• Trailer Orders Ease; Supply Chain Issues Rise
  
  
• Trucking Company Failures Surged in 2020, Small Carriers Hit Hardest
  
  

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Costs

• High costs straining transportation budgets
  
  

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Trucker concerns

Please note that this list is different from the one that ATRI releases annually.

• Top 3 Truck Driver Concerns in 2020
  
  

 

2. Regarding pricing, congestion pricing, taxes and fees, and tolls:

Pricing

• Real-time pricing vs. spot pricing: What's the difference?
  
  

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Congestion pricing

• L.A. Metro Will Consider Trucking Trends in Congestion Pricing Study
  
  

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Taxes and fees

• Conn. Gov. Ned Lamont Proposes Mileage-Based Fee
  
  
• Connecticut governor proposes $90 million per year 'mileage tax' for tractor trailers
  
  
• Is It Time to Rethink the Fuel Tax?
  
  Summary: Increases in vehicle efficiency and electrification have given rise to discussion of a "vehicle-mile tax" or VMT.
  
  
• Mileage-Based Fees For Trucks Spread To Another State
  
  

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Tolls

• Interstate 80 tolls pursued by Wyoming lawmakers
  
  
• Florida M-CORES tolls face repeal with two new bills
  
  

 

3. Regarding accidents, huge Fort Worth accident, and distracted driving observed:

Please learn what you can from these articles and seek to reduce the possibility that you will be involved in an accident.

Some of these are definitely preventable!

Accidents

• After 64th truck crash, notorious Young Street Bridge remains undefeated
  
  
• Crane truck torn in two after driver forgets to lower boom
  
  
• Georgia interstate closed for deadly 16 vehicle pileup
  
  
• Trucker's U-Turn on Indiana Interstate Leads to Deadly Crash
  
  

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Huge Fort Worth Accident

• 100+ vehicle pile up traps multiple people, shuts down Fort Worth Highway
  
  
• UPDATE: Six Confirmed Dead in Icy 133 Vehicle Pileup Along Fort Worth Interstate
  
  
• At least 5 dead in 100-vehicle pileup on I-35 near Fort Worth
  
  

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Distracted driving observed

• VIDEO: Seriously distracted trucker caught steering with elbows, two phones in hand
  
  

 

4. Regarding legal, politics, teens, and violence:

Legal

• Electric, hybrid vehicles topic of state legislation
  
  
• FMCSA Compliance for Commercial Motor Vehicles: A Beginner's Guide
  
  
• Fracking, oil truckers feel sting of president's pen; experts weigh in on Biden's early executive orders
  
  
• Judge slaps wholesale distribution company with $23.7M 'nuclear verdict' in crash
  
  
• Westcan truck driver loses challenge over drug and alcohol testing
  
  

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Politics

• Congress Prepares to Pass Bill Trucking Groups Warn Will Wipe Out Independent Contractors
  
  
• The 5 Trucking Regs That Might See Big Changes Under New Administration
  
  

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Teens

There's a reason why auto insurance rates are higher for teens than those who are in their twenties or older: their brains have not yet fully matured.

In the article Content: Brain Maturation is Complete at About 24 Years of Age, we read:
"The brain undergoes maturation over the first 24 years of life...."

For a graphical representation, NerdWallet has compiled:
Average Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender.

That being said, I am definitely opposed to letting teenagers drive commercial motor vehicles.

Even so, this was recently published...

• ATA believes there is a "safe enough" way to get teen truckers driving across state lines
  
  

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Violence

Professional truck driver Bogdan Vechirko should never have faced jail time or a massive fine in the first place because there should never have been "protesters" on the road!

He should never have been put in a position where he had to "reach a deal" in order to resolve the "criminal charges" brought against him.

Still, this news is at least somewhat positive:

• EXCLUSIVE: Trucker Who Drove Into Minneapolis Protest Reaches Deal to Resolve Criminal Charges
  
  

 

5. Regarding volume, supply, and rates:

Volume

• Flatbed volumes ride the residential building boom
  
  
• Reefer activity heats up with cold weather, produce shipments 
  
  

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Supply

• ACT Research: Supply will be top concern for commercial vehicle markets in 2021
  
  
• Global supply chains choke under tsunami of freight
  
  
• Truck Talk: Decoding messages on stressed supply chains
  
  

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Rates

• After a slippery few weeks, spot rates find their footing
  
  
• DAT: Spot Rates Show Price Stability
  
  
• Spot rates regain footing after slippery weeks in January, DAT says
  
  
• The Daily Dash: Freight rates jump; Amazon to aid trucking startups
  
  
• Trucking contract rates up 12% year-over-year
  
  

 

6. Regarding speed, technology, ELDs, logistics, last mile:

Speed

• North Dakota lawmakers mulling 80 mph interstate speed limit
  
  
• Statewide crackdown underway to address 'speeding crisis'
  
  

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Technology

• Opening the black box of shipping
  
  
• Winging it can save money and emissions
  
  

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ELDs

In my opinion, Canada's move to require certification on electronic logging devices is certainly superior to the USA's move to allow ELD manufacturers to "self-certify" their devices.

• Canadian ELD mandate enforcement to begin on June 12
  
  
• ELD suppliers face steep certification costs ahead of mandate
  
  

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Logistics

• Daily Infographic: Logistics of Valentine's Day
  
  

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Last mile

• Biden's plan to energize last-mile road safety
  
  
• Has Hyundai unveiled the future of last-mile delivery?
  
  

 

7. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric, and fuel:

Autonomous vehicles

I am totally opposed to fully autonomous, self-driving, or driverless commercial motor vehicles.

I recently signed the petition Make the government keep our roads safe and encourage you to consider signing it, too.

I am listing these articles as a courtesy to keep you informed about what is going on.

• Apple More Than Doubled Autonomous Road Tests in 2020
  
  
• Chinese investors join $200M funding round for autonomous startup Plus
  
  
• Cruise Posted Most California AV Testing Miles in 2020
  
  
• New Petition Demands Trained Drivers Must Be Behind-The-Wheel of Driverless Trucks
  
  
• Self-Driving Tech Company Rakes in $200 MILLION in New Funding From Chinese Firms
  
  
• Trucking industry's future with autonomous trucks
  
  

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Electric

• Battery-Electric Technologies Face Challenges, Cummins' Linebarger Says
  
  
• Detroit ePowertrain to Power Freightliner Electric Trucks
  
  
• Electric-powered trucks rule pursued in Pennsylvania
  
  
• To Electrify Fleets, Plan For The Long Term
  
  
• Toyota to Add Electric, Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
  
  

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Fuel

• Diesel costs dampened trucking conditions in December
  
  
• Diesel prices climbing in spot, wholesale and retail markets
  
  
• Diesel Surges 6.3¢ for Biggest Weekly Rise Since 2019
  
  
• Diesel up more than 6 cents, according to EIA report
  
  
• DOE/EIA diesel price rises 14th straight week; increase biggest in streak
  
  
• Oil Extends Weekly Gain; Brent Pushes Toward $60 a Barrel
  
  
• Weekly Fuel Report: February 8, 2021
  
  

 

8. Regarding drugs and inspection:

Never take or haul illegal drugs -- and always be prepared for a truck inspection.

Drugs

• $2 MILLION Shipment of Cocaine Seized From Big Rig Entering U.S. From Mexico
  
  
• Intoxicated Trucker Busted With Cocaine and Meth During Weigh Station Inspection
  
  
• Police say that truck driver tested positive for meth after U-turn attempt that led to fatal crash
  
  
• Rookie trucker free after pot bust at US-Canada border
  
  
• Thousands of drivers with drug violations may leave trucking
  
  
• Troopers find meth, pot, & cocaine in semi during weigh station inspection
  
  
• Trucker and Passenger Arrested in $4 MILLION Drug Trafficking Bust
  
  

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Inspection

• Field Sobriety "Safety Check" at Georgia Weigh Station Nets 3 DUIs, 11 Placed Out of Service
  
  
• Multi-agency weigh station 'safety check' results in DUI charges, out of service orders
  
  

 

9. Regarding employment and predictions:

Employment

• Did employment of truckers drop just because they can't be found?
  
  
• News Alert: Trucking jobs in US fall month-over-month
  
  
• Number of trucking jobs dips; first time since April
  
  
• Trucking industry landing top talent from Big Tech
  
  
• US State Jobless Claims Ease While Federal Programs Swell
  
  

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Predictions

• XPO executives see the future -- and it's bullish
  
  
• Universal Logistics Holdings CEO 'bullish' on successful 2021
  
  

 

10. Regarding weather:

Please be ultra-careful driving in the winter!

• Dangerous deep freeze to spread across several states
  
  
• High wind warning in effect for high-profile bridge
  
  
• Ice storm continues to slam South
  
  
• Ice storm to impact truckers from Plains to mid-Atlantic
  
  
• News Alert: Ice storm turns deadly in Texas
  
  
• Significant ice storm to hit several states
  
  
• Truckers cite "common sense" as most important winter driving tip
  
  
• Weapons with which to battle winter on the road
  
  

 

11. Regarding COVID-19 and masking:

The entire "casedemic" and push for wearing masks and getting a "vaccine" is based on fear, not on science and not on good health practices.

On the bases of freedom, liberty, and religious beliefs, I am totally opposed to wearing masks and getting a vaccine.

According to 42 U.S. Code Chapter 21 - Civil Rights, it is unlawful to discriminate against any person in a place of Public Accommodation because of his or her religion (religious belief).

42 U.S. Code § 2000a-1 - Prohibition against discrimination or segregation required by any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, rule or order of a State or State agency | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

42 U.S. Code §?2000a-1.Prohibition against discrimination or segregation required by any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, rule or order of a State or State agency

All persons shall be entitled to be free, at any establishment or place, from discrimination or segregation of any kind on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin, if such discrimination or segregation is or purports to be required by any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, rule, or order of a State or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

(Pub. L. 88-352, title II, §202, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 244.)

Be that as it may, here are the most recent articles about this topic in the trucking industry.

• FAQ: Are Team Truckers Exempt From Interstate Mask Mandate?
  
  
• Group asks CDC to reconsider in-cab mask requirement for team truckers
  
  
• House Panel Advances Guidance on Biden COVID-19 Proposal
  
  
• The Daily Dash: Turning truck stops into vaccination centers
  
  

 

12. Regarding achievement:

Our heartiest congratulations go to Roger Daily for his amazing accomplishment!

• NFI driver reflects on 30-year career, 6 million safe miles
  
  

 

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: 2021.02.13 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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