TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2022.02.19

This is the TDMST Weekly Round-Up of news affecting professional truck drivers, written by Vicki Simons for the week ending February 19, 2022.

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

1. Regarding Freedom Convoy 2022:

Since I wrote my trucking commentary last week, things have gotten quite tense in Canada with respect to the Freedom Convoy by the truckers and those who support them.

In response to the posting of this article on Facebook -- The vibe shift will favor truck drivers -- I wrote the following response on February 18, 2022:

Quote from article:
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Teamsters expert Witwer summarized the union's viewpoint in rejecting the Freedom Convoy as such: "This is a strike to benefit the far right. It will not benefit unionized truckers."
-----
I disagree.
This isn't a "strike" but rather an appeal by truckers to the Canadian government to restore medical freedom. This Freedom Convoy is designed to benefit *everyone* -- except, of course, the tyrants and dictators who want to control all of our lives.

As of the time that this is being written, at least two organizers have been arrested -- but they were expecting it and have asked supporters to "hold the line."

Please pray for God's grace and mercy in this situation -- and for truckers worldwide.

Here are a number of articles about this topic:

• $100,000 fines, jail time coming to Ambassador Bridge and Ottawa protesters
  
  
• Alberta and B.C. border blockades dismantled, CBSA confirms
  
  
• Alberta RCMP seize firearms, arrest 11 at Coutts blockade
  
  
• Ambassador Bridge blockade cleared
  
  
• Ambassador Bridge Reopens After Police Conduct Heavily-Armed Enforcement Operation
  
  
• Ambassador Bridge reopens after week of protests
  
  
• Ambassador Bridge reopens as protests block other US-Canada border crossings
  
  
• Avoiding an American trucker revolt is "pretty simple," OOIDA VP says
  
  
• Blockades on Canada-US border continue as protests swell
  
  
• Blue Water option: How drivers avoided the Ambassador Bridge blockade
  
  
• Border blockades cleared, police move in on Ottawa protesters
  
  
• Border blockades cripple auto industry
  
  
• Border traffic was on the rise prior to blockades, CBSA data shows
  
  
• Border, Ottawa protesters could lose CDLs, face prison, fines: Ontario premier
  
  
• Briefly: ATA opposes vaccine protest; Ambassador Bridge reopens
  
  
• Canada Plans to Tow Trucks, Freeze Protesting Truckers' Accounts
  
  
• Canada uses emergency powers against protests
  
  
• Canada vows crackdown on owners of trucks involved in protests
  
  
• Canada's Trudeau invokes emergency powers to quell protests
  
  
• Canadian judge orders an end to blockade at border bridge
  
  
• Canadian police arrest 2 leaders of protesting truckers
  
  
• Canadian Police Arrest Protesters in Ottawa
  
  
• Canadian police seize guns, machete, body armor at border protest, arrest 13
  
  
• Canadian Trucking Alliance Weighs in on 'Emergency' Crackdown on Truckers
  
  
• Crews begin towing trucks at Ottawa protest, arrests continue
  
  
• Drilling Deep: What's motivating the Canadian drivers?
  
  
• Emergency declaration for COVID-19 now includes new automobiles
  
  
• Freedom Convoy President Urges 'Hold The Line' as Police Take Her Away in Handcuffs
  
  
• Freedom Convoy protesters face suspended insurance, frozen accounts under Emergencies Act
  
  
• ODTA accuses Ford government of double standard during protests
  
  
• Ontario declares an emergency over truck blockades in Canada
  
  
• Ontario Declares Emergency Over Blocked Bridge
  
  
• Ottawa Police Step Up Efforts to Get Protesting Truckers to Leave
  
  
• Ottawa police to convoy protesters: ' You must leave the area now'
  
  
• Police arrest protesters who remained at US-Canada bridge
  
  
• Police Begin Arresting Mandate Protesters; Vital Bridge Still Closed
  
  
• Police move in on Ambassador Bridge border blockade
  
  
• Pressure to end vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers builds
  
  
• RCMP arrest 11 people, seize guns from big rigs at border blockade
  
  
• Trucker and Founding Organizer of Freedom Convoy Arrested as Crackdown Accelerates
  
  
• Truckers at Ambassador Bridge Aren't Budging Despite Threats of Imprisonment and $100K Fine
  
  
• Trucks leaving blockade at Canadian border crossing
  
  
• Trudeau Declares War on Freedom Convoy: Invokes Unprecedented 'Emergencies Act'
  
  
• Trudeau says protests must end, truckers brace for crackdown
  
  
• Universal Logistics sees bridge blockade as 'blip' to strong 2022
  
  
• US-Canada border crossing in Alberta reopens after protesters pull out
  
  
• Vaccine mandate exemption for cross-border truckers sought
  
  
• Vaccine mandate 'final straw' for truckers
  
  
• WATCH: Trucker Gives Unforgettable Response to Trudeau's Threat to Freeze Bank Account
  
  

I tend to keep up with what's happening regarding this and other trucker convoys worldwide on Telegram.

 

2. Regarding COVID-19:

These articles may be related to the topic area above.

• ATA opposes vaccine mandate protests as Canada threaten to fine, revoke licenses of protesters
  
  
• Governors take turn asking Biden, Trudeau to exempt truckers
  
  
• How the pandemic has propelled maritime tech deals to new peaks
  
  
• North Dakota Agriculture Chief Calls For White House To Rescind Truck Driver Vaccine Mandate
  
  

 

3. Regarding accidents, staged accidents, weather, and death:

Accidents

Please look over this list of articles about truck accidents and endeavor not to set up -- or be caught in a set-up -- like any of them:

• Dozens of drivers involved in Wisconsin I-94 pileup sued by injured driver
  
  
• Driver arrested after flipping tractor-trailer in Tulsa
  
  
• Hundreds of vehicles reportedly involved in I-39 crash 30 miles east of Peoria
  
  
• I-39 in Illinois remains closed for 100 vehicle pileup
  
  
• Indiana State Police investigating after big rig strikes pedestrian
  
  
• Miles-long backups reported on Indiana I-65 as some drivers spent the night on the road
  
  
• Motorist awarded $2M after rig knocks car off interstate
  
  
• Security cameras show what led up to gas tanker crash and explosion in New York
  
  I had to go through the video very slowly to see what was described in the article.
  
  However, it is my opinion, what led up to the accident was that the trucker was going too fast.
  
  
• Seventy-two hour multi-state I-75 driver crackdown starts Friday
  
  
• Unexplained truck wreck severs cab, shuts down highway for hours
  
  

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Staged accidents

I am glad that the truckers who were targeted in the staged accidents are now being vindicated!

• More charged in Louisiana staged-accident scheme targeting fleets, insurers
  
  
• More charged in New Orleans staged-crash conspiracy
  
  

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Weather

There's still a lot of cold weather left in winter, so please stay on your guard wherever you drive.

• KDOT, MDOT urges truckers to pull over if they can as icy snow plagues the area
  
  
• Near zero visibility closing interstates, highways
  
  
• Snow, ice & high winds bedevil truckers in several states
  
  
• Snowstorm pileup shuts interstate in Illinois for 2nd day
  
  
• Where are truckers most at risk from February tornadoes?
  
  

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Death

• Truck driver found dead in single-vehicle crash
  
  This accident was still under investigation as of the time the article was published.
  
  I would not be a bit surprised if the trucker had had some kind of "medical episode" just before the crash.
  
  

 

4. Regarding supply chain, economy, tolls, pay, inflation, rates, and insurance:

Supply chain

• Supply Chain Disruptions Likely to Continue in Near Future
  
  
• US Factory Output Rises as Firms Navigate Supply Constraints
  
  

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Economy

• Cass: Omicron hits January volumes; costs, rates still way up
  
  
• FTR: Trucking Conditions Expected to Remain Positive
  
  
• Hold that line: January trailer orders sync to bulging backlogs
  
  
• January Medium-Duty Sales Falter
  
  
• January Retail Sales Surged 3.8% as Threat of Omicron Faded
  
  
• January Trailer Orders Clear 26,000
  
  
• Preliminary U.S. trailer January net orders match 2021's year-end pace
  
  
• Retailers' multinode strategies give consumers the options they want
  
  
• Shopify predicts slowing revenue; investors sink stock
  
  
• Toyota North America Plant Disruptions Drag Into Second Week
  
  
• Trailer orders soft in January as OEMs manage backlogs
  
  
• Truck sale prices skyrocket amid tight equipment market
  
  
• Trucking conditions improved in December, says FTR
  
  
• Trucking conditions jumped to highest level since May '21 in December
  
  
• U.S. Xpress sees freight moving at 'fever pitch' through at least H1/22
  
  

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Tolls

It sure is nice to see that the tolls on a couple of roads are being removed!

• Ontario to remove tolls on Hwy. 412 and 418
  
  
• Southern California toll lawsuit officially closed
  
  
• Toll booth removal scheduled for Hilton Head expressway
  
  

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Pay

• Equipment, pay issues top truck driver retention, recruiting report
  
  
• FreightTech firm aims to fill trucking niche with pay-per-day insurance coverage
  
  
• Rethinking Driver Pay
  
  Quote:
  
  "One of the complaints drivers have about mileage pay is that their checks aren't predictable from week to week and can be slashed by factors out of their control. They’re detained for hours at a shipper or receiver. Their truck breaks down, or they have to pull over because of bad weather, or they have to lay over because the company doesn’t have another load for them yet.
  
  "About five years ago, some enterprising trucking companies started to offer guaranteed or minimum pay packages to address this problem. ..."
  
  If you're receiving guaranteed or minimum pay each week, would you please comment about that through the form below to let us know how you like it? Thanks.
  
  

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Inflation

• Inflation, Tangled Supply Lines Are Gripping Economy
  
  

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Rates

• Canada's spot market load volumes 'literally off the charts'
  
  
• Rate imbalance exacerbates trucking capacity issues
  
  
• Spot rates and rejection rates slide but carriers reluctant to give up pricing power
  
  

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Insurance

• Carriers cut insurance coverage as premiums soar, ATRI report reveals
  
  
• How do insurers calculate our trucking insurance premium rates?
  
  

 

5. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, batteries, fuel, and emissions:

Autonomous vehicles

I absolutely oppose all driverless, self-driving, and autonomous commercial motor vehicles on the roads with the motoring public, but I share these articles as a courtesy.

• After 'Driver-Out' Milestone, TuSimple CEO Cheng Lu Outlines Vision for Autonomous Trucking
  
  
• Autonomous backing tech added to Outrider yard tractors
  
  
• Autonomous Yard Truck Company Develops Trailer Backing Capabilities
  
  
• Baidu's Self-Driving Vehicles Take a Turn With Olympics Showcase
  
  
• C.H. Robinson, Waymo Partner to Explore Autonomous Trucking for Supply Chains
  
  
• Knight-Swift Truck Drivers Could Soon Be Teaming With Self-Driving Trucks
  
  
• U.S. Xpress Adds Aurora to Autonomous-Truck Plans
  
  
• U.S. Xpress partners with autonomous trucking firm Aurora
  
  
• U.S. Xpress takes on Aurora as a 2nd autonomous trucking collaborator
  
  

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Electric vehicles

• ACT: Half of Class 4-8 Sales to be BEV by 2035
  
  
• AP Fact Check: Biden takes half-steps on electric vehicles
  
  
• DeLorean announces comeback as all-electric sports car
  
  
• Kenworth T680E BEVs Eligible for Base $120K Voucher Incentive
  
  
• Sticking With Gas Power Over EVs Could Delay Postal Upgrade
  
  
• Truck Tech: Hypertruck first drive edition
  
  
• Trucking lobbies for seat at EV-charging table
  
  
• U.S. Plays Lithium Production Catch-Up To Power Semi-Truck, Passenger Vehicle EVs
  
  
• USDOT to Spend $5 BILLION Over Next 5 Years to Build 'Historic' EV Charging Network
  
  

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Batteries

• 3 Steps to an Effective Battery Recharging Program
  
  
• How to Get the Most from Your Batteries
  
  

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Fuel

• Benchmark retail diesel price above $4/g, first time since March 2014
  
  
• Cummins Developing Engine Platforms to Run on Alternative Fuels
  
  
• Cummins to Build Engines for Low-Carbon Fuels
  
  
• Cummins unveils new fuel-agnostic engines
  
  
• Diesel national average tops $4
  
  
• Diesel tops $4 a gallon for first time in almost 8 years
  
  
• Diesel Tops $4 a Gallon With 6.8¢ Hike
  
  
• Diesel up by as much as 11 cents in Central Atlantic
  
  
• Forecast calls for drop in diesel prices by second half of 2022
  
  
• Fuel Prices, Tight Capacity Push Spot Rates Higher
  
  
• Ride the lightning: The future of fuels
  
  
• Senators Propose Fuel-Tax Holiday Amid Funding Debate
  
  
• The great fuel debate: Will diesel still dominate in 2030?
  
  
• US Is Exporting Every Molecule of LNG Possible
  
  

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Emissions

• Anheuser-Busch Taps Zero-Emission Trucks to Deliver New Beer
  
  
• BCTA eyes zero-emissions transport by 2060
  
  
• California Set to Reassert Itself as Leader in Battle Against Emissions
  
  
• Cummins reworking its engine families to run on multiple low-carbon fuels
  
  
• Oakland truckers overwhelmed by looming CARB rule, supply chain obstacles
  
  
• The path to low-carbon solutions
  
  

 

6. Regarding clearinghouse, drugs, DUI, and violence:

Clearinghouse

• FMCSA Clearinghouse Report Indicates Drug Use Increased in 2021
  
  

---

Drugs

• Alias, crash, controlled substances test get driver banned
  
  

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DUI

• Truck driver arrested for DUI after fatally striking tow driver, WSP says
  
  

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Violence

Please do everything you can to avoid being in a set-up for violence.

• Semi truck driver shot on Georgia interstate, shooter at large
  
  
• Semi-truck driver shot on I-75 in Cobb County
  
  
• Trucker kidnapped, held hostage as thieves discuss whether to kill him
  
  
• Truckers' Input Sought as Illinois Expressway Shootings Skyrocket
  
  

 

7. Regarding operations and snowplows:

Operations

• Lawmakers advance bill to keep truckers in the right lane during snowstorms
  
  
• Left lane truck rules advance, die at statehouses
  
  
• New Mexico bill to keep big rigs in the right lane advances
  
  
• Wisconsin troopers set the record straight on who has the right-of-way in roundabouts
  
  

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Snowplows

• Top 10 list of things snowplow operators want drivers to know
  
  

 

8. Regarding inspections, enforcement, lawsuits:

Inspections

If you are ready for a truck inspection any time, you'll never be caught off-guard.

• Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announces International Roadcheck dates
  
  
• CVSA sets dates for annual Roadcheck inspection blitz
  
  
• CVSA sets dates for annual Roadcheck inspection blitz
  
  
• Inspectors to crack down on wheel ends during nation's biggest trucker blitz
  
  
• International Roadcheck in May to Focus on Wheel Ends
  
  
• Mark your calendar: Roadcheck inspection blitz is May 17-19
  
  
• Roadcheck inspection blitz to include special focus on wheels
  
  
• Six states now allow weigh station e-Inspections through Drivewyze
  
  

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Enforcement

• 6-State Trooper Project to focus on Interstate 75
  
  

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Lawsuits

• Beware the 'Dirty 5' when defending fleets against nuclear verdicts
  
  
• Data, safety and preventing nuclear verdicts
  
  
• Hours-of-service lawsuit calls FMCSA's changes 'arbitrary'
  
  
• Prolonged Swift vs. drivers case in California kicked back to district court
  
  

 

9. Regarding employment, shortage, and classification:

Employment

I personally believe that the "official" unemployment numbers are inaccurate because some folks have been suspended without pay because they wouldn't take a jab -- keeping them in limbo between being employed and unemployed.

• Jobless Claims Rise, Concentrated in a Few States
  
  

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Shortage

• Chain Reaction: Better wages, working conditions could solve trucker shortage
  
  
• Data Indicates Truck Driver Availability May Have Declined Due To Omicron
  
  
• Driver shortage claims don't wash with carriers' record gains, watchdog group says
  
  
• Driver shortage' sparks CDL partnership program in Virginia
  
  
• OOIDA V.P. speaks out on protest, 'driver shortage'
  
  
• Sen. Scott Raises Truck Driver Shortage Concerns
  
  
• Trucking CEO claims hiring drivers is "impossible" unless you "grow your own"
  
  
• Trucking fleets scrambling for trailers
  
  

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Classification

• OOIDA weighs in on worker classification to federal labor board
  
  

 

10. Regarding training, technology, and parts:

Training

Regarding this article -- Truck Driving Simulator Excites Idaho High School Students -- which was published on Facebook, I had this to say:

Quote from article:
-----
The new simulator program -- which provides multiple driving scenarios in a realistic experience -- is so popular that 20 high schools requested it within the first 24 hours after its unveiling Jan. 26 at Middleton High School, Hodges said.
-----
Isn't it true that that "realistic experience" has the student driver stay "in the cab" the whole time without doing any outside work, such as:
- pre-trip and post-trip inspections;
- fueling;
- opening and closing trailer doors;
- connecting to and disconnecting from trailers;
- adjusting trailer tandem settings;
- meeting with shippers, receivers, security guards;
- cleaning the windshield;
etc.?
When tasks like that are added to the mix -- and students are required to abide by simulated Hours of Service regulations, *then* let's talk.

Meanwhile, here are some of the most recent articles on this topic:

• Alabama Community College System launches rapid training for trucking, other skilled positions
  
  
• High school CDL curriculum incorporates interactive fitness program
  
  
• Ohio businesses could get $25k in tax credits for training truck drivers under proposed bill
  
  
• Truck Driving Simulator Excites Idaho High School Students
  
  

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Technology

• 3G sunsetting starts next week -- here's why truckers should take notice
  
  
• Cali forcing out old semi trucks is "a disaster waiting to happen," smaller trucking companies fear
  
  
• First 3G sunset date is fast approaching
  
  
• VIDEO: After sudden jackknife, trucker shows why CBs are so important
  
  
• Wisconsin State Patrol to conduct aerial traffic blitz this week
  
  
• Wisconsin State Patrol to hold aerial traffic enforcement campaign
  
  

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Parts

• US approves new headlights that won't blind oncoming drivers
  
  
• US OKs New Headlights That Won't Blind Oncoming Drivers
  
  

 

11. Regarding roads and ports:

Roads

• 3rd winter wildfire forces California road closures
  
  
• I-30 widening project through Arkansas's capital city causing traffic delays
  
  
• Portion of EB I-610 to be shut down in Houston after 3 truck fire
  
  
• Smoky Mountains Foothills Parkway to see road closures
  
  
• Top 10 worst states/cities for potholes ranked
  
  

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Ports

• Port of Savannah Reports Record Cargo Volumes for January
  
  
• Ports of LA, Long Beach clear containers, set January records
  
  

 

12. Regarding awards:

We recognize those who have helped their fellow human beings and congratulate truckers who have been honored.

• Longtime trucking writer nominated for Wall of Fame honor
  
  
• Trucker aids fellow driver injured in I-94 crash
  
  
• Truckers honored as Highway Angels for feeding snowbound drivers
  
  

 

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: 2022.02.19 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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