EPA OFFERS $26M IN DIESEL EMISSIONS REDUCTION GRANTS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering $26 million in grant funding to fleets to reduce diesel emissions from the nation’s existing fleet of diesel engines, the agency announced.

DRIVER REST BREAK FIX WOULD ENSURE ‘ONE NATION, ONE SET OF RULES

Leaders of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) have called on Congress to reject efforts by organized labor and trial attorneys that would impose a patchwork of state scheduling rules on the nation’s trucking industry.
“A single set of consistent and fair regulations is essential to the trucking industry,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Language currently being discussed by Congressional leaders would ensure that drivers operate under a consistent set of break rules, whether that driver is delivering a trailer full of water to Flint, Mich., or picking up a load of avocados in Temecula, Calif. That’s what Congress sought to establish with a 1994 law, and recent interpretations of that law by the courts are threatening that consistency.”

VOLVO TRUCKS REVEALS FIRST CERTIFIED UPTIME CENTERS

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks Monday announced the first dealer locations in the U.S. and Canada to earn its Volvo Certified Uptime Center designation.
Seven dealers received the certification, which requires redesigning service bays and adopting standardized processes and workflows to speed repair time through faster diagnostics and more efficient                                                                 service.

DISPATCHERS TO TRUCK DRIVERS: ‘DON’T BLAME US’

Frustrated fleet managers tell all
Carol was a dispatcher for eight years but could no longer take the pressure, so she became a driver.

"As a dispatcher, I found it very stressful and frustrating. I would make appointments, and the drivers couldn't make those appointments," says Carol (all the dispatchers in this article asked that their real names not be used). "Then I'd have to reschedule for the following day or the day after that, and I would find that extremely frustrating. I went back to driving, because it's just so much easier."

ON SPRING TRAINING AND FUEL EFFICIENCY

I bet you are wondering what spring training and fuel efficiency have to do with each other? Well, to start with if you’ve followed me over time, you know I am very passionate about helping make our trucking industry as efficient as possible, but maybe you didn’t know that I also love baseball.

YOUR FEB. 26 PRE-TRIP: TRUCKING COMPANY OWNER CONVICTED IN MURDER-FOR-HIRE CASE

1. The operator of an oil trucking company in North Dakota has been convicted of orchestrating the killings of two business rivals, the Daily Globe reports. James Henrikson has been convicted of hiring a man to kill Kristopher Clarke in February 2012 and Douglas Carlile in December 2013, according to the report. Clarke and Carlile were Henrikson’s business rivals in North Dakota’s Bakken Oil Patch. Henrikson faces the possibility of life in prison when he is sentenced on May 24. The Daily Globe has more.

INCIDENT IN WHICH POLICE FIRED SHOTS AT TRUCK, TASED TRUCKER DURING TRAFFIC STOP UNDER INVESTIGATION

Georgia’s Bureau of Investigation is looking in to an incident where police shot the tires of a trucker after they say ignored orders to stop for unsafe driving and instead pointed his truck at them.

TRUCKING RAP SHEET: COUPLE ARRESTED FOR ILLEGALLY TRANSPORTING HAZMAT BODY PARTS, FMCSA-REGISTERED DRUG TESTER SUSPENDED

The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General recently announced court activity in two trucking-related crime investigations. Here’s a summary of what happened with each:

Michigan couple arrested in fraud scheme involving distribution of infectious human remains

A Michigan couple was arrested Jan. 29 after they were indicted on charges related to a fraud scheme involving the distribution of infectious human remains.

GOODYEAR NAMES 3 TRUCKER FINALISTS FOR HIGHWAY HERO AWARD

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said this week it will announce the winner of the 33rd Goodyear Highway Hero Award on Thursday, March 31, during the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky.
Established in 1983, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award honors professional truck drivers who put themselves in harm’s way to help others.
“The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is the oldest and most prestigious honor of its kind,” said Gary Medalis, marketing director, Goodyear.

DAT SOLUTIONS SHOWS 4.1% INCREASE IN SPOT LOAD VOLUME; RATES FIRM

Shippers and brokers posted 4.1 percent more loads during the week ending Feb. 20, while the number of available trucks fell 2.0 percent, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Falling national average spot rates leveled off compared to recent weeks, indicating the start of a possible rise heading into the spring.
In the van market, load posts increased 4 percent while available capacity declined 3 percent. The van load-to-truck ratio rose marginally from 1.3 to 1.4 loads per truck, meaning there were 1.4 van loads for every truck posted on the DAT network. Compared to the previous week, the national average van rate was unchanged at $1.58 per mile.

THREE FINALISTS NAMED FOR ANNUAL WOMEN IN TRUCKING AWARD

Finalists for Women in Trucking’s “Distinguished Woman in Logistics” award established to promote the achievements of women employed in the trucking industry were announced Wednesday.

TRUCKERS NEEDED TO HELP SET CONVOY RECORD ON MOTHER’S DAY

Promoters call it “one of the happiest traffic jams of the year,” but it might be more accurate to call it “yet another way for the trucking industry to show just how big its heart is.”
This Mother’s Day — May 8 — will mark the 27th year of the annual Mother’s Day Convoy in Lancaster, Pennsylvania., which is located between Harrisburg and                                                                                                                     Philadelphia.

                                                                                                            Road Pro is once again the presenting sponsor for the event.

FMCSA ISSUES FINAL RULE ON COMMERCIAL ZONES AT THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER WITH MEXICO

Agency seeking comments on how to zone a Texas area
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a final rule establishing the New Mexico Commercial Zone in Dona Ana County and Luna County, New Mexico. This action is required by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

U.S. DRIVING TOPS 3.1 TRILLION MILES IN 2015, FEDERAL DATA REVEALS

Year-end estimates show numbers highest since 2007
Data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on February 22 show that U.S. driving reached 3.148 trillion miles by the end of 2015, beating the previous record of 3.003 trillion miles in 2007. For a sense of scale, 3.148 trillion miles is roughly the same distance as 337 round trips from Earth to Pluto.

GOODYEAR NAMES FINALISTS FOR 33RD HIGHWAY HERO AWARD

AKRON, Ohio — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has announced the three finalists for the Goodyear Highway Hero Award to be presented March 31 during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
Established in 1983, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award honors professional truck drivers who put themselves in harm’s way to help others.

Bill to require English only driver's exam in Nebraska draws heat

,LINCOLN, Neb. — A bill that would require would-be motorists in Nebraska to take driver's exams in English was roundly criticized Tuesday as an unnecessary barrier for immigrants that would encourage some to drive unlicensed.

Latino advocacy groups and organizations that work with immigrants and refugees urged state lawmakers to reject the bill during a hearing before the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. No

TRUCKING ASSOCIATION BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEXT AMERICA’S ROAD TEAM

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is seeking professional truck drivers to serve on the 2017-2018 America’s Road Team, a task that takes place every two years when the torch is passed to another group of road team captains.
“Being selected as part of America’s Road Team means joining a group that represents the trucking industry as its greatest ambassadors,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “These elite professional drivers lend a voice to trucking professionals from all segments of the industry and help make trucking a safer, more productive and more respected industry.”

DIESEL PRICES SEE VERY SLIGHT UPTICK

For the first time this year the average price diesel fuel increased slightly, ending a long streak of drops, according to the latest numbers from the Energy Department.

The price of a gallon of on-highway diesel fuel increased by a meager 0.3 cents last week, settling at $1.983. The price is still at its lowest point in more than 11 years and is 91.7 cents cheaper than for the same week a year ago.

ONTARIO LOOKS TO TOUGHEN COMMERCIAL LICENCE TRAINING

TORONTO, ON — Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) are proposing to play a key role in the training, testing and licensing of truck drivers, all in an effort to curb the rise of “licensing mills” that dole out sub-par training.

ON THE ROAD TO A NEW CAREER

The Gordons now campaign for others to follow suit after entering trucking as a second career
MUNDARE, Alta. – Kelly and Laurie Gordon did it 16 years ago, and they say you can do it too.

The couple, who live on an acreage east of Edmonton, made the decision to become full-time truck drivers when they were unhappy with the direction their careers were taking them and decided to steer a different way.

WORST TRUCKER IN THE WORLD: THANKS, FMCSA?

First let me say: No one who is impaired by alcohol or illegal drugs (or even prescription meds or over-the-counter cough syrup) has any business operating a vehicle—truck, car, bike or boat. (And don’t get me started on texting and driving, or adjusting the rearview mirror to apply makeup, or holding the steering wheel with your knees while trying to eat a chili dog without making a mess.)

YOUR FEB. 22 PRE-TRIP: SCOOPMONKEY, THE YELP OF TRANSPORTATION?

Here are five things worth knowing today:

1. ScoopMonkey, a website that offers a way for transportation professionals to post and review ratings for carriers and brokers, is looking to be the transportation industry’s version of Yelp, Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. According to the report, ScoopMonkey aggregates government data while offering a review and rating system for those in the industry – similar to what Yelp does for restaurants. The company hopes the database of information will also help improve safety.

TRAILER ORDERS FOR JANUARY DOWN 30% FOR MONTH AND 37% OVER 12 MONTHS

FTR analysts report net orders of new trailers in the United States in January at 17,900 units — a 30 percent decline from December and 37 percent below a year ago.
In spite of orders being under 20,000 units, they met FTR expectations for a fall off in activity after four consecutive months of strong trailer orders. Much of the decline was due to dry van orders being the lowest they have been since May 2015, along with weak flatbed orders for the month. Refrigerated van orders were at a reasonable level for January, up 33 percent from December.

WATCH FOR MINIMUM TRAINING STANDARD PROPOSED RULE SOON

A rule proposal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement minimum training standards for new entrant truck drivers has cleared the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and may now be officially published at the DOT’s discretion, likely in the coming weeks.

JANUARY’S CLASS 8 TRUCK ORDERS DECLINE 48% YEAR OVER YEAR

ACT Research analysis shows that net Class 8 truck orders in January totaled 18,247, which is down 48 percent year over year. Meanwhile, Classes 5 through 7 net orders were flat year over year at 17,400 units.
These results were published in the latest State of the Industry report, recently released by ACT Research, covering Classes 5 through 8 tractors and trucks for the North American market.

ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING RULE PROPOSAL APPROVED BY WHITE HOUSE, SENT TO FMCSA FOR PUBLICATION

A rule proposal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement minimum training standards for new entrant truck drivers has cleared the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and may now be officially published at the DOT’s discretion, likely in the coming weeks.

LYTX TRUCK VIDEO TELEMATICS COMPANY ACQUIRED BY CHICAGO FIRM

Lytx Inc., a San Diego-based global leader in video telematics, has signed an agreement to be acquired by Chicago-based private equity firm GTCR.
The deal, expected to close in the first quarter, is an all-cash transaction of more than $500 million that will help power the next chapter in Lytx’s growth as the innovator and leader of video telematics and safety services for                                                                                                                          commercial trucks and public sector transportation.

Fashion, diet tips, beauty and … trucking?

Every now and then a mainstream publication will do a story on the trucking industry. Often they miss the mark. On occasion a publication will have a relatively accurate piece on trucking. The latest case of the latter comes from a very unlikely magazine: Cosmopolitan.

In a story titled "13 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Long-Haul Truck Driver" (mainstream publications love listicles), Lindsay Slazakowski gives Cosmo readers her perspective as a woman driver. There are a few points of criticism, but for the most part, it's a fair representation.

VOLVO TRUCKS NOW OFFER NEW BATTERY-POWERED PARKING COOLER OPTION

Volvo Trucks North America this week introduced a battery-powered parking cooler as a factory-installed option for its VNM 630, VNL 630, VNL 670, VNL 730 and VNL 780 sleeper models.
The battery-powered parking cooler allows drivers to keep the cab and sleeper comfortable without idling the engine, providing the most environmentally friendly and efficient                                                                                                                      solution for maintaining comfort while parked.

PROPOSED DRIVER TRAINING RULE CLEARS FINAL HURDLE, PUBLICATION LIKELY IN COMING WEEKS

A rule proposal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to implement minimum training standards for new entrant truck drivers has cleared the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and may now be officially published at the DOT’s discretion, likely in the coming weeks.

WILLIAM USHER, TANK TRUCK COMPANY OWNER, PASSES

William A. Usher, longtime owner of Usher Transport, a Louisville, Kentucky-based tank truck company, died earlier this week. Mr. Usher, who was also active in the trucking industry nationally, was 86.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FOR DINNER?

Where is the best value for my investment?

Italian, Mexican, or Chinese restaurant?
Who has better service? Menu? Seating availability? Parking?
Which one offers the best price for the meal and evening?
Do I feel appreciated for spending my money there?

VOLVO UNVEILS FACTORY-INSTALLED CAB COOLING SYSTEM

Optional battery-powered “parking cooler” can last 10 hours.

Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) is introducing a new factory-installed battery-powered “parking cooler” as an optional feature on its VNM 630, VNL 630, VNL 670, VNL 730 and VNL 780 sleeper models.

PHYSICIAN: TRUCKING MUST GET AT ROOT CAUSES OF FATIGUE

Mobile teams, analytics can boost sleep apnea care, sleep doctor contends
Fleets widely use uplinked data and analytics to optimize trucks' operation. Maybe it's time to apply the same formula to drivers' care to get more out of fatigue-fighting programs, one company argues.

ECONOMIST: 4 ‘NASTY THINGS’ TO PLAN FOR

Sorting out the opportunities, risks for trucking

Anyone who thinks 2020 is the distant future needs to think again. To be competitive, a business has to plan, but some events are easier to schedule around than others. So one session in the 2016 FTR Virtual Conference Tuesday focused on some “unknowns” that are just around the corner, and how trucking might prepare for these events that are likely—but tricky to pin down.

LIFE AS AN LTL DRIVER: ONE WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

“I’m not willing to get out at this point. It kind of gets in your blood, the trucking industry does,” Saia LTL driver Leah Evans tells Fleet Owner.
Leah Evans had always dreamed of becoming a high school band director – until she started driving trucks.

YOUR FEB. 17 PRE-TRIP: TRUCK MAKERS CONTINUE TO CUT JOBS

Here are five things worth knowing today:

1. Truck manufacturers are slashing jobs in an attempt to offset a sharp drop in orders for new semi-tractors. According to a CNN Money report, the slowdown comes after 2014 when sales were near a record high, but now the trucking companies are left with too many trucks on hand. Earlier this week, Freightliner announced it will cut 1,200 jobs between its two plants in North Carolina. And other heavy-duty manufacturers, including Paccar and Volvo Trucks, have also cut staff recently.

Who's the Driver? Where's the Driver? Let's Google It!

Late last year, Google asked NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) for an official opinion on who is the driver in their future vehicle, and where is such entity sitting? In spite of NHTSA's attempt to always make performance oriented standards, the concept of a human driver with hands, feet, and eyes has found its way into numerous legal requirements for a vehicle.

Diesel Direct acquires Pure Energy

Diesel Direct announced the acquisition of all assets of Pure Energy.  The strategic purchase includes all mobile fueling customers, a full portfolio of biodiesel products, and Pure Energy’s sustainable energy intellectual property.  In addition, all full-time employees, including the owner of Pure Energy, have joined Diesel Direct.

NHTSA to discuss new traffic safety strategies

Meeting will explore behavior-based approach


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced it will hold a meeting to explore ways of promoting evidence-based behavior change in traffic safety settings. The Driving Behavioral Change in Traffic Safety workshop will include presentations and discussions on a number of topics, including:

BUFFETT'S PIPELINE PLAY NEEDS ESSENTIAL OIL

What is mightier than Warren Buffett? When it comes to pipeline companies: oil.News that Buffett had taken a stake in Kinder Morgan capped off a rally in the battered master limited partnerships sector that has taken it up 15 percent from its latest multi-year low point last Thursday. (Kinder is no longer an MLP but tends to trade with the sector; its stock was up 18 percent over the same period). Kinder Morgan jumped another 12 percent on Wednesday morning.

U.S. DIESEL AVERAGE FALLS BELOW $2 FOR FIRST TIME OVER 10 YEARS

For the first time since Feb. 14, 2005, the average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel in the U.S. is below $2.

According to the Department of Energy’s weekly report, the price of a diesel now stands at $1.98 per gallon, which is the lowest price since Jan. 24, 2005.

TALKING TRENDS: SIX THINGS INFLUENCING PLANNING AND DELIVERY

In the world of route planning and delivery for fleets and trucking companies, here are six things to be aware of that could influence how business is done. Fleet Owner caught up with Cyndi Brandt, senior director of product marketing and strategic alliances at Omnitracs to hear some of the latest.

RHODE ISLAND TRUCK TOLL BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

With final votes in both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor’s signature, the Rhode Island bill placing tolls on commercial trucks is now law.

U.S. DIESEL AVERAGE FALLS BELOW $2 FOR FIRST TIME OVER 10 YEARS

For the first time since Feb. 14, 2005, the average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel in the U.S. is below $2.

According to the Department of Energy’s weekly report, the price of a diesel now stands at $1.98 per gallon, which is the lowest price since Jan. 24, 2005.

FMCSA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON APPLICATION FOR HOS EXEMPTION

Company believes its GPS tracking devices provide equivalent or greater level of safety

FMCSA has received an application from a trucking company for an exemption from timecard requirements for its drivers who may not meet all of the conditions for utilization of the 100 air-mile radius log book exemption in that section. The request would exempt the company’s drivers who stay within the 100 air-mile radius, but may occasionally exceed the 12 hour limitation, from having to complete a daily record of duty status (RODS). The company states that its entire fleet of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) is equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) vehicle tracking devices, which it believes justifies the request for this exemption and provides an equivalent or greater level of safety than would be obtained by complying with the regulations.

FMCSA requests public comment on the application for exemption on or before March 14, 2016. For comment submission instructions see: www.gpo.gov.
Posted February 15, 2016

http://www.jjkeller.com/shop/Category/content_category_Transportation_article_FMCSA-requests-comments-on-application-for-HOS-exemption*022016_10151_-1_10551

http://www.compasstrucksales.com/index.php/about-cts/trucking-news/item/5407-fmcsa-requests-comments-on-application-for-hos-exemption

HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN RENTING AND OWNING?

A lot of factors come into play when helping carriers determine whether they should rent or buy their equipment, but most important are the challenges in recruiting and retaining drivers, seasonality of the work and of course the financial considerations.

Rhode Island truck-only toll plan clears legislature, heads to Governor

Rhode Island truck-only toll plan clears legislature, heads to Governor

A controversial proposal to fund road and bridge repairs in Rhode Island by levying tolls exclusively on commercial vehicles is on its way to final passage Thursday.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved the measure by nearly a 3-to-1 margin on Wednesday night, sending Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to the State Senate for final approval. The state Senate approved the measure by a vote of 25-12 on Thursday afternoon, forwarding the plan to the governor to sign into law.

Work Truck Show Features 3-D Printed Truck Suspension

Work Truck Show Features 3-D Printed Truck Suspension

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A bright red, life-size Shelby Cobra convertible replica is parked conspicuously on the show floor at the The Work Truck Show. The classic ride, while not a truck, was made with a 3-D printer to draw the trucking industry’s attention to new manufacturing possibilities.

NAVISTAR HONORS 33 SUPPLIERS WITH DIAMOND AWARD

NAVISTAR HONORS 33 SUPPLIERS WITH DIAMOND AWARD

LISLE, IL — Truck manufacturer Navistar has named 33 top-performing suppliers as winners of the annual Diamond Supplier Award.
The winners represent the top two percent of Navistar’s supply base, having helped improve customer uptime and exceeded performance expectations for quality, delivery, cost and technology. They are a diverse group of businesses, including women- and minority-owned businesses, small and large companies from the Midwest and other areas of US, as well as global suppliers from Mexico, Taiwan, China and Canada.

DEBT FEAR OVERTAKES CREDIT SUISSE

The debt market’s mood swings are fast and furious right now.Traders have turned on European banks, and no one is around to temper their sudden disdain. Deutsche Bank is a prime example this, with a mounting degree of concern about the bank's ability to make coupon payments on its contingent convertible bonds. HSBC and Standard Chartered have also been punished.Now comes the latest target of credit traders' contempt: Credit Suisse. So far this month, its 6.25 percent contingent convertible securities have plunged almost 14 cents, to 84.75 cents on the dollar, with losses accelerating in the past few days.

CARRIER ASKS FMCSA FOR EXEMPTION FROM SHORT HAULER LOG-KEEPING RULES, BLAMES DETENTION TIME

Farruggio’s Express, a trucking company based in Bristol, Pa., has asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to grant it an exemption from logbook-keeping requirements for its drivers who don’t meet all conditions for using the 100 air-mile radius logbook exemption, citing detention time as its reason.

TRUCKING RAP SHEET: MAN CHARGED FOR PROVIDING FRAUDULENT OVERWEIGHT PERMITS

The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General recently announced court activity in two trucking-related crime investigations. Here’s a summary of what happened with each:

Ohio man charged for giving fraudulent overweight state permits

KEEP ON TRUCKING

Does a slump in truck orders mean the U.S. is skidding toward recession? Some context shows us why that might not be the case.There's no doubt the recent trend in North American truck orders has been worrying. Class 8 (heavy trucks) orders plunged 48 percent in January year-on-year, according to FTR Transportation Intelligence.

GOOGLE SELF-DRIVING DELIVERY TRUCKS COMING YOUR WAY?

Just when you thought Uber-for-trucking or drones might someday shake up freight and delivery, guess what? Google wants to send self-driving trucks sporting a locker-type storage system to bring a package to your door.

FOR-HIRE FREIGHT POSTS 2% DECLINE FOR LAST YEAR

The amount of freight moved by the nation’s for-hire sector fell in both the final month of last year and all of 2015, according to the U.S. Transportation Department.

OOIDA LAWSUIT SUCCESSFUL IN QUASHING NEW YORK TRUCK DECAL FEE

Out-of-state trucking businesses that drive into New York can thank small-business truckers for standing up to an unconstitutional tax and decal fee. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has won a class-action lawsuit against the state and the fee will no longer be enforced.

DEADLINE LOOMS FOR CDN FLEET MAINTENANCE MANAGER OF THE YEAR

TORONTO, ON — March 4 is the nomination deadline for the 2016 Canadian Fleet Maintenance Manager of the Year award.

The 26th presentation of the award will take place on April 13 at the International Centre near Toronto Pearson International Airport during the Canadian Fleet Maintenance Summit.

FUTURE OF BROKERAGE: CARGO CHIEF TO BET ON PAY FOR TIME

Cargo Chief head Abtin Hamidi wants to “change the way freight [movement] is bought and sold,” he says, to “fundamentally change how people think about it.”
His company, a technology-enabled brokerage/3PL of a piece in certain respects with those discussed in Overdrive‘s 2014 feature on the so-called “Uberization of trucking,” has plans to embark on a capacity compensation model that pays small fleets and independents directly for their time rather than per-load, the model on which most brokered loads are based today.

U.S. CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED TO PICK UP PACE IN 2016

U.S. Legal Services Named Trucking Industry’s Corporate Partner
Construction starts in the United States are expected to increase 6.5 percent and total more than $560 billion in the coming year, according to Construction Market Data’s (CMD) latest quarterly forecast report.

ROAD DEATHS SPIKE IN 2015

Traffic deaths in the U.S. rose 9.3% in the first nine months of 2015, according to the latest federal estimates, reversing a years-long trend.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a new report estimating that more than 26,000 people died in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2015, compared to the 23,796 road fatalities in the first nine months of 2014.

CALLING ALL FEMALE TRUCKERS: OVERDRIVE’S 2016 MOST BEAUTIFUL CONTEST ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS

Entries for the fourth Overdrive‘s Most Beautiful contest, which highlights the accomplishments and inner and outer beauty of female drivers, are being accepted through Feb. 15.

NY TAX UNCONSTITUTIONAL; $30M REFUNDS POSSIBLE

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has won its class action lawsuit against New York after a state trial court ruled its Highway Use Registration and Decal taxes are unconstitutional.

CANADA SHOULDN'T COPY US GHG STANDARDS, SAYS CTA

CANADA SHOULDN'T COPY US GHG STANDARDS, SAYS CTA

TORONTO, ON — The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) says that while it’s onside with the principles of the Phase II Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards, it doesn’t want Environment Canada to simply piggy back on the GHG plans of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ONE IN FIVE HIGH-RISK EXPORTS NEVER INSPECTED AT BORDER

ONE IN FIVE HIGH-RISK EXPORTS NEVER INSPECTED AT BORDER

OTTAWA, ON — A new report from Canada’s Auditor General has found that one in five high-risk shipments flagged by the Canada Border Services Agency is never inspected.

Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s report notes that exports are vital to Canada’s economy and prosperity, but issues such as CBSA staffing deficiencies and coverage during vacations and sick leaves are threatening border security.