WITH DRIVER TRAINING RULE COMMENT DEADLINE NEARING, A LOOK AT HOW MUCH FMCSA SAYS THE RULE WILL COST CARRIERS

The 30-day window for public comments to be filed on the DOT’s March 7-published regulatory proposal to set up minimum training standards for entry-level truck drivers is closing quickly, with just 7 days remaining until the April 6 end date. 

DRIVER-FACING DASHCAM ON DISPLAY, BEING TESTED AT FLEETS

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Seeing Machines’ Guardian fatigue management system is being tested at six small and large U.S. fleets, said Chris Sluss, vice president of business development.

The driver-facing camera system is displayed in a truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. Actual video of drivers falling asleep and driving while distracted is displayed in the booth.

OOIDA HITS FMCSA WITH LAWSUIT TO BLOCK ELD MANDATE, CALLS RULE ARBITRARY AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL

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As expected, the Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association has filed initial arguments in its challenge to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s electronic logging device (ELD) mandate final rule. The association argued in its appeal of the ELD mandate that requiring electronic monitoring devices on commercial vehicles does not advance safety, is arbitrary and capricious and violates Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

TRACER ALERT: RED KENWORTH WITH UTILITY REEFER STOLEN IN MIAMI

A red 2007 Kenworth T600 pulling a white 2007 Utility reefer was reported stolen on March 28 at 115th and 27th Avenue in Miami, Fla. Neither the truck nor the trailer has distinguishing marks.

TRACER lists a Florida license plate of F5226T and a VIN number of 1XKADB9X47J179608 for the truck. The trailer has a Florida plate of 1532CP and a VIN number of 1UYVS25367M891432.
A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to the recovery of the truck. Call 202-246-2698.

OOIDA FILES BRIEF TO BLOCK ELD MANDATE

Requiring electronic monitoring devices on commercial vehicles does not advance safety, is arbitrary and capricious and violates 4th amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, or so claims the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) in a legal brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

FEDEX BOOSTS FLEET FUEL EFFICIENCY

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FedEx hopes to increase fuel efficiency in its vehicle fleet by 30% by 2020 by increasing the number of alternative-fuel vehicles, shifting freight trips to rail, and optimizing routing, according to the company's 2016 sustainability report.

TRUCK OPERATORS TO TAKE ON MOST OF DRIVER TRAINING RULE COSTS, PER FMCSA FIGURES

The 30-day window for public comments to be filed on the DOT’s March 7-published regulatory proposal to set up minimum training standards for entry-level truck drivers is closing quickly, with just 7 days remaining until the April 6 end date.

FMCSA BLOCKS CANADIAN TRUCKER FROM U.S., CITING VIOLATIONS OF OUT-OF-SERVICE ORDERS

Ontario, Canada-based driver Inderjit Singh Gill has been barred from operating in the U.S. by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The agency says Gill was found to have disregarded out-of-service orders for false logs and hours-of-service violations on four separate occasions over the course of four days.

MACK NAMES NEW SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF NORTH AMERICAN SALES

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Jonathan M. Randall had been named senior vice-president of North American sales for Mack Trucks effective April 11.

IOWA 80 TRUCKSTOP ANNOUNCES TRUCKERS JAMBOREE CONCERT LINEUP

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The Iowa 80 Truckstop is announced a slate of musical performances for its 37th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree with a variety of country music singers.

The 2016 Jamboree takes place from July 14-16 at Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa. This year’s Jamboree musical guests include, Dani Lynn Howe & Band, Clare Dunn, Sammy Kershaw and the local band North of 40.

VOLVO LAUNCHES 2016 ASIA PACIFIC FUELWATCH CHALLENGE

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Volvo Trucks is conducting its annual Asia Pacific Fuelwatch Challenge, with a series of national competitions across the region. These competitions will see participants showcasing their capabilities in fuel-efficient driving as well as general vehicle handling.

NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY APPROVES BENEFIT FOR DRIVERS WITH DRUG ALLERGIES

A bill halfway through the New Jersey Legislature would benefit truck drivers and motorists in the state with drug allergies, such as penicillin.

The Assembly voted unanimously to advance a bill to the Senate that would allow affected drivers to have the penicillin, or any other type of drug or medication, notation added to their operator’s license.

VOLVO PREVIEWS 2017 MENU OF POWERTRAIN OPTIONS

Volvo Trucks North America introduced its 2017 powertrain lineup to the trucking press at its manufacturing plant in Hagerstown, Md. The new and enhanced engines and transmissions, which Volvo says will achieve fuel savings of from 2 percent to 6.5 percent, will be produced at the Hagerstown facility.

CARGOMATIC NAMES TWO INDUSTRY VETERANS TO LEADERSHIP ROLES

Chuck Oeleis and Meaghan Diem to lead Cargomatic's sales efforts
Cargomatic announced two appointments that it said will help the company continue to bring the “sharing economy” model to the local U.S. trucking industry.

Cargomatic co-founders Jonathan Kessler and Brett Parker named Chuck Oeleis as executive vice president of sales, responsible for building and managing all of Cargomatic’s sales efforts. Meaghan Diem joins Cargomatic as vice president of enterprise sales, assigned to focus on growing Cargomatic’s large-volume client base.

THE BIGGEST TAX MISTAKE FLEET DRIVERS MAKE

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Most fleet drivers are leaving hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars in tax deductions on the table because they've been given wrong information by their companies.

While owner-operators are usually savvy about taking deductions – and lowering their tax bill – most fleet drivers believe they're not entitled to similar tax-cutting deductions. "That's a costly mistake," says Jim O'Donnell, CEO and Founder of Trucker Tax Service. "Most fleet drivers do not realize that they’re entitled to pretty much everything that an owner operator is entitled to. The only difference is that the owner-operator is going to have some major expenses," he says.

U.S. DOT: NAFTA FREIGHT IN JANUARY DOWN YEAR-TO-YEAR, MONTH-TO-MONTH

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in January trucks moved more than 66 percent of all the international freight – with trains, planes, ships and pipelines picking up the rest. Freight movement was down in all modes, but trucking showed the least decline.

WYOMING-BASED SEVEN-TRUCK CARRIER ORDERED TO SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING FMCSA INVESTIGATION

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Bar D Bar Trucking was shut down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on March 11 after an investigation found the company to pose an imminent hazard to public safety.

The Gillette, Wyo.-based seven-truck carrier and company owner and operator Gregory Davis, was shut down by FMCSA for multiple safety regulation violations. Violations found during the investigation include:

MATS TRUCKING PANEL TO EXPLAIN NEW DIESEL ENGINE OIL CATEGORIES

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Truck drivers and fleet managers attending MATS next week are invited to attend an informative free panel discussion on new diesel engine oil specifications from a diverse group of trucking industry experts.
New diesel engine oil specs — API CK-4 and FA-4 (formerly known as PC-11) — have been approved, and new diesel engine oils meeting those specifications will be available beginning in December.

TRUCKING RAP SHEET: DOT MEDICAL EXAMINER INDICTED, INTERNATIONAL FUGITIVE SENTENCED

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

HHG moving company owner sentenced

FMCSA ORDERS RECALLED VOLVO TRUCKS PLACED OUT OF SERVICE

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has determined that vehicles included in Volvo Trucks' recent safety recall that have not been repaired should not be operated and are to be immediately placed out of service.

VOLVO TRUCKS ANNOUNCES ENGINE, POWERTRAIN ENHANCEMENTS

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New 2017 engines get up to 6.5% better fuel efficiency vs. previous generation
HAGERSTOWN, MD. Retooled engines and a variety of transmission and total powertrain enhancements are on the way from Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) later this year and on into 2017.

TRUCKS SPILL CHIPS AND BEER IN ACCIDENT ON I-95

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When two trucks collided on I-95 in Florida in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 23, a party could have broken out, but didn’t Instead, the highway in Melbourne was closed as crews cleaned up the cargo spilled from the two trucks: Chips from one and beer from the other.

BAR D BAR TRUCKING, OWNER ORDERED OOS BY FMCSA

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Thursday said it has ordered Gillette, Wyoming-based Bar D Bar Trucking to immediately cease all intrastate and interstate operations after a federal investigation found the carrier to pose an imminent hazard to public safety.
Bar D Bar Trucking was served the federal order on March 11.

ATA: TRUCK TONNAGE JUMPS 7.2% IN FEBRUARY

Index up 8.6% from February 2015
American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped 7.2% in February, following a revised 0.3% reduction during January. In February, the index equaled 144 (2000=100), up from 134.3 in January. February’s level is an all-time high.

SMALL BUSINESS REVIEW: NATIONAL TRAINING STANDARDS FOR ENTRY-LEVEL TRUCK AND BUS DRIVERS

On March 4, 2016, the FMCSA released the Proposed National Training Standards for Entry Level Truck and Bus Drivers (FMCSA Press Release https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/fmcsa-proposes-national-training-standards-entry-level-truck-and-bus-drivers). Since its release, I’ve been scrutinizing the related ‘for public inspection’ Federal Register document of the 49 CFR Parts 380, 383, and 384 [FMCSA 2007-2007-27748 Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators Proposed Rules]. (Proposed Rule NPRM: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-03869.pdf)

VOLVO ENHANCES I-SHIFT TRANSMISSION

CIT Provides Strategic Plan to Create Leading National Middle Market Bank
HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Volvo’s I-Shift transmission now comes with Crawler Gears the company revealed on Tuesday to a group of trucking journalists at its Hagerstown, Md. assembly plant.
The new I-Shift with Crawler Gears automated manual transmission was designed for applications where very low speeds and maneuverability are key – like concrete mixers and dump trucks. It ensures the startability for heavy-haul and up to 220,000 lbs GCW.

STUDY: TRUCK DRIVERS WITH UNTREATED SLEEP APNEA POSE MUCH GREATER CRASH RISK

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As U.S. officials sharpen focus on truckers with obstructive sleep apnea, new research indicates the rate of preventable crashes for truckers with untreated obstructive sleep apnea was five times higher than those without the condition.

SPOT VOLUME, RATES UP ACROSS THE BOARD

DAT report points to hot freight markets
Led by strong regional demand, spot truckload rates rose across all three equipment types during the week ending March 19, reported DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.

The number of spot market loads increased 8.7% compared to the previous week while the amount of available capacity was virtually unchanged. The national average van rate rose 3 cents to $1.58 per mile, the reefer rate added 2 cents to $1.83, and the flatbed rate jumped 5 cents to $1.87.

ATA REPORTS FEBRUARY’S TRUCK TONNAGE INDEX JUMPS 7.2%

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The American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped 7.2 percent in February, following a revised 0.3 percent reduction during January.
In February, the index equaled 144 (2000=100), up from 134.3 in January. February’s level is an all-time high. Compared with February 2015, the seasonally adjusted index was up 8.6 percent, which was up from January’s 1.1 percent year-over-year gain. Year-to-date, compared with the same period in 2015, tonnage was up 4.8 percent.

FMCSA WEBPAGE AIDS VETERANS TO GET INTO TRUCKING

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has launched a webpage dedicated to providing resources to military veterans who want to transition into careers in the trucking industry.

The site provides:

VOLVO’S NYBERG: NEW OFFERINGS OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY

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Expects retooled powertrains to help Volvo capture more truck business.
A range of improvements to its D11 and D13 truck engines, along with vocational enhancements to its I-Shift automated manual transmission (AMT) and other new product offerings are expected to help position Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA) to capture more business in the “soft” commercial vehicle sales environment ahead.

DIESEL PRICES CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN ALL 10 REGIONS

The average price of a gallon of on-highway diesel increased 2 cents from last week to $2.119 per gallon for the week ending Monday, March 21. This marks the fifth consecutive weekly increase after decreases that started back in November.

ATA TRUCK TONNAGE INDEX JUMPS 7.2% IN FEBRUARY

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ARLINGTON, Va. — American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index jumped 7.2 percent in February, following a revised 0.3 percent reduction during January.
In February, the index equaled 144 (2000=100), up from 134.3 in January. February’s level is an all-time high.

Volvo Trucks’ 2017-model engines will include more efficient fuel and combustion systems and, in one model, turbo compounding to add power, responsiveness and fuel economy, officials said Tuesday at a press event at Volvo Group’s powertrain plant in Hagerstown, Md.

TRIO OF PLATOONING VOLVO TRUCKS ON A EUROPEAN ROAD TRIP!

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Volvo Trucks is among several commercial truck manufacturers participating in the European Truck Platooning Challenge, sending three trucks — communicating wirelessly and driving close behind each other — through Europe to Rotterdam. The aim is to move the transportation industry another step closer to the concept of platooning in Europe.

TWO DRIVERS INVOLVED IN APPARENT ‘SUICIDE BY TRUCK’ ACCIDENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA

ON 21 MARCH 2016

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Carolina in which a pedestrian was killed in each. Police believe both incidents were suicide-by-truck attempts, according to reports.

The first accident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. Thursday, March 17, on I-85 near Concord Mills. John B. Curry, 53, of Clover, S.C. ran out in front of an oncoming truck driven by Carlos Bell, 50, of Kannapolis, N.C., according to a report by the Independent Tribune. North Carolina Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. F.J. Hargro told the newspaper that Curry ran out at an angle in front of the truck.

MARTIN TRANSPORTATION TO INSTALL DRIVER MONITORING SYSTEMS FLEET-WIDE

Martin Transportation Systems, one of the nation’s largest fleets, has installed the Lytx DriveCam system across its roughly 1,000-truck fleet, it announced March 21.

The carrier says it will use the system as an “impartial witness” to determine crash fault, as well as a means for training drivers, it says. The carrier employs about 1,200 truck operators.
Overdrive Staff ,March 21, 2016
http://www.overdriveonline.com/martin-transportation-to-install-driver-monitoring-systems-fleet-wide/

FTR REPORTS FEBRUARY TRAILER ORDERS UP 21% FROM JANUARY

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Bloomington, Ind.-based FTR reports U.S. trailer net orders for February at 21,300 units, a 21 percent increase from January and up 2 percent year over year.
The significant improvement in February trailers orders was somewhat better than anticipated, considering the sturdy backlogs currently at trailer OEMs. After strong order activity in late 2015, trailer orders for the past 12 months total 300,000 units.

THREE TRENDS, FOUR PREDICTIONS TO CRYSTAL BALL THE COMMERCIAL TRUCK INDUSTRY

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For the commercial truck industry overall right now, "the stage is set for more growth," surmised Stephen Latin-Kasper, director of market data and research at NTEA, pointing to a handful of economic trends as indicators.

FMCSA SHUTS DOWN MASSACHUSETTS TRUCK FLEET AFTER FATAL CRASH

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared Worcester, Mass.-based trucking company J and J Transportation to be an imminent hazard to public safety and ordered that it immediately cease all intrastate and interstate operations.
J and J Transportation was served the federal order on Feb. 25, following an FMCSA investigation, during which the fleet operators refused or were unable to produce:

FATAL CRASH LEADS TO IMMINENT HAZARD DECLARATION FOR S.C. TRUCKER

Less than a month after Stevie Wolfe Breland was charged with a hit-and-run involving a fatality crash, the 58-year-old South Carolina truck driver was declared an imminent hazard to public safety by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Breland has been ordered by the FMCSA not to operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.

SHELL LUBRICANTS SPONSORS SHELL TRUCK DESIGN CHALLENGE

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HOUSTON — Shell Lubricants has announced the Shell Truck Design Challenge, a contest bringing the innovation of Class 8 truck design to some of the brightest minds of the future. The contest challenges students to design the interior of a prototype Class 8 truck.
Shell Eco-Marathon participants, as well as high school and college students in Michigan, can register for the chance to win $1,000 for their school.

FMCSA REDEFINING HIGH RISK MOTOR CARRIER

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is adopting a new “High Risk” motor carrier definition along with investigative procedural changes aimed at enabling investigators “to take more immediate action against carriers with the highest crash risk.”

VOLVO RECALLING TRUCKS OVER STEERING SHAFT CONCERN

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Volvo Trucks North America says it will recall certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015 through March 8, 2016 over concerns the trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts.

SPEED LIMITER RULE EXPECTED IN APRIL, DOT SAYS

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The projected publication dates of two looming trucking regulations have been delayed again, according to the Department of Transportation’s monthly regulatory update. The delayed rules include a proposal to require speed limiters and one to develop a database of truckers who have failed a drug or alcohol test. The DOT pushed back the projected publication date for the rule to require speed limiters on heavy-duty trucks to April 22. In February’s report, the rule was projected to be published March 15. This rule could require governors on all trucks weighing more than 27,000 pounds. The proposed rule, a joint effort from FMCSA and another DOT agency, has been stuck in the White House’s Office of Management and Budget since May 2015.

5 STEPS FOR MAKING A DRIVER COERCION CLAIM

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Deliver that load or else? Truckers need to understand new regulation, procedures
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set up procedures to protect truck drivers from being coerced by their company or at the dock, but the safety-focused rule means little if truckers don’t understand how to apply it.

FMCSA ISSUES NPRM TO EASE CDL PROCESS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS

Research indicates home time benefits both drivers and carriers
Motor carriers can improve the productivity and performance of drivers by meeting their requests to take time off, according to an innovative study.
The study conducted by Stay Metrics, used data on 682 drivers and 6,487 driver months provided by a flatbed trucking customer of Stay Metrics with more than 260 power units. Stay Metrics provides driver retention and engagement solutions for clients in the trucking industry.

APPLICATIONS FOR JOBLESS AID RISE BUT STAY AT HEALTHY LEVEL

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WASHINGTON — More Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, but their numbers remained at low levels consistent with a healthy job market.
THE NUMBERS: The number of people seeking jobless aid rose by 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 265,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. The less-volatile four-week average rose by 750 to 268,000. The number of people collecting unemployment checks was 2.24 million, down nearly 7 percent from a year earlier. Weekly claims have now been below 300,000 for 54 straight weeks, longest streak since 1973.

FEDEX FREIGHT DRIVER WINS MAJOR COMPANY AWARD

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Memphis-based FedEx Freight driver Raymond Bradford has won one of the company’s top awards, the Master President’s Safety Award for 25 years of accident free driving.

Bradford said he was humbled by the recognition when he learned he would be receiving the award. It recognizes drivers who have driven 25 years with no accidents, with at least 10 of those years being consecutive.

FUEL PRICES STILL RISING, DESPITE LOW OIL PRICE FORECAST

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EIA expects oil prices to languish around $34 per barrel this year.
Fuel prices continued to rise sharply this week across the U.S., according to data tracked by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), though the agency still expects oil prices to remain relatively low over the next two years, hovering between $34 and $40 per barrel in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Diesel fuel climbed 7.8 cents to a U.S. average retail pump price of $2.099 per gallon, EIA reported, though that is 81.8 cents per gallon cheaper compared to the same week in 2015.

VOLVO TRUCKS ISSUES STEERING SHAFT RECALL

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GREENSBORO, NC — A new Volvo Trucks recall is targeting certain 2016 and 2017 model year trucks due to a problem with the two-piece driving shaft.

There are some 2,800 affected trucks in Canada and 15,800 in the U.S. Volvo is advising drivers to take them out of service immediately.

FMCSA ACCEPTS MEXICAN TRUCK-INSPECTION STANDARD

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Effective March 16, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is accepting the Mexican government standard for annual commercial vehicle inspections of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers that operate in the United States.

SPOT REEFER RATES PUSH HIGHER FOR SECOND WEEK; VAN, FLATBEDS DIP

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Spot rates for refrigerated truckload freight are trending higher in the key produce states of California, Texas, and Florida, while cargo volume posted a 10% increase over the past week, according to DAT Solutions and its network of load boards.

FMCSA SEEKS TO EASE THE WAY FOR VETS TO BECOME TRUCKERS

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants to make it easier for military veterans to transition into civilian careers in the truck and bus industry by simplifying the process of getting a Commercial Learner’s Permit or Commercial Driver’s License.

FMCSA CLAIMS TRUCK INSPECTIONS, ENFORCEMENT SAVED 472 LIVES IN 2012

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released an analysis that estimates commercial vehicle roadside safety inspection and traffic enforcement programs saved 472 lives in 2012.
Further, the agency claims that since 2001, these programs have saved more than 7,000 lives.
“Over the last several decades, we’ve made tremendous strides in reducing the number of traffic fatalities and injuries on our nation’s roadways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The roadside safety inspection and traffic enforcement programs exemplify our commitment to continue to raise the bar on safety and build upon our progress.”

LOW GAS PRICES DRAG DOWN U.S. RETAIL SALES IN FEBRUARY

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WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales slipped last month, pulled down by sharply lower gas prices, and Americans spent much less in January than previously estimated. The figures suggest that consumers remain cautious about spending despite steady hiring.
Retail sales fell 0.1 percent in February, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Excluding the volatile gas and auto categories, sales rose 0.3 percent. Overall sales were revised sharply lower in January, from a 0.2 percent gain to a drop of 0.4 percent.

MARYLAND MOTOR TRUCK ASSOCIATION NAMES ANNETTE WOMACK '15 DRIVER OF THE YEAR

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BALTIMORE — The Maryland Motor Truck Association has named Howard County resident Annette Womack, a truck driver for Giant Food, as the Maryland Motor Truck Association’s 2015 Driver of the Year.
Womack is the first woman to be recognized with this honor since the organization’s founding in 1935.
“Giant Food is incredibly proud of Annette Womack for being recognized as Maryland Motor Truck Association’s 2015 Driver of the Year,” said Joe Urban, vice president of distribution operations, Giant Food. “Annette navigates a truck through some of the busiest, densest traffic in the country to deliver goods for our customers and we are so happy she is receiving industry-wide recognition of the excellence she brings to her work for Giant every day.”

FMCSA TO ISSUE NPRM TO EASE CDL PROCESS FOR VETERANS

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes amendments to the Commercial Driver’s License regulation that would ease the transition of military personnel into civilian careers in the truck and bus industries by simplifying the process of obtaining a commercial learner’s permit or a CDL.

REALITY TV, HEAVY DUTY STYLE: ICE ROAD TRUCKERS STAR THROWS IN FOR DELO

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In a media campaign for Chevron's Delo heavy duty motor oil, Lisa Kelly of HISTORY Network's hit show Ice Road Truckers joined a group of reality TV personalities backing the oil and touting its use in their trucks, agricultural and mining machines, and other diesel equipment.

45TH MID-AMERICA TRUCKING SHOW GETS UNDERWAY AT MONTH’S END

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More than 80,000 visitors showed up at the doorsteps of the Kentucky Expo Center Louisville last year for the Mid-America Trucking Show, and this year promises to be just as popular, with 1,090 exhibitors and counting — all situated under a million square feet of exhibition space.
This year’s 45th annual trucking industry extravaganza runs from Thursday, March 31, through Saturday, April 2. Attending will be thousands of truck drivers, dealers and distributors, fleet administrators and purchasers, fleet maintenance managers, fleet owners, manufacturers and suppliers, mechanics and technicians, sales teams, instructors and trucking students.

GOVERNORS' SAFETY GROUP PREDICTS 10% INCREASE IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN '15

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WASHINGTON — The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is predicting a 10 percent increase in the number of persons on foot killed in traffic crashes in 2015, compared with the prior year, according to the association’s annual Spotlight on Highway Safety Report.
The report provides the first look at 2015 pedestrian fatality trends, based on preliminary data reported by all 50 state highway safety agencies and the District of Columbia.

OVERHAUL LAUNCHES ITS ‘UBERIZATION OF TRUCKING’ CONCEPT

Overhaul launched its web platform and mobile app Friday, which it terms “the next generation online marketplace for the trucking industry,” designed to address the needs of owner-operators and shippers moving higher value, more sensitive cargo.
This so-called “uberization of trucking” concept connects the needs of premium shippers to trusted professional drivers and operators, which Overhaul claims eliminates the need to connect through third parties.

REPORT FINDS UNAWARENESS ON EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE CRASH RISK DUE TO DRIVER FATIGUE

Committee says FMCSA should improve research on insufficient sleep in CMV operators
Insufficient sleep can decrease a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver’s level of alertness, which may increase the risk of a crash, yet little is known about effective ways to minimize that risk, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

KUDOS TO ONE DRIVER FOR TWO LIVES SAVED

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The following dispatch comes by way of Boe Burleson, in sales and pricing in the back office of Tulsa, Okla.-based Paul Transportation Inc. Burleson doles out kudos on Paul Transportation driver Gary Hurd, whose heroic on-highway actions on the scene of two accidents in relatively close time proximity went unrecognized until well after the fact, when the company heard from those lives Hurd had helped save.

SPOT MARKET FREIGHT, TRUCKLOAD RATES SLIDE LOWER IN FEBRUARY

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Spot market freight volume fell another 7.9 percent in February, and truckload rates slipped compared to January with the month-over-month decline termed typical of seasonal norms.
And, according to the DAT North American Freight Index, disappointing harvests in California and Florida also contributed to this year’s lower volume.
Freight volume typically rebounds in March, due to an influx of seasonal cargo such as spring fruit and vegetables, construction equipment and materials, and a variety of consumer items.