Which states have the worst drivers? Find out here

If you’ve ever had a close encounter with a driver in Montana, you’re probably not alone: the state is first in the nation when it comes to having the worst drivers.

On ‘Highway Thru Hell’: 3 demanding winter towing jobs

Few jobs are more demanding than being a truck driver negotiating already dangerous roads in hideously bad winter weather.

One of the jobs that is worse happens to be operating the heavy duty towing vehicles called upon to rescue big rigs that have accidents in such conditions.

White House clears rule to set up new FMCSA system to score, target carriers

A proposed federal rule that would give the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration another means to score and target unsafe carriers has cleared the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. The so-called Safety Fitness Determination rule cleared the OMB late last week and is now in the hands of the DOT, ready for publication as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking when it chooses.

GVW 3, 8 LEADING STRONG USED TRUCK MARKET

GVW 3, 8 LEADING STRONG USED TRUCK MARKET

Used vehicles at both ends of the GVW spectrum are making up the largest share of transactions through three quarters of 2015, and Class 3 trucks logged the highest growth trajectory, according to an IHS Automotive report.

A strong third quarter of used commercial vehicle transactions took the yearly total to 579,000 units for a 4% gain over the same period in 2014. Year-to-date transactions were 10.9% lower than the record level achieved during the first nine months of 2011.

Truck parking is a problem; see just how bad it is

Truck parking is a problem; see just how bad it is

This is something you already know: truck parking is a mess; there’s simply not enough of it.

Now, Todd Dills, senior editor at “Overdrive”, in several articles details just how big that mess is and what’s being done about it. Dills writes:

FMCSA Announces Electronic Logs Mandate

By early December 2017, an estimated 3 million commercial drivers will have thrown out their paper logbooks. A long-anticipated rule requiring electronic logging devices for truck and bus driver hours of service was announced Thursday morning.

“Since 1938, complex, on-duty/off-duty logs for truck and bus drivers were made with pencil and paper, virtually impossible to verify,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This automated technology not only brings logging records into the modern age, it also allows roadside safety inspectors to unmask violations of federal law that put lives at risk.”

An electronic logging device, or ELD, automatically records driving time. It monitors engine hours, vehicle movement, miles driven, and location information. Although many fleets already are using some version of electronic logbooks, the agency estimates making them mandatory will save 26 lives and prevent 562 injuries each year.

Truck and bus drivers who currently use paper log books must adopt ELDs within two years. The agency estimates about 3 million drivers will be affected.

Motor carriers that are already using electronic log systems compliant with current federal rules (defined as Automatic On-Board Recording Devices, or AOBRDs) have an extra two years to switch over to the new ELD requirements.

The rule includes technology specifications detailing performance and design requirements for ELDs so manufacturers are able to produce compliant devices and systems.

It also establishes new hours-of-service supporting document (shipping documents, fuel purchase receipts, etc.) requirements that the agency says will result in additional paperwork reductions. In most cases, a motor carrier would not be required to retain supporting documents verifying on-duty driving time.

BTS Report Shows October’s Freight Shipments Increase 0.4%

The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), which is based on the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry, rose 0.4 percent in October from September, rising after one month of decline.
According to the U.S. DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS), the October 2015 index level (123.2) was 30.1 percent above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession.
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