Published: 20 September 2023

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced more than $80 million in grant awards to help professional drivers access truck parking.

The grants include a 65% increase in funding for truck parking projects over last year and enhance efforts to support truck drivers and improve safety.

Read the full article to learn how and where the funds will be used.

Published: 07 September 2023

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now notifying motor carriers if a driver’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse record changes within 12 months after their last query.

Previously there was a loophole in the Clearinghouse system where a driver could have a drug or alcohol violation reported after a pre-employment query, but if another carrier went to hire that driver before their next annual Clearinghouse check, they wouldn't necessarily know about the prior violation.

Read the full article to learn what you should do when you receive an alert that a driver’s record has changed.

Published: 19 July 2023

While attempts have been made in the past to repeal the Federal Excise Tax (FET) on new heavy-duty vehicles, tougher emissions regulations, combined with growing costs for zero-emission vehicles, may help propel the latest effort across the finish line.

Read the full article to learn more about the latest efforts to pass the FET repeal in Congress, and why its supporters believe the time is right.

Published: 14 July 2023

The last time Wisconsin-based Hallahan Transport small fleet owner Rob Hallahan priced out earlier versions of Motive’s cameras, minus newer AI-driven capabilities, he recalls a figure around $25-$30 monthly per unit, though he noted it’s been years. In fact, ever since he tried that camera out and wasn’t satisfied with its performance, he’s tried to get his hands on Motive’s newer generation of camera equipment, including as recently as six months ago, to no avail. 

With the exception of that first trial, he’s been told cameras were on backorder every time. He’s been looking around “to find different dashcams you can use and control from your computer at home,” he said. Motive, already his ELD provider, seems the obvious choice, and particularly since they’re “always marketing their cameras. I know other people that have them.” Motive representatives did not respond to queries about current availability in time for this story. 

Read the full article to learn how drivers are implementing cameras inside and outside their rigs. 

Published: 29 June 2023

New commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds would be required to have automatic emergency braking systems  — as well as stability control systems — under a new proposed rule from two Department of Transportation agencies.

The proposal would apply only to newly manufactured vehicles. It would not require a retrofit of existing vehicles.

Read the full article for the details and the expected timetable for implementing the new rule. 

Published: 29 June 2023

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced July 9-15 for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week.

Throughout that week, law enforcement officers in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe driving behaviors

Read the full article too learn what authorities will be looking for and what this year's focus will be.

Published: 31 May 2023

3 Ways Fleets Can Improve Driver Communication

Older drivers remember the days before in-cab satellite communications when they had to contact dispatchers, shippers, and receivers by payphone, but most Gen Xers and millennials do not. Technology has made it so easy for fleets to communicate with drivers, and vice versa, that the greater challenge is preventing deadly distractions. Ensuring safe driver communications and improving their work experience are two of the greatest needs in the trucking industry today.

Read the full article for three ways fleets can update their communications strategy and technology to address these challenges

Published: 10 March 2023

Car Haulers Push for Increased Weight Limits for Electric Car Transport

Electric vehicles are heavier than gas-powered ones, so if federal weight limits on haulers don't change, you may find yourself carrying fewer vehicles. A coalition of haulers, manufacturers and others is asking Congress to increase those limits. Learn more: https://www.ccjdigital.com/regulations/article/15306841/coalition-calls-for-increased-weight-limits-for-auto-haulers

Published: 10 February 2023

The American Transportation Research Institute has released its 12th annual list highlighting the most congested bottlenecks for trucks in America. Read the full article to view the full list and learn how this research provides a roadmap to guide investment decisions and address the nation’s supply chain challenges.

Published: 19 August 2022

Next week is the Brake Safety Week Enforcement Blitz (August 21-27), hosted by the CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance). Learn some tips for avoiding the most common violations, see which states have the toughest enforcement, and make sure you are prepared, in this week's featured article.