Near-term projections for the trucking industry indicate a slow, steady climb to reaching previous peak sales levels, but not without some new challenges along the way. Specifically, FTR Associates President Eric Starks told industry representatives at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference in Dallas that CSA 2010 could ultimately create a driver shortage. Fewer drivers will be able to be processed through the system, which will result in an unprecedented driver shortage by mid-2011. Overall, truck sales and freight volumes continue to improve, though at times at what appears to be Continue Reading

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration took one step closer to getting its new hours-of-service proposals enacted. The new HOS proposal was sent to the Transportation Secretary’s office late last month. New rules are typically sent there for review before being sent to White House Office of Management and Budget for a final assessment. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the proposal Continue Reading

Numbers from a data mining software company provide a preliminary look at what the 2010 Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA 2010) safety screening program might hold. Based on the analysis from Vigillo, drivers and carriers will have their hands full in preparing to comply with the program’s standards. For starters, 69 percent of data collected for 1,500 fleets indicate that a majority would incur some sort of Continue Reading

Last week, Delaware joined 29 other states banning texting while driving, but the New England state took the restrictions a step further by banning handheld cell phone use while the vehicle is in motion. This includes reading or sending emails and browsing websites in addition to texting. Under the law, the first offense carries a penalty of $50, while a second offense carries a fine of $100 to $200. The law is Continue Reading

Lobbying for the agricultural industry and others who ship heavier products, nine members of Congress petitioned the House of Representatives’ Committee on Agriculture in support of the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, H.R. 1799, which would boost the current 80,000-lb federal weight limit on commercial trucks to 97,000 lbs. Such a move, they say, would reduce emissions as well as Continue Reading

Of the 29 states that have enacted texting bans, Massachusetts may just be the toughest. The New England state is the latest to ban the latest driving distraction wrought of technology. According to the bill, adults will be fined $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third. Teen-aged drivers are subject to the same fines, but will also face license suspensions of Continue Reading

A recently proposed Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) policy favored eliminating a number of documents provided similar records were maintained by qualified electronic mobile communications/tracking technology. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has yet to decide whether this change is sufficient. The FMCSA has Continue Reading

Despite its praise for the efforts of Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) 2010, the American Trucking Association voiced some of its concerns before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit last week. These concerns specifically relate to safety and equality. For example, the ATA suggested determining causation of a crash before entered into drivers’ records so Continue Reading

A stronger anti-texting law in Louisiana is garnering praise from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Beginning Aug. 15, drivers caught texting while driving can be pulled over, rather than being merely ticketed for it if pulled over for another offense. Unchanged from the state’s original 2008 ban, drivers face fines of Continue Reading

Despite increases in tonnage and truck sales, a new report suggests a bleak future for the trucking industry. The 21st annual State of Logistics Report, sponsored by Penske Logistics and released by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) recently particularly focuses on a potential driver shortage that would be further squeezed by new regulations. Depressed freight levels forced many drivers to Continue Reading