Land Line Now

An incident involving a car driven by a teenager has prompted a federal safety agency to issue a warning about marijuana and driving. Also, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has given another motor carrier an exemption for flashing brake lights. And a hurricane threatens Florida. Then, a bill in Congress would force federal agencies to think about the “little guy” when crafting new regulations. And local taxes to support transportation will be on the ballot this fall in seven Georgia counties and several California cities. 0:00 – Carrier gets exemption on brake lights  10:07 – Wreck prompts federal pot warning 25:00 – Bill would require small-business consideration in new regulations 40:06 – Local transportation taxes on fall ballot

A need to preempt natural avalanches prompted Utah Department of Transportation officials to come up with a better, safer system to use in winter months. Also, average diesel prices are up for the first time in more than two months, and the U.S. Department of Labor is stepping in with a port strike looming next week. Then, people really need a second chance sometimes. One place that’s true is in court, a place where second chances are hard to come by. We’ll explain. And three important pieces of legislation supported by OOIDA dealing with freight fraud and more have advanced out of committee in the U.S. House. 0:00 – Diesel prices increase after long drop  10:07 – Utah replaces cannons used to spark avalanches 25:00 – Getting your second chance in court 40:06 – Freight fraud, other trucking bills advance in Congress

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety took an in-depth look at distracted driving and what’s causing it in a new report. Also, Land Line Now offers an overview of OOIDA’s Truck To Success seminar scheduled for October, including what truckers will learn there. And two communities in Florida have changed their rules after many years, now banning truckers from parking their rigs at their homes. 0:00 – Newscast  10:07 – Report outlines how bad distracted driving is 25:00 – What you’ll learn at Truck To Success 40:06 – Florida town to truckers: No parking at home

Opposition to a New York City program that relies on residents to report idling trucks is growing. Jami Jones of Land Line Magazine explains. Also, brokers are adding more and more contract requirements that truckers are obligated to meet – and it’s causing problems for truckers. Then, LEDs allow you to do all kinds of things with lights that were never possible before. Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia discusses the ups and downs of LED lighting. And a found USB drive or a connection to Wi-Fi may set you up for a cybersecurity nightmare. Jason Lutes and Aaron Phillips of OOIDA’s I.T. Department explain. 0:00 – New York idling bounty sparks pushback  10:07 – What sort of requirements are brokers adding to contracts? 25:00 – LEDs continue to give truckers wide array of options 40:06 – The seemingly innocuous could spell trouble for your computer

An NTSB investigation into a 2022 crash put most of the blame on a motor carrier, but there is far more to the story. We’ll explain. Also, Bryce Mongeon of OOIDA offers some insight into a new study regarding detention time. And a Georgia congressman explains why he opposed a bill that would raise the minimum required insurance coverage for motor carriers. Then, OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis heard a road rumor recently regarding the personal conveyance rule – one that has little resemblance to reality. 0:00 – NTSB report doesn’t tell whole story of 2022 crash  10:07 – The depth – and cost – of the detention time problem 25:00 – Congressman: No need to raise insurance requirements 40:06 – Personal conveyance on Fridays only?

A possible dockworkers’ strike on the East Coast and Gulf Coast could create problems in the trucking industry, at ports and beyond. Also, an ATRI survey on detention time found that on the whole, the problem is on the decline in the trucking industry. And when it comes to hiring on a driver, there are a few things you should take into consideration – including your insurance. Then, the number of loads posted on the DAT One load board hit 2019 levels last week. Robert Rouse of DAT has the details. 0:00 – Dockworkers’ strike could be a problem for trucking 10:07 – Some good news in detention time report 25:00 – The impact of hiring drivers on your insurance 40:06 – Loads on board reach 2019 levels

OSHA is cracking down on a company that thumbed its nose at hours-of-service rules – and it’s going to cost the company a substantial fine. Also, a Texas program that is designed to turn traffic lights green for trucks in city traffic is expanding to new parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Then, how do attorneys handle the situation when a client could be numerous states away from the court? Jeff McConnell and James Mennella of Road Law explain. And finally, Texas is making a huge investment in transportation, with roads getting a big chunk of the funding. 0:00 – OSHA hits carrier hard on hours-of-service violations  10:07 – Program designed to turn stoplights green for truckers 25:00 – What to do when the trucker is far from the court 40:06 – State makes big investments in transportation         

The OOIDA Foundation is tracking some positive developments in its latest quarterly market report – but don’t get your hopes up quite yet. Plus, getting a ticket or inspection violation is frustrating enough, even more so when you don’t know how it’s going to affect your record. This advice might help. Then, the American Logistics Aid Network steps in to organize the logistics when disasters strike in the U.S. – and there are a lot right now. And finally, negotiations to avoid a government shutdown have hit a snag, with the clock ticking. 0:00 – Freight market showing more signs of slow recovery 10:17 – How tickets, violations can affect your record 25:00 – When disaster strikes, ALAN steps in 40:06 – Government shutdown talks hit snag

A U.S. Senator is calling on FMCSA to crack down on unlicensed commercial truck drivers in the wake of several incidents. We’ll discuss that, along with the denial of an ELD exemption request and more as we cover the news of the day. Then, with so much information out there, it’s easy to get fooled. How do you navigate through the confusion? Plus, we hand out roses to those doing right by truckers – and razzberries to those who aren’t – in our latest installment of Roses and Razzberries. And finally, some good advice when it comes to all this talk about the electrification of large trucks: take a deep breath. 0:00 – U.S. Senator calls for more CDL scrutiny 10:17 – Surviving the information age 25:00 – Roses & Razzberries 40:06 – Anxious about the future? Take a deep breath

Like a horror movie villain that just won’t stay down, the bid to raise the minimum insurance level for commercial trucks is back in the spotlight. Then, new details on California’s plan for autonomous trucks and a U.S. DOT update on speed limiters, broker transparency and more. Plus, why are some brokers charging certain fees that can cost thousands of dollars? And finally, full coverage of New Jersey’s efforts to comply with new Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse rules, along with California’s attempt to clarify its weight-limit rule for certain trucks. 0:00 – Bid to raise minimum insurance level 10:17 – Autonomous trucks in Calif., USDOT regulatory timelines 25:00 – Brokers tacking on extra fees 40:06 – N.J. complies while Calif. clarifies

Two nuclear verdicts targeting the trucking industry have made national headlines in recent days – and both raise serious questions and concerns about where we may be heading. Plus, cargo theft cases have skyrocketed in recent years. But just how bad is it out there? ATRI intends to find out. Then, a look at the latest truck parking news across the nation. And finally, Land Line Now checks in on the latest spot market data, courtesy of Truckstop. 0:00 – Nuclear verdicts target trucking industry 10:17 – Cargo theft survey 25:00 – The Parking Zone 40:06 – Spot market update

FMCSA is giving the public additional time to comment on whether its regulatory guidance documents need to be updated, while support grows for a bipartisan bill that would guarantee overtime pay for truckers. Plus, there’s nothing good about being involved in an accident, but if you are, look into something called “downtime compensation.” Then, Land Line Now details how even relatively normal weather events can involve insurance considerations. And finally, we look at the impact a potential government shutdown could have on the trucking industry. 0:00 – Guidance document review and GOT Truckers Act 10:17 – Downtime compensation 25:00 – Weather events and insurance considerations 40:06 – How could a government shutdown affect trucking?

The ripple effects of the pandemic continue to be felt in the trucking industry. Two new reports are a reminder of that. One shows a decline in the number of traffic fatalities, while another shows a drop in the number of trucking jobs. Plus, Pilot Flying J is spending the month of September giving thanks to professional drivers. An OOIDA member celebrates 3 million safe driving miles. And a ballot measure in the state of Washington will decide whether stricter emissions regulations remain in place. 0:00 – Traffic fatalities and trucking jobs both decline 10:17 – Pilot Flying J giving thanks to truckers; 3 million safe mile driver 25:00 – Initiative 2117 in Washington state

Another agency within the U.S. DOT is facing a change in leadership. We cover Shailen Bhatt’s departure as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and analyze the DEA’s decision to delay marijuana reclassification. After that, a list of five products for your truck that offer the most bang for your buck. Then, an OOIDA member offers up a cautionary tale about selling your authority. And finally, Marty Ellis, driver of the OOIDA tour truck, has been hearing that some carriers are manipulating ELDs – and he’s got some thoughts. 0:00 – Bhatt leaving FHWA & marijuana reclassification  10:17 – Five additions for your truck that won’t break the bank 25:00 – Cautionary tale about selling your authority 40:06 – Carriers manipulating ELDs

The government is pushing for electric trucks. But the difficulties caused when those trucks’ batteries catch fire have caught the Department of Transportation’s attention. Also, for many owner-operators, finding a load that pays well enough is half the battle – and requires spending some time on load boards. We’ll explain how to find a good one. Then, OOIDA and Truckers Against Trafficking have joined for a special giveaway to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. 0:00 – Newscast  10:07 – Electric truck fires draw attention of U.S. DOT 25:00 – How do you find a good load board? 40:06 – TAT, OOIDA join to honor truck drivers

Danny Ramon of Overhaul joins Land Line Now to talk about new trends taking shape in cargo theft and to offer updates on what’s being done. Also, the OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship has helped the children, grandchildren and legal dependents of truck drivers get an education. It’s now accepting applications. Then, CVSA’s Brake Safety Week and the lead-up to the Labor Day holiday weekend had an impact on the spot market. We’ll explain. 0:00 – Newscast  10:07 – What’s being done about cargo theft? 25:00 – OOIDA scholarship now accepting applications 40:06 – Brake Safety Week, holiday have impact on freight market

Several localities across the U.S. will vote on billions in transportation funding, including Seattle, Nashville and two towns in Colorado. Also, if you’re an owner-operator, keeping on top of your taxes and bookkeeping isn’t just a good idea – it’s a necessity. Truck To Success will offer some advice. And predatory towing affects a small percentage of truck drivers – but a single instance of the problem can spell the end of your business. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:07 – Taxes are a necessity of running your trucking business. 25:00 – Predatory towing can end your business. 40:06 – Transportation issues on local ballots in November.

Author and historian Mark Levinson relates the story of Malcolm McLean, a pioneer in the use of shipping containers – and a truck driver. Also, several members of Congress have spoken out on the issue of speed limiters – and one of them is Congressman Mike Collins of Georgia. We’ll bring you some of comments. 0:00 – Newscast 10:22 – Trucker’s ingenuity brings us the shipping containers we have today 45:05 – Trucker and congressman expresses his views on speed limiters

Being able to tell good brokers and bad brokers apart can save time, keep you out of a real financial bind – or avoid ending your business. Also, a new comprehensive report takes a look at some of the significant wrinkles that have to be ironed out in order to electrify trucks. And Marty Ellis has spent plenty of time waiting to load and unload – and that reminded him about issues such as hourly pay, overtime and truck ownership. 0:00 – Newscast 10:22 – Telling the good brokers from the bad 25:10 – Study takes a look at what’s needed for truck electrification 40:08 – Detention time, hourly pay and overtime

FMCSA is about to spend millions of dollars to improve training at several facilities. And the training includes some for current drivers. Also, there are things you can do to mitigate and prevent tire damage from heat. Andy McCulloch of Michelin has the cure. And New Jersey lawmakers are taking a closer look at a mandate for electric vehicles put in place by a state agency, while West Virginia is ready to spend a chunk of change on road work. 0:00 – Newscast  10:22 – Improving driver training, one school at a time 25:10 – Taking the heat off your tires 40:08 – New Jersey casts a sideways glance at electric vehicle mandates