March-April 2024

Battle mode

As regulatory, legislative fights intensify, OOIDA calls truckers to the front lines

News

Speed limiters

Is slower automatically safer?

When it comes to FMCSA’s speed limiter rulemaking for large trucks, the agency appears to be oversimplifying the problem.

AEB

Truckers to feds: Hit the brakes

NHTSA and FMCSA are scheduled to release final rules this spring that would mandate AEB technology on passenger vehicles and large trucks.

speed limit

States pursue speed limit revisions

Measures in statehouses from Oklahoma to New Jersey cover speed limit revisions for motorists and truckers on interstates and highways.

broker

A long road

OOIDA’s efforts to fight against broker problems have made strides in recent years, but the Association is urging FMCSA to do more.

Brokers

A sneak attack on broker transparency

A representative for brokers recently told lawmakers that FMCSA should do more to stop fraud but not to enforce broker transparency rules.

Lease-purchase

Fix it or end it?

The Truck Leasing Task Force hopes to put an end to predatory lease-purchase arrangements in the trucking industry.

electric trucks

Short circuit

The push toward mandated sale and use of electric trucks has more obstacles than green lights when all factors are taken into consideration.

autonomous trucks

Robotruck

Autonomous truck companies are starting to deploy tractor-trailers with no human inside on U.S. highways. Should truckers be worried?

autonomous trucks

Autonomous truck restrictions pursued in multiple statehouses

Legislation in a growing number of statehouses addresses the pursuit of permitting autonomous trucks on state roadways.

FMCSA

New leadership at FMCSA

Robin Hutcheson’s tenure at FMCSA has ended, and the agency is likely to move forward with an interim leader until after the presidential election.

CDL

FMCSA proposes changes to CDL requirements

FMCSA is proposing several changes to the trucker CDL requirements that will “increase flexibility” for state driver licensing agencies.

FMCSA

What’s FMCSA springing on truckers?

FMCSA is projected to publish notices about automation, automatic emergency braking systems and speed limiters in the spring.

UCR

Truckers push back against proposed increase to UCR fees

As truckers have struggled to make ends meet through a difficult freight market, FMCSA has proposed a 25% increase to UCR fees for 2025.

Minimum insurance

This again?

Members of Congress are making yet another attempt to drastically increase the minimum insurance requirement for motor carriers.

FMCSA

FMCSA updates National Registry, Medical Examiner Handbook

In January, FMCSA issued notices attempting to clean up the National Registry and to update the Medical Examiner Handbook.

legislation, state watch, bills

State Watch – March/April 2024

This month’s edition of State Watch takes a look at various transportation bills under review in 11 statehouses across the country.

emergency

What problems are FMCSA’s emergency relief ruling solving?

FMCSA issued a final ruling in late 2023 to limit the period of regulatory relief during an emergency to 14 days. But why?

left lane

Left lane use under review in six statehouses

Travel in the left lane for large trucks and other drivers is the topic of legislation in at least six statehouses around the country.

AB5

Constitutionality questioned

OOIDA is playing a role in another case that questions the constitutionality of California’s worker classification law, AB5.

congestion pricing

New York City’s congestion pricing faces multiple lawsuits

New York City’s congestion pricing plan is being challenged in federal court by residents, businesses, elected local officials and one state.

Worker classification

How will it work?

On Jan. 10, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division published a final rule to determine worker classification.

sleeper berth

A court ruling not to sleep on

New judicial precedent addressing sleeper berth time may have some carriers paying more for team driver operations.

Chevron doctrine

Federal agency power on the line

The Supreme Court will rule on whether the Chevron doctrine stays intact. Find out what that means for federal agencies and regulations.

Truck Parking Zone

The Parking Zone – March/April 2024

In addition to more federal investment in truck parking, there have been several developments in truck parking throughout the nation.

Berkshire

Berkshire, Pilot reach agreement for remaining stake

Berkshire Hathaway recently acquired Pilot Company’s remaining 20% stake of Pilot Travel Centers. It ended a $1 billion lawsuit.

Detention time

Another detention time study in the works

Ponzi scheme

Ponzi scheme saga plays out

A long series of fraud incidents, including a $40 million Ponzi scheme, led a trucking company owner to a lengthy prison sentence.

March-April 2024

In This Issue:

Opinion

OOIDA President Todd Spencer, truckers

Best investment ever made

OOIDA President Todd Spencer discusses the importance of investing in yourself by joining the association.

Lewi Pugh speed limiters, grassroots

Harness grassroots power

Grassroots advocacy from truck drivers goes a long way toward getting lawmakers to know why a regulation will or won’t work.

Mark Schremmer, Big Trucking, truckers

DOT shouldn’t gamble with AEB tech before it’s ready

AEB technology hasn’t been perfected, and the U.S. DOT appears to know it. However, the feds are gambling that it will be in a few years.

Tyson Fisher self-driving

A chance to score big with truck parking

With truckers’ efforts to improve truck parking showing signs of success, now is the time to ramp up advocacy while the iron is hot.

Features

Operation Roger

Pet project

Through the volunteer efforts of truckers, nonprofit organization Operation Roger has transported almost 1,000 pets in need of a ride home.

Bassmaster

Living his dream

Jamie Hartman spent time as a truck driver before making the decision to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fisherman in 2017.

truck driver

‘Delayed is not denied’

A truck driver recently proved it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Here’s what led a 63-year-old grandmother back to school.

MATS

MATS readies for 2024 show

The Mid-America Trucking Show is set for March 21-23 this year, as more than 55,000 attendees and 860-plus exhibitors are expected to take part.

convoy

The wishes keep rolling

Annual Mother’s Day Truck Convoy enters its 35th year of benefitting the local Make-A-Wish chapter. Find out how you can get involved.

Military appreciation

Mission: Military Appreciation

Mission: Military appreciation, a Truckers For Troops campaign, will be held by OOIDA in May. Find out how to participate.

Caught on the Lot

Caught on the Lot – March/April 2024

The latest edition of Caught on the Lot takes a look at Chrome Shop Mafia’s experience building the Ranch Hand.

Slight Detour

Slight Detour – March/April 2024

Life on the road can often feel like a set of reruns. This edition of Slight Detour features some familiar stories with their own twists.

trucking history

Trucking History – March/April 2024

This edition of Trucking Industry includes an OOIDA win against a mega carrier in federal court, a famous trucking song and more.

truckers, Roses and Razzberries, Roses & Razzberries

Roses & Razzberries – March/April 2024

Roses to the reopening of a famed Tennessee truck stop. Razzberries to a renewed effort to increase insurance minimums and increased toll pricing.

Business

trucking

Watch your step

Broker abuse is a harsh reality of the trucking industry. Here are some ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Flashing brake lamps

Flashing brake lamps – why?

Flashing brake lamps have been gaining in popularity. Land Line’s Tom Berg explains the appeal and relays what studies have found.

Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear broker liability case

In January, the U.S. Supreme Court opted to not hear a case involving broker liability. It was the second denial in recent years.

freight

Road to recovery

Carriers going under. Low spot rates. High diesel prices. A freight recession has wreaked havoc on truckers, but there may be hope in 2024.

Road law

Road Law – March/April 2024

This edition of Road Law breaks down what it means to have your record expunged and how it still could end up on your MVR.

Trucking & Taxes

Trucking & Taxes – March/April 2024

This edition of Trucking & Taxes explains what “bracket creep” is and outlines the inflation adjustments for 2024.