December 2020/January 2021

Putting 2020 into focus

Truckers confront a variety of obstacles, including the pandemic, civil unrest and dangerous weather.

News

trucking in 2020 December January lead copy

Putting 2020 into focus

Trucking has never been an easy profession, but for even the most seasoned truckers 2020 presented a ridiculous number of obstacles.

hours of service

In effect

Truckers begin utilizing hours-of-service changes.

broker transparency

A call for transparency

Truckers, brokers trade jabs during FMCSA listening session.

worker classification

Economic reality?

OOIDA reminds the Department of Labor to consider how its worker classification rule would affect trucking.

FMCSA split sleeper personal conveyance

Time for pause

OOIDA lends support to split-duty pilot program.

Hazmat

Hazmat renewal waiver goes through 2020

TSA extended an exemption from the renewal of hazardous material endorsements through the end of 2020.

OOIDA hair testing opposition

Mandate would be ‘misguided’

OOIDA points to biases in hair testing for drug use.

automated driving system survey

Automated driving systems subject of FMCSA survey

The FMCSA has proposed a survey on automated driving systems before and after demonstrations with the technology.

OOIDA driver churn

Stopping the churn

OOIDA is opposed to lowering the interstate driving age as a way to allow mega fleets to continue its excessive churn of drivers.

UPS

OOIDA: Nothing to reconsider

UPS makes second run at driver training exemption request.

HOS lawsuit

HOS lawsuit moves forward

An HOS lawsuit filed by the Teamsters and a coalition of safety groups moved slowly in the D.C. Circuit into November.

Drug and alcohol clearinghouse deadline

Clearinghouse query deadline set for Jan. 5

The deadline for owner-operators operating under their own authority to run their first query with the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse is Jan. 5.

CDL fraud, rubber stamp

CDL fraud among DOT priorities for 2021

CDL fraud made the list of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Top Challenges for 2021, according to a recent report.

Tesla OOIDA

Urging caution

OOIDA expresses concerns about Tesla’s ‘misleading’ technology.

Indiana toll lawsuit, indiana toll road signage

Federal appeals court hears OOIDA’s Indiana toll lawsuit

Continuing the fight against Indiana's toll, OOIDA presented oral arguments to a federal appeals court, calling the tolls unconstitutional.

Gina Raimondo

Rhode Island governor’s attempt to avoid subpoenas in toll lawsuit denied

Gov. Gina Raimondo and other high-ranking state officials must submit testimony in the American Trucking Associations' toll lawsuit.

Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas Supreme Court rules on I-30 project

The Arkansas Supreme Court has ruled on a challenge to the application of sales tax revenue to widen a portion of Interstate 30.

legislation, state watch, bills

State Watch – December 2020/January 2021

Land Line's State Watch compiles the latest legislative efforts impacting truck drivers at the state level.

Truckers for Troops 2020

Truckers for Troops lives up to name in 2020

The 2020 campaign raised money for care packages and in support of the Veterans Community Project.

Governor Elections

State elections set stage for coming years

The outcomes of governor elections from coast to coast were decided on Nov. 3, with Republicans picking up one chief executive seat.

Transportation issues Georgia Senate election

Transportation issues settled by voters

Voters throughout the country decided Nov. 3 on transportation issues that include “Right to Repair,” road funds, and tolls.

fuel economy; fuel tax

Fuel tax rate changes for New Year

The first of the year marks the change of fuel tax rates in multiple states. Changes are based on automatic adjustments.

OOIDA scholarship

OOIDA accepting applications for scholarships until Feb. 1

Applications for the next class of OOIDA scholarship recipients are due Feb. 1. The scholarship started in 1998.

The Parking Zone truck parking

The Parking Zone – December 2020/January 2021

Truck parking 2020 year in review

OOIDA board of directors

‘United in a common effort’

The OOIDA Board of Directors fall meeting focused on uniting to battle for the interests of truck drivers following a contentious election.

OOIDA board election logo

Biennial election seats eight board members

The OOIDA Board of Directors held its biennial election at its fall board meeting for the eight members with expiring terms.

OOIDA president Todd Spencer, Business Insider

OOIDA president recognized by Business Insider

Business Insider recently named OOIDA President Todd Spencer among its list of 100 innovative leaders in North America.

Truck to Success

Staying on course

Truck to Success provides knowledge of how to become an owner-operator.

Prime Inc. trailer

Nearly settled

Truckers’ dispute with Prime over misclassification ends in a $28 million settlement after a five-year battle.

truck driver moez somrani

On alert

Truck driver helps get abducted girls to safety.

Washington Meal and Rest Breaks

Washington state’s break rules are preempted, FMCSA says

Washington state's meal and rest break rules are preempted by federal law, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration determined.

New Orleans Attorney

New Orleans attorney indicted in crash scheme

A New Orleans attorney is the latest to be federally indicted in an extensive staged crash conspiracy targeting commercial trucks and buses.

December 2020/January 2021

In This Issue:

Features

sleigh bells and santa

A trucking Santa

Annual program provides gifts to children of deceased truck drivers.

Trucking In America Poster Contest

Trucking in America poster contest

Truckers are heroes through the eyes of children

Memory Lane Empire State Building

Delivering to the Empire State Building

In this edition of Memory Lane, John Bendel recalls the high point of his LTL driving career when he delivered to the Empire State Building.

Mafia Secrets, December 2020

Mafia Secrets December 2020/January 2021

This edition of Mafia Secrets takes a look at one of the latest trucks from Fleenor Bros., out of Carthage, Mo.

Jon Osburn, skipper of OOIDA's tour trailer, the Spirit of the American Trucker OOIDA on the road

Letting drivers know OOIDA is there to help

OOIDA's tour trailer is scheduled for stops in the Southwest, introducing OOIDA to drivers and keeping in touch with members stopping by.

Dave Sweetman, Dashboard Confidential

Dashboard Confidential – December 2020/January 2021

Clean, green, safe machine.

Smokey and the Bandit

‘Smokey and the Bandit’ headed for TV?

“Smokey and the Bandit,” the classic trucking movie from the 1970s, may be turned into a television series.

roses and razzberries

Roses & Razzberries – December 2020/January 2021

In this edition of Roses and Razzberries, Terry Scruton dishes out razzberries for court cases involving Pilot Flying J and Prime.

Business

Mack MD6 truck tractor

Mack MD6 ably carries author’s car

Builder’s new medium-duty model conventional has a satisfying big-truck feel.

Electric Volvo

Going electric

Already available for shorter hauls, manufacturers like Nikola and Volvo are preparing for a future of electric trucks.

hot shot trucking

Ready to shift gears?

Here’s some advice if you’re considering a switch to hotshotting.

Cummins X-15 engine

Cummins promotes more fuel-efficient engine

Cummins says its new engines will deliver greater fuel economy and offer extended oil-drain intervals than current engines.

truck products hot stuff and cool services

Hot Stuff & Cool Services – December 2020/January 2021

Protection at the pump, one hot LED and an easy way to get into and out of your cab or trailer.

Advice

Maintenance QA

Maintenance Q&A – December 2020/January 2021

Steering through winter driving problems.

Tax Tips scams

Tax Tips – December 2020/January 2021

Steps to take as 2020 comes to a close

Road Law

Road Law – December/January 2020-21

Between a rock and a hard place.