December 2022/January 2023

Gearing up for 2023

OOIDA priorities include securing more truck parking and fighting speed limiters.

News

OOIDA

Gearing up for 2023

As we move into 2023, OOIDA prepares for several fights in the congressional and regulatory arenas, as well as in the courts.

Robin Hutcheson

FMCSA’s Hutcheson discusses trucking’s top issues

FMCSA’s Robin Hutcheson recently took time to speak with LandLine.Media about several of trucking’s most pressing issues.

Personal conveyance

Petition to set limits on personal conveyance denied

For the second time in recent years, FMCSA has denied CVSA’s petition to place limits on a trucker’s personal conveyance provision.

DOT report

U.S. DOT report indicates rulemakings coming in 2023

This fall, a U.S. DOT report detailed the rulemakings FMCSA has in store for 2023. Many are slated to be published in January.

speeding

U.S. DOT: No need for speed

The U.S. Department of Transportation continues to accelerate its efforts toward reducing speeding on America’s roadways.

Emergency waiver

COVID-19 emergency declaration ends

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s COVID-19 emergency declaration, which took effect in March 2020, expired on Oct. 15.

OOIDA

Back to the drawing board

OOIDA called out the latest draft of the CME Handbook, saying it had critical shortcomings and was “unfit” for publication.

labor department

Employee or independent contractor?

The Department of Labor is proposing a federal test to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.

Women of Trucking

Women of Trucking Advisory Board holds first meeting

FMCSA’s Women of Trucking Advisory Board aims to get more females in the industry. The board’s inaugural meeting was in November.

transportation

Voters weigh in on transportation issues

Voters throughout the country decided Nov. 8 on transportation issues that include funds for road, bridge, and transit work.

Governor elections

State elections set stage for coming years

The outcomes of governor elections from coast to coast were decided on Nov. 8 with Democrats appearing to make slight gain.

Statehouse elections

Statehouse elections reveal slight change around the country

More than 80% of state legislative seats were on fall ballots with minimal shifting of party control in statehouse elections.

fuel tax

Fuel tax rate changes

Fuel tax rate changes of about four cents or less are set to take effect the first of the year in states from Utah to Pennsylvania.

legislation, state watch, bills

State Watch – December 2022/January 2023

This month’s edition of State Watch takes a look at transportation bills in California, Colorado, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

OOIDA

OOIDA talks safety at conference in Washington

OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh discussed safety from a trucker’s perspective at a recent conference in Washington.

ELDs

California wants to slap ELDs on intrastate truckers

Intrastate truckers in California get a free pass from the ELD mandate. However, the California Highway Patrol wants to change that.

Zero-emission trucks

North Carolina governor issues order on zero-emission trucks

A North Carolina executive order is touted to speed up the state’s transition to a clean energy economy via zero-emission trucks and buses.

road use fees

Louisiana statehouse task force considers road-use fees

A recent Louisiana statehouse meeting was held to discuss the need for higher road use fees to help address funding shortfalls.

OOIDA

Overstepping its authority?

OOIDA filed an amicus brief in October, telling the court that California overstepped its authority regarding emission standards.

tolls

Rhode Island appeals ruling on truck-only tolls

A federal court ruled that Rhode Island’s truck-only tolls were unconstitutional. The state has filed an appeal on that ruling.

Land Line Media's Parking Zone

Parking Zone – December 2022/January 2023

This addition of Parking Zone asks whether the promise to fix the truck parking crisis is real – or if it’s just a mirage.

OOIDA scholarship

Money for college

Applications for the OOIDA scholarship are due Feb. 1. Each year, five scholarship recipients are selected for the renewable scholarships.

per diem

Per diem rates for truckers remain stagnant

Per diem rates for truck drivers did not increase for 2022-23, remaining at $69 for travel in the U.S. and $74 for travel in Canada.

hair testing

‘Stunningly preposterous’

FMCSA should not accept the results of any hair testing, considering the inconsistencies and inaccuracies involved, OOIDA says.

meat theft

Meat theft investigation nets three arrests

Three men were arrested in connection to a multistate crime spree involving $9 million in stolen meat and 45 thefts in six states.

ATRI, fuel pump

Trucking industry’s top issue: fuel prices

ATRI’s latest report says that fuel prices is the top issue in the trucking industry. Truck parking was the top issue among truck drivers.

December 2022/January 2023

In This Issue:

Opinion

OOIDA President Todd Spencer, truckers

Truckers need spaces to park to keep us all safe

OOIDA President Todd Spencer details the problems surrounding the lack of truck parking in the United States.

Mark Schremmer, driver shortage, hair testing, clearinghouse, distracted driving, speed limiters, Trucking Workforce Improvement Act, driver retention, hours of service, truck drivers, ELDs, AI, AEB

Road to safety starts with driver training

The Trucking Workforce Improvement Act would repeal FMCSA’s entry-level driver training rule that went into effect in February.

Features

OOIDA Life Member Carmen Anderson

‘This is it’

Earlier this year, FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson rode with OOIDA life member Carmen Anderson. They discussed several trucking issues.

OOIDA

Driving toward change

OOIDA is entering into its 50th year of advocating for truckers. Here are some keys to longevity to take away from the Association’s first five decades.

Citizen Driver Award, Doug Smith

‘The cherry on top’

An OOIDA board member with 55 years behind the wheel and more than 4 million collision-free miles, receives trucking honor.

Kurt Plummer

‘Anybody can do it’

Kurt Plummer, an OOIDA senior member and alternate board member, has lost around 120 pounds thanks to a lifestyle change nine years ago.

ATHS

A ‘rich history’

Founders of Old Dominion Freight Line, Freightliner Trucks and the Iowa 80 Group were inducted into the ATHS Hall of Fame on Oct. 26.

christmas

The spirit of giving

Now in its 15th year, the Truckers Christmas Group helps needy trucking families have a memorable holiday. Find out how you can help.

truckers for troops

Truckers for Troops completes 16th fundraising effort

OOIDA’s 2022 Truckers for Troops fundraising efforts culminated with its annual telethon during the week of Veterans Day.

Mafia Secrets – December 2022/January 2023

Take a look at the hard working, eye-catching trucks caught on the lot at 4 State Trucks home of the Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, Mo.

thankful, OOIDA, tour trailer

OOIDA on the road – December 2022/January 2023

Marty Ellis, who drives the OOIDA tour trailer, has compiled a list of things he didn’t see coming but happened in the past year.

trucker; dashboard confidential; inspection

Dashboard Confidential – Dec. 2022/Jan. 2023

This edition of Dashboard Confidential features those dispatchers who make life a little easier as well as those who do the opposite.

trucking history

Trucking History – December 2022/January 2023

This edition of Trucking History includes FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, a large settlement win for OOIDA and more.

forklift driver

My last forklift adventure

A first job as a driver did not go according to plan, columnist John Bendel recalls, but at least it started him in a direction.

slight detour

Slight Detour – December 2022/January 2023

Trucker-brides, a case of mistaken identity, and a truly crappy day are just a few of the wild tales in this month’s edition of Slight Detour.

truckers, Roses and Razzberries, Roses & Razzberries

Roses & Razzberries – December 2022/January 2023

ROSES to the 2022 ATHS Hall of Fame class and new/updated Pilot Travel Centers. RAZZBERRIES handed out for fraud, EPA violations.

Business

truck to success, trucking

Success for the long haul

25% of new transportation and warehousing businesses fail within the first year. How OOIDA is helping set up truckers for success.

Jacobs truck

New tech

Jacobs Vehicle Systems has developed technologies that could help engine and truck manufacturers meet stricter exhaust emission limits.

Mack truck

In command

Mack is placing new emphasis on its Command Steer option, introduced several years ago on vocational and highway models.

ZF truck

Cutting-edge truck technology

Take an inside look at ZF’s latest products, including OnGuardMAX, Powerline eight-speed automatic transmission and its Electric Power Steering system.

LTL, less-than-truckload

‘Radical transformation’

Two fundamental changes are transforming less-than-truckload shipping, as can be seen in recent expansions, acquisitions and other moves.

driverless trucks

Another beer run

What is it with beer and driverless trucks? Take a look back at a Budweiser beer run that made the headlines in 2016.

Trucking & Taxes

Trucking & Taxes – December 2022/January 2023

Taxes and deductions in 2023 have changed up a bit. Trucking and Taxes gives you the lowdown on what to expect so you can start planning.

Road law

Road Law – December 2022/January 2023

This edition of Road Law takes a deeper look at masking. The concept continues to be misinterpreted and misapplied.