February 2023

Trackers on truckers?

OOIDA tells FMCSA it should immediately abandon any attempts to mandate electronic IDS on trucks.

News

trackers on truckers

Trackers on truckers?

FMCSA is considering a mandate that would place trackers on truckers. OOIDA is against adding more surveillance in the name of safety.

truck parking

End in sight?

The Senate introduced a truck parking bill in December, offering hope the measure could reach the president’s desk in 2023.

restroom bill

Requesting relief

The restroom bill requires shipper and receiver facilities that have existing restrooms to make those facilities available for truckers.

ELD

Where’s the safety benefit?

FMCSA is considering making the ELD mandate apply to older trucks. OOIDA argues there’s no proven safety benefit from using ELDs.

trucking alliance

Hair loss

The Trucking Alliance made another push for hair testing. Again, the group was denied by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

fuel tax

Three states seek fuel tax rate changes

State lawmakers around the nation are pursuing changes to how much fuel excise tax their state collects for transportation.

Brent Spence Bridge

Brent Spence Bridge project to move forward in 2023

Groundbreaking for the Brent Spence Bridge project is anticipated for late 2023, with substantial completion slated for 2029.

AB5

AB5 violates Commerce Clause, OOIDA says

California’s AB5 violates the Commerce Clause, OOIDA claims. The trucking group recently filed a preliminary injunction.

Good To Go! grace period

Time to get those unpaid tolls caught up in Washington

Washington state’s toll late fee and penalty grace period will be coming to an end a little less than two years after it was put into place.

highway use tax

Not ready for prime time?

A highway use tax is now in effect in Connecticut. Why one trucking group says the new fee is entirely unnecessary.

toll

Planning organization hits brakes on toll proposal in Charlotte, N.C.

The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization has put a toll proposal for I-77 on pause.

toll

Take a hike

With over 85 bridges in need of maintenance, New York state is considering a toll increase to fund the estimated $800 million needed for repairs.

CARB

CARB report shows decline in greenhouse gas emissions

CARB recently released a report titled “California greenhouse gas emissions for 2000 to 2020: Trends of emissions and other indicators.”

legislation, state watch, bills

State Watch – February 2023

This month’s edition of State Watch takes a look at transportation bills in Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.

fuel tax

Fuel tax rates change

States are welcoming the new year with changes in their fuel tax rates due to automatic adjustments or expiration of fuel tax holidays.

Truck Parking Zone

The Parking Zone – February 2023

This edition of The Parking Zone includes a truck parking ban in West Virginia, fine increases in Delaware and more.

ooida, hazmat

OOIDA says no to hazmat fee hike

OOIDA tells the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration that small business would be hurt by increased hazmat fees.

truck drivers

Mission: Maximum Influence

Truck drivers’ best weapon in its fight to keep the highways safe and improve the profession is their sheer numbers.

trucking

You’re the expert

A new year means a new Congress will be taking shape in Washington, D.C. Truckers must use their expertise to inform lawmakers.

Federal lawmakers

Connecting with federal lawmakers

Federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are already hard at work, so it’s time to start the communication process with them.

ooida

OOIDA’s Calls to Action

Communication of issues at all levels of government that are relevant to truck drivers continues to be a motivating force of OOIDA.

regulations

Virtual boots on the ground

Disagree with a proposed regulation? You can make your comments online, and Land Line will walk you through the process.

Initiatives, referendums

Petition efforts offer path for influence

Citizens across the country continue to take matters into their own hands to get issues they are passionate about on ballots.

Initiatives, referendums

Maximize your opportunity to bring change

When not enough is being done by elected officials to address issues important to you, initiatives and referendums can help.

legislature

2023 state legislature directory

Land Line rounds up the phone numbers to contact your state lawmakers, and links to state legislatures to keep tabs on trucking legislation.

OOIDA board meeting

A unified voice

OOIDA board members met with FMCSA leaders as part of the Association’s fall 2022 board of directors meeting in November.

OOIDA

Biennial election seats eight board members

The OOIDA Board of Directors held an election during its fall meetings in November to fill the seats of eight members with expiring terms.

ELD

ELD mandate now enforced in most of Canada

After years of waiting, full enforcement of an ELD mandate is underway in most of the Canadian provinces. Quebec is an exception.

February 2023

In This Issue:

Opinion

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

Unnecessary mandates hinder driver retention efforts

A trio of controversial rulemakings could ruin any progress toward improving driver retention in the trucking industry.

truckers

Truckers speak out on proposed rulemakings

In recent months, government agencies have issued several notices that could greatly affect the trucking industry. Truckers responded.

Features

OOIDA

Still fighting

The Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association began as a result of unrest in the 1970s. Fifty years later, OOIDA continues its mission.

OOIDA

OOIDA celebrates 50th with membership special

Launched on Jan. 1, OOIDA’s “2 for 50” campaign offers new or existing members two years of membership to the Association for $50.

Transition Trucking, Ashley Leiva

‘Keep the business going’

Ashley Leiva, a driver for Noemi Trucking and U.S. Army veteran, was named the 2022 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence winner.

Steve Vole, fire

Trucker to the rescue

Steve Vole, a driver for GBF Trucking in Wisconsin, saved a fellow driver from a burning truck on the Ohio Turnpike in October.

haul

Heavy hauling

A haul weighing nearly 1 million pounds recently made its way across four states. The dimensions of the load were staggering.

MATS

MATS 2023: What you need to know

The Mid-America Trucking Show returns to Louisville, Ky., in 2023. The annual show will be from March 30 through April 1.

Truckloads of Treasures

Truckloads of Treasures reaches $1 million in donations

A trucking company’s Truckloads of Treasures fundraiser has generated more than $1 million for charity since it started in 1993.

Truckers for Troops

Truckers for Troops donates $15K

The 2022 Truckers for Troops campaign resulted in a $15,000 donation to VCP-Kansas City, as well as a truckload of household supplies.

OOIDA and Elite Comics

Santa’s helpers

OOIDA teamed up with Elite Comics in December to deliver thousands of dollars’ worth of toys to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

trucks

Mafia Secrets – February 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 – February 2023

In February, the OOIDA tour trailer is going in for some maintenance ahead of making the trek to the Mid-America Trucking Show the end of March.

trucker; dashboard confidential; inspection

Dashboard Confidential – February 2023

This edition of Dashboard Confidential serves as a reminder that planning can do only so much. The next turn could be into the unusual.

trucking history

Trucking History – February 2023

In this edition of Trucking History, OOIDA's Government Affairs office celebrates its 10-year anniversary and more.

Valentine's Day, Slight Detour

Slight Detour – February 2023

With Valentine’s Day approaching, this edition of Slight Detour features tales of love from the road, as well as something special for the one you love.

truckers, Roses and Razzberries, Roses & Razzberries

Roses & Razzberries – February 2023

ROSES to bathroom access for truckers and new Love’s stores. RAZZBERRIES for a new EPA rule and an Illinois trucker-ticketing scheme.

Business

brokers

Broker issues take spotlight in 2023

FMCSA issued a proposal in January regarding requirements for brokers that has been in the making for more than a decade.

EPA

EPA rule will hurt small-business truckers, OOIDA says

The EPA announced its strict clear air standards for heavy-duty trucks in December. OOIDA was quick to criticize the decision.

A bailout

The Biden administration signed off on a $36 billion bailout to help the pension funds of truck drivers and warehouse workers.

Trucking & Taxes

Trucking & Taxes – February 2023

This edition of Trucking & Taxes discusses making new financial commitments and goals for you and your business in 2023.

Road law

Road Law – February 2023

In this issue of Road Law, we’ll give you examples of the information we usually ask you to provide to us and why we want it.

OOIDA

‘The DOT will not text you’

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is warning truckers of a potential phone scam posing as the U.S. Department of Transportation.