From the Editor
Noise deaf
In today's politically charged environment, truckers can cut through all the chaotic noise when talking to lawmakers, by being calm.
News
Congressional crosshairs
At a House hearing, several lawmakers spoke on behalf of truck drivers in opposition of speed limiters and to voice other concerns.
‘No evidence’
There isn’t a truck driver shortage. ATA just thinks that there is, according to an economic professor’s findings.
Identify and penalize
FMCSA issued a final rule to improve broker regulations. OOIDA petitioned the agency to strengthen the broker rules.
Stricter emission standards closer to reality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is wasting little time moving forward with an attempt to establish strict truck emission standards.
Groups seek relief from new FMCSA rule
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and another group have petitioned FMCSA to reconsider one of its newest rules.
State Watch – February 2024
This month’s edition of State Watch takes a look at various transportation pursuits in seven statehouses around the nation.
New North Carolina law ups ante on cargo theft
A new North Carolina law is intended to boost the deterrence of truck, rail or container cargo theft through tougher punishment.
Fuel tax changes now in effect
Fuel tax rate revisions of amounts ranging from about a penny to a nickel took effect the first of the year in states across the country.
Truck parking need highlighted in Florida
The Florida governor’s proposed state transportation budget for the coming fiscal year includes millions for truck parking.
New York City revamping truck routes
For the first time in decades, truck routes in New York City will be seeing some significant changes. Find out what’s in store.
New York City congestion pricing plan takes shape
New York City is poised to become the nation’s first city to adopt congestion pricing. Find out what that means for truckers.
New citywide truck route plan coming to Houston
Truckers driving through Houston will need to adhere to a new citywide truck route. Find out what the new plan covers.
A total eclipse of the freight?
The solar eclipse is expected to bring 1.5 million visitors to Arkansas. Officials are asking truckers to help with traffic concerns.
Georgia panel makes recommendations on ‘shortage’ of truck drivers
A Georgia Senate study panel came up with a list of recommendations to help address the needs of truck drivers in the state.
Tennessee trekking toward toll lanes
The Tennessee Department of Transportation revealed a 10-year transportation plan. The plan includes multiple toll lane projects.
Seeking safety
The Midwest Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit lacked a large showing from the industry’s most important stakeholders – the truck drivers.
Same goal, different perspectives
Members of NHTSA underride advisory committee are divided on the best way to reduce fatality crashes in the trucking industry.
The Parking Zone – February 2024
A lot of positive movement in terms of additional truck parking has been made at the state level. Find out which states are making progress.
Progress toward more truck parking
A group of transport officials and stakeholders gave a glimpse of how truck parking is going on their end. Find out what progress is being made.
Turning the tides
The Women of Trucking Advisory Board has submitted its final report to FMCSA. Here’s why its work is important for all drivers.
Truckers must get in the game
When it comes to legislative and regulatory battles in the trucking industry, truckers can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and hope things work out.
Winning requires trucker engagement
OOIDA’s D.C. team is poised to score for truckers in the legislative arena. Trucker engagement can take the efforts across the goal line.
Federal lawmakers are just a phone call or email away
Maximize your communication with federal lawmakers through methods that include phone calls, writing letters and emails.
OOIDA committed to constant communication with truckers
OOIDA remains dedicated to providing professional drivers with the essentials to communicate with appointed and elected officials.
Primary elections offer opportunity to maximize your vote
Primary election season will soon be under way, providing you an opportunity to have your say in who appears on the general election ballot.
Citizens have options to effect change without legislation
Taking matters into your own hands via the initiative, referendum or recall processes offers an alternative to legislation.
2024 state legislature directory
Land Line’s round up of phone numbers to contact your state lawmakers and links to state legislatures to keep tabs on trucking legislation.
Cargo theft ring fried by Kentucky police
An 18-month effort by Kentucky law enforcement helped put an end to a cargo theft ring allegedly responsible for $10 million in stolen freight.
Truckers appreciated by most Americans, survey says
It’s not uncommon for truckers to be portrayed negatively in the media. However, a new survey suggests that most Americans hold a different view.
Lawmakers tout overtime bill for truckers
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle joined Land Line Now in recent months to tout a bill that would guarantee overtime pay for truckers.
Autonomous vehicles: Where are we headed?
The autonomous vehicle industry had a bad year in 2023. Can more oversight from the federal government put AVs back on track?
Patchwork of policies?
A recent report takes a look at how states are handling autonomous trucks. One area where state policies vary greatly is crash reporting.
In This Issue:
News
- Congressional crosshairs
- ‘No evidence’
- Identify and penalize
- Stricter emission standards closer to reality
- Groups seek relief from new FMCSA rule
- State Watch – February 2024
- New North Carolina law ups ante on cargo theft
- Fuel tax changes now in effect
- Truck parking need highlighted in Florida
- New York City revamping truck routes
- New York City congestion pricing plan takes shape
- New citywide truck route plan coming to Houston
- A total eclipse of the freight?
- Georgia panel makes recommendations on ‘shortage’ of truck drivers
- Tennessee trekking toward toll lanes
- Seeking safety
- Same goal, different perspectives
- The Parking Zone – February 2024
- Progress toward more truck parking
- Turning the tides
- Truckers must get in the game
- Winning requires trucker engagement
- Federal lawmakers are just a phone call or email away
- OOIDA committed to constant communication with truckers
- Primary elections offer opportunity to maximize your vote
- Citizens have options to effect change without legislation
- 2024 state legislature directory
- Cargo theft ring fried by Kentucky police
- Truckers appreciated by most Americans, survey says
- Lawmakers tout overtime bill for truckers
- Autonomous vehicles: Where are we headed?
- Patchwork of policies?
Features
Opinion
ATA’s driver pay hustle
Much like a street hustler, the American Trucking Associations is trying every trick in the book to confuse the truck driver pay discussions.
Trackers on truckers sidelined following advocacy efforts
In 2022, FMCSA considered mandating electronic IDs for trucks. Truckers voiced their displeasure, and the proposal has been sidelined.
Features
Truckers For Troops continues support for military
OOIDA’s military fundraiser, Truckers For Troops, recently completed its 2023 campaign with its annual donation to the Veterans Community Project.
A trucking tribute
Land Line features two tribute trucks that are designed to raise awareness and honor active service members, veterans and those who are prisoners of war or missing in action.
‘Special breed’
The 2023 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award was presented along with a special edition Kenworth T680 in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 15.
An emotional ride
OOIDA senior member Lamar Buckwalter of Leola, Pa., took part in the Wreaths Across America event for the first time. Safe to say it won’t be his last.
Truck show season
MATS unofficially gets trucks show season going in March. The ATHS, Wheel Jam and Texas Trucking shows are set for June, and the Walcott Jamboree is in July.
‘I was honored’
OOIDA member Walter McCahill of Burlington, Wis., received the Golden Achievement Award from the American Truck Historical Society in 2023.
Mafia Secrets – February 2024
You never have to look far for good looking trucks caught on the lot at 4 State Trucks home of the Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, Mo.
Remember platooning, blockchain, etc.?
Remember when platooning was supposed to be the big thing in trucking? How about blockchain? Take a trip through trucking nostalgia.
Slight Detour – February 2024
A truly impressive athletic feat and 40,000-pound disaster waiting to happen highlight this edition of Slight Detour.
Trucking History – February 2024
This edition of Trucking History includes a song about trucking, some OOIDA history and Pete Buttigieg' role as transportation secretary.
Roses & Razzberries – February 2024
ROSES to truck parking proposals in Arizona and Florida. RAZZBERRIES for the costs of predatory towing, according to a recent study.
Business
Clean diesels burn cleaner with alternative fuels
Diesels still dominate all types of trucking and will for many years, notes the Engine Technology Forum.
Righting a wrong
Passage of the GOT Truckers Act would make America’s truck drivers eligible for overtime – like nearly every other worker in the nation.
Trucking & Taxes – February 2024
Every year, we get flooded with tax questions. This edition of Trucking & Taxes will explore the questions we received most frequently.
Road Law – February 2024
This edition of Road Law takes a look at habitual offenders. Eventually, anyone who keeps getting tickets will run out of luck.