November 2023

What’s the driving force?

Lawmakers say motivation to roll out driverless trucks must be guided by safety and not cost savings

News

Autonomous trucks

What’s the driving force?

As companies are motivated to deploy autonomous trucks as soon as 2024, lawmakers and others are raising safety concerns.

speed limiter

Nothing to see here

For a few moments, truckers thought they knew FMCSA’s top speed in its speed limiter proposal. Now, they must wait until December.

Broker transparency

Trick or treat?

FMCSA suggested it was going to take action on broker transparency this summer. Now, truckers must wait until late 2024.

National Consumer Complaint Database

‘Toothless’

A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office exposed problems with FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.

Julie Su

GAO affirms legality of Su’s role

Julie Su can continue to lead the U.S. Department of Labor even though she doesn’t appear to have the votes for confirmation.

FMCSA

FMCSA proposes DataQs appeals process

FMCSA said that truck drivers have expressed concerns regarding the transparency and uniformity of requests for data review.

legislation, state watch, bills

State Watch – November 2023

The November edition of State Watch takes a look at various transportation bills in seven statehouses around the country.

tolls

New York increases tolls for 2024

New York has approved a system wide tolls increase for 2024. Find out how much they will rise and how you can save money at the gantry.

truck drivers

Georgia panel studies ‘shortage’ of truck drivers

A Georgia legislative study panel is tasked with coming up with solutions for an inadequate supply of truck drivers in the state.

truck parking

200 new truck parking spaces coming to Wyoming

The Federal Highway Administration announced 200 new truck parking spaces in Laramie, Wyo. Read about the details of the parking.

fuel tax

Blindsided

New York state suspended fuel taxes from June 1 through Dec. 21, 2022. However, local sales and use taxes were not suspended.

electric vehicles

Florida, Wyoming among states looking to tap electric vehicles for new fees

Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles are the topic of efforts in Florida and Wyoming to capture needed transportation revenue.

truck parking

‘Minimal truck parking’

At an event in South Dakota, DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, OOIDA President Todd Spencer and others discussed the truck parking crisis.

Truck Parking Zone

The Parking Zone – November 2023

The topic of truck parking has been brought up several times at the federal level, but is what the government doing enough?

driver shortage

ATA vs. Freightwaves

FreightWaves published an article in September that said there was not a driver shortage. Then ATA threw a blog-style tantrum.

AB5

AB5 case heats up ahead of next battle

California’s Assembly Bill 5 is in violation of the U.S. Constitution, according to the California Trucking Association and OOIDA.

OOIDA

Get in the game

OOIDA held its Fall Board of Directors meeting in September in Joplin, Mo. There, board members also celebrated OOIDA’s 50th anniversary.

St. Christopher

TA helps raise more than $150K for trucking charity

TravelCenters of America’s annual campaign generated more than $150,000 for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund.

ATRI

Research takes look at barriers for women in trucking

ATRI is working on a study aimed at identifying barriers that keep women from entering the trucking profession.

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

Autonomous trucks: Close encounters of the dangerous kind

There are plenty of examples of AI technology failing. It doesn’t create much confidence in the safety of autonomous trucks.

Jami Jones, speed limiters, due process, truck driver pay

It’s about time CSA data gets real scrutiny

From the beginning, FMCSA’s CSA program lacked due process. Now, truck drivers have a chance to help correct the program’s flaws.

Features

GBATS

GBATS shines through

Rain and severe weather threatened the fan favorite GBATS, but show organizers and attendees trucked on, making this year’s one of the biggest ever.

Mary Johnston Scholarship

All the difference

The Mary Johnston Scholarship has helped children, grandchildren and legal dependents of OOIDA members achieve their higher education goals.

Transition Trucking

Awarding excellence

The Transition Trucking award recognizes drivers who have made the transition from active duty military service to the trucking industry.

SuperRigs

The other side of the lens

We’ve heard how drivers feel to be selected for the Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar. But what about the photographer?

Road Warrior

OOIDA members honored by Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J’s Road Warrior winners for 2023 are all OOIDA members, including grand prize winner, Don Crouse. Read more about the winners.

Goodyear

Calling all heroes

Andrew Waits, a driver from Tacoma, Wash., was named Goodyear’s Highway Hero last year for assisting an unconscious motorcyclist.

Truckers for Troops

Lucky No. 17

Throughout the 17 years of the Truckers for Troops campaign, OOIDA and its members have continued to give back even during tough times.

Wreaths Across America

Remembering the fallen

Every year in December, truck drivers help fulfill the mission of Wreaths Across America to remember fallen U.S. military veterans.

Capitol Christmas Tree

A Christmas tradition

Four truck drivers from Werner Enterprises will be tasked with delivering the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree and ornaments to Washington, D.C.

trucks

Mafia Secrets – August/September 2023

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.

gifts

Cool Gifts 2023

Don’t know what to buy the trucker in your life for the holidays? Land Line has you covered with this year’s Cool Gifts guide.

truckers

How to stay healthy on the road

Long-haul trucking is not an easy profession. Being on the road for weeks at a time can take a toll physically and mentally.

trucking history

Trucking History – November 2023

This edition of Trucking History includes the Minnesota State Patrol's fatigue enforcement, an OOIDA milestone and more.

truckers

Slight Detour – November 2023

Truckers get the blessing, instant karma over a stolen parking spot and a story that’s no bull make up this edition of Slight Detour.

truckers, Roses and Razzberries, Roses & Razzberries

Roses & Razzberries – November 2023

A trucker is rescued, Forbes identifies the worst states for road rage and grants are awarded for truck parking and CDL improvements.

Business

Mack

No-nonsense appearance

Mack Trucks had a “honey wagon” and other medium-duty trucks available for driving and inspection at a fall event in Wisconsin.

Maintenance

Maintenance Q&A – November 2023

This edition of Maintenance Q&A takes a look at the right way to perform wiring repairs so that they last for the long haul.

permits

Permit renewal deadlines near

Three permits for owner-operators have renewal deadlines of Dec. 31. Learn more about the process and who is required to pay.

Trucking & Taxes

Trucking & Taxes – November 2023

So, you owe the IRS a lot of money in taxes. This edition of Trucking & Taxes will help walk you through the entire process.

Road law

Road Law – November 2023

This edition of Road Law takes a look at the differences between receiving a citation on federal property vs. from a state officer.