From the Editor
Not all pressure creates diamonds
There's such a thing as too much pressure, and we may be at a tipping point when it comes to truck driver retention and turnover.
News
A retention problem
DOT’s focus shifts from the so-called driver shortage to turnover issues.
Driver Subcommittee points to pay, working conditions
A panel of more than 20 commercial drivers met on July 28 to discuss the issues of driver recruitment and retention.
Economics drive problems with retention, professor says
We don’t know nearly enough about driver turnover, how it relates to safety at the carrier level, or about the well-being of all the people it affects.
It’s time to get a handle on the realities of driver turnover
We don’t know nearly enough about driver turnover, how it relates to safety at the carrier level, or about the well-being of all the people it affects.
Narrowing the scope
FMCSA extends emergency declaration but restricts exemption to FMCSR 395.3.
Medical Review Board weighs in on vision standards
FMCSA’s Medical Review Board recommends increasing the vision standards for monocular drivers from 70- to 120-degrees.
Tesla crashes prompt investigation
NHTSA’s Office identified 11 crashes since 2018 involving various Tesla models that crashed into parked emergency vehicles
Alabama, Missouri, New Jersey fuel tax changes Oct. 1
The first of October in Alabama and New Jersey marks the start date of the latest round of changes in fuel rates for states.
California fee proposal would ‘confiscate’ trucker income
During a Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners special meeting, the vice president claims the Clean Truck Fund takes a third of truckers' income.
Cashing in on cars?
Pennsylvania is considering replacing its fuel tax with a mileage tax, which could save truckers a lot of money, but there's a catch.
Georgia’s SR 400 express lanes project delayed again
For the second time in two years, Georgia's SR 400 express lanes project is being delayed after the winning P3 bid was found to be too high.
State Watch – October 2021
Here’s our early fall roundup of what governors signed into law in recent weeks and of other items still active.
OOIDA petitions high court on Indiana tolls
Seeking more clarity about the constitutionality of the Indiana Toll Road, OOIDA has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to make the final decision.
California Trucking Association asks Supreme Court to hear AB5 case
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide whether it will hear the California Trucking Association’s arguments over the state’s worker classification law.
Werner claims ‘driver shortage’ in exemption request for trainees
Citing a “historic driver shortage,” Werner Enterprising is requesting an exemption from a regulation involving student drivers.
Forfeiting funds?
State seizes $39,500 in cash from trucker headed to an auction.
No overnight parking at state rest areas?
Several states do not allow overnight truck parking at tax-funded rest areas. Find out which ones.
Passing the buck on truck parking
Local parking bans may potentially have a domino effect.
Elections offer opportunity to have your say
The 2021 fall election is fast approaching. Land Line provides essential information to help prepare to vote. Be sure your voice is heard.
Voter registration: Here’s your ‘need to know’
Voter registration is the first step to ensuring your voice is heard on important issues and races at all levels of government.
Plan ahead to ensure your voice is heard
Absentee voting provides professional drivers a must-have method to ensure your voice is heard at home on Election Day.
Truckers come together to make a difference
OOIDA offers resources to provide essential information for truckers to constantly be informed about important issues.
Voters in five states to decide on transportation questions
Voters in states and locales around the country will decide this fall whether to authorize additional transportation funding.
IRS boosts per diem rate
The Internal Revenue Service is boosting the per diem rate for travel expenses by $3, and it takes effect Oct. 1.
OOIDA course places truckers on the road to success
OOIDA is offering its Truck to Success course from Oct. 26-28 in Blue Springs, Mo. The course also is available on Zoom.
Fighting for Truckers website gets makeover
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association launched an updated version of its Fighting for Truckers website in July.
‘Live From Exit 24’ moves to prime time
In order to better accommodate OOIDA’s members, “Live From Exit 24” is being broadcast at 7 p.m. Central every other Wednesday.
Deadline for OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship is Feb. 1
OOIDA Foundation’s Mary Johnston Scholarship Program has offered higher education assistance for legal dependents of OOIDA members since 1998.
Anonymous donor pays it forward
Moved after learning about Meghan’s appreciation for truck drivers from LandLine.Media, an anonymous donor gifted $2,000 to assist with her college expenses.
Be wary of ‘predatory’ lease-purchase agreements
OOIDA’s Pugh warns drivers during episode of MadGaines Live.
Shell Starship soars in freight ton efficiency
Shell Starship 2.0 exceeded the company’s initial efforts in 2018, demonstrating a reduction in carbon emissions on a cross-country journey.
Trucking statistics take look at wages and operations
Land Line’s John Bendel pored over a slew of trucking statistics and relayed a few key stats that caught his eye.
A new target
Biden administration calls for 50% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.
U.S. Tire chain law guide, 2021
A complete roundup of tire chain laws for all 50 states.
Canada tire chain laws 2021
A comprehensive list of Canadian tire chain laws in all 10 provinces and three territories for commercial vehicles.
States have rules in place to cover snow and ice removal
Concern about snow and ice removal from atop cars and trucks is addressed in many states around the country.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics to relaunch Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey will be sent out starting in February to get 2021 data.
Canada not requiring vaccine for truckers
Employees in Canada’s federally regulated trucking sector will not be required to take a COVID-19 vaccine, the Canadian Trucking Alliance says.
In This Issue:
News
- A retention problem
- Driver Subcommittee points to pay, working conditions
- Economics drive problems with retention, professor says
- It’s time to get a handle on the realities of driver turnover
- Narrowing the scope
- Medical Review Board weighs in on vision standards
- Tesla crashes prompt investigation
- Alabama, Missouri, New Jersey fuel tax changes Oct. 1
- California fee proposal would ‘confiscate’ trucker income
- Cashing in on cars?
- Georgia’s SR 400 express lanes project delayed again
- State Watch – October 2021
- OOIDA petitions high court on Indiana tolls
- California Trucking Association asks Supreme Court to hear AB5 case
- Werner claims ‘driver shortage’ in exemption request for trainees
- Forfeiting funds?
- No overnight parking at state rest areas?
- Passing the buck on truck parking
- Elections offer opportunity to have your say
- Voter registration: Here’s your ‘need to know’
- Plan ahead to ensure your voice is heard
- Truckers come together to make a difference
- Voters in five states to decide on transportation questions
- IRS boosts per diem rate
- OOIDA course places truckers on the road to success
- Fighting for Truckers website gets makeover
- ‘Live From Exit 24’ moves to prime time
- Deadline for OOIDA Mary Johnston Scholarship is Feb. 1
- Anonymous donor pays it forward
- Be wary of ‘predatory’ lease-purchase agreements
- Shell Starship soars in freight ton efficiency
- Trucking statistics take look at wages and operations
- A new target
- U.S. Tire chain law guide, 2021
- Canada tire chain laws 2021
- States have rules in place to cover snow and ice removal
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics to relaunch Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey
- Canada not requiring vaccine for truckers
Opinion
Features
- 15th annual Truckers for Troops set for November
- OOIDA joins first inductees in new trucking hall of fame
- TV personality learns how to drive truck from OOIDA member
- Shell SuperRigs tabs Diorio, Nelson truck as best of show
- Above and Beyond
- Summer has been more normal, but it isn’t there yet
- Wheels of Time – October 2021
- Dashboard Confidential – October 2021
- Slight Detour – October 2021
- Roses & Razzberries – October 2021
Business
Features
15th annual Truckers for Troops set for November
The 15th annual Truckers for Troops campaign is slated for the week of Nov. 8. So far, the effort has raised nearly $700,000.
OOIDA joins first inductees in new trucking hall of fame
OOIDA has been named to the first class of inductees to the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame.
TV personality learns how to drive truck from OOIDA member
A stunt for one. A job for another.
Shell SuperRigs tabs Diorio, Nelson truck as best of show
Shell Rotella SuperRigs hosted its annual event at Love’s Travel Center in Hampshire, Ill and Rolling Transport, LLC claimed best of show.
Above and Beyond
Daniel and Phyllis Snow, who have driven together the last 17 years, receive Go Safely Award.
Summer has been more normal, but it isn’t there yet
A summer of truck shows has been a refreshing change from summer last year for Marty Ellis, skipper of the OOIDA tour trailer.
Wheels of Time – October 2021
The American Truck Historical Society’s Wheels of Time takes a look back at the history of trucks and the drivers who operated them.
Dashboard Confidential – October 2021
How cushy is it, Bill?
Slight Detour – October 2021
Perilous Pigeons and other Unexpected Hazards
Roses & Razzberries – October 2021
It is time to hand out Roses & Razzberries to some guardian angels among us to rascally politicians and underpaying carriers.
Business
How to spot a bad lease-purchase agreement
Lease-purchase agreements can seem too good to be true. The compliance specialists at OOIDA warn drivers that too often they are.
Here’s why you can’t get a new truck
Microchips lead the list of scarce parts that’s crippling the building of new vehicles.
Hot Stuff & Cool Services – October 2021
Retreads, towels, and a "tactical pen" are some of the truck products on offer in the October 2021 edition of Hot Stuff & Cool Services.
Advice
Maintenance Q&A – October 2021
Price, quality and service
Trucking & Taxes – October 2021
Are you taking full advantage tax deductions?
Road Law – October 2021
The mechanics involved in fighting a traffic citation.