Federal, News
FMCSA schedules meeting about transparency in towing
For years, OOIDA has spoken out about predatory towing practices against truckers. Now, FMCSA is planning a meeting to discuss the problem.
Listen Now
Podcast: In our feelings – freight market sentiment
Lower freight volumes and lower spot rates have been the norm for several months now – but are better times right around the corner? Owner-operators seem to think so.
The Latest
News
FMCSA: CME website was hacked, but info wasn’t exposed
The FMCSA’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners website was hacked on Dec. 1, the agency told Land Line on Friday, Jan. 5. “On Dec. 1, 2017, the Department of Transportation experienced an unanticipated system outage of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners,” the FMCSA said in an email to Land Line. “The department determined from its […]
News
Five states pursue snow-free vehicle mandates
In the wake of this week’s snow event and the onset of freezing temperatures along the East Coast, officials in multiple states could soon take up for consideration efforts to address concerns about snow and ice removal from atop cars and trucks. OOIDA and countless truck drivers are opposed to rules that permit police to […]
Crime & Courts, News
Driver declared ‘imminent hazard’ for two wrecks, positive drug test
A Montana-licensed commercial truck driver has been declared an imminent hazard by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The declaration was made after he tested positive for a Schedule 1 controlled substance and was involved in two wrecks in 2017. Robert Schefflmaer on Oct. 18 was pulling a tank-trailer transporting hazardous material on Interstate 80 […]
News
NAFTA freight in October reaches $100 billion for first time since March
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in October trucks moved 64 percent of NAFTA freight – with trains, planes, ships and pipelines picking up the rest. All five modes experienced an increase in freight year to year. The value of freight hauled across the borders increased by nearly 7 percent […]
Federal, News
Trump confirms he will sign trafficking bills into law
President Donald Trump recently designated January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and confirmed that he will soon sign into law two bills aimed at preventing human trafficking in the trucking industry. A proclamation signed by President Trump estimated that 25 million people are victims of human trafficking for sex and labor. “Human […]
Crime & Courts, News
Mississippi bill would set stiff punishment for cargo theft
One Mississippi state lawmaker is back with a bill intended to deter the theft of truck, rail or container cargo through stiff punishment. Rep. Steve Massengill, R-Hickory Flat, sponsored a bill one year ago to establish cargo theft as a specific offense and impose felony charges with escalating fines and punishment based on the value […]
News
DAT Solutions: Rates, load availability close 2017 at record highs
ELDs, crazy weather, holidays at home – truckers had plenty of reasons to take time off during the week ending Dec. 30, but there was money to made if you wanted to work instead. National average spot van and refrigerated truckload rates on DAT MembersEdge ended the year at their highest points as capacity tightened […]
Crime & Courts, News
Appellate court absolves trucking company of blame for $9M cargo theft
A U.S. Court of Appeals has sided with a trucking company and truck stop in a case where an insurance company blamed both for a cargo theft of approximately $9 million of pharmaceuticals. The shipping company’s insurer claimed the carrier was liable for the theft because of a federal shipping law referred to as the […]
News, OOIDA
OOIDA issues Call to Action requesting comments on its ELD exemption request
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is urging truckers to file comments in support of its request for a five-year exemption for small business truckers from the electronic logging device mandate. OOIDA’s exemption request asks the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to allow small trucking carriers that do not have an “unsatisfactory” safety rating and can […]
Analysis, Truck Parking
The cost of losing a truck stop
While some states are moving forward addressing the truck parking problem, other states are taking a step backward. The latest example of the latter involves the Virginia Department of Transportation, a TravelCenters of America truck stop and eminent domain. This is not exactly new information. TA closed its location off of I-81 in Troutville, Va., […]
