DECEMBER 2023-JANUARY 2024 ISSUE
A New Year
About Land Line Media Magazine
For professional truckers, staying informed is just as essential as staying on the road. Land Line delivers the latest trucking news, industry updates, and regulatory changes that impact owner-operators and professional drivers nationwide. From breaking news on trucking legislation to in-depth analysis of business strategies, fuel prices, and equipment trends, we cover everything that matters to the trucking community. As the voice of truckers, we’re dedicated to providing accurate, timely, and driver-focused content to help you navigate the road ahead. Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay in control of your business.
Why bother with the facts?
Land Line Managing Editor Jami Jones delves into the reality of perceived facts over reality in her editor's page.
Jami Jones
A new year
Trucking needs to improve. There’s no better time to take action than in a new year. Land Line provides lawmakers and regulators with four resolutions.
Mark Schremmer
Rocky regulatory road?
FMCSA has several rulemakings it plans to advance in late 2023 and 2024. Let Land Line provide a road map for what’s coming.
Mark Schremmer
‘Controlling the debt’
The FMCSA’s Truck Leasing Task Force heard a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about employer-driven debt.
Mark Schremmer
Overtime for truckers: ‘Let’s be fair’
Most truck drivers do not receive overtime due to a longstanding exemption. The GOT Truckers Act would change that.
Mark Schremmer
DRIVE Act shifts gears
If FMCSA keeps to its schedule, the agency will take its next step toward mandating speed limiters on trucks before the year is over.
Mark Schremmer
Prioritizing safety
Coalition, lawmakers highlight need for more safe and secure truck parking as Congress ponders passage of the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act.
Tyson Fisher
State Watch – December 2023/January 2024
This month’s edition of State Watch takes a look at various transportation bills in five statehouses around the country.
Keith Goble
Upcoming fuel tax rate changes
Fuel tax rate changes of about 4 cents or less are set to take effect the first of the year in states from Maryland to Utah.
Keith Goble
Voters weigh in on transportation issues
Voters around the country decided Nov. 7 on transportation issues that include funds for road, bridge and transit work.
Keith Goble
Pennsylvania House resolution calls for truck parking study
A Pennsylvania House panel has taken the initial step to address the lack of adequate truck parking throughout the commonwealth.
Keith Goble
Kentucky police cracking down on non-truck route use
Truck drivers trying to save time or money by using restricted routes in Kentucky are facing a crackdown in enforcement by state police.
Ryan Witkowski
Ohio upgrades CDL services, testing
Upgrades in Ohio are said to cut down on wait times as well as trips to the deputy registrar for commercial driver’s license holders.
Land Line Media
Missouri ‘modernizes’ CDL services, testing
“Modernization” of CDL testing is growing in popularity. With a pilot program well into its second year, more states are coming on board.
Ryan Witkowski
ELD mandate delayed in Nova Scotia
An ELD requirement for the Canadian province of Nova Scotia was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. It has been delayed.
Ryan Witkowski
Parking Zone – December 2023/January 2024
This edition of the Parking Zone includes crashes into parked trucks, more truck parking in Indiana, a lawsuit over a parking facility and more.
Tyson Fisher
Trucking companies face discrimination charges
The EEOC has filed discrimination lawsuits against at least four trucking companies. Find out which companies are facing charges.
Tyson Fisher
‘No rational basis’
OOIDA told the court that California’s AB5 violates the U.S. and California constitutions and needlessly reclassifies workers.
Mark Schremmer
‘Split-second decision’
It unfolded in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, New York trucker Tim Vannostrand was there to help in the most harrowing of situations.
SJ Munoz
Rallying to stop a regulation
Nineteen states and numerous stakeholders are urging the D.C. Circuit Court to dismantle California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation.
Tyson Fisher
Holding shippers and receivers accountable
Detention time affects highway safety. That was one of OOIDA’s messages in formal comments made to FMCSA in October.
Mark Schremmer
OOIDA questions new emergency declaration limits
Starting in December, there will be new limits in regard to emergency declarations and the trucking industry. OOIDA asks why.
Mark Schremmer
An open letter to FMCSA
Land Line’s John Bendel reacts to the news that FMCSA is delaying its proposal on broker transparency until October 2024.
John Bendel
Trucking’s top concerns
The American Transportation Research Institute released a report on the top concerns in the trucking industry for 2023.
Land Line Media
Fuel fraud
A scheme involving fuel accounts was used to steal about $300,000 from hundreds of truck drivers, according to court records.
Tyson Fisher
Delayed reaction
A company that sells CPAP machines issued a voluntary recall in 2021. A recent report suggests the company was aware of problems for years.
Ryan Witkowski
More than a delivery
OOIDA life member Don Crouse has been active with the Wreaths Across America program since he heard about it on Land Line Now in 2008.
SJ Munoz
‘An honor’
Kenworth, Goodyear, Schneider and the American Trucking Associations were honored as the newest members of the ATIL Hall of Fame.
SJ Munoz
Scholarship applications being accepted
Are you an OOIDA member with a child or grandchild who could use a scholarship to go to college or a trade school?
Land Line Media
J.B. Hunt president receives Influential Woman in Trucking Award
Citing her “passion and leadership,” J.B. Hunt President Shelley Simpson was honored with the 2023 Influential Woman in Trucking Award.
Ryan Witkowski
‘Hearts of gold’
Truckers in Minnesota gathered for a convoy in October that generated about $25,000 for the state’s Special Olympics organization.
SJ Munoz
A passion for motorcycles
A 350-image book featuring the collection at the Haas Moto Museum in Dallas was released posthumously to honor museum creator Bobby Haas.
SJ Munoz
Truckers For Troops comes full circle
OOIDA’s Truckers For Troops program marked its 17th year in November. Learn how the campaign has come full circle.
Land Line Media
Mafia Secrets – December 2023/January 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.
Bryan Martin
Dashboard Confidential – December 2023/January 2024
After 14 years as a columnist at Land Line, Dashboard Confidential’s Dave Sweetman is turning in his keys and pen. Read his final column.
Guest Author
Trucking History – December 2023/January 2024
In this edition of Trucking History, find out about events related to NAFTA, a major victory for OOIDA and more.
Land Line Media
Slight Detour – December 2023/January 2024
Truckers turned millionaires and some interesting finds make up this month’s edition of Slight Detour.
Ryan Witkowski
Roses & Razzberries – December 2023/January 2024
ROSES to a number of individuals giving back, including truckers, of course. RAZZBERRIES to a decrease in the regulatory relief window.
SJ Munoz
ATA’s driver shortage numbers fall short
ATA’s driver shortage narrative isn’t new. Recently, however, more organizations and media outlets are beginning to question the numbers.
Mark Schremmer
Truck drivers provide two cents to agency
Several truck drivers recently filed comments to FMCSA on many trucking issues, including automatic emergency braking and detention time.
Land Line Media
Staying ahead of the game
Broker fraud is on the rise, and knowing how to spot it is key. Here’s how the OOIDA Foundation is helping truckers through education.
Ryan Witkowski
How many burned-out diodes will ‘fail’ an LED tail lamp?
How many burned-out diodes will “fail” an LED tail lamp? The industry says 50%, but there is no federal standard.
Tom Berg
The bidding starts at …
Yellow filed for bankruptcy in August. About two months later, the stage was being set for the company’s assets to be auctioned.
Tyson Fisher
Mack MD Electric enters production
Mack Trucks began production of medium-duty electric trucks in October. The trucks are expected to arrive at dealerships in 2024.
Tom Berg
Maintenance Q&A – December 2023/January 2024
In this edition of Maintenance Q&A, we take a look at problems that the winter weather can bring and how you can prepare for them.
Guest Author
Trucking & Taxes – December 2023/January 2024
This edition of Trucking & Taxes discusses the importance of tax planning and knowing how to deduct expenses for guaranteed results.
Barry Fowler
Private property vs. public property
This edition of Road Law answers the question of whether you can receive a traffic ticket on private property.
Jeff McConnell and James Mennella
Deadline for annual permits is rapidly approaching
Three big annual permits for truck drivers need renewed by the end of 2023. Make sure you know which ones are coming due.
Land Line Media
It’s ad valorem time in Arkansas
Truckers who run in and through Arkansas can expect an ad valorem letter the first part of 2024. Ignoring it could lead to assessments and penalties.
Land Line Media