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California

Industry Update - December 5, 2019 <h4><strong>By Paul DeCoste</strong></h4> <h3><strong>Did you Know?</strong></h3> It is a safety violation to replace your truck seat with a <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/nebraska-state-patrol-finds-unusual-violation/">lawn chair…</a> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Weather Report</strong></h3> Pennsylvania and New Jersey have <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/states-issue-truck-bans-ahead-of-snow-storm/">issued travel bans for vehicles</a> in lieu of a massive snowstorm. Vehicles affected are double trailers, empty trailers, RVs, motorcycles, and non-commercial vehicles hauling trailers. This travel ban went into effect at 6 AM on Monday, December 2<sup>nd</sup>. <h3></h3> For more information on which roads are blocked from travel, take a look at the Pennsylvania DOT Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation/">https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation/</a> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Regulations</strong></h3> California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced that it is <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/carb-suspends-imminent-ghg-rule-trailers">suspending the enforcement of its greenhouse gas trailer standards.</a> The original standards could be met by adding features to trailers that reduce aerodynamic drag, upgrade the tire pressure monitoring system, introduce low-rolling-pressure tires or other weight reduction methods. <h3></h3> These standards were set to go into effect on January 1<sup>st</sup>, 2020 and had to be met by manufacturers of new trailers. However, due to the lack of federal enforcement and confusion among the definition of a “new trailer”, the CARB has suspended the implementation of these rules for the next two or three years. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>ELD Update</strong></h3> The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is warning <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/cvsa-warns-truckers-no-soft-enforcement-for-eld-deadline/">that there will be no leeway on December 17<sup>th</sup></a> for drivers that have no transitioned to approved ELDs. <h3></h3> Look out drivers! The CVSA says that on December 17<sup>th</sup>, any driver caught without an FMCSA approved device will be considered to have no record of duty status and will be declared out of service for 10 hours. That’s valuable time that no one can afford to lose! Make sure your ELD is in line with the FMCSA rules: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/general-information-about-eld-rule <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Trucking Industry Serving the Community</strong></h3> Truckers serve the community in many different ways and styles. <a href="https://www.trucker.com/drivers/drivers-industry-leaders-lead-through-charitable-work">Here are just a couple of foundations making a difference this Christmas season:</a> <h3></h3> <ul> <li><strong>The Convoy of Care</strong> – Founded in 2016, Convoy of Care delivers critical supplies to families in need after natural disasters. They have delivered supplies to multiple states across the US and even found a way to get supplies to the Bahamas.</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <ul> <li><strong>The American Logistics Aid Network</strong> – The ALAN provides free logistics support to disaster relief organizations before, during and after natural disasters.</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <ul> <li><strong>CFI</strong> – CFI has been donating through its Truckloads of Treasure event since 1993 and has collected over $800,000 in donations from employees and contractors alike. They choose multiple charities to support each year and even hold fundraising events like chili cook-offs, silent auctions and ugly sweater contests.</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <ul> <li><strong>XPO Logistics</strong> – XPO supports the Ohio based non-profit, Elves and More which helped surprise over 800 children with bikes during the 2018 holidays. They even donated 500 bikes for a Christmas in July event this past summer.</li> </ul> <h3></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Wreaths Across America</strong> – Drivers throughout the industry look forward to participating in Wreaths Across America, a foundation that coordinates wreath laying ceremonies at more than 1,600 locations across the nation. Drivers support by delivering wreaths to different locations and even participating in the wreath laying events.</li> </ul>

Dec 05, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - November 8, 2019 <h4><strong>By Paul DeCoste</strong></h4> <h3><strong>Did you Know?</strong></h3> Less than two weeks ago <a href="https://www.macktrucks.com/trucks/anthem/">Mack unveiled their brand new</a>, all-black, Mack Anthem truck. Debuted at the North American Commercial Vehicle in Atlanta on October 28<sup>th</sup>, this new model catches eyes with an all-black bulldog hood ornament, a spacious interior and much more. Mack promoted the truck with the phrase “Back in the Black”, a good omen to the goal of making good money as a driver. Truck fan or not, this blacked out semi is a beast. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Trucking Tip of the Week</strong></h3> Its that time of the year, watch out for snowy and impassible roads. <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/trucker-was-stuck-on-snowy-road-for-three-days-before-calling-wyoming-police/">This driver was stuck on a two-lane roadway for three days before calling local police for help</a>. Make sure your truck is prepped for icy roads and freezing conditions. <h3></h3> Trucker Path’s weather feature on the navigation app can help you out here as well! <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Industry Update</strong></h3> Owner-operators in California are using this week and next <a href="https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/owner-operators-truck-drivers-plan-protests-over-ab5/566626/">to protest the new Assembly Bill 5</a> that has the potential to eliminate lots of owner-operator jobs in the state. Although there doesn’t seem to be any centralized leadership with the protests, there were 50 people protesting outside of the State Senator’s office on Monday. <h3></h3> The controversial AB 5 bill will require owner-operators to be classified as employees with a trucking company, rather than expand their own small businesses as a contractor. This bill is allowing exemptions for certain contractor jobs like freelance writers and graphic designers. Owner-operators are looking to obtain similar exemptions. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Laws and Regulations</strong></h3> The owner of <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-jersey-trucking-owner-slapped-with-two-year-sentence-for-2-million-tax-evasion-scam">several New Jersey trucking companies, Tito Viteri</a>, was recently sentenced to two years in federal prison for a massive tax avoidance scheme. He is responsible for evading personal and corporate taxes for more than nine years. Tito owned eleven trucking companies which were collectively known as Viteri Trucking Companies. <h3></h3> In total, Tito evaded $2.3 million worth of taxes and is now paying the price for it. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Hours of Service Update</strong></h3> Regulators accepting comments on a petition to exempt small carriers from the upcoming ELD mandate. If you have any suggestions on how the FMCSA should approach the new ELD mandate, find more information and submit your response at this link: <h3></h3> <a href="https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/labor/challenge-eld-rule-resurfaces-fmcsa_20191105.html">https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/labor/challenge-eld-rule-resurfaces-fmcsa_20191105.html</a>

Nov 08, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - October 11, 2019 <h4>By Paul DeCoste</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Did you Know?</strong></h3> California’s governor recently <a href="https://www.truckinginfo.com/340211/california-bill-means-end-for-independent-trucking-in-state">signed a bill</a> that has the potential to eliminate leased on drivers in the state. California is enforcing an ABC test on trucking companies and the contractors these companies hire. This means, a trucking company must prove that its drivers (if contracted) are “performing work that is outside of the company’s usual course of business.” If a driver cannot pass this test, the company cannot hire him/her. This bill is currently being opposed by the California Trucking Association. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Trucking Tip of the Week</strong></h3> Dock wait times are not going down. <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/know-before-you-go-the-impact-of-seeing-wait-times-before-accepting-loads">The current average wait time for drivers at the dock is 150 minutes.</a> Make sure that you are tracking your detention times as accurately as possible and actively negotiating detention rates with docks that you have never been to before, and especially ones that are known to have issues! <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Diesel</strong></h3> Diesel prices have fallen <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/diesel-falls-15c-3066-gallon-oil-slides-5427">1.5 cents per gallon as oil continues to slide as well</a>. The average fuel price for drivers is nearly 25 cents cheaper than it was in September last year. All regions in the United States have experienced this fuel price decline except for California. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Driver Appreciation Week</strong></h3> This year’s Driver Appreciation week was a great success! Companies like Trucker Path, ATA and trucking companies across the nation spent the week honoring the drivers of America in many ways. Some of the <a href="https://www.ccjdigital.com/fleets-recognize-drivers-with-truck-driver-appreciation-week-events/">most notable celebrations</a> included; free meals for drivers (Werner),family events (J.B. Hunt),and themed terminal days for the entire week (Hirschbach). Trucker Path was also giving away free subscriptions for the premium app version for the entire week. Thanks for everything you do drivers! <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Influen</strong><strong>tial Woman in Trucking</strong></h3> This year, Ruth Lopez of Ryder transportation, received the award for Influential Woman in Trucking at the Women in Trucking Accelerate! conference. Ruth has been with Ryder for over 20 years and is currently their director of transportation management. <h3></h3> <h3></h3> Throughout her esteemed career in trucking, Ruth has managed hundreds of team members. Team members that not only include drivers in the United States, but in Mexico as well. On top of that, she has managed Ryder’s women’s leadership program for three years. Although she was extremely humble when discussing her surprise in finding out she was nominated for this award, and even stronger humility when she was announced that she won, those around her know that she was the perfect candidate for this award. Congratulations Ruth!

Oct 11, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update - April 19, 2019 <h5>By Jeremy Feucht</h5> <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> By volume, Isuzu is the largest commercial truck manufacturer in the US averaging around 450,000 per year. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> Its that time of year where fuel costs begin their yearly ascent. Fuel economy is always a concern and the biggest factor to your bottom line. 55mph is the efficient speed for your truck. While you probably drive fast in order to keep other drivers happy (and to keep ahead of your logs, get to your next load, or finish your current load),remember that you use 27% more fuel when driving at 75mph instead of 65mph. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Human Trafficking</u></strong></h3> Truckers Against Trafficking <a href="https://www.kjct8.com/content/news/Trucking-industry-tackles-the-topic-of-human-trafficking-with--508771901.html">made a stop in Grand Junction, CO</a> this week. Their mobile exhibit has been made to not only create awareness in local communities about what to look for in a human trafficking scenario, but to engage truckers to fight against trafficking as well. Truckers are seen as a key cog in stopping human trafficking as their travel takes them to many places and brings them in contact with more people and situations than the average American. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Alternative Fuel</u></strong></h3> <a href="http://www.capradio.org/articles/2019/04/18/power-companies-want-to-build-charging-stations-along-california-freeways-to-move-the-trucking-industry-to-electric-vehicles/">Power companies in California</a> are looking into pushing truckers towards electric vehicles. The plan is to conduct a study that would determine how practical adding charging stations from Seattle to San Diego along I-5. The idea is to reduce smog. The hope is that these stations can charge a big-rig battery in about 30 minutes for drivers looking to get on the road quicker and have options for a slower charger for drivers who are parked overnight. As of now, no electric vehicle has boasted the power potential yet to become a viable option for long haul truckers. <h3></h3> <h3><strong><u>Technology</u></strong></h3> One alternative fuel that does claim to have enough power, is hydrogen. Hydrogen produces electricity and water vapor, making it ecofriendly. The bigger issue is how and where to fuel and the overall cost of the truck. <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/news/nikola-motor-unveils-truckings-hydrogen-future/ar-BBW2aJr">Nikola held a conference</a> to show off their new inventions this week in Scottsdale, AZ. With over 2000 viewers, Nikola announced they have solved the power issue of electric vehicles and are actively working on the issue with refueling. Refueling is believed to take about 20 minutes and the cost to refuel will be worked into the lease payment for the vehicle. The leases will be set for 1 million miles or 84 months whichever comes first. No details were released about the cost, but claim over <a href="https://www.trucknews.com/equipment/nikola-claims-us12-billion-in-hydrogen-truck-pre-orders/1003088541/">$12 billion</a> in orders have already been placed for their branded trucks.

Apr 19, 2019 • Carriers