Dec 07, 2018

Trucking Industry Update December 7, 2018

By Jeremy Feucht
Did you Know?

On December 8, 1993, NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was signed into law. For more on how NAFTA affects trucking, check out the FMCSA Fact Sheet.

Trucking tip of the Week

Snow has begun to fall more frequently across the US. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of stopping distance. If you haven’t already, store an extra set of warm clothes and plenty of blankets in your truck in case you run into trouble out on the road.

Diesel Fuel Tax Increase

Multiple states are considering an increase to their state fuel tax rates. The state that will be the quickest to approve the increase may be Illinois. If Illinois does not do it as a state, the city of Chicago may do it on its own. Citing the need to push ahead with construction jobs that have been tabled, officials say there will not be enough revenue to get it all done without the tax increase. With diesel prices expected to soar by mid-2019 into the $4 per gallon range, any proposed increase in fuel taxes are worth noting.

Tariffs and Trucking

Could we see an earlier peak season than normal in 2019? With the recent pause being placed on tariffs from China, a rush may be placed on orders to arrive in the US before the threat of tariffs comes to fruition. Last year, with tariffs being imminent, peak season shifted from August to July. While it is a plausibility that the Journal of Commerce entertains (and makes a valid point),due to weather related issues that come with the first quarter of the year, it is highly unlikely that a full-scale shift from late spring/early summer for the peak season will come to pass. The ports will undoubtedly be busier than normal for that time of the year, but a total shift is unlikely to occur.

General News

The Federal Highway Administration enacted new regulations that will force all agencies to investigate environmental impacts of proposed legislation prior to enacting new rules. While the trucking industry will not feel the effects of this rule immediately, this could be the start of a wider range of rules that could make older trucks illegal to drive for commercial purposes.

Brake Safety Week is almost here. Are you ready? [p]Are you ready for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week happening later this month? From September 16-22, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct a weeklong inspection blitz throughout the U.S. and Canada focusing on brake systems. CVSA reported that 14 percent of truck drivers were placed out-of-service for brake-related violations during last year’s Brake Safety Day. Getting placed out-of-service costs drivers valuable time and money, so it’s important that you don’t find yourself in the same situation. Making sure you’re prepared will not only help you pass an inspection and keep you moving, but it will also make our roadways a safer place. [p]Most inspections during the blitz will be full Level I inspections. This comprehensive 37-step procedure examines driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness, and will also focus on the inspection of: <ul> <li>Brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts</li> <li>air or hydraulic fluid leaks</li> <li>defective rotor conditions</li> <li>measurement of pushrod travel</li> <li>mismatched air chamber sizes across axles</li> <li>air reservoir integrity and mounting</li> <li>worn linings, pads, drums or rotors</li> <li>required brake-system warning devices</li> <li>other brake-system components</li> </ul> [p]There will also be 12 jurisdictions using performance-based brake testing equipment to measure vehicle braking efficiency. [p]So, what can you do to be ready for your inspection? <ul> <li>Have your driver’s license and registration easily available.</li> <li>Perform your regular preventative maintenance procedures.</li> <li>Conduct your pre-trip visual inspection. Make sure to look for loose hoses, leaks and any damage; check air disc brakes for cracks and grooving; and ensure air chambers are intact and in the correct position.</li> <li>Inspect brakes more in-depth looking for leaks, checking brake linings for cracks and wear, and measuring the brake stroke, etc.</li> <li>Utilize the Trucker Path app to see inspection facilities and get an idea of when you might expect to receive an inspection during the blitz.</li> </ul> [p]We hope these tips will help make your inspection go smoothly. It’s also important to remember that it’s a best practice to always keep your truck well-maintained, inspect your brake systems regularly, and perform a thorough pre-trip inspection before every trip. You still have time to address any issues and get yourself and your truck ready for the 2018 CVSA Brake Safety Week!

Sep 17, 2018 • Community

The creepiest haunted roadways in the U.S. Haunted houses, scary movies and cemeteries, oh my! Halloween season is upon us and with it comes tales of mysterious happenings and the supernatural. If you’re not a fan, we understand if you feel like hiding out until Thanksgiving. But for those of you who thrive on the paranormal, this list is everything you didn’t know you needed. Here are some of the scariest haunted roadways around the country. Filled with legends of ghostly beings and mysterious happenings, these are the highways and byways you’ll definitely want to avoid this Halloween. Or include on your route….if you dare. Don’t forget to let us know if you check one of these roads and if you experience anything unusual while you’re there. [p]Route 66 [p]Running from Chicago all the way to the Pacific Ocean, this famous highway is one of the first in the United States. Its long history includes tales of ghostly hitchhikers, mysterious lights and other paranormal activities. In fact, there are more than 100 spooky stops along Route 66 including “Zombie Road” in Wildwood, Mo., and the Coleman Theater in Miami, Okla., which is said to have been built on top of an old crematorium. [p]Route 666, Four Corners region [p]Although this highway is part of the larger Route 66, it deserves some attention all on its own. It is often referred to as the “Devil’s Highway,” both for its numbering and because of the high level of deaths along the New Mexico segment of the highway. Even though this highway was renamed in 2003 as U.S. Route 491, motorists still report sightings of ghost truckers and phantom riders, including a girl dressed in white wandering through the desert, and strange weather phenomena. [p]Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey [p]You wouldn’t think that this road is within an hour’s drive from New York City because of how isolated and quiet it seems. Quiet, that is, until you run into the mutant animals said to be hiding in the woods or see phantom headlights following you on the road. Legend has it that if you toss a coin over the bridge, a boy who drowned there will toss it back. [p]Prospector’s Road, California [p]Located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, this road is just a short detour off of Highway 49. There are a number of stories of gold miners meeting their end from cave-ins, suicides, and greed-driven murders back in the 1800s. One particular miner is said to haunt the road, showing himself to hikers and drivers alike, telling visitors to “get off my claim.” [p]Kelly Road in Ohioville, Pennsylvania [p]A one-mile stretch of this road has been the site of some reported bizarre events and paranormal activity. There are stories of animals going rabid as soon as they enter this section of road, sightings of apparitions and strange noises, and a ghost boy who wanders around the area. [p]Dead Man’s Curve in Clermont County, Ohio [p]Dead Man’s Curve is located just east of Cincinnati. It’s actually not a curve at all, but rather an intersection where Route 222 meets Route 125 in the village of Bantam. Back in the 1800s, the original roadway curved at the top of a hill, which caused horses and carriages to overturn and slide down the hill. It has since been straightened, but still is said to be the location of numerous accidents over the years. Witnesses report seeing floating wrecked cars, antique carriages and faceless hitchhikers. [p]Route 2A in Aroostook County, Maine [p]This route, which even has a song written about it, is known for its dangerous driving conditions. It is rumored that the icy and snowy roads as well as an unexpected hairpin turn have caused many truckers to lose their lives. There are also stories of spooky spirits seen on this road over the years. [p]Shades of Death Road in Warren County, New Jersey [p]Close to I-80 near Great Meadows, N.J., Shades of Death Road lives up to its creepy name. It is said that the windy road used to attract bandits due to its many hiding spots in the shade. The highwaymen would lay in wait for victims before committing acts of theft - sometimes even murder. The stories say that locals would hang these highwaymen and leave their bodies in the trees as warnings to other criminals. This road is also known for its unusually extreme fog, unexplainable bright skies and strange floating lights. [p]Highway 93 in Arizona [p]The stretch of Highway 93 that runs just east of the Nevada border is nicknamed “Blood Alley” for the many deaths that have occurred on the road. The highway is long, narrow and winding with many hills and blind curves, leaving roadway tragedies in its wake. In addition to countless stories of ghost sightings - even a ghost bus - this highway is also home to several eerie ghost towns. [p]Whether you decide to roll down any of these spooky roadways or avoid them at all costs, we hope you have a Happy Halloween! Stay safe.

Oct 31, 2018

Oct 16, 2018