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.

Trucking Industry Update December 14, 2018 [p]By Jeremy Feucht [p]Did you Know? [p]This week in history: December 9, 1929, the borings were started for the Golden Gate Bridge tower piers. The bridge would not open to vehicle traffic for another eight-and-a-half years. [p] [p]Trucking tip of the Week [p]Remember: The “adverse condition” provision in the hours of service regulations does not cover snow fall this time of year. Know your weather conditions for the parts of the country that you are traveling in and to. [p] [p]CVSA International Roadcheck 2019 [p]Each year, the CVSA does a three-day inspection blitz in the US and Canada. In 2017 the focus was cargo securement; in 2018, on hours of service. The <a href="https://cvsa.org/program/programs/international-roadcheck/">2019 blitz has been announced</a> and will be held June 4-6, but the focus area has yet to be announced. Over the past several years, 60,000+ vehicles on average have been inspected. Of the 60,000 inspections, 12,000-15,000 vehicles do not pass inspection and 3,000-5,000 drivers fail as well. Make sure your vehicle is in good shape, so you can keep those tires rolling. [p] [p]Military and Trucking [p]It is no secret that a large portion of the trucking industry either is a member of the Reserves or is a Veteran. That is because the US military needs skilled truck drivers to get supplies to the troops on the ground all over the globe and those skills learned while in the military transfer nicely to a career in trucking. “First Team” which makes up 200 soldiers within the <a href="http://kdhnews.com/fort_hood_herald/across_the_fort/trucking-company-returns-from-nine-month-deployment-to-kuwait/article_636df4ec-fd92-11e8-9131-535da02ecb99.html">154th Composite Trucking Company,</a> made it back to Fort Hood, TX, late last week after a nine-month deployment. The group ran nearly 1,000 missions in Kuwait and Southwest Asia during their time away from home. For those of you that served, we thank you for your dedication and service! [p] [p]General News [p]Weather can trigger Declarations of Emergency from the President, Governors and the FMCSA. Several states have seen Mother Nature create major issues in recent months. 14 states are currently under Declarations of Emergency which suspend hours of service for those bringing supplies and items of necessity to those in the area of the disaster. These declarations are due to issues ranging from the wild fires in California to the earthquake in Alaska. Do not forget about the snow storms that have recently hit Virginia and Oklahoma nor about the hurricane that tore through the Southeast this fall. For more information on these declarations and if your load falls in the exempt status, check out the FMCSA Emergency site <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations">here</a>.

Dec 17, 2018

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

Nov 05, 2018