
The California Senate approved a bill that will increase the price of gasoline and diesel in order to fund road repair projects and infrastructure improvements.
The new bill passed by a 27–11 vote and only a signature by Gov. Jerry Brown is required before implementing the tax hike. This will be the first tax increase in California on gas in 23 years.
The tax revenue is expected to generate $5.2 billion per year to help fund road projects. The new tax hikes will go into effect on Wednesday, November 1, 2017.
The tax hike is not expected to be incorporated all at once. In addition, the bill includes a $100 annual fee for electric cars and an increase in license and registration fees for automobiles in California depending on value. The fee increase will go into effect on January 1, 2018.
We can’t prevent the tax increase on diesel but we can help you find locations with the lowest diesel prices. Use Trucker Path so you can compare and find the cheapest diesel fuel prices near you. Whether it’s at truck stops or fuel stations, we have thousands of locations with accurate pricing so you can save (well, what you can).





Trucker Spotlight - Cindy Moore <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em>
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Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Cindy</strong>, who's been driving for around 12 years. She's also called The Flatbed Chick on Youtube where she shares her trucking adventures. Let's get to know more about Cindy and how it's like being on the road.
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<h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3>
I became a truck driver out of necessity. I was going through a divorce and needed a steady stream of income and a job that paid enough to support myself without any help and I kept reading about how there was no gender gap in trucking they said a woman could make just as much money as a man. I decided to try it for a couple of years until I could find something better at home and as you can see I never found anything, I’ve been here for almost 12 years.
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<h3><strong>What were some challenges that you faced when you started out trucking? </strong></h3>
The hardest part for me was getting used to public showers. I know it sounds crazy but it was almost traumatizing to think that every time I needed a shower I would have to use a public space. The other big thing was getting used to backing that 53’ foot trailer, it was very intimidating.
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<h3><strong>In the years that you've been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3>
The biggest thing I’ve noticed is a lot more traffic on the road and it seems like instead of creating more parking for trucks they are closing rest areas and making it harder to find parking. Don’t even get me started on hours of service, they don’t want to ever leave that alone and I’m sure they will continue to change in the future searching for perfection, but we as drivers are a very diverse group and we will never have the same needs. They will never come up with rules that will fit everybody, you may need five hours of sleep and I may need 10.
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<h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3>
Being on the road for weeks at a time by yourself does get very lonely at times but I have friends to talk to and a few years ago I got a dog to ride with me. She's great companion and brought a lot of joy to my life.
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<h3><strong>What made you start a Youtube Channel?</strong></h3>
I started my channel because I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful country we live in and none of my family or friends seem to be as interested in it as I was, so I thought there has to be people out there like me who would love to see the country. Before I became a truck driver I had only seen about three other surrounding states and I had no idea how much I had missed all those years.
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<h3><strong>What keeps you busy nowadays? How did the current Covid-19 situation affect your trucking life?</strong></h3>
I’m currently pulling a dry van and trying to stay busy. I still love the flatbed and plan on going back in the future but I’m gonna be trying some other things for now. Covid-19 made it difficult to find a job after the contract ended early in Alaska. A lot of the places I called were either not hiring because of Covid-19 or trying to figure out how to do orientation and putting it off for a few weeks.
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<h3><strong>What are your trucking pet peeves?</strong></h3>
My biggest pet peeve is rude and aggressive drivers who seem to not value the lives of other people. For example, cars that pass me on the right after I’ve gotten into the left lane because there’s a tow truck on the right shoulder.
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<h3><strong>What are your future career plans? Would you continue to be a trucker? Any plans on being an instructor?</strong></h3>
My dream for the past several years has been to get an RV and become a travel blogger or full-time RVer, LOL! I still love seeing the country that is the best part of my job and when I retire from trucking I can’t imagine sitting still. I would still want to travel so I think that would be the perfect place for me. I’ve had people suggest that I become a trainer or an instructor at a CDL school but I’m really not sure I would enjoy that because that means I wouldn’t be able to travel anymore.
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<h3><strong>What is your favorite feature of the Trucker Path app?</strong></h3>
My favorite feature on <a href="http://www.truckerpath.com">Trucker Path</a> is truck-stop reporting I really love knowing what the truck-stop is gonna look like when I get there and if it’s usually full at a certain time then I know that I need a back up plan.
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<h3><strong> Favorite Truck-stop? Truck-stop Food?</strong></h3>
My favorite truck-stops are the ones that are usually off the beaten path and I love discovering new places to park and new places to eat.
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<h3><strong>What are your must haves or the things that you bring with you when on the road</strong></h3>
I guess a very popular favorite among truck drivers is also one of my favorites which is baby wipes. I also make sure I have bottled water, soap, and towels just in case. I wouldn’t ever want to be in the truck without my truckers Atlas and a CB either.
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<h3><strong>What's your favorite scenic route?</strong></h3>
I’m not sure if I really have a favorite scenic route but Highway 20 through Oregon is at the top of my list. I also love Highway 89 and 191 going down through Utah south into Colorado and there are so many beautiful places out there I can’t even think of all of them off the top of my head. Maybe I should start making a list.
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<h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring women truckers?</strong></h3>
I guess the biggest advice I would have for women that are thinking about getting into this industry is don’t be intimidated by it, if it’s what you truly want to do then follow your heart.
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<h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3>
They can view my videos on my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGcsdVwlU5mfMXRl7bQXaeQ">Youtube Channel,The Flatbed Chick.</a>
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<em>Got a cool story to share? Send us message at community@truckerpath.com to be featured!</em>
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<h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4>
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COVID19: State of Trucking <h4>By Trucker Path</h4>
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<img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b5.png" alt="Trucker Path COVID19" />
<h3><strong>Trucker Path COVID-19 Initiatives</strong></h3>
The Trucker Path team is actively monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and preparing resources to assist truckers as they help keep America running.
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In addition to providing updates on the Trucker Path <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TruckerPath/">Facebook Page</a>, a dedicated COVID19 thread has been created in the official Trucker Path forum.
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A COVID-19 Tracker has been introduced on the Trucker Path mobile app which is available on <a href="http://bit.ly/truckerpathios">iOS</a> and <a href="http://bit.ly/truckerpathdroid">Google Play</a>. This feature will enable truckers to easily check the spread of the Coronavirus and see insights both for America and abroad, with live updates on infections and recoveries.
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Along side the COVID-19 Tracker is the COVID-19 Navigation Tool which has been integrated on the Turn-by-Turn feature to track the latest information regarding reported cases and infected areas and provide alternate routing.
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<h3><strong>FMCSA Emergency Declaration to be extended until June 14</strong></h3>
The agency's COVID-19 Emergency Declaration has been extended until June 14. The original declaration was set to expire last Friday.
Full announcement can be found <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/extension-expanded-emergency-declaration-no-2020-002-under-49-cfr-ss-39025">here</a>.
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FMCSA’s emergency declaration provides for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts intended to meet immediate needs for:
Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19
Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants
Food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores
Immediate precursor raw materials — such as paper, plastic or alcohol—that are required and to be used for the manufacture of essential items
Fuel
Equipment, supplies and persons needed to establish and manage temporary housing or quarantines
Persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes
Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services
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<img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/05/b6.jpeg" alt="CDC" />
<h3><strong>CDC Guidelines for Long Haul Truck Drivers</strong></h3>
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recently updated guidelines for long haul truck drivers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some prescribed steps to avoid contamination and reduce spread.
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<li>Notify your supervisor and stay home if having symptoms.</li>
<li>Make a plan with your employer and your family as to what to do if you become sick while you’re on the road. Include where to stop, where and how to seek medical advice and treatment, and plans for freight delivery.</li>
<li>Limit close contact with others by maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet when possible.</li>
<li>CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. </li>
<li>Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a routine basis.</li>
<li>Practice proper hand hygiene. This is an important infection control measure. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.</li>
<li>Avoid touching surfaces often touched by others when outside of the cab.</li>
<li>Do not share personal protective equipment (PPE) (such as vests, safety glasses, hard hats),tools, phones, radios, or other personal items.</li>
<li>Use pre-qualified truck stops or hotels identified by your employer as having appropriate COVID-19 protections.</li>
<li>When team driving or ride-alongs are required, wear cloth face coverings inside the truck and avoid sharing bedding in the sleeper berth.</li>
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Full guidelines can be viewed <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/long-haul-trucking.html">here</a>.
