Dec 18, 2019

Industry Update - December 18, 2019

Industry Update - December 18, 2019

By: Paul DeCoste

M&Ms Destroyed

Last week there was a tragic ending to a truck-full of the famous candy, M&Ms. 17 tons of M&Ms were deemed unsalvageable and had to be tossed after a big rig tipped last Friday. The driver hit a side barrier which caused the truck to roll into a ditch. Thankfully the driver is okay and was only sent to the hospital for minor injuries.

Unfortunately, we will never see those M&Ms again…

Weather Update

It’s getting colder every day! Make sure you are checking up on the latest storms and weather updates. Your Trucker Path app is the best way to see the current weather. If you are looking for a country-wide update take a look at Diesel Boss here: https://www.dieselboss.com/weather-for-truckers.htm

Trucker Path Jobs

Are you a qualified driver looking for new opportunities this holiday season? Take a look at the Trucker Path load board where we are connecting drivers to jobs every day! We work with brokers AND truckers so if you are looking for a CDL job, look no further.

ELD Update

The new ELD mandate is officially live. You must use an Electronic Logging Device when operating a semi-truck. There will be no “grace” period for rigs without an ELD. On top of that, the AOBRD “grandfather” rule no longer applies so, if you haven’t already, make sure you rig your truck with an ELD ASAP!

Did you know?

Christmas is coming in quick!

Trucker Path wishes you happy holidays! Stay safe on the road and have an amazing time with your friends and family this holiday season.

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 - 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 29, 2019 <h4>By Paul DeCoste</h4> <h3><strong>Did you know?</strong></h3> The classic trucking movie, Black Top was released twenty years ago this month. <h3></h3> Starring Meat Loaf, this trucking thriller was released October 20, 2000. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Trucking Tip of the Week:</strong></h3> With summer being long behind us now, watch out for dangerous, icy road conditions in the northern US. In North Dakota, they are experiencing winds <a href="https://www.weather.gov/unr/WinterStorm-170124">that range from 15 to 25 mph</a> with gusts that are getting up to 40 mph. Temperatures are getting into the negatives and are expected to fall below -10 by tonight. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Industry Update:</strong></h3> More than 3600 Mack workers on strike. For the first time in 35 years, Mack employees have walked out of their jobs and are protesting. The bulk of the protests are centered around the company failing to renegotiate contract terms with the union. Terms that include wage increases, job security, holiday/vacation, workplace health/safety, healthcare, and retirement options. <h3></h3> <a href="https://www.thedrive.com/news/30402/nearly-3600-uaw-affiliated-mack-truck-workers-strike-against-low-wages-benefits">The last Mack strike happened in 1984</a>, when roughly 9,200 workers walked off the job while contract negotiations took place. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Laws and Regulation:</strong></h3> Michigan State Police officers are <a href="https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2019/10/01/michigan-state-police-to-begin-roadside-drug-testing-program-that-includes-mouth-swabs-for-oral-screenings">now allowed to administer roadside saliva tests for drivers</a>. These tests are made to detect the presence of amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamines, and opiates. More specifically, the cannabis portion of the test is only looking for delta 9 THC, the well-known and psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Hours of Service Update:</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/federal-motor-carrier-safety-administration-publishes-hours-service-proposal-improve-safety">Did you submit your comments to the FMSCSA</a> about the new ELD regulations? To date, they have received over 7,000 comments on the proposed changes. Although the due date was October 21<sup>st</sup>, you can get more information on submissions here: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/22/2019-17810/hours-of-service-of-drivers">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/22/2019-17810/hours-of-service-of-drivers</a>. <h3></h3>

Oct 29, 2019 • Carriers