LLN (5/25/22) – If you hate speed limiters, you may have already let FMCSA officials know what you think. Emotional reactions are natural, but facts help when you’re making a point. Andrew King of the OOIDA Foundation breaks down what research says about speed limiters. Also, Memorial Day weekend will be a busy one for owner-operators. Stephen Petit with DAT talks about the increase of seasonal freight that’s driving up the number of loads. And OOIDA has been supporting a bill that would elimina...
May 26, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/24/22) – A group of motorcycles is on route to Washington, D.C., for the annual Run for the Wall event to honor all veterans, current military, and those we’ve lost. We’ll catch up with a few of the riders to discuss the run, and the importance of honoring those who have served. Also, two weeks from now, truckers will gather with fans of all kinds of wheeled vehicles for what has been described as one of the more fun shows on the calendar – Wheel Jam. And officials in states around the co...
May 25, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/23/22) – A nurse turned truck driver is living out her lifelong dream behind the wheel in Illinois. Lola Thomas-Albright recently had the opportunity to give the top official at the U.S. DOT a ride-along, offering him a front row seat to what life is like on the road. Also, there are still plenty of reasons to check out the May issue of Land Line Magazine. Managing Editor Jami Jones discusses some of the lighter stories in this issue. And we continue to monitor the run-up to the midterm e...
May 24, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/20/22) – Marty Ellis is hearing from truckers about the high cost of fuel and dropping rates. But what really has folks riled up is the proposal to put speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles. Also, a recent survey was designed to better understand the challenges small trucking companies are going through. We’ll hear from the CEO and co-founder of the company that conducted the survey. And from what’s being called the Taj Mahal of rest areas to a bill that would allow heavier loads at...
May 21, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/19/22) – Denton Cinquagrana of the Oil Price Information Service explains why diesel prices are so high right now, why there’s not much any one person or entity can do about it, what’s behind supply issues in the Northeast, and what’s likely to happen next. Also, OOIDA has concerns over the EPA’s proposed new emission standards for large trucks. And both costs and safety are front and center. And a measure in Louisiana that would double fines on an important bridge is a step closer to pas...
May 20, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/18/22) – There are plenty of issues that pit OOIDA and the Towing and Recovery Association of America against each other. But both organizations are standing together in the fight against an FMCSA proposal to mandate speed limiters on commercial motor vehicles. Brian Riker of towing association tells us why his organization has joined the fight. Also, driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. Dean Croke with DAT shares his thoughts on speed limiters and talks about ...
May 19, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/17/22) – HVAC is one of the few systems that has nothing to do with moving the truck forward, and instead is totally dedicated to the comfort of the truck driver. We’ll discuss what’s involved in maintaining HVAC. Also, an OOIDA member is taking her support for the Special Olympics on the road with her brand-new truck that’s wrapped to promote the organization that's near and dear to her heart. And a bill that would allow longer, heavier loads at Louisiana’s ports is moving forward, while...
May 18, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/16/22) – CVSA’s annual International Roadcheck safety blitz starts Tuesday. We’ll find out what you need to know and get some advice on one of the most common violations. Also, getting insurance through your motor carrier may not give you all the coverage you need. Trista Roby and Trina Skywalker with OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department discuss the questions you should be asking and the coverage you should be getting. And OOIDA wants truckers to have more time to express their views on the...
May 17, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/13/22) – Marty Ellis is hearing about driver pay – or more precisely, the lack of compensation for much of truckers’ on-duty time; and truckers are telling him what they think of the speed limiter proposal. Also, an idea for a domestic source of natural rubber is picking up traction. Goodyear recently announced a partnership to develop a source of natural rubber from a specific species of dandelion. And it’s not every day you ask an officer to give you a ticket, but there are circumstance...
May 14, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/12/22) – The EPA is proposing new nitrogen oxide standards for large trucks. And truckers have a limited time left to speak out on the proposal to the agency. Also, it’s one thing if the regulations allow you to do something. But in some cases, your carrier has a rule that goes beyond the regulations. So what are your options then? And a bill to give truckers access to occupational accident insurance in Colorado is a step away from becoming law; meanwhile, two states have acted to end tic...
May 13, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/11/22) – Summer goods, fresh produce, and construction materials are in high demand, and that's good news for the load board. Stephen Petit of DAT talks about the increase of freight. Also, “nutty” is one word Steve Tam of ACT Research would use to describe the current new and used truck market. He has others as well, and none of them are particularly encouraging if you’re looking to upgrade or add on to your fleet. And the shape of the next session of Congress – and any trucking issues t...
May 12, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/10/22) – Nine states have action brewing to provide fuel tax relief in the face of high diesel prices, while Nebraska will allow public-private partnerships. Also, later this week, the town of California, Mo., will briefly triple in population. That’s because of the Crossroads Truck Show is back for a second year. We’ll talk with organizers of that event and of the East Coast Truckers Jamboree. And the summer heat can be brutal on your tires, especially if your truck has been sitting for ...
May 11, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/9/22) – The National Transportation Safety Board has long called for speed limiters on trucks. But in a recent statement, the agency called for a different approach. Also, Dr. Phil Koopman of Carnegie Mellon University has studied autonomous vehicles since the 1990s. We’ll discuss the progress made since then and what the future could look like. And in another Land Line Media roundtable discussion, we look at speed limiters: We’ve been down this road before, and Jami Jones and Mark Schrem...
May 10, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/6/22) – Marty Ellis is spending some time at a truck show that supports a good cause. But he’s also hearing from truckers about some bread-and-butter economic issues, such as diesel prices and the cost of new trucks. Also, as the federal government continues to drag its feet on the truck parking crisis, states are picking up the slack. Tyson Fisher of Land Line Magazine explains how they are getting results, then runs down the problems some cities are running into as they try to add more ...
May 07, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/5/22) – FMCSA has released a proposal that would require speed limiters on commercial trucks. And OOIDA is urging truckers to speak out. Also, hundreds of truck drivers will be in Pennsylvania this weekend to help make wishes come true for sick children. This is the 33rd annual Mother’s Day Make-A-Wish convoy. We’ll find out how the event started, and what it means to be back to full scale this year. And the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled in favor of constitutional protection for transp...
May 06, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/4/22) – Eighty-four percent of adults in the U.S. are expected to spend a record $31.6 billion dollars this coming Mother's Day. So what does that mean for the freight market? Also, last month, when HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” did an in-depth piece on the trucking industry, it echoed many of the things OOIDA has been saying for years. And there’s a reason for that. We’ll also take a look at how a bird flu outbreak in multiple states is affecting truckers. And how do you increase retention i...
May 05, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/3/22) – The EPA is holding a roundtable discussion regarding new proposed emissions standards for large trucks. We’ll discuss what aspects of the regulation they’re likely to cover and more. Also, when we talk about drug problems, people typically think about the serious stuff, but rarely think of one of the most addictive drugs of all – nicotine. We’ll hear about smoking and its consequences. And a bill nearing passage in Colorado would give those not eligible for workers’ comp an altern...
May 04, 2022•51 min
LLN (5/2/22) – Two proposals have been put forward by the EPA to reduce nitrous oxide emission standards. OOIDA’s director of federal affairs, Jay Grimes, explains why both options are problematic. Also, if you’ve got someone riding shotgun, it’s best to make sure you’ve got the right coverage. Trista Roby and Trina Skywalker with OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department join us to discuss passenger accident coverage. And an effort in Colorado would make a specific kind of insurance coverage available...
May 03, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/29/22) – An organization provides truckers a safe, secure place to park. A town provides food and shelter to stranded truckers. And a city takes a stand on truck parking. And Marty Ellis is hearing about it all. Also, it’s been two years since COVID-19 changed our lives. Now things are slowly going back to normal, but Land Line Magazine Managing Editor Jami Jones asks should truckers really be craving a return to normal? We’ll explore that topic and many others as we take a look at the Ma...
Apr 30, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/28/22) – Yesterday, we learned that FMCSA and NHTSA plan to propose a new rule requiring speed limiters in trucks. We’ll get a breakdown of what we know at this point from OOIDA Director of Safety and Security Operations Doug Morris. Also, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended COVID-19 vaccination requirements for non-U.S. travelers. Meanwhile, FMCSA is moving toward saliva testing for drugs. And efforts in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state legislatures would require s...
Apr 29, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/27/22) – Could truck parking end up being a solution to lawmakers’ concerns about things like climate change? And what can we expect from the next round of spending bills? Also, we’re still years away from the next generation of heavy-duty engine oils hitting the market, but as you might imagine, the process of developing something like that takes time. And after weeks of steep declines, the number of loads posted on the MembersEdge load board increased last week. Stephen Petit with DAT t...
Apr 28, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/26/22) – Yesterday, we talked about the history of the fuel surcharge – where it first came up, why, and OOIDA’s involvement. But how do you make use of the fuel surcharge? Also, Louisiana lawmakers want to allow longer, heavier loads at the state’s ports, and may double fines along an important bridge. And on the surface, ending the overtime exemption for truckers is about company drivers. But the bill calling for that would also benefit owner-operators. 0:00 – Newscast. 09:59 – Fuel sur...
Apr 27, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/25/22) – Coping with sudden surges in the price of fuel is far from a new problem in trucking. Today, we’ll hear a little of the history of the fuel surcharge and get some advice on how to create one. Also, wondering how to contest incorrect violations on a driver vehicle inspection report? We’ll find out from attorneys Jeff McConnell and James Mennella of Road Law. And the past year has been a busy one in terms of state issues. We’ll have a review of efforts on towing reform, restroom ac...
Apr 26, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/22/22) – Calling out carriers over low pay and wild levels of turnover and applauding those with increased pay and little turnover. Roses and Razzberries for Saturday Night Live, toll-happy states and the nation’s largest retailer, among others. And a debriefing on the OOIDA board meeting and CVSA North American Fatigue Management Program. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:59 – Roses and Razzberries. 24:53 – Calling out carriers. 39:35 – OOIDA spring board meeting and CVSA fatigue management program....
Apr 23, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/21/22) – FMCSA has answered some questions about its under-21 apprenticeship pilot program, but questions remain about the safety implications and information gathering. Virginia’s governor busts out his veto stamp for a bill that would have put restrictions on truckers during winter weather. And progress reports on the GOT Truckers Act, truck parking, fuel prices and broker transparency. 0:00 – Newscast 9:59 – Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program questions. 24:52 – Virginia winter we...
Apr 22, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/20/22) – You’ve no doubt been hearing the prophecies of a “freight recession,” but at least one expert says not so fast. The used truck market is booming – so here’s how to keep from going bust. Plus, countering opponents to a bill that would guarantee overtime pay for truck drivers. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:59 – Don’t go bust amid used truck market boom. 24:53 – Freight recession? Not so fast. 39:35 – Countering opponents to GOT Truckers Act.
Apr 21, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/19/22) – For decades now, truckers have been shut out from receiving overtime pay due to an exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act – but a new bill called the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would change that. We talk to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Andy Levin of Michigan. More states are looking at fuel tax relief measures. Plus, a preview of what OOIDA members will hear about the Association’s successes and priorities on the state level. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:59 – Rep. Andy Levin on ...
Apr 20, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/18/22) – When it comes to fuel tax holidays and IFTA, things can get pretty complicated pretty quickly. We clear up the confusion. Which is best for you – an actual cash value or stated limit policy? The answer depends. And breaking down the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers, or GOT Truckers Act. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:59 – Fuel tax holidays and IFTA. 24:53 – Actual cash value or stated limit? 39:35 – Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act.
Apr 19, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/15/22) – There’s been an increase in chatter about the truck parking crisis over the first three months of 2022 – and a lot of that chatter is apparently coming from the top levels of the government. Also, the Mid-America Trucking Show has a lot of serious stuff, including new technology and products. But it’s also a lot of fun. We’ll take a walk through the lighter side of MATS. Also, among the sights and sounds at MATS, there was a sneak peak of OOIDA’s Truck to Success seminar. We’ll h...
Apr 16, 2022•51 min
LLN (4/14/22) – Washington state lawmakers have taken two big steps toward helping truckers who work in that state – ensuring the state’s rest areas stay open; and guaranteeing access to bathrooms at ports. Also, the U.S. EPA has been hearing from the public about its intent to ramp up emissions controls on trucks. We’ll have the details on that – as well as efforts to get more veterans into truck and the lawsuit over hours of service changes. And a regulation that forbids coercing truckers into...
Apr 15, 2022•51 min
