LLN (7/22/20) – A recent warning from the FBI confirms some of the biggest concerns about ELDs. Also, truckers think the bulk of new safety technology isn’t so great for safety, according to a new study, while another study says more experienced truckers with treated medical conditions are among the safest on the road. And freight and rates remain steady, but the future looks hazy as uncertainties linger over the COVID-19 pandemic. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – Studies: safety tech not so safe; medica...
Jul 23, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/21/20) – Keeping your brakes in good condition means keeping up with maintenance, especially the air system behind those brakes. Higher toll prices could be coming to the bridges of San Francisco, while Pennsylvania looks to take a stricter stance on CDL violations. And we’ll take a close look at what OOIDA is doing on the state level to protect truckers by tackling issues like nonconsensual towing, split speed limits and misclassification. 0:00 – Newscast 9:56 – Brake maintenance 24:42 –...
Jul 22, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/20/20) – How do you improve highway safety? A cadre of motor carriers, truck drivers, technology companies, safety groups and federal officials will soon meet to find the answers. Also, a financial expert talks about how to invest Paycheck Protection Program loan money once it’s forgiven, while OOIDA President Todd Spencer preaches some common sense at a highway safety meeting. And the cost of insurance is going back up again. We’ll explain why and offer tips on lowering them. 0:00 – News...
Jul 21, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/17/20) – Two members of Congress want the U.S. DOT to speed up the march toward automated vehicles – in part, to help stem the tide of COVID-19. Also, talk of COVID-19 is a big topic out on the road – along with face masks, and especially, truck stop restaurants that have been closed again by local authorities. And it just takes one thing to really set your truck apart. But how do you decide what that one thing is, and then how do you get it? 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – That one special part....
Jul 18, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/16/20) – OOIDA’s Todd Spencer says few of trucking’s safety regulations actually lead to safer roads, and federal regulators should drop those that don’t. Also, the FMCSA’s acting administrator extends the COVID-19 emergency declaration. A new North Carolina law ensures its fuel tax won’t drop soon; meanwhile, a dispute brews over Washington state’s transportation budget. And social media’s has become a gathering place for truckers, but how effective are those groups at actually changing ...
Jul 17, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/15/20) – An owner-operator who survived COVID-19 is now fighting to fully recover; we’ll have an update. Also, a company that’s played a big part in many truckers’ lives is looking back at its contributions to the tire industry on its 150th anniversary. Freight and rates are still slowly climbing, but growing uncertainty over COVID-19 could slow things down even more. And the U.S. House took yet another step toward approving this year’s transportation funding; plus, we’ll review a preside...
Jul 16, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/14/20) – Efforts in Congress to increase truckers’ insurance requirements have been boosted of late. But several organizations, led by OOIDA, have opposed the effort. Also, we’ll explain how a simple spreadsheet used by one trucker to track his own files has evolved into a comprehensive software to run a trucking business. And a new Michigan law could lead to tolling some roads; meanwhile, Georgia considers freight movement legislation. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – The Truckers Helper. 24:39 –...
Jul 15, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/13/20) – As the coronavirus spreads and the economy flutters, more events are being delayed. And now, the list includes a favorite of many truck drivers. Also, we’ll have information about Land Line Magazine’s coverage of a bailout request, PPP loans and the 15,000 drivers who have one more month to download their ELD data. And federal lawmakers shy away from hours of service changes, urge CSA information be made public, and ask for action on truck parking. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – Popular...
Jul 14, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/10/20) – Recently, a group of OOIDA members gathered at the White House to represent owner-operators and other truckers at an event. Also, from 85 drivers honoring a fellow trucker to lawmakers trying to increase truckers’ insurance costs, we’ll tell who deserves some Roses and Razzberries. And OOIDA’s three-day live seminar is going virtual – but it’s still the best way to learn all the things you need to know to operate a successful trucking business. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – Roses and R...
Jul 11, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/9/20) – Eight states have changed their fuel tax – with six of them increasing what you’ll pay. Also, a large motor carrier who was among the first to use electronic logs – and who supported requiring them in all trucks – has received some leniency from FMCSA on the rules; meanwhile, a debate brews over the effect of smaller trucks on safety. And Google has discovered 25 apps on its store that can steal important personal information, while Congress contemplates another stimulus bill. 0:0...
Jul 10, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/8/20) – Freight was down last week – but rates were up – thanks to the three-day holiday weekend, and the summer lull is now in full swing. Also, when a crash takes you off the road, you stop making money. But there is a way to get some of that money back. Plus a transportation spending bill moves forward; another stimulus package gets some attention; and what’s happening with the Paycheck Protection Program. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – Recovering downtime losses. 24:39 – Holiday holds up fre...
Jul 09, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/7/20) – A transportation spending bill leaves out controversial issues that would affect trucking. Also, the list of things delayed, put off, canceled or otherwise affected by protests, the pandemic and other factors includes some drug and alcohol testing procedures for truck drivers. And Arkansas voters will decide whether to continue a sales tax for roads; meanwhile, Maryland will end suspensions for red-light camera violations. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:44 – Disruptions to drug and alcohol te...
Jul 08, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/6/20) – An OOIDA Board member tells a national television audience how he’s making ends meet during the pandemic. Also, what the newest Highway Angel did to earn the award; a bridge honors a longtime trucking advocate; and a virtual trip to Iowa for an online truck show. Switching from regular to special operations has big implications for your insurance. And the House, fresh off voting for its version of a highway bill, has turned immediately to the appropriations side, where it pays for...
Jul 07, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/3/20) – Scammers are always trying to make a dishonest buck. And truckers end up being a frequent target. We’ll update you on some of the scams aimed at your wallet right now. Also, Jesse James Dupree, lead singer of the band Jackyl, is out with a new song that isn’t just dedicated to truck drivers – it’s about them. And a last-ditch effort to remove an insurance increase from the House version of the highway bill has fallen short. Now, trucking advocates are looking at what’s next. 0:00 ...
Jul 04, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/2/20) – More and more shippers are asking truckers to use an app to track where shipments are – but the apps don’t just track that. Also, the federal government issues security advisories for the July Fourth weekend, and a proposed regulation would let state drivers licensing agencies decide whether to deny or downgrade CDLs based on information in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. And truck parking in Pennsylvania may soon get a boost – from public private partnerships, while Michigan ...
Jul 03, 2020•50 min
LLN (7/1/20) – The July Fourth holiday and the end of the quarter give a boost to freight and rates, but uncertainty lies in the road ahead. Also, last week, we went over some of the frequent questions OOIDA staff have to say “no” to. This time, they look at questions they get to say “yes” to. And the House version of the highway bill is on its way to passage in the lower chamber of Congress – complete with a provision to more than double your insurance costs. We’ll explain what comes next. 0:00...
Jul 02, 2020•50 min
LLN (6/30/20) – A last-ditch effort to remove an insurance increase from the House version of the highway bill has fallen short. Now, trucking advocates are looking at what’s next. Also, summer is here, and so is the heat. It’s a tire’s worst enemy, but you can take action to help protect them. And a new Iowa law will help owner-operators keep their independent contractor status; meanwhile, Massachusetts closes in on a transportation funding deal. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Summer heat and your tir...
Jul 01, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/29/20) – Efforts to increase truckers’ insurance requirements face their next test this week, as truckers push back against the effort hard. Also, what should you look for under the hood as part of your pre-trip inspection? We’ll have some suggestions. And how have the recent protests affected drivers? And what’s the latest in the war against dishonest brokers? We’ll discuss those and more from the latest issue of Land Line Magazine. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Under the hood during the pre-t...
Jun 30, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/26/20) – The proposed highway bill would more than double truckers’ insurance requirements, and some representatives even voted to keep that in the bill. We’ll explain where the situation stands and what’s being done about it. Also, want to know if you can or can’t do something under the regulations? Today, we’ll discuss instances where the answer is “no.” And the FMCSA is looking into systems designed to help trucker be safer, and the OOIDA Foundation is asking truckers for their input. ...
Jun 27, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/25/20) – The FMCSA is investigating complaints by carriers against brokers. Also, we discuss an upcoming UCR deadline and how marijuana legalization is affecting trucker safety. A bill in Tennessee would put an end to police going on ticket-writing sprees to meet ticket quotas; meanwhile, information about upcoming primaries. And some calls by truckers opposing an increase in insurance requirements are leaving members of Congress confused and pulling attention away from the central effort...
Jun 26, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/24/20) – Freight and rates continue to climb ahead of the Fourth of July, but the question of rising COVID-19 cases hangs over the post-holiday future. Also, for owner-operators, every year is a series of paperwork and filing deadlines, most of which are necessary to continue to operate – and two of those deadlines are coming up. And the president and some others in government like the idea of sending Americans another stimulus check, while others, including many Republicans, aren’t sure....
Jun 25, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/23/20) – For years, we’ve heard about the Highway Trust Fund’s slow march toward insolvency. Now, another plan to bail it out has emerged. Also, in terms of improving your truck’s function or appearance, one part often gets overlooked – the fifth wheel. We’ll go over your options. And Michigan takes a hard look at tolls and local road funding aid, while a Pennsylvania effort to revamp notification rules for CDL violations is underway. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Fifth wheel options. 24:06 – M...
Jun 24, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/22/20) – An owner-operator from southeastern Kansas who survived COVID-19 is now telling his story. We’ll explain how he beat the odds and ended up expanding his business at the same time. Also, what you do in your personal vehicle could end up costing you in your truck. And a resolution may be in the works for a problem that has long plagued many auto transporters, while Missouri prepares to honor a longtime trucking advocate. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – COVID-19 survivor. 24:06 – Personal v...
Jun 23, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/19/20) – The House Transportation Committee has advanced a bill that would pump nearly $500 billion dollars into the nation’s highways – but a section drastically increasing insurance requirement means OOIDA won’t support it. Also, we’ll go over some of the less-discussed trucking issues in that measure. And Jon Osburn is seeing more weird weather, but the weird economics of trucking are starting to calm down just a bit. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – OOIDA opposition rooted in insurance require...
Jun 20, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/18/20) – What had been a very promising highway bill has taken a dark turn for truckers with the approval of an insurance amendment that could cost them big money. Also, the FMCSA has extended a waiver allowing truckers with expiring CDLs to keep driving during the pandemic. And a Tennessee effort would allow police to use surveillance cameras on interstate highways, while a new law allows speed cameras in Virginia’s work zones. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – CDL waiver extended. 24:06 – States ...
Jun 19, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/17/20) – Some truckers have received letters from state officials recently that left them thinking their CDL might no longer be valid – but that is likely not the case. Also, one of the most basic says we can protect each other from COVID-19 is by wearing a protective mask. We’ll explain where you can get some. Meanwhile, freight and rates begin to plateau as COVID-19 cases are on the rise, but some hot lanes remain. And U.S. House members spent the day debating issues such as truck parki...
Jun 18, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/16/20) – We’ll discuss how changes in court operations due to the coronavirus are affecting truckers with outstanding legal issues. Also, Colorado may yet again delay a vote on a transportation bond; meanwhile, a Georgia effort would study freight movement. And this week, major issues such as truck parking, detention time, speed limiters and more will get their day in Congress as a House committee formalizes its version of the new highway bill. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Courts and the coron...
Jun 17, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/15/20) – Two truckers were recently honored by TA Petro as Citizen Drivers. We’ll hear from one of them about the award, his life in trucking and why he has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Also, having a hometown and home state is important for your health. And this Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee will take an important step toward funding our highways and fixing some basic problems in trucking – and fireworks are expected. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Citizen Driver honored....
Jun 16, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/12/20) – Truckers in Big Sky country are telling Jon Osburn about continuing problems with brokers, spot market rates, truck parking and personal safety amidst recent protests. Also, if your new truck lacks a certain pizazz, we’ll offer some advice on how to jazz it up on a budget. And, with everything going virtual, Congress is remotely preparing a highway bill, and the OOIDA Board decided the path the Association will take virtually as well. 0:00 – Newscast. 9:43 – Jazz up that plain ol...
Jun 13, 2020•49 min
LLN (6/11/20) – The FMCSA has extended the emergency order offering hours of service relief to truckers hauling relief supplies during the pandemic. However, it also has modified it. Meanwhile, the agency makes a temporary change in some drug testing rules. Also, a California county may let voters decide on a sales tax to support transportation, while a local gas tax gets consideration in Montana. And as truckers become accustomed to the new boundaries of the COVID-19 hours of service exemptions...
Jun 12, 2020•49 min
