Regulations

DOT nominee sails through first confirmation hearing

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:26:00 +0000

“Smooth sailing” characterized yesterday’s confirmation hearing for Transportation Secretary nominee Anthony Foxx before the U.S.

California port truckers sue over independent contractor status

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:06:00 +0000

A lawsuit that alleges Harbor Express Inc. — one of the largest trucking companies servicing Southern California ports — misclassified hundreds of truck drivers as independent contractors to avoid providing rest breaks and overtime pay was filed this week on behalf of two truck drivers who are seeking class action status.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs said it could affect as many as 400 truck drivers who worked for the Wilmington-based company since May 2009.

Push on to test truck drivers for drugs via hair-testing

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Meanwhile, NTSB pushes for lower BAC limit and other alcohol-related rule changes for motorists

While the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) newly released report onactions needed to eliminate alcohol-impaired driving by motorists has naturally garnered much media attention this week, the American Trucking Assns.(ATA) is prodding the Dept. of Transportation to take action to further curb truck impaired driving by truckers.

Washington state troopers to team with truckers to ticket aggressive four-wheelers

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:26:00 +0000

Washington State Patrol troopers will team up with the trucking industry May 20-24 to nab four-wheelers driving aggressively around big rigs as part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks Project.

Troopers will ride along with truckers to look for motorists who are driving unsafely around big trucks. When a trooper spots a car speeding, cutting others off or driving aggressively around a truck, the trooper will radio ahead to fellow officers to stop the motorist.

TIMTC and DOT to hold webinar on truck nav systems

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:10:00 +0000

The Trucking Industry Mobility & Technology Coalition (TIMTC) and the Dept. of Transportation will hold a free webinar this Thursday afternoon during which industry experts will discuss the benefits and consequences of truck drivers’ use of navigation systems.

The webinar, “Assessing the Use of Navigation Systems for Large Trucks,” will be held Thursday, May 16 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. EDT. Participants will need access to the internet and a telephone.

Teamsters fighting truck size/weight increases

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:53:00 +0000

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Truck Safety Coalition, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and representatives of several families who have suffered death and injury as a result of truck crashes, recently held a news conference in Washington, DC, to mark the re-introduction of legislation that would prevent an increase in size and weight allowances for trucks.

Bill to limit heavier trucks introduced

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:32:00 +0000

U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) re-introduced legislation designed to keep bigger, heavier trucks off the road. The bill would apply existing federal truck size and weight limits to the entire National Highway System (NHS) and will also ban the use of triple trailer rigs on the entire NHS.

FMCSA orders four ‘reincarnated’ carriers to cease operating

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:41:00 +0000

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has ordered four Olathe, KS-based trucking companies – Royal Transport, Inc.; Nationwide, Inc.; Freight, Inc.; and Midwest A, Inc. – to immediately cease all interstate transportation service based on evidence that they are reincarnated “chameleons” for an unsafe truck company previously shut down by the agency.

Texas adds left-lane truck restrictions

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:24:00 +0000

With Texas roadways becoming increasingly crowded, the Texas Transportation Commission stepped up measures to keep motorists safe by approving left-lane truck restrictions on an additional 78 mi. of state highway along US 77, US 83 and US 281 in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. This brings the statewide total to 443 miles where trucks cannot drive in left lanes on roadways in 14 counties.

Foxx DOT nomination wins wide praise in transportation circles

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:27:00 +0000

The nomination of Charlotte NC Mayor Anthony Foxx by President Obama to be the next U.S. Secretary of Transportation is initially garnering praise from all sides of the transportation industry.

On Capitol Hill, Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), stressed that he’s “pleased” President Obama nominated Foxx to be the next U.S. Transportation Secretary.