Land Line Now

Truck and trailer payments: up. Repair and maintenance costs: up. Insurance premiums: also up. You see the trend. Breaking down the American Transportation Research Institute’s latest report on operational costs and putting them into perspective. Then, Bexar County, Texas is the latest to ramp up enforcement of commercial truck drivers – and alarm bells are already going off. And finally, rates are slowly inching toward a more profitable place for van freight.

0:00 – Newscast

10:33 – Operational costs reach new high on ATRI survey

25:01 – Bexar County, Tex. ramps up CMV enforcement

40:09 – Spot market update: van rates inching upward

When roads or bridges go down, truck drivers usually end up getting the short straw. Problems on U.S. 50 in southwest Colorado are one example, prompting a conversation about resiliency and practicality. Then, the agriculture industry depends on the trucking industry to succeed. Here’s how to navigate the exemptions for ag haulers. And finally, visitors to the OOIDA tour truck are noticing a growing number of inconsistencies within the Department of Transportation physical process.

0:00 – Newscast

10:33 – When roads go down, truckers pay the price

25:01 – Navigating the exemption landscape for ag haulers

40:09 – Inconsitencies within the DOT physical process

A truck driving school in Arizona has a unique instructor on staff – a chicken. That’s right, a chicken. We look into what Chester’s role is in bringing attention to the school. Then, editorial staff members of Land Line Magazine explain why they dedicated so much of the July issue to the EPA’s new emission standards. And finally, Ohio's Department of Transportation breaks down the planning it takes to get a superload safely from Point A to Point B.

0:00 – Newscast

10:32 – CDL training with Chester the chicken

25:00 – EPA emission standards spark concern

40:08 – Superload planning in Ohio

The Supreme Court has overturned a long-standing precedent that directly impacts federal agencies’ ability to issue and enforce regulations. Also, new research shows what can hurt recruitment and retention of women in trucking – and the list contains some familiar issues. Then, Bryan Martin of Chrome Shop Mafia joins us to run through the most commonly overlooked maintenance items in large trucks. And the U.S. transportation secretary says recent federal changes will not alter the rules truckers face in regard to the use of marijuana.

0:00 – Supreme Court decision might upend ability of feds to regulate

10:14 – Study identifies what makes it harder to recruit female truckers

25:09 – What are you overlooking in terms of maintenance?

40:09 – Buttigieg: Pot rules won’t change for truckers

FMCSA’s new acting administrator has a long history in the DOT – and it may offer a guide for those wondering where the agency is headed. Also, in an effort to spark an interest in the industry, a woman in Minnesota has started writing children's books about trucking. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis is hearing from truckers about a fairly ridiculous situation involving turn signals, as well as some real concerns about load securement.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:14 – What can we expect out of new FMCSA leader?

25:09 – Author brings the world of trucking to children

40:09 – Things not to do when your turn signal isn’t working

A Georgia state senator discusses an effort to look into the “driver shortage” and what sorts of trucking problems came to light instead. Also, increased loads and fewer carriers are what DAT is seeing on its load board as we head into the summer months. Robert Rouse of DAT also looks ahead to the July Fourth holiday.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:14 – A look into the ‘driver shortage’ uncovers something else

40:09 – How a decrease in trucks is impacting the spot market

David Spencer of Arrive Logistics discusses some of the factors that feed into the trucking slump and when the industry may turn around. Also, when it comes to seeking legal help for traffic violations, Road Law is here to help. But how many tickets is too many? And lawmakers in California, New York and Delaware are working on legislation to regulate autonomous trucks and how they operate on their roadways.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:14 – When will the trucking turnaround arrive?

25:09 – When it comes to tickets, how many is too many?

40:09 – Bills to clamp down on autonomous trucks continue

A California bill mandating drivers in autonomous trucks is making another run at passage in California – despite a veto last year. Also, a truck driver is on the road to recovery after a pastor in Florida jumped into action following a crash that caused the trucker to go off the road. And a hearing on a spending bill coming up this week in a U.S. House committee could address trucking issues such as speed limiters and truck size and weight.

0:00 – Newscast

10:14 – Bill would mandate drivers in autonomous trucks

25:09 – Pastor explains how he saved trucker after crash

40:09 – Speed limiters among topics to watch for in upcoming hearing

FMCSA hosted a healthy debate between those in trucking calling for greater protections, and those in towing listing their concerns. The OOIDA Foundation’s latest report backs up what you likely feel – but also offers some insight into how to make things better. Also, FMCSA is tackling predatory towing and predatory lease-purchase agreements, and that process has begun already through a set of public meetings. And OOIDA tour truck driver Marty Ellis is talking about some serious topics, including how to reinvent or rebrand yourself or your business, the importance of trust and trusting the wrong GPS.

0:00 – FMCSA holds public meeting on predatory towing, healthy debate ensues

10:14 – Latest report shows freight market still in a slump

25:09 – FMCSA tackles predatory towing, lease-purchase

40:09 – The trick to reinventing yourself

In a few years, proposed emission standards would require 25% of new trucks to be all electric. So what can you do? We’ll offer some advice. Also, over the past few years, many truckers have been the victims of predatory towing practices. Now, FMCSA has set a meeting to examine the issue. And four states have acted this year to address predatory towing and booting of commercial motor vehicles.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:14 – What you can do about the push for electric trucks

25:09 – FMCSA gets involved in the predatory towing issue

40:09 – Four states act to combat bad towing practices