Land Line Now

For truck drivers far from home – and far from their place of worship – the road can be a lonely place, especially this time of year. Two pastors, who both have spent time behind the wheel, tell us how they’re offering spiritual guidance for truckers. Then, new broker and emission rules are close to taking effect, but the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association renews its call for more action. And finally, Florida commits to addressing the state’s truck parking shortage, and voters in Washington State may give the boot to a controversial cap-and-trade program.  

0:00 – Newscast

10:19 – Truck stop pastors

24:50 – Regulatory Roundup: new broker and emission rules

39:20 – Florida truck parking & Washington fuel taxes

California’s got some ambitious goals when it comes to cutting down emissions. The state will be relying heavily on electric vehicles to get the job done, but new analysis from the American Transportation Research Institute lays out just how difficult that will be. Then, some freight is easier to transport than others, but a man in Arizona might have one of the more difficult loads – elephants. And finally, December is shaping up to be one of the slowest freight months in seven years.

0:00 – Newscast

10:19 – California’s electric vehicle ambitions

24:50 – Hauling elephants

39:20 – December spot market slowdown

Getting a traffic ticket can be a scary thing, especially if you decide to seek legal advice. We speak with the guys at Road Law about the process of fighting a ticket and what you need to know if it goes to court. And then, we take an extended walk down memory lane – or more specifically, Monfort Lane – with a couple drivers who say driving for Monfort was the best time of their lives.

0:00 – Newscast

10:19 – Road Law: fighting a traffic ticket

24:50 - A trip down Monfort Lane

Meals for 18 Wheels, an organization that provides meals for truck drivers during the holidays, is ramping up for a busy couple of weeks. Then, the holidays can be tough for a lot of people, especially truck drivers who spend a lot of time away from home. Therapist Buck Black has some strategies for dealing with the holiday blues. Plus, as we’ve told you before, FMCSA and other agencies have big plans for 2024. We’ll continue running down the list of proposals in the pipeline next year.

0:00 – Newscast

10:19 – Meals for 18 Wheels

24:50 – Mental health check

39:20 - Proposals in the pipeline

“Listen to the truckers.” That was the message several GOP lawmakers had for U.S. DOT administrators during a sometimes-contentious hearing this week, with a special focus on possible mandates of speed limiters and AEB systems. Plus, New York State officials are taking a crack at the truck parking shortage. We then give roses to those who are improving the lives of truckers and razzberries to those who aren’t. And finally, a plea for the Supreme Court to turn down a case involving broker liability.

0:00 – Truck parking in New York State 

10:19 – “Listen to the truckers.”

24:50 – Roses & Razzberries

39:20 – Broker liability case could be headed to SCOTUS

Wreaths Across America continues this weekend, with a couple million volunteers and supporters hauling wreaths to the gravesites of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. An OOIDA senior member, participating for the first time, says it was an opportunity he just couldn’t pass up. Then, we have new insights into the DOT’s timeline for possible mandates of speed limiters and more. We cover that, plus a hearing in the House, where GOP members pulled no punches in expressing concerns about those very same issues.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:19 – Wreaths Across America

24:50 – New clues about DOT’s mandate plans

39:20 – T&I hearing puts focus on speed limiters, AEB

Is the truck parking situation improving? We cover a new study that suggests there is more truck parking capacity than there was two years ago, and more, in our latest installment of The Parking Zone. Then, a new campaign seeks to get more girls interested in trucking careers, and Barbie plays a central role. Plus, December is shaping up to be a slow month on the spot market. We have tips for improving profitability while freight rates are low.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:18 – The Parking Zone

24:49 – Barbie seeks CDL

39:20 – Spot market slowdown

If it seems like four-wheelers are behaving more erratically on roadways these days, you’re not wrong. A new study from AAA says more people are engaging in risky driving behaviors. Then, cargo theft is likely to spike in the coming weeks as we get closer to Christmas. Tips for keeping you and your stuff safe. Plus, a legislative panel in Georgia has some ideas for fixing a problem that doesn’t exist – but they may address other issues in trucking.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:18 – Four-wheelers behaving badly

24:46 – Cargo theft from an insurance perspective

39:14 – Legislative panel on the “driver shortage”

Talking to lawmakers on Capitol Hill is a vital part of what OOIDA does. We recently spoke with Lewie Pugh about his trip to Washington, D.C., and some of the topics he discussed with politicians regarding trucking. A plan in Arizona would add hundreds of truck parking spaces in the state. Also, Washington state officials say their rest areas are at a crisis stage. And later this week, a House subcommittee will take a look at how well the government has implemented the infrastructure law. We’ll have a preview.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Parking, speed limiters, brokers discussed during D.C. visit

24:49 – Two states wrestle with parking, facilities

39:14 – How well is the government doing with the infrastructure law?

A new report from the American Transportation Research Institute sheds new light on just how bad predatory towing has become. Also, Land Line Magazine’s Mark Schremmer reports on his conversation with FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson and breaks down a session that let truck drivers speak their mind through a proxy. And as a token of thanks for the help Boston provided back in 1917 during the Halifax explosion, Nova Scotia gifts a Christmas tree to the city every year. We speak with the driver of the tree about this annual act of gratitude and decades-old tradition.

0:00 – Newscast 

10:07 – Study uncovers how bad predatory towing is now

24:49 – Summit hears what truckers are thinking

39:14 – Halifax sends a Christmas thank-you to Boston