Author: Trucker Talk Radio

Courtesy of History Channel Lisa Kelly’s Journey in Trucking Lisa Kelly, a prominent figure from the History Channel’s Ice Road Truckers, has navigated her way into the heart of a demanding industry, where the freedom of the open road translates to financial reward and personal autonomy. Traveling north of Fairbanks, Alaska, alongside her fellow truckers on the show, Kelly encounters the challenging and isolated conditions of the Arctic Circle. Returning to the Show After taking a year off, Kelly is back on IRT, reminiscing less about her fame and more about the meaningful connections made with great individuals. “I watched…

Promotion Announcement at Great American Insurance Group Great American Insurance Group, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, has named Randal M. Smith as the divisional president of its Trucking Division. Smith’s Career Path Smith started his tenure with Great American in 1992. After a brief departure to co-found Transportation Specialists Insurance Agency, he returned to Great American in 1999, beginning his second chapter in the Trucking Division. Over the years, he has taken on various leadership positions across different areas, including product and business development as well as dealer programs. Experience and Expertise With more than 28 years of industry expertise, Smith…

Vehicles on Interstate 55 in Illinois. EPA’s final rule mandates that 30% of “heavy-heavy-duty vocational” trucks must be zero-emission by 2032. (Illinois Department of Transportation) [Stay updated on transportation news: Subscribe to TTNews in your inbox.] The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Phase 3 emissions rule has faced significant backlash from key sectors within the trucking industry. Announced on March 29, the final rule mandates various electric vehicle sales targets based on vehicle type and application. For instance, it stipulates that 30% of “heavy-heavy-duty vocational” trucks must be zero-emission by 2032, and 40% of short-haul day cabs should also be zero-emission,…

Shipping Challenges for Retailers Retailers are currently grappling with a shipping crisis, as the trucking industry struggles to meet demand. Truck Driver Shortage According to the American Trucking Associations, the nation is facing a deficit of approximately 50,000 truck drivers, which is impacting costs for both businesses and consumers. Impact on Businesses and Consumers Companies are voicing concerns regarding how the driver shortage is affecting their operations, while the rising costs of convenient shipping services are being felt by consumers. For instance, Amazon recently raised its Prime membership fee from $99 to $119 annually, citing increased shipping expenses as a…

Addressing Mental Health in Trucking DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Truck drivers and the trucking industry leaders are recognizing and tackling the distinct challenges posed by their profession, including feelings of loneliness, the effects of a sedentary lifestyle, and prolonged separation from family and friends. Importance of Mental Health Awareness At the recent annual conference of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS), Lauren Ramnath Daharry, a licensed mental health counselor and certified yoga instructor, emphasized the necessity of addressing these mental health needs. “Drivers are prone to work-related health issues, particularly mental health disorders,” Daharry noted. “Many…

IVCC’s Truck Driver Training Program Celebrates 25 Years Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC) is marking the 25th anniversary of its Truck Driver Training Program with an open house, featuring newly installed driving simulators, the main campus headquarters, and its truck fleet. Event Details The open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the training facility located on the Oglesby campus. Significance of the Milestone Rebecca Zamora, the dean of workforce development career and technical programs, expressed excitement about this milestone. “This reflects the hard work of our instructors, staff, and students, highlighting the…

Trucking Challenges – February 3, 2014 KERRY O’BRIEN, PRESENTER: Welcome to Four Corners and our initial program for 2014. KERRY O’BRIEN: After returning from summer breaks, many will share experiences of encounters on the road with hasty truck drivers, involving tailgating and other alarming behavior. KERRY O’BRIEN: Long-haul truck drivers too have their own stories to tell. Despite a record low in the national road toll for all accidents, over 200 fatalities each year involved large trucks from 2002 to 2012, a sobering statistic. KERRY O’BRIEN: Authorities often point to driver exhaustion and mechanical issues as contributing factors to these…

Addressing Insurance Challenges in the Trucking Industry For fleet owners and operators, managing insurance challenges is a critical issue. Increased premiums, liability claims, and disputes over cargo insurance create significant financial risks for trucking firms. (Photo: iStock) The number of transport trucks on Canadian roads has increased dramatically over the past ten years, resulting in a higher incidence of accidents and liability claims. Transport truck accidents tend to have a much higher fatality rate compared to accidents involving other vehicle types. Consequently, the surge in claims has led to higher insurance costs, often reflected in increased premiums throughout the sector.…

As the new Congress begins, ATA Chairman Dennis Dellinger took to Capitol Hill to advocate for significant increases in funding for the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Dellinger spoke to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highway & Transit, addressing a broad array of trucking priorities just as the committee started the reauthorization process for the federal highway bill. His testimony emphasized the necessity for enhanced infrastructure to boost supply chain resilience and efficiency, including the reduction of over $100 billion in annual congestion costs. Congressional members queried Dellinger on how they could further support the trucking sector, which included suggestions…

Jeff Runions: Embracing the Future of Trucking Nearly 40 years ago, Jeff Runions embarked on his trucking career with dreams of achieving the American dream. Over time, he has experienced the industry in various roles, including independent owner-operator, full-time company driver, parts manager, and trucking depot manager. Now, as a developer of autonomous trucks, Runions, at 58, witnesses the evolution of a $700 billion industry amidst a competitive race among Silicon Valley giants like Uber and Google aimed at being the first to deliver self-driving trucks on the roads. “We were like the cowboys of the old days, doing our…