Author: Trucker Talk Radio

Multiple labor regulations currently in development are expected to significantly impact the trucking industry in the coming year. Executives in trucking are paying close attention to these regulations, which will coincide with additional equipment regulations set to take effect in 2024. Key areas for new regulations include the classification of independent contractors, meal and rest break requirements, and enhanced training for new drivers. Industry stakeholders have shared their perspectives on these rules as they prepare for the upcoming year. Federal Regulation on Independent Contractors In January 2024, the Labor Department announced a change in the classification of independent contractors, moving…

By: Michelle V. Rafter (Editor’s Note: This piece is part of a collaboration between Next Avenue and Chasing the Dream.) Chasing a Dream on the Open Road At an age when many seasoned truckers are considering retirement, Bryant Walker from Los Angeles began his journey as a truck driver. Last summer, at the age of 51, Walker ended a 30-year career installing office telecommunications systems to fulfill his childhood aspiration of driving an 18-wheeler. Starting a New Venture In the past year, he obtained his commercial driver’s license, invested his savings into forming a business, purchased a semi-truck, and found…

In January, Normand Meunier arrived at a hospital in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, suffering from a respiratory virus. Unfortunately, weeks later, he developed a severe bedsore that prompted him to consider medical assistance in dying (MAID). At 66, Meunier was a former truck driver who became paralyzed in his arms and legs due to a spinal cord injury in 2022. During this winter, he was admitted to intensive care for his third respiratory virus in three months after spending four days on a stretcher in the emergency room. His partner, Sylvie Brosseau, reported that the lack of a specialized mattress for Meunier…

ZC Rubber has unveiled its latest X-Elite Series truck tires at the Southeast Asia Dealer Conference and X-Tech Seminar held in Singapore. The company highlights that this product line is specifically designed for long-haul, heavy-duty, and overloaded uses. According to ZC Rubber, the X-Elite Series incorporates the innovative X-Tech System, which merges advanced tire materials, structural enhancements, and updated manufacturing techniques. X-Tech System: Fundamental Innovations The X-Tech System from ZC Rubber comprises three key components: X-Tech Hybrid Formula (X-Tech HF):Enhances wear resistance and boosts fuel efficiency to prolong tire lifespan. X-Tech PSCT+:Improvements in structural design provide better grip, lower noise…

Insights from the President of XPO Logistics Europe The President of XPO Logistics Europe expressed his views in an interview with the Financial Times, highlighting that the upcoming mobility package changes set to be implemented in February could lead to “additional capacity constraints and inflation.” Gomez also warned that transport costs are likely to rise “for at least the next 18 months.” Support for the Mobility Package Despite his concerns, Gomez affirmed his support for the mobility package, suggesting that he views the changes as “positive in the long-term,” according to the Financial Times report. Impact on Driver Salaries Gomez…

In the world of commercial trucking, managing profit margins is crucial due to fluctuating fuel prices, increasing tire costs, and the immediate impact of unexpected repairs on cash flow. Insurance premiums can also be unpredictable. However, underwriters utilize specific variables to determine rates for commercial auto liability and related coverages. By monitoring these variables, managers can mitigate risks, enhance performance, and ultimately see their premiums decrease. Factors Insurers Analyze Before Quoting Insurers begin with a base rate set at the state level and adjust it based on various predictive factors. Fleets that keep track of these elements can demonstrate risk…

This article is part of a FreightWaves series focusing on the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, which federal regulators began enforcing on April 1, 2018. To read more from this series, click here. On a Tuesday evening in March, Lisa and Lee Schmitt set out from their Wisconsin home to transport a 42,000-pound load of pre-cracked and pre-whipped eggs. As truck drivers, they had to meticulously account for every minute of their trip. They enjoyed dinner at home before departing around 8:30 p.m., reaching Gaylord, Minnesota by 11 p.m. Their client, a multimillion-dollar supplier of value-added eggs, provides overnight parking…

Gender Imbalance in Trucking The trucking industry has long faced a significant gender imbalance. A study conducted by the Women in Trucking association in 2016 highlighted that only seven percent of truck drivers and 24 percent of managers in the sector were women. Anticipated statistics for 2017 are expected to reveal an increased representation of women in both roles. A. Duie Pyle’s Initiatives A notable company making strides to narrow this gender gap is A. Duie Pyle, the largest less-than-truckload carrier in the Northeast. Five years ago, they revamped their training and development programs, aiming to enhance succession planning for…

A Heartfelt Goodbye As Satoyu hugged his tearful wife Yomeyu, he held her tightly before stepping back. Embracing Fame With tears in his eyes, he put on his signature sharp-edged sunglasses and displayed his trademark villainous grin while engaging with the fans at their meet-and-greet during the Singapore Comic Con (SGCC) at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on December 7. From Truck Driver to TikTok Star Despite his current TikTok following of over 8.3 million, the 30-year-old Japanese national started from humble beginnings as a truck driver, a fact he shared in an interview with AsiaOne at the…

Grandview Speedway’s Upcoming NASCAR Event Building on a successful previous event, Grandview Speedway is set to host a two-division NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series featuring Modifieds and Sportsman this Saturday night. Event Schedule for May 17 This Saturday, May 17, Grandview Speedway will feature the T.P. Trailer NASCAR Modifieds alongside the T.P. Truck Equipment NASCAR Sportsman. The program will comprise qualifying heats for both divisions, culminating in a 30-lap T.P. Trailer Modifieds feature and a 25-lap T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman main event. New Starting Time for Summer Events The starting time for the show has been adjusted to 7:30…