Author: Trucker Talk Radio
The World of Rob Piper: A Lorry Driver’s Experience Rob Piper’s life is painted in shades of grey, blue, and black. Early mornings find him navigating the dark blue-black sky while driving his 44-tonne DAF XF lorry out of the Southampton industrial estate. At 6 a.m., the grey roads are primarily lined with lorries, their metal bullbars glittering under the headlights in a friendly manner. After a series of monotonous motorway loops, Piper concludes his driving in the mid-afternoon. Unlike in the past, when lorry drivers often worked 16- to 18-hour shifts, his hours are now regulated by a digital…
Mack Trucks Unveils the Mack Pioneer Mack Trucks has launched the Mack Pioneer, branding it as the company’s most aerodynamic and advanced connected truck yet. Available in various configurations for the U.S. and Canadian markets, including day cab and multiple sleeper options, it is designed for long-haul and regional use. A Comprehensive Platform for Modern Fleets Executives describe the Pioneer not merely as a truck, but as a platform aimed at helping fleets navigate the challenges of a disrupted transportation landscape characterized by labor shortages, supply chain issues, and regulatory changes. “This launch goes beyond introducing a remarkable truck,” stated…
Trump’s Stance on Due Process Rights In a recent interview, President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about his obligation to uphold the due process rights guaranteed by the Constitution, stating he is unsure if both U.S. citizens and noncitizens are deserving of these protections. Comments on Canada and Military Action Trump downplayed the need for military intervention to make Canada the “51st state” and appeared less inclined to pursue a third presidential term. His remarks came during a combative interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” amidst challenges in advancing his agenda as his second term neared its 100-day mark, according to…
WASHINGTON — Potential Regulatory Changes Amid Election-Year Gridlock With the approach of an election year, Congress may struggle to pass significant truck-related legislation in 2024. However, a potential change in administration could prompt the finalization of two key regulations that could have major cost and operational impacts on the trucking industry. Proposed regulations to tighten standards for independent contractors and reduce carbon emissions from heavy trucks are currently under final review at the White House. These proposals align with the administration’s core priorities of labor and climate issues. According to P. Sean Garney, co-director of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting, “We might…
After a night of driving an 18-wheeler across the country in late September, Gurpreet Singh woke to notifications from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his phone. He promptly returned the call, then took a selfie to upload into the immigration officials’ tracking app. That morning, fatigued from an uninterrupted 11-hour drive beginning in Bakersfield, California, Singh, a Punjabi immigrant awaiting asylum, mistakenly confused the time zones. Failing to receive the expected notification, he sent an unsolicited selfie and fell asleep. As his co-driver continued from St. Louis to Chicago, notifications flooded in, including missed calls from a cousin…
Junior League of Lafayette’s Touch-a-Truck Event The Junior League of Lafayette is excited to announce the return of its Touch-a-Truck event on March 22 at Blackham Coliseum. This cherished event invites attendees to explore a variety of vehicles, including fire trucks, police cars, and construction equipment. This year marks the second consecutive occurrence of Touch-a-Truck, promising a day full of enjoyment for all ages. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a unique opportunity for both children and adults to engage with an array of vehicles. Participants will have the chance to learn about and interact…
Melvins’ Wisdom on Longevity Recently, the Melvins reflected on their long-standing career during an interview, likening their journey to that of many successful bands. When asked about their secret to enduring 30 years together, they humorously suggested the key was sometimes needing to kick someone out. They noted that when things begin to falter, it often stems from one individual, and removing that person can help restore balance—a bit of solid advice. Mike Cooley and the Drive-By Truckers In a discussion with Mike Cooley, one half of the Drive-By Truckers’ creative duo, I inquired about how they’ve navigated the challenges…
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to uncovering abuses of power. Subscribe to get our most important stories as they’re published. “America’s Dangerous Trucks” is a joint investigation by FRONTLINE and ProPublica. The documentary premiered on June 13, 2023, and can be streamed via the PBS App or on the FRONTLINE website. The trucking sector is actively lobbying to make it more difficult for crash victims to sue companies and to reduce the compensation they can claim. Over the last three years, this industry has influenced new laws in seven states, including top-ranking Texas and Florida for fatal truck accidents.…
The Challenge of Overnight Parking for Truck Drivers A pale winter sun sets over the frozen landscape as Stephen Graves maneuvers his tractor-trailer through the cracked pavement of a truck stop lot in southern Oklahoma. After driving another 400 miles, he desperately needs a restroom but, more importantly, he’s searching for a place to park his rig for the night—a question that haunts him every evening as darkness approaches. Graves is approaching the 11-hour limit on his driving time before he must take a mandatory 10-hour break. He considers pushing on for another hour, inching closer to the Texas border…
Major manufacturers are rolling out new articulated dump trucks (ADTs) equipped with a variety of features aimed at enhancing operator convenience and boosting productivity. Between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024, around 2,095 newly financed ADTs were sold, based on data from Fusable’s EDA equipment finance platform. This information is derived from state UCC-1 filings concerning financed construction machinery, with financed units making up 40% to 75% of all sales across different machine types in the U.S. Here’s the latest on ADTs from prominent brands such as Bell, Caterpillar, Develon, Hyundai, John Deere, Liebherr, Rokbak, and Volvo. Bell Introduces…