Author: Trucker Talk Radio

WASHINGTON — A recent study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has established a connection between the removal of the 12% federal excise tax (FET) on new trucks and truck equipment and a notable decrease in accidents, leading to substantial financial savings. In a report published on Wednesday, ATRI, the research division of the American Trucking Associations, noted that abolishing the tax would accelerate the replacement of older trucks with newer models, which in turn would lower costs associated with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). ATRI projects that this increase in trucks equipped with such systems could prevent approximately…

Tribute to Trucking Advocate Dave MacMillan Renowned trucking veteran and YouTube personality Dave MacMillan has passed away. He died on August 15, 2024, at the age of 68, as reported in an online obituary. MacMillan was well-known for his YouTube channel, Smart-Trucking, where he offered straightforward insights on a variety of topics related to the trucking industry over the last twelve years. Launching his trucking journey in 1976, MacMillan began by driving gasoline in the Canadian Rockies as a company driver. In the 1990s, he and his wife Cathy owned a trucking business. Although he semi-retired in 2021, he continued…

Stifel Reassesses Trucking Industry On Thursday afternoon, David G. Ross, a transportation equities analyst at Stifel Financial Corp., announced the firm’s renewed focus on tracking the trucking industry. He provided insights on several companies including HUB Group, Marten, Knight-Swift, and Daseke, along with a broader analysis and forecast for 2018. Current Industry Landscape The report outlines a situation familiar to many in the industry: substantial freight volumes are driving demand for trucks, while an increasingly tough regulatory environment is gradually constricting supply. Coupled with low unemployment rates and demographic trends, the shortage of drivers is likely to worsen, with LTL…

Shifting Rules for Independent Truckers The regulations dictating the classification of independent truckers are as unpredictable as the Great Plains’ weather; they can change rapidly. This uncertainty is causing concern within the industry. On March 11, rules from the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding the classification of independent contractors will revert to guidelines that existed before 2021. These changes will affect contractors in various professions, but they hold significant implications for owner-operator truck drivers and the fleets that utilize them. The Biden administration’s updated classification emphasizes a “totality of the circumstance” analysis, focusing on six economic factors for determining if…

The Journey of Jon Knope in Trucking A few years back, Jon Knope found himself in a rainy parking lot in Cartersville, Georgia, surrounded by broken soda bottles as he honed his skills for parking a Class 8 combination tractor-trailer. In his early twenties, feeling somewhat adrift, he sought a more stable job than driving for ride-share apps in his mother’s station wagon. Jon enjoyed driving, leading him to trucking school. This career offered significantly higher earnings, as he could work hours beyond what Uber or Lyft permitted. Over the ensuing years, he spent over 900 nights on the road,…

Terex Utilities and Mack Trucks Join Forces Terex Utilities has teamed up with Mack Trucks to develop a new zero-emissions bucket truck aimed at the electric utility sector. Enhanced Performance and Capacity This battery-electric bucket truck features improved range and higher payload capacity compared to existing electric chassis models in the market. Innovative Design Features Equipped with Terex’s Optima HR55 aerial device, powered by the HyPower™ SmartPTO by Viatec, the truck utilizes the Mack MD7 Electric chassis, offering a utility vehicle that can travel longer distances while supporting heavier loads. Superior Range and Payload Initial tests suggest that this all-electric…

Heroism on the Highway Not every hero dons a cape; sometimes, a truck is the vehicle of bravery. Jason Corino, a 50-year-old truck driver from Deltona, has been named a highway angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for his courageous actions during a traffic stop shooting in Colorado last year. He vividly remembers the gunfight between a suspect and a police sergeant, describing it as playing out “like slow motion” in his mind. Nominated for Highway Angel of the Year Corino, a retired U.S. Army veteran, is one of five nominees for the Highway Angel of the Year award.…

For businesses utilizing semi-trucks, securing the right insurance is essential. This applies whether you’re an independent trucker, an owner-operator of a trucking business, or your company owns or leases semis for transporting goods. If you transport goods across state lines for hire, you must have a commercial policy with a minimum of $750,000 in auto liability coverage. Your insurance provider will handle the necessary filings on your behalf. This involves registering your business with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as an interstate carrier and acquiring a motor carrier (MC) number. “Understanding the type of coverage you need is…

In 2025, discussions regarding English proficiency and trucking safety gained renewed focus. Two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump highlighted the importance of English language requirements at both cultural and commercial motor vehicle operation levels. On March 1, one executive order officially established English as the United States’ official language, revoking the previous Executive Order 13166 which promoted multilingual government services since the Clinton era. A second executive order, issued on April 28, specifically addressed the trucking industry. It instructed the Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthen enforcement of existing federal regulations mandating that truck drivers possess effective English…

The trucking sector is significantly reliant on the commitment and endurance of truck drivers, who play a critical role in ensuring efficient transport and timely delivery of goods over long distances. These drivers are essential pillars of the logistics industry, yet they face numerous risks due to the fragmented nature of the trucking arena. Typically, school dropouts or individuals from low-income families enter the trucking profession, often beginning their careers as cleaners and eventually learning to drive. Most drivers do not own their trucks and usually work around 12.7 hours a day, adversely affecting their quality of life and health.…