Author: Trucker Talk Radio

Race Day Approaches! Levan Machine & Truck Equipment and RICH MAR Florists are excited to present the Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Roto-Rooter Midweek 410 Sprint Series on Tuesday, May 19 at Grandview Speedway. Competitors will race for the chance to win the 35-lap Hodnett Cup, offering a substantial prize of $20,000. Additionally, Pennsylvania drivers can compete for an extra $2,000 bonus, courtesy of Alpine Building Supply. Schedule for Race Day On race day, general admission tickets will be available and the main gate opens at 5 PM. Time trials kick off at 6:45 PM, followed by opening ceremonies, and…

Health and Safety Risks for Long-Haul Truck Drivers Long-distance commercial truck drivers face significant health and safety hazards linked to their work conditions. Lack of Knowledge on Health Promotion Programs There is limited information regarding effective health promotion initiatives that support the occupational health, safety, and wellbeing of commercial motor vehicle drivers. Research Collaboration Dr. Mamdouh Shubair, an Associate Professor at the School of Health Sciences at UNBC, leads a collaborative research project involving the University of Saskatchewan, University of Waterloo, Transport Canada, and SafetyDriven, the Trucking Safety Council of BC. Funding and Survey Creation With funding from WorkSafe BC,…

Guy Chollet, engineering manager, Jim Dondlinger, president, and Pete Taskovic, process manager, collaborate to ensure project success. Automotive Resources International (ARI) has recently acquired the assets of Auto Truck Inc. As a part of Holman Enterprises, which includes over 25 operating companies, ARI has formed Auto Truck Group LLC by merging Fleet Body Equipment and Auto Truck’s assets. Jim Dondlinger, President of Auto Truck Group, along with his management team, will oversee the new operation. In a recent interview, Dondlinger elaborates on the history of Auto Truck Group, their expanded capabilities for customer service, broader opportunities for his team, and…

Workforce Decline in Truck Transportation In 2025, the number of individuals employed in truck transportation was significantly lower than previously reported. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly employment report in February, which includes the annual revision that reflects updated employment data accumulated over time, beyond the typical monthly updates. Impact of Annual Revisions The annual revision is much more comprehensive than the short-term adjustments, which only allow for revisions of the previous two months. For instance, September’s report provides initial data for August, along with potentially adjusted figures for July and June. Once that report is published,…

Despite ongoing efforts by motor carriers to lower their insurance premiums, the majority are still experiencing increases in their insurance costs. A new report highlights the necessity for a more comprehensive approach. A recent study focused on how rising insurance costs impact trucking fleets indicates that, despite various strategies employed to reduce premiums, most motor carriers encountered escalating insurance expenses. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reports that fluctuating and rising insurance premiums are a significant concern for the industry. Their Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking reveals that insurance costs per mile surged by 47% over the past…

Trucking Jobs Decline Amid Rising Rates Despite increasing rates, the trucking industry continues to see a decline in job availability. With federal actions targeting underperforming operators and soaring diesel prices, there are concerns about further tightness in trucking capacity. Job Losses and Capacity Tightening Recent federal data shows a decrease of 800 trucking jobs in March, marking a continuation of the gradual reduction in capacity that began three years ago. Since February 2023, job numbers have dropped consistently each month, barring three exceptions. Peak and Subsequent Decline Trucking employment reached its peak in October 2022, following an influx of motor…

Trucking Employment Gains in July Trucking employment saw a moderate increase in July, adding over 3,000 jobs, following a rise of more than 6,000 in June. Although this growth is modest compared to previous years, it marks a recovery from the declines experienced during the pandemic peak. Updated figures indicate that May recorded a loss of 1,800 jobs, a revision from an earlier reported decline of over 3,000. Historical Context of Trucking Employment The trucking sector faced a net loss of 42,500 jobs in 2020. However, this decline was not the most severe; the industry lost over 100,000 jobs in…

Luverne Truck Equipment Celebrates New Headquarters and 50th Anniversary On May 10, 2013, Luverne Truck Equipment unveiled its newly renovated corporate headquarters, coinciding with preparations for its 50th anniversary celebration. The guest list encompasses key business and political figures from both state and local levels, along with customers and former and current employees of the company. Leadership Remarks John Schulzetenberg, the President and CEO of Luverne, stated, “Our achievements over the last fifty years are attributed to our committed employees, over 5,000 loyal customers, and our collaborative relationship with the city of Brandon, as well as county and state economic…

Daimler Truck Financial Services USA (DTFS) has collaborated with GEICO to launch Connected Insurance, aimed at Freightliner and Western Star owner-operators and small fleets. Managed by Daimler Truck Insurance Agency LLC, this initiative utilizes connected vehicle data to improve coverage precision and incentivize safe driving practices. Program Overview and Coverage Connected Insurance enhances GEICO’s DriveEasy Pro platform by integrating real-time truck telematics from Detroit Connect. Customers with Freightliner and Western Star vehicles can voluntarily provide their vehicle data without needing extra hardware. This sharing of data facilitates accurate risk assessments, streamlined claims management, and the possibility of saving up to…

Inspection of Ontario Career Colleges for Truck Driver Training By the end of next month, all career colleges in Ontario that provide training for commercial truck drivers are set to be inspected, according to the province’s Minister of Colleges and Universities, Nolan Quinn. So far, 14 colleges have been evaluated, with plans to inspect the remaining institutions in the coming six weeks. Concerns Raised by Recent Audit This initiative follows a critical audit of the transport trucking sector, which identified significant issues within the training, inspection, and licensing processes. The report released by Ontario’s auditor general on Tuesday indicated that…