LLN (1/30/23) – A doctor of physical therapy decided to start his own business to help those within the trucking industry live happier, healthier lives. Also, gap insurance is additional optional coverage, but it’s something that could save you a lot of money in the long run. We’ll hear about it from Trina Skywalker and Trista Roby of OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department. And later this week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will discuss the state of America’s transportation infrastructure and challenges in the supply chain. So why does this matter? And what are we likely to hear? 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Truckers’ health. 24:57 – Gap insurance. 39:37 – State of infrastructure.

Helping truckers to better health

LLN (1/27/23) – When it comes to the spot market, things look bleak. Research analyst Andrew King stops by to talk about the most recent numbers and long-term trends in the market. Also, your average American has fewer and fewer excuses for being ignorant about truck parking. New bills are being introduced, like the SHIP IT Act, and new projects are being proposed every day that put the issue front and center. And most truckers observe a simple courtesy while out on the road. If a car has pulled off on the side of the highway, move over a lane to give them some space. Now, some states are requiring it. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Market trends. 24:57 – Parking Zone. 39:37 – Move-over laws.

Spot market: Still looking for the bottom

LLN (1/26/23) – The Environmental Protection Agency is cracking down on emissions from trucks in a big way. Also, it may be time to give retreading another try. We’ll discuss how technology has improved the process, how retreading can save you money and why it’s just as reliable as any other option out there. A bill in the U.S. House is touted as a solution to problems with the supply chain. And Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina are all tightening up the rules for left-lane use on their highways – and one of them is singling out trucks. Meanwhile, Michigan lawmakers are looking at changes to how the state calculates speed limits. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Retreads. 24:57 – EPA on emissions. 39:37 – Left-lane rules.

EPA sets strict rule for truck emissions

LLN (1/25 /23) – From one restroom access bill that became law last year to another just introduced that would expand on it and more, Sheri Call, president and CEO of the Washington Trucking Associations, joins us to discuss their continuing efforts to improve the lives of truck drivers. Also, DAT saw one of the weakest load volumes last week compared to the past several years. And truckers have to remember a huge amount of information. But that doesn’t mean that they know everything. Recently, Marty Ellis ran into a trucker who didn’t know something that can be incredibly important when making your way down America’s highways. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Restroom access. 24:57 – Weak load volumes. 39:37 – Bridge clearance.

Restroom access effort just the start, key player says

LLN (1/24/23) – One year after Washington state lawmakers addressed concern about access to restroom facilities at ports, a new bill calls for giving truck drivers operating throughout the state access to restrooms. Also, OOIDA has found many ways to try to level the playing field – one of them is a series of discounts and rebates offered to the Association’s members. And we like to talk on our show occasionally about the technical side of trucking, including what it takes to keep your truck on the road and in good repair. Of course, first, you have to get it started. That’s where your electrical system comes into play. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Discounts and rebates. 24:57 – Electrical systems. 39:37 – Washington state restroom access.

State bill would expand restroom access for truckers

LLN (1/23/23) – The National Academies of Sciences’ Transportation Research Board held its first meetings on the driver pay issue, and we’ve got a report. Also, a new year and a new month mean a new issue of Land Line Magazine. We’ll take a look at the first issue of 2023 and find out more about this issue’s cover story, “Trackers on Truckers.” And this week will be a busy one for trucking issues in our nation’s capital, with discussions on truck parking, bathroom access and more. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Driver pay study. 24:57 – Land Line Magazine preview. 39:37 – The week ahead in D.C.

Driver pay meetings focus on unpaid work

LLN (1/20/23) – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. We’ll speak with two women who are working toward getting the trucking industry educated to recognize and report instances of this growing crime. Also, if you are trying to get more horsepower or torque from your engine, you might inadvertently be causing a problem with your radiator. It happened to one trucker, who asked Bryan Martin for some advice on what to do. And the topic of showing courtesy to other truckers at truck stops is weighing on Marty Ellis’s mind. Meanwhile, a service gathering information on motor carriers has a few things wrong. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 24:57 – Horsepower and radiators. 39:37 – Truck Stop courtesy.

Effort aims to prevent human trafficking

LLN (11/19/23) – The National Academies of Sciences’ Transportation Research Board is taking a long, hard look at driver pay and its effect on safety. We’ll discuss what they’re doing about it with Jay Grimes of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office. Also, got questions about API FA-4 heavy-duty engine oils? You’re not alone – and it’s easy to get confused. Misconceptions often accompany the newer oil category, but the benefits are clear. And lawmakers in Virginia are considering a bill that would expand left-lane restrictions on large trucks. Meanwhile, several states are expanding laws designed to protect people at the roadside, such as emergency vehicles. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – New oil category. 24:57 – Driver pay. 39:37 – Left-lane restrictions.

Board eyes link between driver pay, safety

LLN (1/18/23) – We’ve all heard the news about various companies producing electric powered trucks, but are these trucks a realistic replacement for the diesel-powered vehicles that are on the road today? Also, an idea to create a business that caters to the needs of drivers has been brought to fruition. We’ll speak with the man behind Truckers Couture. And load posts increased 6.1% week over week, a strong start to the year, according to DAT. We’ll have the latest in today’s Market Update.  0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Truckers Couture. 24:57 – Market update. 39:37 – Electric trucks.

Electric trucks – a practical replacement?

LLN (1/17/23) – Pennsylvania lawmakers are trying to put a stop to automatic increases to the state’s fuel tax. Meanwhile, bills in New York and Minnesota are trying to offer consumers some protection from price gouging, including on fuel. Also, when it comes to renting and leasing versus borrowing equipment, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to insurance. And one of the great truths in life is a simple one. None of us are getting any younger. And as we age, we need to take precautions and even change some habits. So what are those changes we should make? In fact, it’s fairly simple. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13– Borrowing or lending equipment. 24:57 – Precautions as we get older. 39:37 – Fuel tax and price gouging.

Bill would end Pennsylvania’s automatic fuel tax increases

LLN (1/16/22) – A woman who operates one of the biggest pieces of heavy equipment in the world is sharing her story of overcoming life’s challenges. Also, back in the 1970s, hauling cross country was nearly impossible at the maximum federal limit of 80,000 pounds. We’ll hear from OOIDA President Todd Spencer about why that was and how a handful of states became known as barrier states. And perhaps one of the most common questions insurance companies get is, why are my rates increasing? Trina Skywalker of OOIDA’s Truck Insurance Department talks about some of the reasons your rates could be going up. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13 – Overcoming challenges. 24:57 – Barrier states. 39:37 – Insurance rates.

Heavy equipment operator overcomes challenges

LLN (1/13/23) – From a new highway use tax in Connecticut to unscrupulous businesses looking to squeeze a little extra money out of you – as a trucker, it can feel like you’ve got a target on your back. Also, from a private company taking steps to directly address the shortage of truck parking to a city that won’t let trucks park in most places, we’ll find out who in the news has been good and who’s been bad with some Roses and Razzberries. And Marty Ellis has been reading about some interesting figures regarding the fine amounts various states charge for speeding by commercial motor vehicles. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13– Connecticut highway use tax. 24:57 – Roses and Razzberries. 39:37 – State fine amounts.

Fighting Connecticut’s highway use tax

LLN (1/12/23) – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is setting some new requirements for certified medical examiners, and the government releases a blueprint to “decarbonize” transportation. Also, we cover how the Association fought to cut the Highway Use Tax down to where it is today – directly after winning another battle. And about 20 states have acted to discourage the creation of revenue-raising speed traps. Now, Oklahoma – which already limits the amount of city budgets that can come from tickets – is looking at new ways to discourage the practice. (0:00) – Newscast.  (10:13) – Getting a truck tax scaled back. (24:57) – New medical examiner requirements. (39:37) – Speed traps.

New medical examiner requirements

LLN (1/11/23) – Load posts increased to one of the highest levels in the past six years last week. We have details on that and the latest on rates in this week’s market update with DAT. Also, knowing what steps to take after receiving a traffic ticket can be crucial when it comes to fighting it. We talk with the guys from Road Law to talk about what the process is when you give them a call. And Marty Ellis has been thinking about some of the unique challenges truckers encounter when they get some home time, as well as a harsh reality some truckers are running into as the downturn in freight rates continues. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13– Traffic tickets. 24:57 – Market update. 39:37 – Home time challenges.

Load posts strong on the spot market

LLN (1/10/23) – Five truck drivers are vying for seats on the OOIDA Board of Directors – and today, we take an in-depth look at those running, including their views of some of the vital issues in the industry today. Plus, Indiana’s speed limit differential for heavy trucks is up for debate again. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:13 – OOIDA board interviews: Matthew Bradley, Grover Nelson & Kurt Plummer. 24:57 – OOIDA board interviews: Harrison Smith & Craig DeReu. 39:37 – Indiana speed limit differential.

OOIDA board interviews

LLN (1/9/23) – With a new speaker finally elected in the U.S. House, the process begins to get major trucking priorities – such as truck parking and bathroom access – introduced into the new Congress. So what’s on the priority list? We’ll get a rundown of the issues and why they matter. Also, back in the 1970s, hauling cross country was nearly impossible at the max federal limit of 80,000 pounds. And getting to the size and weight limits we have today for trucks was no easy task. And we’ll talk with Land Line Magazine’s Jami Jones and Mark Schremmer about truck crashes and electronic logging devices, a new round of proposed broker requirements and OOIDA’s 50th anniversary. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13– Size and weight limits. 24:57 – News roundtable. 39:37 – Trucking priorities in Congress.

Getting parking, bathroom access into the new Congress

LLN (1/6/23) – Load-to-truck ratios continue to decline for vans, flatbeds and reefers, but there are some promising signs that we are starting to see the bottom. Also, a woman who operates one of the biggest pieces of equipment in the world is sharing her story of overcoming life’s challenges. We’ll speak with her about finding success in the trucking industry. And Marty Ellis got a stark reminder about what cold weather can mean recently. So what lessons can we learn from that? We’ll discuss that – and a problem he’s noticed with some driver trainers in parking areas that could be passing on a bad lesson. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13– Freight market analysis. 24:57 – Driving mega equipment. 39:37 – New year for state legislation.

Freight market may see bottom soon

LLN (1/5/23) – FMCSA has published a proposed rule regarding brokers and their financial responsibility. Also, the agency contemplates action on speed limiters, automatic emergency braking and more. Also, correcting the driver shortage narrative, speed limiters and nitrogen oxide emissions are all making news headlines. We’ll hear from OOIDA’s public relations and communications staff about how OOIDA is involved. And state lawmakers are getting right to work in the new year. We’ll offer a preview of what to expect when it comes to trucking-related legislation. And some changes are already taking effect based on decisions made in 2022. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:13– In the news. 24:57 – Broker bonds. 39:37 – New year for state legislation.

FMCSA proposes tighter rules for brokers

LLN (1/4/23) – A recently filed class action lawsuit claims that the city of Joliet, Ill., is engaged in an illegal ticketing scheme that targets truck drivers. We speak with one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, Frank Andreano, about the case. Also, with the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there are some markets to watch for reefer haulers. And recent winter weather is a reminder that we are now in the season when that can happen anytime, anywhere. Marty Ellis has a few thoughts about the cold weather, rolling blackouts and coping on the road. 0:00 – Newscast.  10:12 – Ticket lawsuit in Illinois. 25:03 – Reefer market. 39:26 – Winter weather.

Lawsuit targets alleged ticketing scheme

LLN (1/3/23) – Shopping for insurance and doing your taxes will never top the list of “fun things to do” – but it doesn’t need to be quite so painful. Having a friend in the know helps. We’ll break down what you should know before you start the search for insurance coverage and getting quotes. Then, some expert advice as tax season begins winding up. And finally, a look at which states are ending fuel tax holidays or raising rates to start the new year. 0:00 – Newscast. 10:12 – Shopping for insurance. 25:03 – Tax prep. 39:26 – Fuel tax hikes in multiple states.

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