A test program is being tried out in Indiana to encourage drivers to check in at weigh stations by making the visits faster and less painless. FMCSA representatives attended a demonstration of how two new pieces of technology will help to keep the roads safer and keep drivers on the road. Help, Inc., the creator of the new technologies put on the demonstration at a weigh station on I-70 in Richmond, IN.... Read More

Earlier this year, FMCSA's Medical Advisory Board released recommendations regarding sleep apnea. The Board's report listed defined conditions that should require testing for apnea and conditions that must be met for driver medical certification. This step was a bit unusual because information of this nature is usually released as part of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.... Read More

December is the time of year when disappointed trucking company owners and executives review the past 12 months of financial performance and ask themselves ‘What went wrong?’

Excellent question. Analyzing historical performance, i.e. actually answering the question, ‘What went wrong?’, provides the surest path to future financial success, yet few trucking executives take the time and dedicate the resources to learn from past mistakes. ... Read More

Under freight rate regulation the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) spent considerable time evaluating why transport carriers failed. While their primary purpose was to keep rates low, they also wanted to keep transport carriers in business allowing them to recover their full cost of transport to include a profit sufficient to yield a fair and reasonable return on invested capital. Cost information was readily available to the ICC by reviewing public financial statement data.... Read More

Federal officials are seeking authority to shut down motor carriers that employ officials who have shown “egregious disregard” for safety regulations.

Under the proposal, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would revoke the operating authority of a carrier if someone who has controlling influence of the company’s operations “engages or has engaged in a pattern or practice of avoiding regulatory compliance or masking noncompliance while acting on behalf of any motor carrier.”... Read More

I don’t remember exactly where I read this, but I came across the term, “niche celebrity” in an article about social media. The idea of the article was, through social media, bloggers, like here on Big Truck TV, are on their way to becoming trucking celebrities.

The first trucking industry celebrity, if I had to name one, would be Jim Hebe of International and Freightliner fame. What is funny, not only did I study karate with Chuck Norris, but I sold Jim Hebe on being a pioneer on rebuilding fan clutches in his dealership back in the 1980’s - so I know a little about celebrities.... Read More

Have you ever thought about what your life will be like in ten, twenty or thirty years from now if you don’t change your negative behavior? Do you wish to quit smoking? Do you need to lose weight or get in shape? Would you like to make changes in your relationship with your family or spouse, but you’re not sure how to start?... Read More

When you are part of management these four words can help you sleep better at night. Yes Sir or yes Ma’am, “everything is under control.”

So what will happen? The Bush tax cuts, payroll tax cuts designed to pull us out of the recession, and estate tax reforms expire December 31, 2012. Even though the Congress and the President are talking, the President, fresh from his victory, is lecturing in an inflexible manner. Estate tax liability is in flux. It’s difficult to achieve compromise and save face under such terms. Unemployment benefits have been extended ad infinitum.... Read More

Last Thursday, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a 2.7% annual rate during the third quarter of 2012, which was an upward revision from the preliminarily reported annual growth rate of 2.0%. At a first glance, this appears to be good news, but as economist James Hamilton points out, a more thorough reading of the report shows that the U.S.... Read More