Latest News Updates From Eric Miller

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Eric Miller

Senior Reporter

Eric Miller has been a reporter and writer at publications nationwide for 40 years. He’s been at Transport Topics the past 11 years, currently on the paper’s government team; worked as a reporter at the Dallas Morning News; reporter, editor and member of the investigative team at The Arizona Republic; reporter at the Tampa Tribune; city editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican; and senior writer for D Magazine in Dallas.


GovernmentBusinessSafety

FMCSA Announces Proposal to Amend Driver Vision Standard

A new regulation would allow truck drivers who cannot meet current federal vision standards of either distant visual acuity or field of vision, or both, in one eye to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.

January 27, 2021
GovernmentBusiness

‘Spotter’ in New Orleans Accident Scam Sentenced to 21 Months

A so-called spotter who participated in at least two staged accidents against trucks in the New Orleans area has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for his part in the wire fraud conspiracy.

January 22, 2021
GovernmentBusinessTechnologySafety

Audit Finds Flaws in FMCSA Monitoring of Drivers’ Medical Qualifications

An Inspector General audit has found weaknesses in regulators’ monitoring of medical examiner qualifications and ensuring that truck drivers meet physical qualification standards to safely operate commercial vehicles.

January 21, 2021
GovernmentBusiness

USDA Says It Lacks Jurisdiction to Issue Hemp Transport Shipping Document Guidance

A final hemp rule announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not include requirements for shipping documents that could help motor carriers avoid being stopped, inspected or subject to detention by law enforcement when crossing state boundaries.

January 20, 2021
GovernmentBusinessSafety

Safety Equipment, Training for Contractors Doesn’t Endanger Status, DOL Says

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued an opinion letter ruling that motor carriers can supply independent contractors safety equipment such as dash cams, speed limiters and driver monitoring systems, and also require that they take safety training without jeopardizing their independent contractor status.

January 20, 2021
GovernmentBusinessSafety

Plaintiff Attorneys Often Use 'Reptile Theory' to Win Nuclear Trucking Jury Verdicts, Experts Say

In trucking accident lawsuits, the "reptile theory" is a method plaintiff lawyers have deployed in pursuit of so-called “nuclear” jury verdicts.

January 19, 2021
GovernmentBusinessLogisticsBreaking News

Court Upholds FMCSA Exemption of Trucking From California Rest Break Rules

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s determination that motor carriers are exempt from California’s stringent meal-and-rest-break rules.

January 15, 2021
GovernmentBusinessSafety

FMCSA Names Members of Its MCSAC Advisory Committee

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Jan. 13 announced this year’s members for its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, which includes a record number of women as well as its first female vice chair.

January 13, 2021
GovernmentBusinessSafety

Nearly 49% of CMV Drivers Could Be at Risk for Sleep Apnea, Study Says

A new obstructive sleep apnea study of 20,000 drivers using a more comprehensive screening evaluation method estimated that nearly 49% of commercial motor vehicle drivers could be at risk for obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that can cause sleepiness while driving.

January 12, 2021
GovernmentBusiness

Retrial of Former Pilot President Mark Hazelwood Is Likely, Attorney Says

Retrial of former Pilot Flying J President Mark Hazelwood, convicted of cheating truckers out of diesel fuel rebates, now appears likely, according to Hazelwood’s lead attorney.

January 7, 2021