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While many trucking fleets and the companies that make in-cab data devices to support carriers’ operations back moves to restrict cellphone use by drivers, a number of them strongly oppose the recent National Transportation Safety Board recommendation that calls for a total ban on their use — including hands-free devices — while driving.

A federal advisory committee studying electronic onboard recorders did not reach a consensus on the best way to transmit hours-of-service data from the truck cab to roadside inspectors, but did offer recommendations on items including safeguarding carrier and driver privacy.

Many truckers started the new year digging deeper into pockets as 10 states imposed higher tolls.

Manufacturers and sellers of components, parts and systems for heavy-duty trucks will examine the state of their industry, the economy at large and issues of corporate culture at two meetings in Las Vegas, Jan. 23-26.

Wholesale diesel prices spiked last week as tensions in the Middle East rose and temperatures in the eastern United States fell, signaling the likely end of the current run of declining retail prices.

The top Republican on the House Transportation Committee said Friday he is “concerned” that the federal government may lack adequate data to support the new hours-of-service rule it published last month.

Canadian carrier Contrans Group said Thursday it has acquired Wilburn Archer Trucking, a dry-bulk trucking business based in Norwood, Ontario.

The unemployment rate dropped in December to 8.5%, the lowest in almost three years, while the economy added 200,000 jobs, including 5,100 trucking jobs, the Labor Department said Friday.

Livingston International has expanded its customs brokerage and freight forwarding operations by purchasing Hipage Co., which is based in Norfolk, Va.