The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Dec. 10 announced its long-awaited final rule requiring that interstate drivers use electronic recording devices intended to enforce hours-of-service regulations, and reduce driver fatigue and paperwork for motor carriers and drivers.
December 10, 2015BusinessGovernment
Truckers Concerned About Closure of US 12 in Washington
It could be awhile before U.S. Highway 12 in Washington state reopens after a deluge of rain triggered washouts and rockfalls that closed a 27-mile section of the highway over White Pass on Dec. 10.
December 10, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Michigan Senate Considering Bills to Allow Toll Roads
LANSING, Mich. — State senators are considering legislation that would allow toll roads in Michigan as part of a broader package to provide for public-private partnerships and other alternative financing methods for infrastructure projects.
December 9, 2015Government
Freight Transportation Barely Misses Record Level, DOT Says
The Department of Transportation’s freight transportation services index rose 0.5% in October from the same month last year, just 0.2% below the all-time record, DOT said Dec. 9.
December 9, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Connecticut House Fails to Approve Transportation Lockbox Amendment
A proposed constitutional amendment to protect transportation funding from budget cuts came up 14 votes shy in Connecticut’s House of Representatives on Dec. 8, meaning the legislation won’t be on the state’s ballot next November.
December 9, 2015Government
NTSB Safety Alert Warns of Oversize Loads
In the wake of two oversize-load crashes that led to partial bridge collapses, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a safety alert Dec. 9 to remind motor carriers of the importance of obtaining permits and carefully reviewing routes before transporting oversize loads.
December 9, 2015Government
FMCSA Announces Proposed Rule to Require Truck Occupants to Wear Safety Belts
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Dec. 9 announced a proposed rule that would require all passengers and occupants riding in property-carrying commercial motor vehicles to use safety belts.Â
December 9, 2015GovernmentBusinessSafety
Chicago Freight Rail Bypass Gaining Steam, Founder Says
BRODHEAD, Wis. — A privately funded $8 billion freight rail proposed to bypass Chicago and connect to an existing line in Rock County is gaining steam faster than the founder expected.
December 9, 2015GovernmentBusiness
Supreme Court to Hear CRST Appeal in Sexual Harassment Suit
The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 4 agreed to hear an appeal by CRST Van Expedited Inc. that claimed the Iowa-based motor carrier was entitled to a $4.7 million award in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
December 9, 2015Government
In Russia, a Protest Against Putin Rises From an Unlikely Source: Truckers
STUPINO, Russia — Like most Russians, the truck drivers parked up at the Doughnuts roadside cafeteria south of Moscow care little for opposition politics, but a new government policy has made them rethink their attitudes toward Vladimir Putin.
December 8, 2015