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WASHINGTON — Several senators introduced legislation last week that would offer incentives to states that ban texting while driving, an issue Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said has become his cause.

Three freight trade groups will gather Nov. 15-17 in Anaheim, Calif., in search of fresh perspectives on key transportation industry issues, including financial, economic and market conditions.

AB Volvo said that it is reorganizing its North American truck business by combining its two brands —Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks — into a single new entity called North American Trucks.

After several initial delays and glitches, freight hauling and government officials say the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program is moving along smoothly at U.S. ports, and they project additional security measures could be incorporated in coming years.

The freight recovery paused in September as American Trucking Associations’ tonnage index dipped 0.3% from the month be-fore after recording larger gains in July and August.

U.S. diesel prices continued to surge as the national average rose another 9.6 cents a gallon to $2.801 last week, the highest level in nearly a year, the Department of Energy said.

The Department of Transportation last week said it will withdraw its controversial driver hours-of-service rule and write new regulations as part of a deal in which a coalition of advocacy groups agreed to suspend its federal lawsuit challenging the rule.

U.S. consumer confidence declined this month, according to the final Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region showed expansion in October, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.