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The open road has called many to a life behind the wheel, but it’s a hard one. The most common complaint registered in an informal Transport Topics poll of drivers is the long-haul trip that stretches on and on at the expense of family life. It’s an ancient conflict.

The debate over the Federal Highway Administration’s safety rating system began anew last week when the agency issued a proposed rule that would shut down carriers that do not take steps to correct an “unsatisfactory” evaluation within 60 days.

Customers of Overnite Transportation Co. are the latest targets in the Teamsters union’s efforts to organize employees of the less-than-truckload carrier.

A proposal to make terminal operators responsible for the roadworthiness of containers and chassis picked up by trucking companies will be a hot topic at the annual membership conference of the Intermodal Association of North America.

Two more less-than-truckload freight carriers - Roadway Express and Con-Way Transportation Services - announced plans to raise rates.

At least five major trucking companies may have been victimized in a scam involving fraudulent cash advances and check cashing in which criminals have targeted users of Comdata Comchek electronic cards.

Cargo thieves may soon have more to worry about than just stealing a trailer load of clothes or computers. M.S. Carriers of Memphis, Tenn., and a major national retailer recently posted a $25,000 reward for the recovery of a load of apparel stolen Aug. 3 from Manning, S.C.

he National Truck Driving Championships has a major role in promoting safety behind the wheel of tractor-trailers, according to a panel of experts assembled to kick off this year’s championship round at the Tampa Convention Center.

The chairman of American Trucking Associations is not confident the Department of Transportation won’t do more harm than good in revising hours-of-service regulations.

The New York Legislature adopted a budget, but elimination of the state’s ton-mile tax on trucking was not part of the package.