Will new U.S. administration scuttle GHG rules?

WASHINGTON, DC -- As the final days of the Obama administration tick away, those opposed to some of the president's environmental initiatives are looking at ways to undermine the intent of the rules, or even to strike them from the books. With Republicans in charge of the House, the Senate and the White House, you could say the stars are uniquely aligned for just this sort of action. President-elect Donald Trump has already made it clear that he opposes and intends to undo some of those rules. Could Phase 2 of the Greenhouse Gas rules be on that list? "This has big potential for those who would like to strike any carbon regulation or fuel efficiency standards from the trucking industry," said American Trucking Associations vice president, energy and environmental counsel Glen Kedzie, in remarks he made during a GHG Phase 2 webinar hosted by ATA's Technology and Maintenance Council on January 5. Kedzie suggested there are three options open to the new administration: a legal challenge, an executive order from the president, or working through the Congressional Review Act to roll back the rule.

ATA applauds blockage of overtime rule change

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is applauding U.S. District Court Judge Amos Mazzant for blocking the Obama administration's new overtime rule.

U.S. funding driver training for vets

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has granted US $1 million to seven schools to help train more than 250 veterans and their family members as commercial drivers. The funding is provided through its Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMV-OST) grant program.

ATA wants brakes put on speed limiter proposal

ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) says it continues to hold a "pro-safety policy" regarding speed limiters, but it is raising concerns about a proposal to mandate the technology in the U.S. "Despite ATA's decade-old, pro-safety policy on speed, the new joint rulemaking from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Administration proposes a menu of three speed options for commercial trucks, not one," said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. "It provides insufficient data, and fails to make a recommendation regarding which of the three proposed speeds it believes is best and why. "

Spear attacks lawmakers, pledges action

LAS VEGAS, NV - The president and Chief Executive Officer of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) launched a blistering attack on the record of U.S. lawmakers on Monday, pledging to take action on issues ranging from taxation to Hours of Service.

OOIDA wants speed limiter language removed

GRAIN VALLEY, MO - The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is asking the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations not to reference mandated speed limiters when drafting federal spending measures.

Trucking tolls in NY shouldn’t finance canal: Court

ARLINGTON, Va. - The American Trucking Associations is applauding a federal court ruling against New York State for using the tolls paid by interstate truckers to finance unrelated tourism and recreation projects around the New York Canal System.

U.S. trucking revenue hit record in 2015: ATA

ARLINGTON, VA - The U.S. trucking industry collected record revenues in 2015, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Unified Registration System rollout delayed three months

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is delaying the rollout of a simplified online registration system until January 14, 2017, adding three months to an original September 30 deadline.

FMCSA to study how to determine crash fault

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. regulators are preparing a two-year demonstration program that will help determine which "less complex" crashes should be considered preventable for the purpose of a carrier's safety rating. It's the latest step in an overhaul of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, which scores violations under Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvements Categories (BASICS) including a "crash indicator". Carriers have for some time been asking how to remove scores for crashes that they don't believe are their fault, Joe DeLorenzo

U.S. private fleets report productivity spike, aging drivers

KING CITY, ON - Private fleets in the U.S. appear to be in an enviable position. Productivity is up, driver turnover is low, and a growing number of operations are investing in safety-related tools. But initial results from the National Private Truck Council's annual benchmarking survey also show there are still challenges to overcome, particularly when it comes to an aging driver population.

TransCore volumes surged in May

TORONTO, ON - TransCore Link Logistics reports that its Canadian and cross-border loads surged to the highest load levels of the year this May, while a 22% hike over April represented the biggest month-over-month increase in more than two years.

Peace Bridge rehab to begin this month

FORT ERIE, ON - American Bridge Company has been awarded an $80.5-million contract to rehabilitate the Peace Bridge - an international crossing connecting Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, New York.

U.S. truck passengers must be belted by August

WASHINGTON, DC - Passengers in truck cabs will be required to wear seatbelts when traveling U.S. highways, effective Aug. 8.

Drivers paying steep price for apnea tests

ARLINGTON, VA - Truck drivers are paying a real price for the screening and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apena (OSA), a condition that obstructs breathing patterns and can wake sufferers hundreds of times per night, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has found. The review of more than 800 commercial drivers quantifies costs and other impacts of driver screening for the first time.