Last month, the for-hire trucking industry added 11,700 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor’s preliminary data. (more…)
Transportation Insurance
Due to the increasing demand for truckers, many new drivers are being trained every day. They review the basics and are instructed in safe driving, but in the rush to send them out on shifts, new truckers often miss out on learning the common courtesies of the industry.
Here is a helpful guide to trucking etiquette while on the road. (more…)
The American Trucking Associations enlisted House of Representatives members Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), Thomas Peri (R-Wis.), Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), and Pete DeFazio (D-Ore.) in their efforts to postpone the hours of service (HOS) changes set to take effect on July 1st. The Representatives sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association asking to delay the changes until a decision is reached in the March 15th oral presentation before a three-judge panel in the District of Columbia Circuit. (more…)
Despite a nearly 10-percent national unemployment rate, the trucking industry is still unable to fill numerous open positions. This anomaly is starting to grow from an inconvenience into a serious problem for all society.
The impact of truck drivers on society is more profound than the average citizen would realize; most people don’t think about how the milk gets to the supermarket, or who brings the new shoes to the department store, or who delivers the materials to actually build the aforementioned buildings. (more…)
After two years of unsuccessfully trying to be heard, the American Trucking Associations announced on Tuesday, January 22, that it had filed papers with the U.S Supreme Court, who will hear their case against the city of Los Angeles.
The dispute revolves around the Clean Trucks Plan that the city of Los Angeles implemented five years ago, in 2008, with the intention of reducing truck emissions at the Los Angeles Port, the busiest port in the country. The case, American Trucking Associations vs. City of Los Angeles, boils down to whether or not cities and states have the authority to dictate pollution laws on long-haul truckers.
Because they are traveling between states, there is reason to believe that trucks should not be impeded by a single state’s governances. Federal law states that no local regulations may affect the “price, route, or service of any motor carrier,” allowing them to maintain their schedules and minimize costs.
Of the changes, the four most heavily criticized by the ATA are financial capability requirements, off-street parking, maintenance regulations, and placard requirement. All four, argues the ATA, have very little to do with air pollution.
The fight has less to do with reducing air pollution and more to do with the ability of Los Angeles to impose regulations on the trucking industry that create economic difficulties for shipping businesses.
A U.S. District Judge upheld the provisions in 2010 and last year the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, except for a regulation restricting independent contractors. The particular rule disallowed independent truckers from working at the port, thereby forcing them to become employed by the company they shipped for, but was found to be beyond the power of ordinary city governances and was overturned.
The trail is tentatively planned for the spring of 2013, with a ruling to come by July of this year.
Diesel prices have declined for the seventh consecutive week, and 12 of the past 13 weeks, and the trend has had positive effects on the trucking industry. Lower gas prices leads to cheaper shipping, increased work hours, and extra hiring opportunities. (more…)
Welcome to 2013!
In order to celebrate the accomplishments of Royalty Truck Insurance company in 2012, including an ever-expanding client base, we want to present you with out top 5 favorite blog posts from 2012.
These choices encapsulate the news, policy changes, and absurdities of the previous year. Enjoy! (more…)
In June 2007, the History Channel premiered Ice Road Truckers as its latest reality TV show. The program followed truck drivers who cross dangerous terrain, such as frozen lakes and mountain passes, in order to complete their deliveries. The show is currently on its 6th season and continues to be a ratings success for the station.
Ice Road Truckers had an additional effect beyond earning money; it created fan interest in the trucking industry. Enthusiasts saw the long, deadly journeys as heroic and wanted to earn a living as a trucker. (more…)
With Christmas less than three weeks away, truck deliveries have kicked into high gear to accommodate the last-minute packages and gifts that need to arrive before the big day.
The increase in demand causes stress while rushing to meet deadlines, which is compounded by the dangers of icy roads and snowstorms.
To help you out during the Holiday Season, here are some tips to keep you safe, your truck operational, and your deliveries on schedule. (more…)
With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow (Happy Turkey Day!), the holiday season is about to kick off. For most this is a time of joy, but for others, it is pure stress. My experiences towards the holidays are conflicted.
Working at a grocery store as a teenager, I hated the week before Thanksgiving. People acted insane as they scrambled to gather ingredients for stuffing, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, and other holiday favorites. Customers loaded up their carts until they almost overflowed, forcing me to furiously speed-bag and load pound after pound of groceries into cars in the rain. (more…)