Projections from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that nearly 43,000 people died in US vehicular traffic collisions in 2021—a 10.5% increase from 2020. It’s the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest year-to-year increase since the inception of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Several fatality categories saw similar increases, including:
Read More...The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued several commercial vehicle recalls over the past two months after receiving safety reports from manufacturers. The affected vehicles may experience steering failure due to missing parts or mechanical failures. Missing Parts Causing Steering Failure R.H. Sheppard, a Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems subsidiary, filed a safety recall report
Read More...Many people erroneously assume that the only people who need commercial driver licenses (CDLs) are those who drive large buses or tractor-trailers. Businesses need to familiarize themselves with the nuances of CDL requirements to avoid costly fines. Frequently, the weight of the vehicle dictates whether the driver needs a CDL. However, several other vehicle categories
Read More...Some of COVID’s effects on trucking are obvious, such as quarantining, masking, and social distancing. However, emerging trends highlight the unanticipated changes affecting how fleets operate. The following are several ways COVID continues to alter fleet services: Vehicle shortages. Supply chain shortages are making it difficult for fleets to replace vehicles. Microchip shortages are at
Read More...As diesel prices remain high, the elevated risk of fuel theft persists. Fuel is one of the largest operating costs for fleets, and trucking companies can’t afford to lose money to stolen diesel. Fuel theft can take several forms. Thieves may target unattended commercial vehicles, or employees may make unauthorized fuel purchases for personal use.
Read More...The pandemic had an initial stalling effect on truck fatalities from 2019 to 2020. Fewer people were driving, and many remained indoors due to shelter-in-place requirements. However, as the pandemic drudged on, e-commerce activity increased exponentially. Truck drivers had to keep up with customer expectations and deliver emergency relief supplies while adhering to their hours
Read More...The FMCSA completed the last step of its initiative to implement new training standards for entry-level truck drivers seeking a CDL. FMCSA designed the Training Provider Registry to improve roadway safety, an online database of registered instructors that meet federal training requirements. The database also includes a compilation of all entry-level truck drivers who have
Read More...Trucking companies can use telematics to improve several areas of fleet management. Telematics can help reduce fuel costs, lower insurance rates, improve safety, and manage maintenance proactively. Trucking companies need to document their returns to understand what they’re getting out of their investment. The following are several steps to understanding the true value of telematics
Read More...Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of collisions in the trucking industry. Most people think of distracted driving as talking on the phone, texting, eating, and drinking. While these qualify as distractions, other seemingly benign behaviors can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road. Using a GPS, chatting with passengers, adjusting
Read More...The pandemic changed how trucking companies conduct business. Some of these changes are obvious, such as wearing masks, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning protocols. However, COVID has influenced the trucking industry in several unanticipated ways. Here are the COVID-driven trends affecting fleet operations: Vehicle Shortages and Increased Repair Costs All industries are feeling the sting
Read More...