Selected COVID-19 and trucking industry news that may impact your business.
As of April 21, 2020:
FMCSA loosens enforcement of driver violation reporting
FreightWaves
Recent action by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ease the burden levied by COVID-19 could leave motor carriers vulnerable to adding disqualified drivers to their ranks. In a notice posted on April 17, the FMCSA informed state driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) that they will not be penalized if they’re not able to notify the federal government of driver violations, convictions and disqualifications within 10 days, as required by law. Read More
Several states clarify, extend COVID-19 truck-weight waivers
The Trucker
Several states are issuing, clarifying, and in some cases extending a variety of temporary truck weight waivers in support of national COVID-19 relief and prevention efforts. Read More
Coronavirus: Truck and trailer orders a looming a pivotal indicator; insurers offer small carriers flexibility
CCJ
What was already a bleak outlook for truck freight activity has turned a little bleaker. Forecasting firm FTR on Thursday revised its forecast for truck loadings this year, now forecasting a 9% overall decline in 2020 compared to the year prior, down from its previous forecast of a 4% drop issued in late March. Read More
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Frequently Asked Questions Relating to the MCSAP Grant Program Expanded Emergency Declaration
FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to respond to questions regarding the impact of the national emergency declared by the President related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the Expanded Emergency Declaration issued by FMCSA under 49 CFR § 390.23 on activities and cost eligibility under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). Read More
Truckers took a pass in first recovery bill, but not this time
Roll Call
The pandemic has delivered an uneven hit to the trucking industry, and trade groups are now looking for loans and tax breaks. Read More
POLL: Leased/company haulers, is your fleet offering a ‘COVID pay’ bonus?
Overdrive
Note: This poll has just been issued, so has low results so far. It will be interesting to see what results show in the next few days. Read More
Supply chain threatened by lack of new truck drivers
FleetOwner
As the closure of various state DMVs and CDL training facilities risks cutting off supply chain on a national level, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association is urging both states and the federal government to act. Read More
Weekly TPS reader survey shows business conditions remain poor but could be stabilizing
TPS
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has turned business from bad to worse in the dealer and aftermarket channels, but conditions are not substantially worse when viewing week-over-week data from the third Trucks, Parts, Service reader survey on business conditions that was completed Wednesday. Read More
Commentary: Keeping your people safe from COVID
CCJ
When I first sat down to write this blog, I had planned to write about keeping drivers safe from lifting and slip/trip/fall injuries. (I still plan to do that in a subsequent blog post). Then the nation was hit with COVID-19 and everything changed. While most businesses worry about employee safety, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated our taking additional measures to prevent the spread of the virus and keep employees healthy and safe. Read More
How to Manage Anxiety During This Pandemic
HDT Truckinginfo
Your worry is normal. It is natural to be anxious and afraid given how dynamic and fluid the COVID-19 situation is. We as humans are hardwired to worry when faced with uncertain situations. Our built-in “fight or flight” stress response kicks in when we feel threatened, loss of control, and unsettled. Read More