Safety

How cameras change the narrative on truck driver safety

Fleets using in-cab cameras said they pay for themselves within months, as video exonerates drivers in crashes and drops insurance premiums.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 11, 2021

8 transport-focused startups to watch in 2021

Startups are entering the market and raising millions to solve common pain points in trucking, from load matching to parking availability.

By Heather Larson • Jan. 03, 2020

EEOC: Employers can require proof of COVID-19 vaccination — with some exceptions

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's guidance comes as the trucking industry pushes for priority access to the vaccine.

By Ryan Golden , Sarah Fuller • Dec. 17, 2020

Tyson Foods reflects on the benefits of using cameras instead of mirrors

The company expanded its pilot to 55 trucks after promising results and positive driver feedback. The next step is realizing a return on investment.

By Amanda Loudin • Dec. 10, 2020

CDC changes vaccine priority suggestion, moves transport back to 'Phase 1c' of allocation

Until vaccine allocation reaches truckers, it will be incumbent upon drivers, employers and shippers to continue collaborating on safety measures.

By Sarah Fuller • UPDATED: Dec. 21, 2020 at 12:10 p.m.

Unscheduled maintenance becomes less frequent but more expensive

A reactive maintenance industry leaves fleets playing repair "whack-a-mole," one expert said.

By Jim Stinson • Dec. 03, 2020

DOT pushes swift implementation of first pedestrian safety plan

The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, overseen by the Federal Highway and National Highway Traffic Safety administrations, details proposals around street infrastructure, speed limits and other areas.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 01, 2020

Holidays, long weekends bring thieves to trucking yards

CargoNet reported thefts were highest in California, Texas and Georgia during the days surrounding Thanksgiving from 2015 through 2019.

By Jim Stinson • Nov. 24, 2020

Fleets rank insurance as a top challenge for first time in 15 years

To understand why costs are up in 2020, take a look in the rearview mirror.

By Heather Larson • Nov. 12, 2020

Wyoming to add 200 parking spots for trucks along I-80

The state's Winter Freight project aims to alleviate truck parking issues, particularly when inclement weather closes parts of the interstate.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 26, 2020

DOT issues 4 contracts for data-driven safety research

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has heavily prioritized the use of data and new technologies to address transportation safety.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 26, 2020

Trucking fatalities static despite safety tech developments

Experts pointed to weather, traffic and mobile device distractions as some of the culprits in unsafe driving.

By Jim Stinson • Oct. 13, 2020

TruckPark brings healthcare to truck stops with UrgentCareTravel

The hunt for parking for one healthcare visit can cost a driver hours.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 22, 2020

What KPIs should fleets measure? 4 experts weigh in.

It's a myth that one set of KPIs is ideal for a given sector of the transportation industry, one analyst said.

By Sarah Fuller • Sept. 08, 2020

IIHS: Automatic braking and warning systems could cut 40% of front-end collisions

Many fleets remain reluctant to install AEB, due to concerns about unforeseen maintenance costs.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 04, 2020

Texas court orders new trial in $36M nuclear verdict case

A court originally ordered oil-tanker firm FTS to pay one of the largest trucking-related awards.

By Jim Stinson • Sept. 01, 2020

Fleets take a hit as K-12, higher ed closures jumble back-to-school freight

As students head back to school, some transport firms are still absorbing the damage from spring shutdowns.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 26, 2020

Sensors or a ruler? Why brake monitoring tech hasn't proven its ROI to fleet managers

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week serves as a reminder to focus on brake safety, but high-tech diagnostics have yet to receive widespread adoption.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 24, 2020

Fleets struggle to recruit, bring back drivers for growing volumes

Training schools that have been closed or limited, competition for drivers, and federal benefits are hurdles for bringing more drivers to work, according to a report by Transplace.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 21, 2020

From Knight-Swift to Rollin' B: How fleets large and small get driver buy-in on safety tech

If J.B. Hunt were to take a heavy handed approach to tech adoption, drivers wouldn't accept it, the SVP of safety, security and driver personnel said at the FMCSA Truck Safety Summit. 

By Sarah Fuller • Aug. 06, 2020

Study: Bad driving behaviors likely to happen at start, end of shifts

Samsara gave recommendations for spotting preventable driving behaviors, which can cause accidents and higher insurance claims.

By Jim Stinson • Aug. 06, 2020

Revised CDC isolation timeline may prompt workplace policy changes

The agency's guidance is a reminder to employers that return-to-work policies should not be static, an attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 03, 2020

Column

Roads are becoming less safe. How can fleets reaffirm safety culture?

Safety experts reveal alarming data points during the pandemic. While mileage is going down, fatality rates and distracted driving are on the rise.

By Shefali Kapadia • July 30, 2020

US traffic fatality rate increases, even as pandemic shutdowns clear roadways

The Governors Highway Safety Association said speed is one contributing factor to the increased traffic fatality rate.

By Kristin Musulin • July 22, 2020

Deep Dive

Why coronavirus controls freight's fate in 2020

Transport economists don't expect a volume recovery until the latter half of 2021, and fleets are drawing on lessons learned in past economic disasters.

By Jim Stinson • July 15, 2020