Trucking News

The constant rise in diesel fuel prices is pushing the small independent trucking companies out of business.   With the independents dropping out like flies¹, what else could they possibly have to endure?

Well, with the help of a new regulation proposed by Department of Transportation (DoT) officials it looks like the independent trucker is about to get reamed yet again.

Big Rigs may be getting their speedometers clipped.  The DoT bureaucrats are proposing to mandate devices on commercial trucks that limit a truckers top speed to 68 mph.  This idea has support by many of the corporate trucking giants, but is strongly opposed by many independent truckers.

Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) said “Most truckers are paid by the mile, so the financial pain of slower limits would be felt mostly by the drivers while the benefits would be reaped by corporations represented by the ATA (American Trucking Associations).”

OOIDA believes the legislation to be completely misguided and outrageous when you examine the safety data.

“There is nothing desirable about turning trucks into rolling roadblocks and obstacles for other drivers,” Spencer said.  “Slower isn’t safer. Every year, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) accident data shows that cars are far more likely to run into the backs of trucks than the other way around.   Real highway safety experts have always known that highways are safest when all vehicles travel at the same speed.” says Spencer.

The largest trucking conglomerates favor the 68 mph speed limit, since it will force even more of the smaller, independent carriers out of business.  The collusion between transportation authorities and corporate trucking lobbyists is stomping the life out of the entrepreneurial trucker. 

The speed control campaign is led by Road Safe America, an Atlanta advocacy group that was started by a couple whose son was in an accident with a tractor trailer in 2002.  When moms get involved in road safety it’s only a matter of time before the proverbial hammer gets dropped.

Road Safe America has a history of pushing legislation for emotional reasons while ignoring the facts. The facts are split speed limits decrease road safety².

Forget common sense. Big business and big government are about to kill independent truckers with irrational legislation.  So grab your ankles my fellow independent truckers, it’s going to be a tough one to take.

References:
¹ Landline Magazine
² Safety Testimony

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In times when keeping costs down is critical, Masslogics Software is the ideal system that helps cut existing costs and frees up time to work on your business instead of for your business.

What do truck drivers do for fun?  They drive a truck on their PC of course. 

Rig’n Roll is a slightly futuristic truckers game.  Drivers take the role of a young trucker in 2024 as he pursues his career goals of transportation domination.

There are miles and miles of highway to truck through and loads of cities to navigate before becoming the richest and most powerful trucker on the highway.

The driving experience is amazing, with authentic looking truck models, both interior and exterior.  Not to mention, you get to outrun your competition by any means necessary.  Getting your cargo delivered on time is what counts.  Safety Smafety…who needs it!

Truck drivers also have the chance to show off their trucking management skills by starting cargo transportation companies of their own.  Recruiting employees and hiring drivers all in the vast effort of destroying the trucking competitors.

Truckers across the country have had it with the high prices of diesel fuel.  Truck drivers are hurting.  Hurting and fighting.  Many truckers refuse to move their loads in protest, due to the rising costs of doing business.

Something has to be done, to relieve the strain on the independent truck driver. 

Even though only a small portion of truckers participated in the protest, other drivers stated that if a more formal and organized strike were planned more truckers would participate.

With the introduction of the driving simulator Hard Truck 2, truck driving just got a lot cooler.

The drivers goal is to deliver cargo to the townsfolk.  Drivers start with a long-haul truck and successful drivers can upgrade their trucks or change trucks completely. 

Extremely successful truck drivers even have the ability to hire a bankrupted rival.  The truckers goal is to get hired for deliveries and market goods from town to town, and eventually monopolize the entire delivery business.