California environmental regulators have pledged to cut truckers some slack early next year while enforcing the state’s amended transport refrigeration unit rule that will require all refrigerated trucks and trailers be equipped with low emission TRU retrofits or engines on their 2003 trucks and trailers by Dec. 31.

Although private sector employment increased by 159,000 overall during the month of October, for-hire trucking employment only grew by 300, according to the Labor Department.

A slate of proposed amendments to California’s tough heavy truck diesel emissions reduction regulation would save the trucking industry more than $3 billion in retrofits and engine replacements and delay some compliance requirements by a year or more, according to a report by the state’s environmental regulatory staff.

Dean Newell, vice president of safety and training for Maverick Transportation, was recently honored as National Safety Director of the Year by American Trucking Associations’ Safety Management Council.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a ban on owner-operators at the Port of Los Angeles, granting an injunction sought by American Trucking Associations.

PHOENIX — Mack Trucks Inc. and Michelin North America will continue their support of the “Share the Road” highway safety education program in 2011, company officials announced.

The Port of Los Angeles is recommending that harbor commissioners push back the first phase of the port’s controversial clean trucks program until the end of 2011.

Container pick-up turn times for drayage operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are improving due to additional gate openings, increased staff and flex lunch hour shifts, motor carriers and terminal operators said Monday. 

Several trade groups told federal regulators that requiring more detailed information on applications for special permits to haul hazardous materials will not increase hazmat safety and will increase the paperwork burden on applicants.