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Eric Miller

Senior Reporter

@ericdmiller46

Eric Miller has been a reporter and writer at publications nationwide for 40 years. He’s been at Transport Topics the past 11 years, currently on the paper’s government team; worked as a reporter at the Dallas Morning News; reporter, editor and member of the investigative team at The Arizona Republic; reporter at the Tampa Tribune; city editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican; and senior writer for D Magazine in Dallas.


Government, Business

Glider Truck Maker Fitzgerald Wages Court Battle Over IRS’ $64 Million Excise Tax Bill

A federal judge has ruled that Fitzgerald Truck Parts and Sales can proceed with its lawsuit disputing an IRS claim that the glider truck maker owes more than $64 million in back tractor-trailer federal excise taxes, penalties and interest.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 24, 2019
Government, Business

Department of Labor Opinion: Driver Sleeper Berth Off-Duty Time Need Not Be Compensated

The U.S. Department of Labor has clarified that the time drivers spend in sleeper berths does not count as compensable time, unless they are actually performing work or are on call.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 23, 2019
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Seeks Comment on Agricultural Commodity, Livestock Definitions in HOS Rules

In an effort to provide clarity for U.S. farmers and commercial drivers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on July 22 announced it is seeking public comment on revising agricultural commodity or livestock definitions in hours-of-service regulations.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 23, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Safety

ATA Reaffirms Opposition to Side Underride Guard Legislation

Legislation that would require the installation of side underride guards on heavy trucks is not based on sufficient science, data or demonstrated overall effectiveness, American Trucking Associations wrote to congressional transportation leaders.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 18, 2019
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Panel Takes Steps to Revise Obsolete Medical Examiners Handbook

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s update to its Medical Examiners Handbook is a step closer to completion. The handbook serves as a guideline for physicians who use it to assess truck driver health.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 18, 2019
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Proposes Two-Year Delay of Entry-Level Driver Training Rule Due to IT Glitches

Federal trucking regulators have proposed a two-year delay for compliance with certain provisions in the Entry Level Driver Training rule to allow more time for development of the secure electronic transfer of information to the certified training provider registry and state driver licensing agencies.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 17, 2019
Government, Business

In Final Order, Wiley Sanders Truck Lines to Pay $3 Million for Illegally Transporting Hazmat

A federal judge has issued a criminal judgment requiring Wiley Sanders Truck Lines of Troy, Ala., to pay a fine of $3 million for illegally transporting thousands of pounds of lead-contaminated plastic battery chips.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
July 11, 2019
Government, Business, Technology

ATA Technology & Maintenance Council Conference Outlines Innovations in Cybersecurity Strategies

Experts advised trucking companies on how to deal with malware attacks at a cybersecurity conference at American Trucking Associations’ D.C.-area headquarters June 26.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 27, 2019
Government

Bill Wehrum Departing EPA in Wake of Ethics Allegations

A high-level U.S. Environmental Protection Agency official with responsibility for trucking policy on glider trucks, nitrogen oxide emissions and the Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas rule for heavy trucks is leaving the agency amid allegations that he violated federal government ethics rules.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 26, 2019
Government, Safety

Federal Drug Officials Weigh Whether to Add Testing for Fentanyl

For the second time in about four years, Congress has asked drug agencies if federal workers, including truck drivers, should be tested for fentanyl, which is used legally for pain and illegally for its high.

Eric Miller | Senior Reporter
June 26, 2019