Business

Truck driver turnover is increasing steadily and exceeding pre-recession levels at both large and small truckload fleets, propelled by a combination of higher freight volumes and tighter regulations, industry experts have said.

Heavy-duty U.S. truck sales continued their robust expansion in November, jumping 77% from the same month in 2010 and surging past the 57.7% growth rate for the year’s first 11 months, according to a Dec. 12 report from WardsAuto.com.

Federal regulators last week took initial steps to clarify procedures that have created uncertainty as to whether motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers, brokers and freight forwarders can pay a civil fine for violations without admitting guilt or liability.

Patrick Quinn, 65, a co-founder of the nation’s third-largest truckload carrier who rose from a small Nebraska farm to national positions of trucking industry leadership after opting out of a corporate legal career, died Dec. 13 at his home near Chattanooga, Tenn., succumbing to brain cancer.

FedEx Corp.’s net income climbed 76% in its fiscal 2012 second quarter, helped by a third consecutive profitable quarter at the freight unit and higher earnings at the ground and express businesses.

The overall size of the U.S. Class 8 fleet continued its downward slide since peaking in 2008, R.L. Polk & Co. said in its latest report, which showed the number of U.S. Class 8 vehicles in operation fell 4.2% in the third quarter.

Three new projects, featuring transloading between trucks and trains, are being developed to tap the growing demand to transport crude oil generated by recent energy development efforts, according to separate announcements.

Carriers are increasingly optimistic that 2012 will bring both higher volume and rates, a new survey by Transport Capital Partners found.

U.S. diesel prices slipped 3.7 cents to $3.894 a gallon last week, the third straight weekly drop, the Department of Energy reported.

The Department of Transportation is awarding $511 million to fund 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.