Safety
Transportation businesses face a host of dynamic risk issues that can significantly impact their financial and operational health. The news in this category focuses on the latest safety and security initiatives, resources and regulations and addresses topics that include fleet safety, claims administration, driver hiring and retention, risk management and compliance.
Sen. Bernie Sanders: Fund Infrastructure Through Tax Reform
WASHINGTON — Revenue that would come from an overhaul of the country’s tax system should go toward rehabilitating the country’s aging infrastructure, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said at a high-profile chat at the Brookings Institution on Feb. 9.
Crash Death Rate Declines
Large trucks traveled nearly 6 billion more miles on U.S. roads in 2013 than in 2012, and did so with greater safety results, according to American Trucking Associations’ calculations of federal data.
February 9, 2015Obama Budget Request Includes 6-Year, $18 Billion Freight Plan
The fiscal 2016 White House budget request released last week anchors its transportation segment with a six-year, $478.26 billion surface transportation plan that includes an $18 billion freight program.
February 9, 2015Courts Divided on Termination Cases After Drivers Self-Report Alcohol Abuse
Two conflicting court decisions have muddied the legal waters on how a motor carrier should respond when a driver self-reports a problem with alcohol.
February 9, 2015California Court Awards $2.2 Million in Ruling for Pacer Cartage Drivers
A California state court has awarded seven drayage drivers for an XPO Logistics subsidiary $2.2 million in an ongoing battle over worker classification, which could intensify with further legal action.
February 9, 2015House Bill Would Revive State Infrastructure Banks
A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House would allow states to capitalize infrastructure banks with federal money to help underwrite local transportation projects.
Blumenauer Bill Would Raise Fuel Taxes; ATA’s Graves Touts Approach
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, held a press conference Feb. 4 to announce he has reintroduced the bill he put forth last year that would increase fuel taxes to pay for upgrading the nation’s aging transportation system.
Virginia Tech Chosen to Lead FMCSA Restart Study
Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute has been chosen to conduct the federal government’s study on the 34-hour restart rule.
Truck Fatal Crash Rate Declines 1.6%, Says ATA of Federal Data
Despite a 0.5% rise in the number of large truck-involved crash fatalities in 2013, the actual truck-involved crash fatality rate declined by 1.6% in 2013, according to American Trucking Associations' calculations of Federal Highway Administration data.
3Q Turnover Remains High Despite Gains in Driver Pay
Truckload fleets were unable to gain ground in the long-running battle to control driver turnover during the third quarter, despite raising pay at a record pace, American Trucking Associations reported last week.
February 2, 2015