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.
Chrysler, Fiat Set Partnership
In a matter of hours following a demand by the Obama administration, Chrysler LLC said Monday it has agreement to form a “global alliance” with Italian auto maker Fiat, news services reported.
March 30, 2009ATA Reorganizes Two Councils
American Trucking Associations is reorganizing its Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council and Security Council to form two new councils.
March 30, 2009Reefer-Unit Manufacturers Roll Out New Hybrid Models
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The two largest North American manufacturers of trailer refrigerated units each introduced updated product lines with an emphasis on hybrid power at the Mid-America Trucking Show here.
March 30, 2009Letters: Card Check Bill; Trucking Growth; Rooftop Snow, Again
Passage of this legislation — the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “card check” — would further erode American business competitiveness in the global marketplace.
March 30, 2009Senate Panel Criticizes DOT Secretary for Refusal to Consider Higher Fuel Tax
WASHINGTON — Members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee criticized Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the Obama administration for refusing to consider an increase in the federal fuel tax.
March 30, 2009U.S. to Resolve Truck Dispute, Clinton Tells Mexican Officials
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States is “working very hard to achieve a resolution” to a trade dispute that led to Mexico imposing tariffs on U.S. goods valued at more than $2 billion after President Obama signed a law ending a cross-border trucking plan.
March 30, 2009Tonnage Rises From Jan. Levels, but Feb. Volume Trails Year-Ago
Truck tonnage in February dropped 9.2% from year-ago levels, but inched up 1.7% from the low totals in January, American Trucking Associations reported last week.
March 30, 2009Court Ends Port Owner-Operator Ban
A federal appeals court has thrown out the Port of Los Angeles’ ban on owner-operators and questioned the legality of concession requirements at the adjacent Long Beach port for drayage operators to file financial statements and give hiring preferences to experienced port drivers.
March 30, 2009More States Banning Indemnification Contract Clauses
Spurred by trucking industry leaders, more states this year are banning contracts that shift liability for any incident that occurs on a shipper’s premises to freight carriers, joining more than a dozen other states that have acted to protect carriers from what they say are unfair contracts.
March 30, 2009Diesel Increases 7.3¢ to $2.09; 1st Price Rise in Over 2 Months
Rising oil prices and growing distillate demand pushed the U.S. national diesel average 7.3 cents higher to $2.09 last week, the first increase in more than two months, the Department of Energy reported.
March 30, 2009