Selected COVID-19 and trucking industry news that may impact your business.
As of April 9, 2020:
FMCSA Extends and Expands Emergency Declaration
Scopelitis Transportation Consulting
Yesterday the FMCSA issued an additional expanded Emergency Declaration. The Declaration extends the exemptions through May 15, 2020 and further expands the relief to expressly cover liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems. The Declaration also notes that motor carriers are not exempted from 49 CFR 392.2 (operating in accordance with state laws and regulations, including speeding); or 49 CFR 392.3 (operation of a CMV while a driver’s ability or alertness is impaired), and stipulates that if a motor carrier whose driver is operating under the Declaration is involved in a crash, the carrier must report the crash to the FMCSA Division Office within 24 hours.
COVID-19 pandemic: Rest stops must remain open, trucking stakeholders contend
Safety and Health
Transportation officials and a trucking industry group are calling for highway rest stops to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic to help ensure the safety and well-being of commercial motor vehicle drivers, especially those transporting items intended to assist in relief efforts. Read More
Missouri to allow truck parking at weigh stations during COVID-19 emergency
CDL Life
On April 7, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) announced that they will allow truck parking, including overnight parking, at all state weigh stations due to the Federally Declared Emergency issued by President Trump last month. Read More
Coronavirus Spurs New Incentives for Drivers
Transport Topics
Motor carriers are developing incentive plans to provide drivers with bonuses and financial support as they serve on the front lines of the country’s battle against COVID-19. Read More
Learning expert shares training strategies for drivers amid COVID crisis
CCJ
Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, motor carriers had drivers come through their offices for orientation training and other meetings. To protect drivers and office employees from contagion, most have indefinitely suspended in-person training. Read More
COVID-19 Strains Last-Mile Delivery Logistics
HDT Truckinginfo
As the demand for local delivery has spiked due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the system is feeling the strain. Read More
WTO: Coronavirus crisis could rival Great Depression
American Shipper
The trade organization outlined two potential scenarios: an optimistic V-shaped recovery in which world merchandise trade volume falls 12.9% this year and a pessimistic L-shaped pattern in which volume collapses by 31.9%. Read More
Spot market load volume down 39% — in one week
Overdrive
Truckload freight volumes dropped abruptly during the week ending April 5, as the number of available loads on the spot market fell 39%, said DAT Solutions, operator of the DAT load board network. Read More
Werner’s Derek Leathers on trucking through COVID-19
Truckers News
Like other companies in general and trucking firms in specific, Werner Enterprises is adjusting to the new normal wrought by the nationwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. And, the company’s President and CEO Derek Leathers is pleased with and proud of how Werner’s employees, and especially its corps of drivers, have responded to the challenges caused by the outbreak. Read More