Potential hours-of-service changes (and typical Congressional drama) offered quite a ride this week, news wise. Catch up on that story and five others below with the weekly ICYMI Index:
The number of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods a driver’s 34-hour HOS restart will have to include if Congress passes the “Cromnibus” spending bill being debated now. Current rules, implemented in 2013, dictate that drivers’ 34-hour restarts include two 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods. The change would be a reversion to pre-July 2013 rules. The House passed the bill late Thursday, and the ball is now in the Senate’s court. Click here to read the full story.
The number of petitions for elections the Teamsters have withdrawn since it began its campaign to unionize FedEx drivers and workers. FedEx says the withdrawals are done because the union knows it won’t win the election. So far, three FedEx hubs have voted to join the union, while three others have voted not to. Click here to read the full story.
The amount that Volvo and Mack say a truck costs a fleet — per day — when it is stalled for maintenance. To help fleets keep their Mack and Volvo trucks out of the shop and on the road, the companies unveiled this week their Uptime Center. CCJ Equipment Editor Jack Roberts visited this week.
The share of Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports that have no defects, according to FMCSA, who unveiled a Final Rule this week — set to be published next week — that will eliminate the requirement that drivers file no-defect DVIRs. Click here to read the full story.
The U.S.’ national average price for a gallon of diesel fell below the $3.60 mark for the first time since February 2011 — a near four-year low. It also saw its second biggest price drop in the last 5 years.
