CCJ StaffEconomic trendsTrucking's not been this good since October 2020FTR's near-term outlook for trucking is strong with the TCI expected to deliver double-digit positive readings through the quarter and to remain in positive territory through 2022.April 13, 2021MaintenanceMore than 1,400 International, 500 Mack trucks recalledTwo brakes-related recalls from Navistar affect more than 1,400 International trucks, and a stability control issue prompted a recall of more than 500 Mack trucks. Also: Pay raises at two large fleets.April 13, 2021BusinessATRI studying impact of rising insurance costs on truckingATRI is asking for carriers' insurance cost data to study how rising costs are affecting trucking. Also: A new telehealth option is available for carriers; Knight-Swift raises driver pay.April 12, 2021Preventable or NotDefensive move sticks driver to shoulder. Was this preventable?Truck driver John Doe averts a collision by steering onto a muddy shoulder, but his truck gets stuck. Was this incident preventable?April 12, 2021Equipment controlsAutonomous truck firm Embark partners with fleets for testingAutonomous trucking tech developer Embark has launched its Partner Development Program with Werner Enterprises, Mesilla Valley Transportation and Bison Transport. Also: Lytx names its Drivers and Coaches of the Year; Nikola plans sales, service network.April 9, 2021RegulationsFleet owner pleads guilty in bribery, PPP loan fraud casesAccording to the IRS, the Utah-based fleet owner admitted to bribing a FedEx Ground manager for better loads for his company and also fraudulently obtained a PPP loan.April 8, 2021RegulationsJuly's Operation Safe Driver Week looking for speedersCVSA has scheduled the week-long enforcement spree for July 11-17, when officers will be paying extra attention to unsafe driving behaviors. Also, Paccar to use Romeo Power as battery supplier for BEVs.April 7, 2021Alternative powerFreightliner electric trucks now available for orderNearly 750,000 collective miles have been accumulated on the early Freightliner electric fleet to-date.April 6, 2021BusinessThough trucking remains exempt, another court favors A.B. 5 applying to truckingA second state court in California has ruled that federal law does not preempt that law that would effectively outlaw the leased owner-operator model in the state. Also: ATA, insurance groups join to fight towing, staged-accident fraud.April 6, 2021Pay and benefitsD.M. Bowman drivers get record pay raiseD.M. Bowman plans to overhaul its bonus pay system. Bridgestone said it will increase prices by 8%. Quality Custom Distribution recently took delivery of a Volvo VNR Electric.April 5, 2021Previous PagePage 205 of 216Next PageTop StoriesBusinessWerner acquiring FirstFleet for $245MThe acquisition reshapes Werner’s portfolio, shifting the weight of its Truckload Transportation Services (TTS) toward long-term, stable contractual business.Alternative powerPilot Travel Centers set to deploy Tesla Semi chargers spanning 5 statesBusinessPeninsula Truck Lines adding PNW compliance surchargeTechnologyCourt halts NYSTA surcharge on commercial trucking toll management service providersBusinessAbilene Motor Express folding into Swift Transportation