Category: Trucking Operations

The Road Ahead: Top Trucking Issues in California

Western Truck Insurance

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) covered several of the top issues facing the trucking industry in California, from strict environmental regulations to driver shortages and rising operation costs. Following is an overview of some of these issues. California’s Environment Policies One of the most pressing concerns for California’s trucking sector is the state’s environmental … Continue reading “The Road Ahead: Top Trucking Issues in California”

Are You in Compliance with Mandatory DOT Supervisor Training for CDL Drivers?

Western Truck Insurance

Supervisors overseeing CDL drivers must undergo mandatory training to recognize signs of drug and alcohol misuse and comply with FMCSA and USDOT regulations. Training ensures your team maintains road safety and fulfills federal requirements. Supervisor Training Requirements Employers must ensure that all personnel assigned to supervise drivers (CDL) obtain at least 60 minutes of alcohol … Continue reading “Are You in Compliance with Mandatory DOT Supervisor Training for CDL Drivers?”

The FMCSA Issues Another Phishing Alert

Western Truck Insurance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an alert regarding a new fake email sent to registered Carriers pretending to be the FMCSA. The phishing email requests that motor truck carriers complete the forms attached to the email. The forms ask for an individual’s Social Security number and USDOT PIN. In some cases, … Continue reading “The FMCSA Issues Another Phishing Alert”

What You Need to Know About DOT Audits

Western Truck Insurance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOT), oversees nearly 600,000 motor carriers and millions of commercial drivers across the U.S. The agency is responsible for ensuring carriers comply with regulations. DOT regulations cover driver qualifications, hours of service (HOS), vehicle maintenance requirements, drug and alcohol testing, cargo … Continue reading “What You Need to Know About DOT Audits”

The Importance of Small Trucking Fleets in Freight Transportation

Western Truck Insurance

The trucking industry is responsible for moving 72.5% of our country’s freight. Small trucking fleets, characterized by six or fewer vehicles, are responsible for handling 91.5% of this freight, demonstrating the significant role they play in the movement of goods across the country. Following are several reasons why we rely on small trucking fleets to … Continue reading “The Importance of Small Trucking Fleets in Freight Transportation”

The Importance of On-Time Insurance Payments

Western Truck Insurance

Late insurance payments occur for a number of reasons, including accounting oversights or cashflow issues. However, it’s important to be aware of how late insurance payments can affect your trucking business. Coverage Gaps If insurance payments are not made on time, the trucking company’s policy may cancel and lead to a loss of coverage. For … Continue reading “The Importance of On-Time Insurance Payments”

Lawmakers Looking to Get the Younger Generation Behind the Wheel

Western Truck Insurance

As part of a requirement under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), in 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP). The goal of the three-year program is to help individuals ages 18, 19, and 20 explore interstate trucking careers and help trucking companies hire … Continue reading “Lawmakers Looking to Get the Younger Generation Behind the Wheel”

FMCSA Proposes Changes to Its Safety Measurement System

Western Truck Insurance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) in February announced proposed changes to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program to reduce and prevent crashes. Public comments on the proposed changes are due this month. The FMCSA’s goal is to ensure greater consistency in results by holding similar carriers to the same standard, regardless of how … Continue reading “FMCSA Proposes Changes to Its Safety Measurement System”

90-Day Truck Inspections: Part II

Western Truck Insurance

In a previous article, we discussed the requirement for daily vehicle inspections by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In this article, we will look at the requirements for 90-day inspections, as required by the state of California. If your truck has a GVW (gross vehicle weight) rating of … Continue reading “90-Day Truck Inspections: Part II”

How Florida’s Tort Reform Will Impact Trucking Industry

Bob Holtzman

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed sweeping tort reforms into law on March 24, 2023, making significant changes to the state’s litigation system. The reforms took effect immediately and are seen as a win for the trucking industry. Florida has been among the worst states in the nation for nuclear verdicts, where damage awards exceed $10 … Continue reading “How Florida’s Tort Reform Will Impact Trucking Industry”