Tag: California

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 policies. California has long been a leader in implementing stringent emissions standards, and recent regulations targeting diesel-powered vehicles add pressure to an already stressed industry. Transitioning to low- or zero-emission fleets is costly and requires significant technology, infrastructure, and training investment. While these measures aim to reduce the environmental footprint, they place a substantial financial burden on trucking companies, particularly smaller operators, who may lack the resources to adapt quickly.

Driver Shortages

Workforce shortages also remain a critical issue. The trucking industry grapples with an aging driver population, with many nearing retirement age. At the same time, attracting younger drivers is challenging due to the demanding nature of the job, extended time away from home, and increasing regulatory requirements. California’s labor laws, including restrictions on independent contractor classifications, further complicate recruitment efforts. These laws have forced many companies to reclassify drivers as employees, increasing costs related to benefits, wages, and compliance with labor standards.

Operational Costs

Rising operational costs compound these challenges. Fuel prices, insurance premiums, and maintenance costs have steadily climbed, squeezing profit margins for trucking businesses. For example, California’s high litigation environment, lawsuit abuse, and accident rates have increased premiums. There have been calls for state-level reform to cap damages paid to plaintiffs involved in trucking-related accidents and to quantify the impact of third-party litigation from private equity companies. Third-party litigation funding allows hedge funds and other financiers to invest in lawsuits in exchange for a percentage of any settlement or judgment, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

Infrastructure and Congestion

Infrastructure and congestion issues further hinder efficient operations. California’s aging roadways and ports create bottlenecks that delay deliveries and increase vehicle wear and tear. These delays frustrate customers and lead to higher fuel consumption and emissions. Efforts to modernize and expand transportation infrastructure have been slow, leaving the industry to bear the brunt of inefficiencies and escalating costs.

Technology and Automation

Technology and automation offer potential solutions but introduce challenges. While advancements like electronic logging devices (ELDs) and route optimization software can improve efficiency and compliance, they also require significant upfront investment and ongoing staff training. Additionally, regulatory uncertainty and concerns over job displacement hinder the integration of autonomous vehicles and other innovations.

While there are challenges ahead, the trucking industry remains critical to California’s economy and the supply chain to multiple sectors. To navigate these issues, industry stakeholders are advocating for more balanced regulations, increased investment in infrastructure, and initiatives to attract and retain a diverse workforce, according to the ATRI. Collaborative efforts between government, industry leaders, and technology providers will be crucial in ensuring the industry’s resilience and future growth.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is an insurance brokerage specializing in commercial truck insurance. We know this stuff and want to make sure you do, too. Our clients appreciate our dedication to finding competitive rates and offering unparalleled service beyond excellent insurance options. They also value how our state-of-the-art automation provides lightning-fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more.

Will California Require Truck Drivers to Take Unpaid Rest Breaks?

Bob Holtzman

In December of 2018, a ruling from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stated that California trucking companies, while still requiring their employees to take rest breaks, are exempt from providing truck drivers paid rest. The ruling has been controversial to say the least and has already been set up to be challenged in court. Teamsters have already sued over the decision and petitions have been signed to reverse the ruling.

According to the FMCSA, there have been more crashes involving trucks in the northern California area, heading into Oregon. This has been due, in part, to a decline in parking. If a trucking professional can’t park and take a break, they simply keep on driving. This is a reason why it’s important for commercial truck insurance to be in place to protect drivers, their trucks and their companies.

The FMCSA holds the position that paid rest breaks reduce productivity, so not paying for them will motivate drivers to be more efficient in their work. Teamsters unions, on the other hand, are arguing that federal laws can’t overrule California’s state labor laws. Another argument from teamsters is that not having breaks covered will actually motivate drivers to forgo taking the right amount of rest while they are behind the wheel, causing them to decline in health, focus and safety.

Currently, the American Trucking Association has stated that it wants to do away with rest breaks altogether, promoting the idea that rest breaks would be bad for corporations. But attorneys for those who are suing say that the ATA’s arguments related to loss of productivity are not really supported.

In California, state labor laws stipulate specify that workers should get a 30-minute meal break for shifts longer than five hours and also that transportation workers rest for 10 minutes every four hours. The U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit in California ruled that carriers in the state must make sure that truck drivers get the right amount of rest and meal breaks.

The ATA has appealed to Congress before when it comes to these rulings, pleading over and over that rest breaks are bad for business. They’ve even gone as far as looking for support from the Trump Administration. The only question now is how will this all play out in court? Will it be a long, drawn-out fight?


About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates and coverage changes.

Navigating CA CARB Regulations- 6 Essential Resources

Bob Holtzman

If you drive a tractor-trailer in California, you’ve likely heard about the new regulations from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The new environmental regulations have been slowly taking effect over the last several years and are now starting to impact small fleets and solo drivers. If you aren’t yet impacted by CARB regulations, you soon will be.

These regulations are complex and varied. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your vehicle, the size of your fleet, the type of trailer you haul, and even where you drive (like ports and intermodel rail yards) impact which regulations apply to you and when they start applying.

To help you wade through the confusion, we’ve prepared a list of helpful resources to help you better understand the CA CARB rules. Keep checking back on our blog as well. We’ve got posts in the works to help you understand the changes so you can… Travel with Care.

·         Which Regulations Apply to You?– Are you confused about which regulations apply to you? This helpful questionnaire from the CA Air Resources Board will prepare an easy list of regulations based on your answers to 3 simple questions. If you have 5 minutes, you can quickly check out which regulations apply to you.

·         Take a Class– If you learn better in person, take a class. There are several classroom training courses available. Many of the courses (all of the ARB Compliance Training Courses) are free to take. Some are offered as webinars; if you have a computer and internet, you can attend wherever your next load takes you and you can even find archived webinar recordings for some of the courses. Checkout the complete list of available courses (click on the course title to see dates, times, and other registration information).

·         Watch a Video– While you’re waiting for that next load (provided you’re in a safe location of course), take a few minutes out to watch a short video on the CARB regulations. You’ll find a variety of informative videos on the ARB TruckStop official YouTube page.

·         Read a Summary– One of the best summaries of the regulations can be found here. It doesn’t cover everything, but it’s a great place to start.

·         Learn the Penalties– Do these new rules really matter? Check out the list of penalties if you don’t comply.

·         Get Help– Sometimes you just can’t find all the answers you need online. If you need personalized assistance, complete the Diesel Assistance Form and you can receive a reply by phone or email. You can also call in yourself at 1-866-6Diesel. Calls are answered between 8 and 5 Pacific Time Monday-Friday and a 24 hour voicemail system is available.

The CA CARB rules are confusing, but if you drive in California, you do need to learn them. Take a few minutes today and start looking at these resources so you can be in compliance.