Overdrive

Logbook 14 | Overdrive | March 2017 A lawsuit filed in federal court last month seeks to block an executive order from President Trump that directs federal agencies to repeal two existing regulations for each new one enacted. Plaintiffs cite truck safety rules, including the proposed speed limiter mandate and federal truck emissions standards, as reasons why they want the court to issue an injunc- tion against the order. Public Citizen, the Natural Resources Defense Council and a branch of the AFL-CIO filed the suit Feb. 8, naming Trump, the U.S. gov- ernment, U.S. Transportation Secre- tary Elaine Chao and other executive branch employees as defendants. The plaintiffs argue Trump exceed- ed constitutional authority with the order and that it will prompt agencies to slash rules meant to protect work- ers, the public and the environment. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Feb. 8 that the order is meant to ensure regulations already on the books "are meeting their intent and not stifling job creation at the ex- tent of whatever they were intended to do." Specifically cited in the lawsuit is a U.S. Department of Transportation proposed rule to require heavy-duty trucks to use speed governors to cap speeds at either 60, 65 or 68 mph. "The rule will fall within the scope of the Executive Order and cannot be finalized … until other regulations are repealed," plaintiffs argue in the lawsuit. Joe Rajkovacz, head of regulatory affairs for the Western States Truck- ing Association, said that Trump's regulatory policies are likely the "death knell" for the speed limiter mandate. The Feb. 8 lawsuit against Trump's order also claims the two-for-one proposition jeopardizes emissions regulations that plaintiffs say protect public health and the environment. Some have questioned the logistics of the two-out, one-in policy. Federal law could require a public notice and comment period for regulations being repealed, which will make the process stickier than simply nixing regulations at agencies' whims. The American Trucking Associa- tions cautioned against blind revoca- tion of trucking regulations. Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said he'd like to see a review of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program as a possible regulation to repeal as part of the White House's new initiatives. "If there isn't a safety tie, then resources should go somewhere else or be eliminated," Spencer said. "Maybe money is better spent on infrastructure, including parking, than enforcement on trucks." – James Jaillet Lawsuit opposes regulatory order VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA cancelled plans to lay off up to 500 workers at its New River Valley truck manufacturing plant in Dub- lin, Virginia. Spokesperson Brandon Borgna said the company was encouraged by recent trends in the Class 8 market. DRIVEWYZE ADDED weigh station bypass service at 11 permanent and mobile sites in South Carolina, increas- ing the number of states it serves to 38. The new sites are on Interstates 20, 26, 77 and 95, plus U.S. Highway 17. YOKOHAMA TIRE CORP. will increase prices by up to 7 percent on all of its tires sold in the United States. BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS raised tire prices in North America by up to 8 percent across a range of trucks and other vehicles. THE BENDIX Electronic Stability Program is now standard on Kenworth's new T680 and T880 tractors. Customers will receive the Bendix 4S/4M configuration. KENWORTH'S Class 8 trucks are now standard with Meritor's MFS+ front steer axle series for linehaul applications. The axle is available in standard and wide track configurations with a gross axle weight rating of 12,000 and 13,200 pounds, respectively. PACCAR'S TANDEM rear axle is now standard on Kenworth's T680 and T880 tractors. The axle, rated at 40,000 pounds, is engineered for improved operating efficiency for linehaul, regional and pickup-and-delivery applications and supports a gross combination weight of 80,000 pounds. Plaintiffs argue President Trump exceeded constitutional authority with his order to repeal two existing regulations for each new one enacted. The order could affect proposed rules for electronic logging, speed limiters and emissions.

• Cover
• Readers: Behind-the-wheel training minimum critical.
• Pulse: FMCSA backpedals on safety proposal.
• The ELD mandate and the “House Freedom Caucus.”
• Dry bulk for the long haul.
• “Build the wall”: Majority favors Trump plan.
• Lawsuit opposes Trump order to reduce regs.
• Industry united against safety rating change.
• Court to review border policy.
• C.R. England plans to appeal fraud ruling.
• Lag growing between CDL training, skills test.
• Big-rig race series returns in new format.
• Rare 96-year-old White 5-ton finds new home.
• Reader Rigs: ’07 W900L an ice cream truck; ’14 389 a “Green Monster”; ’09 W900L a million-miler.
• BUSINESS: Make the most of your tax deductions.
• Gear Guide: Trailer brake drum, wheels, clutches, more.
• FLEET NEWS: Averitt expands in Northeast, hiring drivers.
• 5 APPS FOR THAT: Matching book lovers with recordings.
• RESPECT THE DINOSAURS: Diverse drivers united for a common goal is what it’s all about, Wendy Parker writes. Page 8.
• COVER STORY: Sleight of truck | Imagine arriving at a gate and presenting papers to pick up a load. The man in the guard shack looks confused and says you’ve already been there and that the load is gone. Heists involving false identity and other fraud ar
• Dodging the middleman: While no one service will be “Uber for all” in the fragmented brokerage market, on-demand load-matching services are seeing some success at circumventing traditional brokers and promising gains for owner-operators in rates, freight
• $25,000 awaits top owner-operator: Three owner-operators – Gary Buchs, Philip Keith and Kevin Kocmich – are finalists for the 2016 Owner-Operator of the Year award, produced by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive.
• Maintaining your wheels: A pre-trip inspection for cracks and rust is usually sufficient for maintenance of aluminum and steel wheels. A few other best practices, though, can almost ensure that wheels last as long as your truck.