James JailletJames Jaillet was Randall-Reilly's executive editor of trucking, focusing on coverage of business and regulatory updates and trucking industry trends for the Commercial Carrier Journal and Overdrive, until the Spring of 2021.BusinessRates see big gains in June, hit 2016 high marksates in all three major truckload segments saw big gains in June, according to monthly per-mile spot market rate data from Truckstop.com, though per-mile spot market rates remain well below 2014 and 2015 averages.July 6, 2016BusinessDOT investigating fatal crash in which self-driving car slammed into tractor-trailerThe truck involved in the crash pulled in front of the Tesla to take a left across a divided highway. The Tesla’s Autopilot system failed to brake to avoid the collision and drove underneath the truck’s trailer. The trailer’s “white side…against a brightly lit sky” caused the car’s Autopilot system to fail to register the full-sized tractor-trailer crossing the highway.July 6, 2016BusinessNew collision mitigation system can take over truck’s steering to evade rear-end crashesZF, the company who jointly built the system, says it is the next “critical step” in bringing autonomous trucks to real-world application. The system should be ready for deployment in three to four years.June 29, 2016Pride & PolishBigger in Texas: GATS to pit country’s top show trucks in championship competitionSix trucks will emerge from the Great American Trucking Show in late August holding a prized possession among show truck builders and owners: An Overdrive’s Pride & Polish National Championship trophy.June 29, 2016Electronic Logging DevicesELD privacy concerns an ‘illogical extreme,’ groups argue in court filingsThe court battle over a federal rule to mandate electronic logging devices for truck drivers saw two carrier-backed parties file briefs in support of the mandate this week, with both filings touting the perceived benefits of the rule and dismissing claims brought by trucker-backed groups about the rule’s efficacy.June 24, 2016Custom RigsChampTruck racing abruptly shutters 2016 season, new Bandit Series aims to revive itThe ChampTruck World Series truck racing circuit has abruptly ended its 2016 season, which was set to continue through the end of October. A newly formed truck racing circuit, the Bandit Big Rig Series, has picked up ChampTruck’s competitors and race trucks, however, and has plans to hold several races this year.June 20, 2016HomeSpot market freight soars in most recent week, driving rates slightly higherLoad availability shot up 34 percent on the spot market in the week ending June 13, according to weekly spot market data provided by Truckstop.com. The jump in freight volume, coupled with a Roadcheck-caused decline in truck availability, drove Truckstop.com’s weekly Market Demand Index to its highest reading of the year, signaling a strong swing in spot market favor ability toward owner-operators.June 16, 2016Electronic Logging DevicesFMCSA on ELDs: Longtime ‘government supervision’ of trucking justifies privacy intrusionRelative to ELDs potential to infringe on truckers’ privacy, FMCSA argues that’s simply part of being a truck driver. Trucking has a “‘long tradition of close government supervision,’” the agency says, citing a 1987 court decision. Truckers should have a lower expectation of privacy while on the job because of it, FMCSA’s lawyers argue in their court brief.June 15, 2016Custom RigsSights and sounds from Shell Rotella SuperRigs truck parade, lights show and Tony Justice concertHighlights from Shell Rotella SuperRigs’ annual truck parade, which featured downtown staging of dozens of the country’s top show trucks, along with a truck lights competition, fireworks show and concert by trucerk/singer-songwriter Tony Justice.June 15, 2016BusinessDOT chief: CSA scores likely to remain hidden for two years pending required changes“Based on our preliminary assessment, it’s going to take a while to do the revised analysis,” Foxx said, referring to the changes in the CSA score methodology called for by Congress in the 2015 FAST Act. “We expect it to take a year or two, probably more like two, before that information (CSA SMS rankings) will be posted back up.”June 14, 2016Previous PagePage 69 of 190Next PageTop StoriesTrucker of the YearKelsey, Penn, Shelly: Overdrive's 2025 Trucker of the Year finalistsDown to the wire in 2025, it's due time to celebrate what's been a year full of inspiring stories of triumph over adversity for Overdrive's Trucker of the Year contenders. Big congrats to all 10 competitors in the field, and especially this year's finalists, three independents at the top of their owner-operator business game.Custom RigsNorth Carolina lumber hauler's 1,000-hp 2000 Pete 379Overdrive RadioRed Arrow Christmas convoy rolls strong over first three yearsRegulationsFMCSA pins 'CDL mills' problem on self-certification: Are owner-ops to blame?Featured SponsorH3 Sport Gear - Show your personality with quality, licensed, and custom headwear, socks, tees, blankets, bags, and more.
