Matt Cole

Matt Cole is the News Editor for CCJ and Overdrive. Reach him at mattcole@randallreilly.com.

Report: Hack of DOT's medical examiner registry has limited oversight, created potential for fraud

An audit of FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners found that the agency has not met oversight requirements, partly due to a seven-month outage of the database.

January 19, 2021

New study using 'STOP-Bang' protocol finds half of truck drivers could need sleep apnea evaluation

A 2020 study reveals that by applying the 'STOP-Bang' screening method to truck drivers, nearly 47% are screened for apnea evaluation.

January 13, 2021

Sleep Apnea Trucker

After weakened demand in 2020, diesel prices jump back to pre-pandemic levels

The Department of Energy projects fuel prices will stay flat in 2021, while others believe retail diesel prices will continue to climb above and beyond $3 a gallon through the year.

January 12, 2021

Fuel Fueling Truck Stop

Get familiar with your engine’s lamp language

From the archives: Advancements in engine and emissions technology over the last decade have complicated the challenge of staying on top of dashboard warning lights.

January 5, 2021

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Owner-Operator of the Year

Attention to heavy-haul detail helped in Owner-Operator of the Year finalist’s successful 45-year career

Owner-operator Doug Schildgen has been trucking since 1975 and has tallied more than 4.5 million safe driving miles. Learn more about him here on Overdrive.

December 31, 2020

(from left) Finalists Glen Horack, Douglas Schildgen and Bryan Smith

Owner-Operator of the Year

Safe driving, perfect on-time record drive three-time Owner-Operator of the Year finalist

Owner-operator Glen Horack has been trucking since 1984 and focuses on staying safe and keeping a perfect on-time record. Find out how he does it here.

December 30, 2020

Owner-Operator of the Year

Following distance management, work-life balance key to safety, success of five-time Owner-Operator of the Year finalist

Bryan Smith attributes much of his owner-operator success to partnering with a good company and keeping up with his equipment. Learn more about him here.

December 29, 2020

Sponsored by RoadPro

Top tech items for the holidays help truckers fulfill essential missions

Let’s face it, we all could use a little help these days. 2020 has been a year filled with uncertainty, inconvenience, and even fear driven primarily by the COVID-19 coronavirus and the issues it has spawned. Fortunately, there are tools, gadgets, and technologies that help us respond to, cope with, and get beyond most of […]

December 17, 2020

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Sponsored by RoadPro

Keep glasses from fogging while wearing your mask

Like it or not, wearing a mask has become a fairly routine thing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some places you pick up or deliver require them, as do most major truck stops. And, if you happen to wear glasses, a mask most likely makes them fog.

December 11, 2020

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Sponsored by RoadPro

Multi-tool includes set of 12 bits

The Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool has a number of ways to help you while on the road, as well it should. It also has something else: ease of use. Made in Portland, Oregon, this multi-tool includes a 12 piece standard bit set and black sheath. This makes it more functional and can help solve more on-the-road […]

December 11, 2020

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Analysts optimistic on trucking after chaotic year

2020’s strong second half and prospects for continued high freight demand bode well into 2022, FTR says. However, several factors will affect the timing and intensity of further recovery.

“Wreck on the Mountain Road” is about the death of a trucker on Bent Mountain, just southwest of Roanoke, Virginia.

Fatal wreck remembered in first recorded trucking song

The trucker cap in teacher Amy Watson’s selfie from the day she was tested for COVID-19 later inspired her choice of “long-haulers” to describe COVID survivors with persistent symptoms. “My school’s mascot is a squirrel,” she said, which she finds appropriate, given that her pre-school students, with their short bursts of activity, are “very squirrel-like.”

Trucking’s bit part in the 'COVID long-haulers’ name

Small-fleet owner Jesse McGinness was going for originality with the look of this 2021 Peterbilt 389, spec'ing the black Alcoa rims from the factory. After his maiden voyage in a Class 8 tractor years ago, in a Peterbilt 379, he fell in love with the classic square-hood series. He plans to modify the stacks, the grille and more to all-black finish -- committing sacrilege, says the operator who took him on that first 379 run. McGinness'll maintain plenty in chrome/stainless accents, not to worry. The flattop with lift-axle is powered by the X15 Cummins at 605 hp, with an 18-speed transmission. 'I wanted this truck to be a truck that I thought was cool,' McGinness said, in addition to doing the tough over-dimensional/heavy hauling he'll require of it.

'WTF' stresses service for long-term success

The glider market grew from a few hundred sales a year in 2010 to upwards of 10,000 as recently as 2017. Gliders sported pre-emissions-regs engines -- no exhaust gas recirculation or selective catalytic reduction components and, thus, no need for DEF. With simpler technology and refurbished engines, the products were much cheaper than new trucks with new engines, making them attractive buys for small-business truckers.

Glider kit market hits fatal nosedive with latest emissions regs

Beware: Human smugglers luring truckers along the border

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