Trucking news and briefs for Friday, April 9, 2021:
ATRI seeking carriers’ insurance cost data to study impacts on trucking
The American Transportation Research Institute is in the process of collecting data to better understand the rising costs of trucking insurance and how those costs are ultimately impacting the industry’s overall operational costs. This research was identified as a top priority for the group in 2020.
ATRI is asking motor carriers to provide data through an online data collection form that will quantify changes in deductibles, excess insurance over minimum requirements, and how drivers and fleets are balancing insurance costs against rising risk levels. The research will be complementary to ATRI’s annual Operational Costs of Trucking but will provide more granular detail on one of the most volatile cost centers in the annual analysis.
All submitted data will be kept strictly confidential and aggregated. As needed, ATRI will sign a confidentiality agreement. The data collection form is available online, and carriers are asked to provide data by Friday, April 23.
Increased police activity planned for I-95 Friday, Saturday
Law enforcement officers from 15 states, from Maine to Florida, are participating in a two-day “Drive to Save Lives” traffic safety initiative along Interstate 95.
Today and Saturday, April 10, police will be dedicating additional patrols to I-95 traffic safety enforcement. Truckers and other motorists can expect to see an increased presence of troopers along the 1,908 miles of I-95, which is one of the most important freight corridors in the U.S. This year the initiative coincides with Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
“With April being Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Virginia’s new hands-free law, this enhanced enforcement initiative along the East Coast couldn’t come at a better time,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “This time of year, people are on the road for Spring Break, vacations and outdoor adventuring. Keeping your eyes on the road, buckling up, complying with posted speed limits and never driving intoxicated, will help ensure your spring travels are safe, especially along the I-95 corridor.”
In conjunction with the two-day enforcement effort, police agencies remind drivers that “move over” laws require drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road. If unable to move over, then drivers are required to cautiously pass the emergency vehicle.
Love’s opens six new Speedco locations
Love’s Travel Stops recently opened six new Speedco locations that are open 24/7. The locations offer tire, lube and light mechanical services, as well as DOT inspections.
Love’s Truck Care and Speedco is the nation’s largest preventive maintenance and total truck care network, with more than 1,500 maintenance bays and the most comprehensive, roadside coverage in the country.
Here are the newest opened Speedco locations:
- 17110 Brandy Branch Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32234
- 775 American Road, Napoleon, Ohio 43545
- 680 US Highway 30, Bliss, Idaho 83314
- 1385 8th Avenue SW, Valley City, North Dakota 58072
- 1126 County Highway 35, Hamilton, Alabama 35570
- 23733 West Bluff Road, Channahon, Illinois 60410
Mega carrier increasing independent contractor, company driver pay
One of the nation’s largest fleets, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, recently announced driver pay increases and independent contractor contract rate increases.
The company increased contract rates for over-the-road independent contractors by 3-5 cents per mile, depending on the contractor’s line of business.
Knight-Swift also raised pay for OTR company drivers by two cents per mile. Depending on experience level, experienced drivers with the company can now start above 50 cents per mile, and in some regions of the country, certain jobs can start above 60 cents per mile.
