'Put the brakes on lawsuit abuse'

Plus: DOT plans crackdown on 'CDL mills' | Truck parking in limbo during gov't shutdown

Leaders are calling for crackdowns on everything from 'CDL mills' to nuclear verdicts. Meanwhile, major LTL carriers report on Q3, and another carrier bites the dust, filing for Ch. 11 bankruptcy.

Plus, a guide on how to actually get a good answer from your AI chatbot.

And don't miss this quick video: one guy gets a reality check going from a desk to the truck driver's seat. Now let's roll 🚚

⬆️ $3.753

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF XX/XX, UP 0.035¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

DOT's crackdown. Secretary Sean Duffy discusses the state of non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses and the department's planned crackdown on CDL mills. Listen to his remarks here.

How-to, AI edition. Feel like your AI chatbot never gives the answers you want? It could be that the prompts aren't quite right, and this guide breaks down how to correctly query an LLM.

Follow along. Here's a video of one agricultural trucker's day in the life working in bulk transport, from hauling to loading and unloading.

The best drivers. Learn about the truck drivers with the most consecutive accident-free miles.

INDUSTRY VOICES

'It's time to put the brakes on lawsuit abuse.'

Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, is calling for reform to lawsuits and nuclear verdicts that have impacted the trucking industry for many years. Some attorneys are exaggerating claims and aiming at motor carriers, with jury awards often in the millions of dollars.

"Truckers shouldn’t fear financial ruin every time they roll onto an interstate," Cortes writes.

Why this matters: Nuclear verdicts have skyrocketed insurance premiums industry-wide, raising costs for even the safest carriers. Small businesses are particularly impacted by rising costs, making it essential to have their documents in order and ensure they consistently adhere to their guidelines to avoid legal issues. (Real Clear Policy)

Want to read more? Check out our recent Q&A about how to turn your safety record into lower insurance rates.

FAST LANE

PAY HIKE: Saia bumps up workforce pay by 3%

CHAPTER 11: 29-truck carrier in Illinois files for bankruptcy

AV EXPANSION: Aurora launches another driverless route, plans to deploy hundreds of trucks

NEW LEAD: Groendyke Transport CEO Greg Hodgen becomes ATA chair

SODA SPILL: Semi truck hauling soda crashes, overturns

SUDDEN DEATH: Influencer "Coco Trucker Girl" suffers fatal stroke

SEEN & HEARD

"Definitely vet the folks you work for. Don't be offended if someone is vetting you. It's what needs to be done."- Jeff Short, American Transportation Research Institute

In an interview with CCJ, Short shares some of the latest findings on cargo theft and how carriers can shore up their back-office processes to make their businesses—and the entire supply chain—more secure. (CCJ Digital)

ROAD REPORT

LTL carriers report declines and lingering recession

Major LTL carriers are signaling market troubles. Old Dominion reported a 4% revenue decline in Q3, and XPO's shipments per day fell 3.5%. It all signals an LTL market still in a rut, as the freight recession lingers and uncertainty in the business environment hasn't brought demand back up.

Why this matters: Many analysts believe it will take not just a decrease in trucking capacity, but also an uptick in consumer and industrial demand for the freight market to recover. There are some positive indicators, like durable goods inventories getting low, but when the recovery happens and at what pace is anyone's guess. (Logistics Management)

AGENDA

Trucking hangs in limbo as government shutdown lingers

Legislation related to trucking, safety and transportation is in a holding pattern with the House in recess and the government shutdown. One pending bill would allocate $200 million to expand truck parking.

Why this matters: Without a funding bill and with the House in recess, many government operations are on pause. There's not much private-sector fleet executives can do aside from wait for movement again once the House returns and the government shutdown ends. (Transport Topics)