Two bills just dropped in the Senate that could reshape trucking faster than anything since deregulation. Plus: Russian hackers targeted your load board, flatbed rejection rates just hit 40%, and a robot is taking the Houston-Dallas overnight run.
This week: The Dalilah Law, a trucking bankruptcy that wiped out thousands overnight, a FreightGuard civil war on Reddit, and the payroll data that's predicting Q4 capacity.
Indiana pulled the trigger on carriers employing illegal CDL holders. Plus: tariff ruling could flood LA with imports, DC finally moves on double brokers, spot rates are outrunning contract, and more.
Plus, a CSX train collides with a semi hauling a military tank in South Carolina, a truck driver is awarded $160M in a lawsuit over a defective truck, and Truckstop announces another round of layoffs.
Happy Friday the 13th. The 2024 Presidential Debate has been the topic of conversation across the web this week, and we're breaking down the candidates' statements regarding key factors impacting the freight industry. Meanwhile, ATRI releases data on the $15B driver detention problem.
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Anonymous Poll: Which candidate do you think will have a more positive impact on the freight market? Click here to vote.
Today's Newsletter is Brought To You By Armstrong Transport Group.
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💼 Jury Awards $160M in Trucker Injury Lawsuit. An Alabama jury awarded $160 million to trucker Leonard Street, who became an incomplete quadriplegic after a rollover crash in his Western Star truck. The lawsuit blamed Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) for outdated and defective cab and seat designs, unchanged since 1995. The verdict includes $75 million to Street, $10 million to his wife, and $75 million in punitive damages. Street’s legal team hopes the ruling pushes for stronger safety regulations. DTNA plans to appeal.
🚛 Truck Driver Detention: A $15B Industry Headache. Driver detention—waiting over two hours to load or unload—is a growing issue, with 39.3% of deliveries delayed in 2023. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates $15 billion in total losses, including $11.5 billion in productivity. Causes include poor scheduling and staffing, and parking shortages. Some truckers are combating the issue by refusing service to chronic offenders, but only half of detention invoices are paid. Despite slight improvements, detention remains a costly, persistent problem within the trucking industry.
🚂 CSX Collides with Semi Hauling a Tank in SC. Yesterday, a CSX train struck a low-boy semi truck carrying a military tank in Goose Creek, SC, after the truck got stuck on a railroad crossing. No injuries were reported, but the crossing was damaged, causing area delays. The 18-wheeler, hauling a Paladin Howitzer, was unable to move in time to avoid the oncoming train. Authorities were on-site shortly after and an investigation will assess how the truck became stuck.
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The American Manufacturing, Tariffs, & Energy Debate
The 2024 Presidential Debate brought Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump head-to-head on key economic topics.
Below is a quick breakdown of their views on manufacturing, tariffs, and energy, and what their policies could potentially mean for the industry.
🏭 American Manufacturing & Tariffs
Trump: Blamed the Biden administration for pushing manufacturers to Mexico and wants higher tariffs to bring jobs back to the U.S.
“We’ve lost 10,000 manufacturing jobs this month. We hardly make chips anymore.”
Trump also wants to ramp up domestic chip production, which could mean more freight demand for raw materials and finished products within the U.S.
Harris: Focused on clean energy job creation and investments in advanced tech like AI and semiconductors.
“We’ve created over 800,000 manufacturing jobs during my time as Vice President.”
Freight Impact: Tariffs might reduce imports in the short term, but more U.S. manufacturing could boost domestic freight demand. The rise in U.S. chip production is also likely to increase freight movement.
⚡ Energy
Trump: Wants to increase fossil fuel production, which could lower diesel prices.
“If she won the election, fracking in Pennsylvania will end on Day One.”
Harris: Emphasized clean energy investments while still increasing domestic gas production.
“We’ve made historic investments in a clean energy economy while increasing domestic gas production.”
Freight Impact: Trump’s energy plan might reduce diesel costs, while Harris’ push for clean energy could speed up the adoption of electric trucks.
🚗 Auto Manufacturing
Trump: Advocated for tariffs on foreign vehicles, saying they hurt U.S. auto workers. He also criticized China for building auto plants in Mexico and selling vehicles into the U.S.
"We’ll put tariffs on those cars so they can’t come into our country."
Harris: Focused on clean vehicle production, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), and highlighted support from the United Auto Workers. She noted the administration’s investments in clean energy and domestic auto plants.
"We’re building American-made cars, not closing plants like under Trump."
Freight Impact: Under Harris’ plan, there could be increased demand for freight related to electric vehicle components and materials as the U.S. ramps up domestic production. Trump’s focus on tariffs could impact vehicle imports, but domestic auto manufacturing may benefit freight demand.
Key Takeaway
The policies from each candidate could have a big impact on freight. Trump’s focus on tariffs and fossil fuels, while Harris’ clean energy plans point to a future of electric trucks and tech-driven freight.
FreightCaviar has just launched the first job board exclusively for freight brokers and dispatchers: freightjobs.co.
To celebrate the launch, we're offering a limited-time deal: post your job listings for free, or for just $99, we'll promote them in our newsletter, on LinkedIn, and in our Instagram stories.
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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB
Former Truckstop employees announced on LinkedIn yesterday that they had been let go due to another round of layoffs.
💼 Truckstop Layoffs. Truckstop has initiated another round of layoffs, impacting employees across various departments. This is a developing story updates will come when available.
🚛 FreightTech.netLaunching 9/16. FreightTech.net introduces a platform to help buyers easily identify the right technology solutions for their logistics needs.
🛣️ States with FewerFatal Truck Accidents. Recent data from Whitley Law Firm reveals which U.S. states saw the largest reduction in fatal truck accidents, with North Dakota ranking number one nationwide.
🏢 DSV Set to Acquire DB Schenker. Global logistics company DSV is expected to announce its acquisition of DB Schenker this Friday, marking a significant consolidation in the European transport sector.
📉 UPS to Lay OffMore Employees. To improve profitability, UPS is planning additional layoffs, continuing its earlier plan to cut 12,000 jobs, originally announced in January this year.
FREIGHT CONFERENCES WE'RE ATTENDING
The FreightCaviar team will be once again attending the FreightWaves: Future of Freight Festival (F3) from November 19-21. It’s all happening in the heart of Freight Alley. Hope to see you there!
I’m Adriana, a writer and editor at FreightCaviar. I’ve covered everything from freight tech to industry lawsuits and market shifts, helping scale us to almost 14K subscribers. My goal: to make logistics stories digestible, clear, and fun to read.
Hello! I'm Jerome FreightCaviar! I’m into the politics of freight and the impact it will have worldwide. I'm always eager to learn more. Follow me on X @JeromeFreightC
Two bills just dropped in the Senate that could reshape trucking faster than anything since deregulation. Plus: Russian hackers targeted your load board, flatbed rejection rates just hit 40%, and a robot is taking the Houston-Dallas overnight run.
This week: The Dalilah Law, a trucking bankruptcy that wiped out thousands overnight, a FreightGuard civil war on Reddit, and the payroll data that's predicting Q4 capacity.
Indiana pulled the trigger on carriers employing illegal CDL holders. Plus: tariff ruling could flood LA with imports, DC finally moves on double brokers, spot rates are outrunning contract, and more.
The Supreme Court ruled Trump's tariffs illegal. Plus: an Illinois official took $300K and handed out illegal CDLs, cartel violence may affect your Mexico freight, 550 CDL schools just got shut down, and more.
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