Safety

About Safety News...

Transportation businesses face a host of dynamic risk issues that can significantly impact their financial and operational health. The news in this category focuses on the latest safety and security initiatives, resources and regulations and addresses topics that include fleet safety, claims administration, driver hiring and retention, risk management and compliance.

Business, Safety, Fuel

ATA Urges Limits on Oil Futures to Prevent Excessive Speculation

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission should create position limits on energy contracts across all trading platforms to protect the trucking industry from excessive speculation in oil futures, a representative of American Trucking Associations testified at recent CFTC hearings.

August 10, 2009

Daily Briefings from Transport Topics

Transport Topics has partnered with Spoken Layer to make one-minute daily briefings available on all your smart devices. Simply say “Alexa, play Transport Topics” or “Okay Google, talk to Transport Topics” to get the day’s biggest trucking headlines.

Business, Safety, Government

States Pay for Transportation Costs with Newer Bonding, Loan Programs

Faced with capacity and maintenance limitations and inadequate revenues, states are taking advantage of newer bonding and federally guaranteed loan programs to help underwrite transportation costs, according to a new report.

August 10, 2009
Business, Safety, Government, Technology, Equipment

DOT Targets Distractions

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood an-nounced last week he will take steps to try to further curb distracting driving activities such as text messaging or using a cell phone or a Global Positioning System device.

August 10, 2009
Business, Government, Safety

Maersk Starts Chassis Fee at N.Y.-New Jersey Port

Maersk Line’s chassis rental fee went into effect at the Port of New York and New Jersey on Aug. 3, and although there were not any freight disruptions, the head of a trade group for drayage haulers said that the rollout could have gone smoother.

August 10, 2009
Business, Government, Safety, Equipment

ArvinMeritor Posts $162 Million Quarterly Loss

Manufacturer ArvinMeritor Inc. said it lost $162 million in the April-to-June quarter, while also announcing last week it has found a buyer for its light-vehicle wheels business and has stepped up its marketing effort for truck disc and drum brakes ahead of the government’s new truck stopping-distance rule.

August 10, 2009
Business, Government, Safety, Fuel

SCR Engines May Emit Toxins, CARB Staffer’s Letter Warns

The selective catalytic reduction process that most engine manufacturers will use to comply with 2010 federal diesel emission standards could emit toxic byproducts, the California Air Resources Board’s top researcher wrote in a recent letter filed in federal court by Navistar Inc.

August 10, 2009
Business, Government, Safety

Opinion: Trucking and Lease Accounting Changes

The Financial Accounting Standards Board and its sister organization are working jointly on reviewing changes to the current U.S. Financial Accounting Standards 13 and International Accounting Standards 17 for leasing.

August 7, 2009
Business, Safety, Government

Intermodal, Rail Traffic Drop for Week, Month

Intermodal rail traffic in the United States fell 16.1% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads said.

August 7, 2009
Business, Safety, Government, Logistics

Pacer Reports Second-Quarter Loss

Transportation and third-party logistics firm Pacer International said it lost $7.3 million, or 21 cents per share, compared with a profit of $13.4 million, or 39 cents, a year earlier.

August 6, 2009
Government, Business, Safety

Quality Reports $186 Million 2Q Loss

Tank truck carrier Quality Distribution reported a second-quarter loss of $186.2 million, or $9.58 per share, compared to income of $400,000, or 2 cents, a year ago.

August 5, 2009