In its October 9 statement, Aurora said the DOT’s decision allows the company to move forward with flashing beacons mounted on the cab to alert other drivers when a truck is stopped on the shoulder. According to the company, the beacons function similarly to the warning lights used by construction and emergency vehicles and are intended to serve the same purpose as reflective triangles in breakdown situations. FMCSA has not yet posted the exemption in the Federal Register or commented publicly.

Under current federal rules, truck drivers must place three warning devices on the road when stopped on the shoulder. The first must be positioned about 10 feet from the vehicle on the traffic side. The second must be placed roughly 100 feet behind the truck in the lane or on the shoulder in the direction of approaching traffic. The third must be set about 100 feet ahead of the truck in the same lane or shoulder, facing away from approaching traffic. Since autonomous trucks are designed to operate without a driver onboard, physically placing these triangles is not possible. For that reason, Aurora and Waymo filed requests last year for an exemption that would allow the use of cab-mounted warning lights in place of traditional devices.

FMCSA denied that request in December 2024, stating it was too broad and didn’t include the necessary oversight to guarantee safety. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association opposed the exemption at the time and raised concerns that the warning beacons would not be effective in certain conditions, such as when a truck is parked within 500 feet of a curve. OOIDA pointed out that reflective triangles and flares don’t depend on truck electronics and continue to work when technology fails. The group also questioned how these autonomous systems would handle situations where the beacons themselves malfunction or lose power.

Aurora has continued to expand its driverless testing, even as it navigates regulatory hurdles. In April, the company began operating vehicles without a driver behind the wheel on Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston. At first, some test runs had someone seated in the back or no one on board at all. By mid-May, Aurora added a human driver back into the front seat after a request from its partner, Paccar. Since then, the company has extended routes to Phoenix, Fort Worth, and El Paso.

Aurora is not the only one pushing for rule changes. In August, Emergency Safety Solutions asked FMCSA for a five-year exemption from the same triangle placement requirement so it could use its own warning light technology in breakdown situations. OOIDA opposed this request as well, and FMCSA has not yet issued a decision. The public comment period ended in late September.

For now, Aurora’s approval from the DOT marks a major step in how autonomous trucking companies may handle roadside emergencies without a driver present. Truck drivers across the industry will be watching closely to see how federal regulators address safety concerns and whether exemptions like this become more common as more driverless trucks enter the highways.

Source: Land Line Media

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Danny Herman is implementing a pay raise along with different incentives to make your experience even more enjoyable and memorable!

Time Off Policy:

• 1 ½ days off will be earned for every 7 days under dispatch

Vacation Policy:

• After completing 1 full year of employment………….. 40 hours off
• After completing 3 full year of employment………….. 80 hours off
• After completing 5 full year of employment………….. 120 hours off
• After completing 10 full year of employment………….. 160 hours off

DHT Driver Incentive Awards – Cash amount to be used in DHT Store

• Every birthday $5
• 6 months of service $25
• 1 year of service $25
• 3 years of service $55
• 5 years of service $75
• 10 years of service $100
• 15 years of service $150

Click here to find out more about why you should join Danny Herman Trucking.

The post Have you considered Danny Herman Trucking, Inc.?! appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

They also reported, “A railroad strike could devastate businesses that rely on Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX and other major freight railroads to deliver raw materials and ship their products.” Click here to learn more.

The post The trucking industry closely watching railroad talks to avert strike appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This year’s Walcott Truckers Jamboree, which took place July 14–16 at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, attracted more than 45,000 attendees, including truck drivers and their families from 27 states and two Canadian provinces, as well as locals and other tourists.

The event included the Trucker Olympics, the Trucker’s Best Friend pet contest, a 100th birthday celebration for a century-old truck, a pork chop picnic, free live performances, and more than 150 exhibitors in addition to the Super Truck Beauty Contest, which received close to 100 entries.

Heather DeBallie, VP of Marketing for the Iowa 80 Group, expressed that they “thoroughly enjoy hosting this event each year and love seeing everyone come together, make new friends and join in the fun.” Next year’s Jamboree will take place from July 13–15, 2023. 

To see a full list of the winners, gallery photos and more highlights click here! 

The post Were you at this year’s Jamboree? appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

• Accident costs: The entire cost of auto accidents has increased significantly in recent years. Even though the financial toll of each accident is different depending on how the severity of the collision, high medical expenditures and repair charges continue to raise the total cost of a claim.
• Driver shortages: According to the American Trucking Associations, during the next ten years there will be a shortage of 160,000 commercial drivers. Businesses have been under a lot of stress because of the persistent scarcity, which has forced them to hire drivers with less experience.
• More drivers on the road: Experts in the field claim that there are more drivers on the road than ever before. Additionally, because of rising industry demand and the need to make deliveries and meet deadlines, drivers are traveling longer distances. The likelihood of an accident rises as a result of more drivers being on the road for longer periods of time.
• Obtaining reasonably priced insurance: There are many things that policyholders may do to get better rates, even when a business may have little control over the elements that affect the cost of coverage.

Businesses must have a clear grasp of their risks and should routinely look into the underlying causes of traffic accidents and other business auto issues. Additionally, businesses should look for an insurance agent that is knowledgeable about their operations and has sound risk management techniques.

Click here to get your personalized quote!

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Ukraine has many obstacles trying to receive aid and air cargo capacity is one of many being worked on by the non-profit, Airlink. Non-profits are another aspect to aid that Ukraine is receiving. Different NGOs are filling different needs.

Most of the shipments coming in are medical supplies like bandages, wheelchairs, military first-aid kits, supplements and more. With all the restrictions and different border regulations it’s important to get as much aid as possible to Ukraine.

The post Facts to know about humanitarian shipments to Ukraine appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Veteran Carriers is a veteran-owned and operated trucking company in Savannah, Georgia right next to the largest container terminal in North America and operates over 100 trucks. Veteran Carriers was established in 2017 and has 105 employees, of which 30 are military veterans. Their core values are service, leadership, commitment and integrity. They specialize in intermodal/drayage shipping and storage, with the ability to have direct access to the largest terminal.

The post Trucking for a Cause golf tournament with Veteran Carriers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

• Be aware of your surroundings; is someone following you that you might’ve had altercations on the road with?
• Move quickly and confidently

We hope this helps you and stay safe on the road.

Written by TDUSA

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The trucks will operate out of Fleetmaster Express’s Forth Worth, Texas terminal with plans to grow to all local operations in Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, and Tennessee.  Fleetmaster Express has installed two charging stations to support the 100% electric vehicles with eight additional stations scheduled for deployment over the next few months.

Volvo’s VNR is designed specifically for the maneuverability and visibility needed to navigate local and regional routes. This quiet, light weight truck can travel 250 miles on a 100% charge and takes two hours to charge down to an 80%.

“After 4 years and countless hours of planning, engineering and development; I’m proud to say that Fleetmaster Express is on the leading edge of the industry delivering an alternative sustainable energy solution. Meanwhile, we are experiencing diesel prices with a national average of nearly six dollars per gallon.  Solutions like this are the future of our industry and I’m proud to say that we are in the forefront,” stated Travis Smith, chief operating officer for Fleetmaster Express and Englander Transportation.

The post Fleetmaster Express First to Operate Volvo VNR Electric Trucks in Texas   appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.