Commerce Express Weekly Road Map:
November 26th, 2024
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
New U.S. DOT Rules for Truckers: Updated Drug/Alcohol Testing and CDL Record Checks
In early November, the U.S. DOT updated its drug and alcohol testing procedures, introducing temporary qualifications for training individuals on mock oral fluid collections. The revision also clarifies who can be present during the collection of oral fluids. These updates, effective December 5, include new documentation requirements to ensure that an adequate oral fluid sample has been collected.
The regulation establishes clear qualifications for oral fluid collectors, which were previously undefined, and sets standards for overseeing and evaluating mock collections. It also specifies that only the individual being tested and a DOT agency representative can be present during the collection process.
Furthermore, as of November 18, states are required to consult the FMCSA’s national Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse for any prohibitions before issuing, renewing, transferring, or upgrading CDLs. As Transport Topics reports, state licensing agencies, state police, the FMCSA, and employers can access the online database to quickly check for any prior drug and alcohol violations of current or prospective drivers.
Commerce Blog
Charging drivers a fee to enter New York City’s infamous gridlock has been a plan in the making for over the past five years. However, it may soon become a reality.
In a Nov. 14 press release, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to implement congestion pricing by early January. The new target date comes months after the governor decided in June to halt implementation of the program over economic concerns.
The toll program would target all vehicles entering New York City’s central business district in Manhattan. If implemented, large commercial trucks would be tolled a per-entrance fee of $21.60, while smaller trucks and step vans would be charged $14.40 per entry. These tolls have been reduced by 40 percent from when the program was paused in June.
Congestion pricing has been a controversial subject. The program is intended to reduce high-volume traffic, improve air quality, and unlock another source of funding towards upgrading the city’s mass transit system. Read more here.
Are you a shipper and/or receiver in the New York City metro?
Diesel Update: The average price of diesel increased by 4.8 cents a gallon, putting the average price of diesel at $3.539 a gallon, according to the U.S. EIA.
Port Infrastructure: Four new ship-to-shore cranes have arrived at the Port of Virginia and are set to be installed. According to Freightwaves, these cranes will enable the number of ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) berths at Virginia International Gateway to double.
Weather: With Interstate 40 still closed through the Pigeon River Gorge following Hurricane Helene, it has posed significant challenges for tractor-trailer drivers traveling between North Carolina and Tennessee, per Transport Topics. Officials from both states are urging drivers to stick to approved truck routes and avoid relying solely on their GPS navigation systems. This is due to drivers mistakenly ending up on narrow two-lane mountain roads, where they sometimes get stuck.
As we mentioned in last week’s edition of Road Map, Interstate 40 is expected to partially reopen through Pigeon River Gorge around January 4th, 2025.
Port of Montreal Labor Talks: In a mutually agreed upon decision, both the MEA (employers) and the CUPE 373 Union have decided to enter a mediation process for a timeframe of 90 days. In a joint release, both parties stated they will not be making any public statements throughout mediation.
Operations have since resumed at the port after the work stoppage.
Truckload: U.S. trailer orders in October continue to see a year-over-year dip, dropping 52% (16,900 units) from October 2023, according to preliminary data from ACT Research. But, they did see growth month-over-month.
From all of us at Commerce Express… Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope your day is stuffed with good food, overflowing with gratitude, and served with a side of great company!
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