Latest cargo theft numbers
Plus: Semi spills load of pumpkins | Ill. company laid off hundreds
The DOT has earmarked billions (yes, with a b) for infrastructure, including truck parking, but will it be enough to make a difference in this long-standing issue? Get the details in the news section.
Today's Lineup
🔷 Harris and Trump have barely talked about transportation
🔷 A semi-truck overturned on I-95, spilling a load of pumpkins
🔷 After summer gains, freight tonnage lost some momentum
🔷 An Illinois trucking company cut pay, then laid off most of its drivers
🔷 Small trucking companies are hiring more women
Cargo theft shows little signs of slowing down
If you're hauling a shipper's footwear, computers or liquor — be vigilant. Those goods are increasingly the target of cargo thieves, according to a new analysis from CargoNet. In Q3, cargo theft ticked up 14% compared to last year's Q3. The silver lining: thefts decreased by 1.6% from Q2 to Q3.
CargoNet's infographic above breaks down the most targeted location types and states.
Why this matters: Cargo theft can be costly to fleets and shippers alike. Bad actors are getting more sophisticated with organized groups and phishing schemes, meaning carriers have to be ever more on guard.
Get more details at Overdrive.
Transportation funds are a big mystery under the next president
Looking at past records, the Trump administration's transportation policy has geared funding toward roadway expansions, while the Biden administration has focused on public transit and pedestrian projects. But on the campaign trail, Trump and Harris have barely discussed transportation at all.
Why this matters: It can be tough for the trucking industry to plan when candidates offer little insight into how transportation policy might shake out. (Bloomberg)
- SMASHING PUMPKINS: Semi overturned, spilling load of pumpkins
- SWEET DREAMS: FMCSA reopens comments on sleeper berth HOS
- TOP TIPS: How to cut emissions with low or no-cost steps
- TONNAGE DROP: Freight tonnage lost momentum in September
"It's a love-hate thing, but I love trucking" - @TxLargeCarBoyz
A driver who goes by the social media handle @TxLargeCarBoyz shares what he loves — and doesn't love so much — about trucking. Check out the interview here. Do you agree with his pros and cons of the industry?
DOT earmarks $4.2B for infrastructure including truck parking
A new round of funding from the Department of Transportation includes projects that add parking spaces for truck drivers. One along I-70 includes 100 spaces, and another on I-80 will build 38 spots.
Why this matters: There's a huge dearth of spaces for truck drivers to safely park and rest. At the I-80 site alone, 500 trucks parked in undesignated locations. (Land Line Media)
Merx Global cuts pay, lays off most of its drivers
The Illinois-based trucking company had 246 drivers, a mix of company drivers and owner-operators. Merx Global told several drivers they were being terminated “due to current market conditions.” That's after they cut driver pay, promising it would rise again when the freight market improved.
Why this matters: The long freight recession has taken a toll, especially on smaller fleets. Analysts say a reduction in capacity is a necessary evil to rebalance the market and lift rates once again. (FreightWaves)
Small trucking companies are hiring more female drivers
At fleets with fewer than 500 employees, 12.5% of the driver population are women. Compare that to major fleets with more than 5,000 workers, where females are just 7% of their truck drivers.
Why this matters: While small fleets are outpacing their larger peers, there's still a long way to go to reach gender parity. Reducing barriers to women entering the truck driving profession can help fuel the talent pipeline. (Truckers News)
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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.
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