Trucking should pay attn to the Senate race

Election Day is in five days, and while the focus has been on the white-hot presidential race, the Senate race is equally important — especially for trucking. Why? That's where decisions about the industry are more widely made. Check out the story below.

Plus, we are debuting a new section today called Roadside Reads – featuring viral, funny, interesting, off-the-beaten-path finds from around the web that are relevant to you and your colleagues. With that in mind, if you see something we should be sharing, please email us. 

What we're listening to: This podcast dives into your most burning questions about taxes. Where can you take deductions, and what's the best way to incorporate your business? 

What we're looking at: Winning artwork from the FMCSA's Road Safety Art Content. Students in grades K through 12 submitted their designs that show the importance of safety on the roads. 

What we're reading: A forum that ponders if "big brother" is sometimes necessary for the trucking industry. 

What's making us smile: This success story of a trucker who made his way up from Western Express to Werner, $0.40 per mile to $0.63 per mile.

A cloud of uncertainty hangs as we near Election Day

It's not just the outcome of the presidential election that many are watching with baited breath. The results of Senate elections will be just as important.

Senators are "involved in the regulation and legislation that trucking deals with on a daily, very daily basis," says Dave Heller of the Truckload Carriers Association.

Why this matters: The makeup of the Senate could determine what passes and what doesn't on key issues, particularly electric vehicles and insurance regulations. (Truck News)

• TRUCK OR TREAT: Truckers add spooky decor to vehicles
• PONZI SCHEME: Trucking owner charged with defrauding 20 victims
• CROSS-BORDER: Uber Freight expands to capitalize on hot market
• CHAPTER 7: Illinois-based fleet files to liquidate assets

Among trucking execs' worst nightmares: ransomware and phishing scams

If it smells "phishy," it probably is. Trucking execs have reported an uptick in phishing emails, sometimes upwards of three a day.

Some emails appear legitimate, but upon further inspection, they contain suspicious links to urgently sign contracts. This surge in bad actions have pushed cyberattacks and ransomware to one of the trucking industry's top concerns. 

Why this matters: While technology helps fleets in everything from route optimization to payment automation, there's a dark side. Fleets and their employees must be well-trained to spot suspicious emails. 

 Get more details at Commercial Carrier Journal. 

Could EV mandates devastate small firms?

"The cost is astronomical, and these guys are going to be put out of business." - Donald Trump

The former president shared his fears about the impact of electric vehicle mandates on trucking companies, particularly small business owners. Watch his speech here. 

Truckload, LTL rates expected to remain flat this year

The trucking market's recovery may not materialize this year. Soft demand for LTL indicates pricing won't rise significantly for the rest of 2024, according to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index.

Why this matters: Analysts and trucking executives have talked in depth about an upcoming freight recovery, but the industry may have to wait a little bit longer to see the results. (Trucking Dive)

CARB to host seminar explaining compliance, Advanced Clean Fleets

It can be complicated to keep track of the latest mandates and requirements related to fleet emissions. The California Air Resources Board will host a free event next Thursday to go over and answer questions about various regulations. 

Why this matters: Trucking firms could be penalized if they don't comply with regulations, and the CARB event offers fleet managers information so they can ensure their ducks are in a row. (Land Line Media)

A potential January port strike threatens trucking industry

While October's port strike ended after three days, another one could happen in January if the labor union and its employer haven't resolved issues around automation and jobs. 

Why this matters: The timing is particularly rough, because the strike could occur during the busy shipping season that comes ahead of the Chinese New Year, meaning a stall in work followed by a big backlog for truckers. (Fleet Owner)

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The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.