Hello everyone, on November 14th and 15th, we had our annual SDTA and SDADA pheasant hunt and SDTA board meeting. By all accounts, the hunt was highly successful, and I would like to thank Mike Rounds’ “Roundtable” for hosting it. The SDTA board meeting was very productive as well.
During the board meeting, we discussed the state of the Association, next year’s SDTA convention, our legislative Call on Washington, and state legislative issues that affect trucking.
The state of SDTA is looking healthy. The last few years have been challenging financially, as most in the trucking industry know, but with the leadership of our President, Christine Erickson, and the challenging work the staff has done, SDTA is trending in the right direction. Next fall’s convention has some minor tweaks to it, going from three days to two, so be on the lookout for those dates and make your plans to come. We decided to make the legislative Call on Washington an annual occurrence so that we can remain in front of our national legislators. Most of what the trucking industry deals with comes on the federal level. Finally, we discussed some state-level legislation that we, as an association, will be supporting. Some of the issues we will be dealing with are tort reform, a veteran’s bill for getting CDL training, and E-title. You can learn more about these issues by contacting the SDTA office at 605-334-8871.
I would like to thank all the board members who were able to attend the fall board meeting in person and/or zoom. Your attendance and input are much appreciated.
Safe travels,
Anders Trucking dispatch@anderstrucking.com
Welcome to Our Newest Member
Edward Jones
Rodger Dooley
8008 W. 41st Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone: 605-362-4046
Fax: 877-369-9640
Email: rodger.dooley@edwardjones.com Financial
JUSTIN LARSON (605) 224-1611
PIERRE, SD
KURT SWANSON (605) 224-1611
PIERRE, SD
TACHA ARTZ (605) 737-7865
RAPID CITY, SD
JORDAN GAU (605) 996-4698
MITCHELL, SD
GREG BALDWIN (605) 336-2795 SIOUX FALLS, SD
WE KNOW TRANSPORTATION
NICK BACKLUND (605) 996-4698
MITCHELL, SD
RUSS STOUGH (605) 336-4444
SIOUX FALLS, SD
Fischer, Rounds & Associates truck insurance consultants are experts in the coverage of all size trucks and farm equipment, so we know the risks and liabilities to make sure you are fully covered. We have four locations in South Dakota to serve you and your truck insurance needs—Pierre, Mitchell, Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
SDTA STAFF
Christine Vinatieri-Erickson President christine@southdakotatrucking.com
Michelle Wells Member Manager michelle@southdakotatrucking.com
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are quickly approaching, and we’re already gearing up for the upcoming legislative session. November has been a month of great progress and transition at SDTA, and I’m excited to share some key updates.
First, we held our November board meeting in Pierre, where we had the pleasure of welcoming our new Chairman, Justin Anders, to his first official meeting. I look forward to working closely with Justin and know his leadership will be invaluable as we continue advocating for our industry in South Dakota.
We also had the opportunity to connect with many of you at our annual pheasant hunt in Presho. It was another great event, full of camaraderie and, of course, plenty of hunting. We had a great day and were blessed with sunny skies and plenty of birds to shoot at. A big thank you to all who attended—your support makes these events possible and enjoyable for all involved.
On the national stage, there were two significant developments that reflect well on our great state. First, Governor Kristi Noem’s appointment to Secretary of Homeland Security is a tremendous honor and a great recognition for South Dakota. Her leadership and experience will undoubtedly benefit the nation in this crucial role. Additionally, Senator John Thune’s selection as Senate Majority Leader is another monumental achievement for our state. Both of these appointments are reminders of the influential role South Dakota continues to play on the national stage, and we couldn’t be prouder.
As always, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Your input is what drives us forward. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to reach out.
Onward,
Christine Vinatieri-Erickson
JimHolcomb
Jim Holcomb, Johnson Feed, Inc., Canton, SD, was selected as the November 2024 Driver of the Month by the South Dakota Safety Management Council.
Jim has over 31 years of experience as a professional truck driver, with the last 19 years at Johnson Feed, Inc. He has safely driven more than 3.2 million miles in his career without any accidents.
Jim is an exceptional driver and a real asset to the JFI team. His dedication to safety, operations, and customers is a priority. Jim’s willingness to help others and his positive attitude truly makes him stand out. He is someone who can lighten the mood with a joke while also being a reliable professional.
Jim and his wife, Angie, live in North Sioux City, SD. They are proud parents of two adult children: Jonathan, who is 29, and Alyssa, who is 28. They are also grandparents to three grandchildren.
The South Dakota Trucking Association joins the Safety Management Council in congratulating Jim Holcomb for being selected as the November 2024 Driver of the Month.
We offer high-quality, low-cost CDL training options in the South Dakota region that are available online from any device. Our curriculum is fully compliant with the current FMCSA ELDT Training standards, and we are a member in good standing of the Training Provider Registry as a Theory provider.
To learn about our fully-online, FMCSA-compliant CDL Theory program and how you can join our trainee to employee pipeline, call the SDTA office at 605-334-8871 or go to www.southdakotatrucking.com
FEBRUARY 10, 2025
Annual Legislative Reception & Sundae Bar
6:00 p.m.
Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center Pierre, SD
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
SDTA Winter Executive Committee Meeting
10:00 a.m.
Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center Pierre, SD
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
SDTA Winter Board of Directors Meeting
12:30 p.m.
Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center Pierre, SD
MAY 8, 2025
SDTA Spring/Summer Executive Committee Meeting
10:00 a.m.
AmericInn Chamberlain, SD
MAY 8, 2025
SDTA Spring/Summer Board of Directors Meeting
1:00 p.m.
AmericInn Chamberlain, SD
MAY 8, 2025
Social Hour, Dinner and Calcutta for the Annual Cliff Tjaden Fishing Event
6:00 p.m.
AmericInn Chamberlain, SD
MAY 9, 2025
Annual Cliff Tjaden Fishing Event
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Cedar Shore Marina Oacoma, SD
MAY 17, 2025
SD Truck Driving Championships
7:00 a.m.
Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD
JUNE 5-8, 2025
Wheel Jam Truck Show
State Fairgrounds Huron, SD
JULY 10, 2025
SDTA East River Golf Event 9:00 a.m.
Brandon Golf Course Brandon, SD
AUGUST 20-23, 2025
National Truck Driving Championships Minneapolis, MN
SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2025
SDTA 90th Annual Convention Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort Larchwood, IA
SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2025
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
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• Beginning-to-end claims management
• Physical therapy
• DOT and Non-DOT Drug screening programs
• Random UDS Generation
• Breath Alcohol Testing
SDTA’s Fall Board Meeting Key Takeaways
Michelle Wells | Member Manager | SDTA
The SDTA Board of Directors gathered on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre, SD, for a pivotal Fall Board Meeting. The meeting commenced with a compelling presentation from Rob May, a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Investment Group. His thorough analysis of the financial portfolios for SDTA and SDTA Services provided board members with essential insights into both short- and long-term projections, facilitating informed decision-making for the organization’s future.
Christine reported her collaboration with Dakota CPA to finalize the annual reviews of SDTA and SDTA Services accounts. With the recent addition of SDTA Controller Scott Johnson in September, he has diligently examined various accounts to ensure accuracy and currency. His proactive approach has already uncovered several necessary corrections, underscoring our commitment to transparency and accountability.
The discussion also covered revenue-sharing partnerships, with Christine highlighting a historic milestone: for the first time, SDTA will operate under a budget in 2025. She reassured members that while the draft of the financials shared was condensed, comprehensive copies are readily available upon request, reflecting our commitment to transparency and member engagement.
The SDADA/SDTA Driveline Podcast merits attention as well. Christine encouraged members to tune in to insightful interviews with esteemed representatives, available on the SDTA website. These conversations provide valuable perspectives and beneficial information for our community.
Moreover, the continued success of the SouthDakotaCDL.com campaign is noteworthy, as it grows stronger each year, demonstrating our effectiveness in outreach and engagement.
Legislative concerns remain critical, particularly with Tort Reform legislation set to return in 2025. Christine emphasized the necessity for transparency in third-party litigation. Even though South Dakota has not faced significant verdicts, it is vital for SDTA to adopt a proactive stance, ensuring we are prepared to protect our interests and those of our members.
We encourage you to reach out to any board member or SDTA staff if you have questions or need clarification on these important matters. Your engagement is vital for our success!
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Fall Board Meeting!
REVVING UP THE
FUTURE:
South Dakota Road Team Captains Attend JA Inspire Event to Promote Trucking Industry Careers
JA Inspire is a dynamic collaboration between educators and industry leaders, spearheaded by Junior Achievement of South Dakota. At the core of their mission is an impactful event that not only engages but also inspires—JA Inspire!
The 2024 JA Inspire event is set to host 3,700 8th-grade students in person, along with 1,500 virtual participants, providing invaluable hands-on experiences in a range of career fields. More than seventy-five South Dakota companies representing high-demand careers will share their insights and interact with students through engaging exhibits. The dedicated South Dakota Road Team Captains—Mike Whitehead, Jeff Eschen, Jeremy Senger, and Gary Schmidt—have passionately led this initiative since its inception five years ago.
Many students lack career mentorship at home, making JA Inspire a crucial opportunity for them to explore potential paths with the guidance of caring mentors before deciding
on their high school coursework. For businesses, this event is not just about giving back; it’s an investment in cultivating a skilled future workforce. For South Dakota, it’s a chance to highlight the abundant opportunities available to our students right here in their own community. Let’s empower our youth and shape the future together!
Michelle Wells | Member Manager | SDTA
DOT SERVICES
DOT Physicals | DOT and Non-DOT Drug Screening and Alcohol Testing | MRO Services | Injury Care (billed at South Dakota Work Comp Fee Schedule) | Third Party Administration
Employee Assistant Plan | Additional Occupational Health Services | Efficient, Friendly, Professional Services 605-322-5100
AVERA EPA SERVICES IS NOW OFFERING... DOT-QUALIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONALS
The Avera Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers substance abuse evaluations for employees who test positive for drugs or alcohol, as regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Under DOT regulations, safety-sensitive employees (i.e., truck drivers, pilots and airline workers, transit workers, pipeline workers, etc.) are subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol tests. When there is a positive test result, the DOTregulated employee must seek the service of a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). 605-322-4069
New FMCSA Rule Mandates CDL Downgrades for Drug Violations
Eric Miller | Senior Reporter | Transport Topics
WASHINGTON — Beginning Nov. 18, federal trucking regulators will require state driver licensing agencies to downgrade a truck driver’s commercial driver license once a driver fails a drug or alcohol test and is placed on prohibited driving status.
The new requirement is part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse II regulation, intended to make it more difficult for drivers to continue operating after receiving a drug or alcohol violation, according to Bryan Price, chief of the agency’s drug and alcohol programs division.
Price spoke on Oct. 2 to a group of trucking executives attending American Trucking Associations’ Safety Management Council Fall Membership Conference.
The first Clearinghouse rule required employers to query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees’ drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a commercial motor vehicle on public roads. It also required employers to annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.
Clearinghouse II will require state driver licensing agencies to remove the commercial driving privileges of drivers in a “prohibited” status in the Clearinghouse, downgrading the driver’s CDL until he or she completes the return-to-duty process. The new rule requires the state to complete and record the CDL downgrade on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System driver record within 60 days of notification.
The Clearinghouse, mandated by Congress, went into effect on Jan. 6, 2020. One of the aims of the Clearinghouse is to keep drivers from job hopping after they fail a substance test.
FMCSA has said the Clearinghouse is having the intended effect of taking large numbers of drivers caught using drugs off the highways. However, a persistent concern is that 177,000 drivers remain in prohibited driving status after failing their drug tests and have yet to complete a federal return-to-work process.
“With this rule beginning in November, we’re going to feed all those CDL numbers down to the DMVs, and the DMVs are
required by this new federal rule to downgrade that driver’s license at the state level,” Price said. “When the state DMV downgrades the license, we think that if the driver’s company has insurance and runs an MVR [motor vehicle record] check and sees this guy’s license is no good, it’s going to go a long way toward helping us get more of these drivers off the road until they do the return-to-duty process.”
The prohibited duty status starts a 60-day clock for the state licensing agencies to downgrade CDLs and learning permits, Price said.
“Some of the states, a fair number of them, are already beginning downgrading,” he said. “Some states are also sending the drivers a warning letter — a shot across the bow — saying they are about to implement the new rule and the driver would need to begin the return-to-duty process, or we’re going to downgrade your license.”
Returning to duty requires several steps, including finding and engaging a certified substance abuse professional for a driver evaluation, following a prescribed education or treatment program, passing a return-to-duty test and completing a follow-up testing program that includes six random follow-up tests over 12 months.
Price said roughly 5 million drivers and just under 500,000 employers are currently registered in the Clearinghouse, which first went into effect on Jan. 6, 2020. As of September, the state of Texas led the nation with 14,000 drivers in prohibited status but claimed to have jumped out ahead of the new requirement by already having downgraded 7,000 CDLs in prohibited status, Price said.
Regulators already have begun making plans to do annual program reviews looking to see if state CDL programs are compliant with all of the new federal requirements, Price added.
“There are consequences for the states, up to potential funding ramifications if they don’t comply,” he said. “We haven’t heard from any state so far that said, ‘We’re not doing this.’ ”
Reprinted from Transport Topics.
Trucking Industry Remains Concerned About Economy and Truck Parking
Tyson Fisher | Associate Editor | Land Line
More than two years into a freight recession, the economy remains top of mind among trucking industry stakeholders, while truck parking maintains a top spot in the list of critical issues in trucking.
That’s according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s annual Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry report. Nearly 4,000 stakeholders weighed in on what industry problems worry them the most, including motor carrier executives, truck drivers, industry suppliers, driver trainers and law enforcement.
With the current freight recession nearing its third year, trucking industry stakeholders identified the economy as their top concern for a second consecutive year. Although the economy as a whole is improving by most measures, certain factors that directly affect the trucking industry have not. The Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cut may change that, but the trickle-down effect may take a while.
In the meantime, trucking operational costs are rising while employment in the industry continues to decline after a surge of new entrants in the wake of the pandemic. All of this is be -
ing exacerbated by a presidential election causing economic uncertainty heading into the new year.
ATRI identified a few strategies to address economic concerns:
• Reforming and repealing ineffective and burdensome regulations that increase costs without providing benefits
• Renew 2017 federal income and corporate tax cuts that expire next year
• Re-shoring and near-shoring of equipment and parts manufacturing
At a distance second is truck parking, a problem within the trucking industry that never seems to go away.
Despite the U.S. Department of Transportation investing in truck parking, including $300 million for four projects in January, government funding has barely put a dent into solving the issue. Private sector investors have stepped up to the plate but at the cost of paid parking at facilities that have very few amenities.
One solution to the truck parking crisis is dedicated funding at the federal level. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act does exactly that. Meanwhile, state DOTs can tap into existing funding sources to address their parking issues. At the local level, governments can reduce regulatory hurdles that stifle truck parking expansion.
Ranking as the third-most concerning issue is tort reform. Nuclear verdicts against the trucking industry have raised concerns for several years, but a pair of massive verdicts just 24 hours apart earlier this year heightened those worries. A St. Louis jury ordered trailer manufacturer Wabash to pay $462 million. That was followed by Daimler Truck North America getting hit with a $160 million verdict for a nonfatal crash.
Trucking industry stakeholders are advocating for tort reform in several areas, including damages caps in several states. Other areas of reform include third-party litigation financing and medical costs billed versus medical costs actually paid.
Critical issues included this year that were not present last year include insurance cost/availability, battery electric vehicles and Compliance Safety Accountability. “Driver shortage” dropped several spots to ninth overall, its lowest ranking in the 20 years ATRI has conducted the survey. Ranked third last year, fuel prices are not included in this year’s list.
Drivers vs. Carriers
The above list reflects critical issues identified by all trucking stakeholders. However, that list is much different when broken down by truck drivers versus motor carriers.
Most of the overall concerns are included in the list of motor carriers’ top concerns. For truck drivers, several issues pop up that are not included in the industrywide list.
For example, speed limiters are ranked fifth among truck drivers, followed by broker issues, the ELD mandate, fuel prices, autonomous trucks and driver training standards. None of those issues crack the top ten among motor carriers. While truck parking is the top concern for drivers, it is ranked only seventh among motor carriers.
Broken down further between company drivers and owner-operators, the issues are mostly consistent but the prioritization differs. The top five concerns among owner-operators include:
1. Economy
2. Truck parking
3. Broker issues
4. Speed limiters
5. Fuel prices
Company drivers’ worries are:
1. Driver compensation
2. Truck parking
3. Detention time
4. Speed limiters
5. Economy
Truckers can help address most of the above issues by encouraging their lawmakers to support related legislation, including current bills on the topics of electric trucks, speed limiters, truck parking, broker fraud and driver pay. Tell your lawmaker about all those bills by going to FightingForTruckers.com .
Reprinted from Land Line.
FULL COLOR BUSINESS CARDS
NHTSA to Study How Drivers React to Crash Avoidance Tech
Mark Schremmer | Senior Editor | Land Line
Crash avoidance technologies are often touted as the answer to any problems involving roadway safety. But how do humans interact with the technology?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hopes to soon have the answer to that question.
In a notice that is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, Nov. 7, NHTSA has announced a study aimed at determining how human drivers react to all of the gadgets.
“The objective of his driving research is to examine driver behavior in using crash avoidance warning systems and assess effects of human-machine interface characteristics on drivers’ behavior and driver response in crash-imminent scenarios,” NHTSA wrote in the notice. “The research will involve driver behavior observation while driving on a test track, public roads or in a simulated environment.”
The agency plans to use about 200 licensed drivers – including some commercial driver’s license holders – from the Columbus, Ohio area in the research. Drivers in the study must be 25 to 65 years old. In addition, drivers of passenger vehicles must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and drive at least 11,000 miles annually in light passenger vehicles. Likewise, heavy-duty truck drivers must have a valid CDL and drive at least 11,000 miles each year in a commercial truck.
Crash avoidance systems provide drivers a variety of alerts and warnings to inform drivers of potential danger.
“These systems communicate the occurrence of such conditions to drivers via different sensory modalities, such as visual or auditory signals or vibration of the seat or steering wheel,” the agency wrote.
NHTSA plans to use the research to learn more about the effectiveness of the crash avoidance systems.
Test vehicles will be equipped with technology to record driver eye-glance behavior, vehicle control inputs, vehicle position, speed and turn-signal status.
Once the information is collected, a report will be made public.
“Analysis may also be used to inform NHTSA’s future safety research and rulemaking efforts,” the agency wrote.
Many truck drivers have complained about crash avoidance technology on trucks, saying that the system creates too many false alarms. Opponents of automatic emergency braking systems say the technology creates dangerous situations by mistaking a guardrail along a curve or an overpass as an immediate danger.
OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh told Congress earlier this year that some of these technologies won’t necessarily work for heavy-duty trucks the same way they do for cars.
“Trucks are completely different than cars,” Pugh said. “And just because a technology works well on a car doesn’t mean it’s going to work well on a truck. Every load and every type of truck is different as far as weight and how the product moves. You take a tanker, there’s liquid in there moving around. So, the way you have to stop (a tanker) is completely different than how you’d have to stop a load of paper towels in a van trailer.”
Reprinted from Land Line.
Four New Technologies Added for 2026 Crash Safety Ratings
Updated NHTSA Rules Include Pedestrian Emergency Braking Tests
Tom Krisher | Associated Press
DETROIT — The U.S. government’s automobile safety ratings will undergo a major update starting with the 2026 model year when regulators add new driver-assistance technologies and tests for protecting pedestrians.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Nov. 18 it has finalized the changes, which Congress required under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
In addition to the five-star crash test ratings, the agency will add four new technologies: pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning, and intervention if a driver tries to move toward a vehicle in a blind spot.
The new rule also strengthens test procedures and performance standards for technology already included in the ratings, such as automatic emergency braking.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes NHTSA, said the previous ratings, implemented in 1978, have helped the industry achieve higher safety standards.
The new requirements ensure “that the evaluation of these cars includes not just the safety of people inside vehicles during a crash, but how the design of a vehicle could prevent a crash or make it less fatal for someone outside the vehicle,” Buttigieg said in an interview with the Associated Press.
The agency said the five-star crash test ratings, which most vehicles now receive, would not change under the new system. However, consumers would see green check marks for vehicles with the safety features and can be assured they meet government standards, Buttigieg said.
Early on, the features will receive a pass or fail grade, but later will get scores so buyers can compare vehicles, he said.
The standards, which will appear on vehicle window stickers in August, should motivate automakers to speed up deployment of the features, he said. Automakers already use crash test ratings to compete for customers, and Buttigieg expects similar competition with the new features.
To get credit for having the features, automakers must make the safety devices standard equipment on their vehicles, Buttigieg said.
“We hope that this will move the market in that direction, that consumers will have another reason to be conscious that these features exist and then ask whether the car [they] are thinking about buying has those features,” he said.
The new standards also will strengthen test procedures for existing safety features such as automatic emergency braking, the agency said. Automatic emergency braking will have to meet tough requirements and be standard equipment on all passenger vehicles by 2029.
The agency also will set design standards to mitigate injuries to pedestrians, following most of the regulations already in effect in Europe. The standards will set a minimum threshold for points of impact and injuries to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 25 mph.
Buttigieg said this is the first of multiple regulations his department wants to implement before the end of President Joe Biden’s term. He wouldn’t specify other potential regulations.
“We’ve been full steam ahead on a number of rulemakings,” he said. “We’ve kept that pace up regardless of what we anticipated in the election. So you can expect us to continue to sprint through the tape, especially on rules that we know are going to make a big difference, that we think will be well-received by the public and that we’ve put a lot of work into already.”
The standards, last updated in 2008 for 2011 models, have brought significant reductions in crashes, deaths and injuries, the agency said. The number of people inside vehicles killed in traffic crashes fell from 32,043 in 2001 to 26,325 in 2021. However, pedestrian deaths rose 51% to 7,388 during the same period, indicating improvements are needed, the agency said.
Last year nearly 41,000 people died in traffic crashes nationwide, a 3.6% decline from 2022, according to NHTSA estimates. Fatalities have declined for nine straight quarters.
But deaths spiked in 2021 with a 10.5% increase over 2020 as people started driving more as the COVID-19 pandemic started to ease. That was the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.
Reprinted from Transport Topics.
Here’s What Another Trump Presidency Means for Trucking
Donald Trump won the presidency, while the Republican party made major gains in the House and Senate. Emissions regulation rollbacks are likely.
Jeremy Wolfe | Editor | FleetOwner
Voters are returning former President Donald Trump to the White House after a sweeping electoral win, which makes him the second president in U.S. history to be re-elected after a loss.
The transportation industry could change once Trump steps into the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2025. The Republican president’s administration will have significant control over federal agency rulemaking and international trade. Republicans also gained control of the Senate and, while vote counts are not yet finalized, gained a seat in the House.
Trump plans to loosen environmental regulations and raise tariffs. These moves could slow down trucking electrification and boost continental freight movement, respectively. For fleets, that means lower operational costs and an indirect increase in freight volumes.
Weaker environmental rules for trucks
Trump’s administration will have opportunities to weaken Biden-era emissions regulations.
The first Trump administration rolled back significant environmental regulations. During that first term, he notably weakened vehicle emissions standards and clean energy rules and combatted California’s vehicle emissions regulations.
After the first Trump term, the Biden administration introduced significant new emissions standards, including the contentious third-phase heavy-duty greenhouse gas emissions standards (GHG3), which received overwhelming trucking industry criticism.
The next president will likely cut environmental regulations again. Trump has already suggested that he will roll back Biden-era environmental policies.
For trucking, the result could be lower equipment costs. Emissions standards benefit overall public and environmental health but also raise the operational costs of fleets. The Clean Freight Coalition, an industry group critical of GHG3, estimates heavy-duty electrification could cost as much as $1 trillion.
The American Trucking Associations supports the measure. In a public statement this morning, ATA president and CEO Chris Spear congratulated Trump on the victory and stressed the importance of rolling back emissions standards.
“President Trump made trucking a priority throughout his first term and partnered with us to enact policies that strengthened the supply chain, grew the economy, and delivered for all Americans,” Spear said. “His second term offers an historic opportunity to build upon that record and show why the best approach to governing is one paved by common sense. That begins by replacing EPA’s electric-truck rule with national emission standards that are technologically achievable and account for the operational realities of our essential industry.”
The Truckload Carriers Association also congratulated Trump on the victory.
“Our nation has spoken, and TCA congratulates our 47th President Donald J Trump on his decisive victory in the general election,” TCA said this morning. “As an association, we look forward to working with his administration and the next Congress to advance the priorities that our truckload membership has identified important to keeping America moving.”
The momentum of trucking’s electrification won’t simply cease to exist, however. OEMs have already made major strides in electrification and some, such as Volvo, see electrification as an important pathway regardless of U.S. regulations. Five of the seven major over-the-road truck OEMs are part of European-based global companies that have committed to the Paris Climate Accords, and all have shared goals to become carbon-neutral in North America by 2040.
If the administration manages to roll back EPA regulations but not to weaken California’s emissions authority, states could still have the option to adopt California Air Resources Board regulations, such as Advanced Clean Trucks.
Michael Young, Daimler Truck North America product marketing manager, told Bulk Transporter last month that the results are unpredictable.
“Should the Administration change, we’re likely to see changes on the 2027 [EPA and GHG emissions] rules, and some of those impacts, and frankly, some of them are needed,” Young said. “But if we do see the Administration change, we could also see more states rushing to adopt some of the different [ACT, ACF] rules. So, what route is better is a toss-up.”
Depending on how Trump’s administration approaches the issue, these rollbacks could still face fierce resistance in the courts or Congress.
Continued on Page 29.
Significant tariffs to boost freight
Trump said he will implement massive taxes on imports.
On the campaign trail, Trump suggested a 10-20% tariff on all imported goods, a 60+% tariff on imports from China, and a 100% tariff on cars from Mexico.
Some of those tariffs are unrealistic, but exactly which of Trump’s tariff promises will take effect is unclear. The limit of a president’s tariff authority is fuzzy; lawsuits and Congressional action will likely try to set the boundaries of unprecedented tariffs.
For trucking, the result will be, eventually, higher freight volumes. Tariffs aggravate inflation and bring little immediate economic benefit. However, tariffs also foster nearshoring and domestic production. Truck traffic across the U.S.-Mexico border reached all-time records in October, due in part to tariffs.
Reprinted from FleetOwner.
Here’s What Another Trump Presidency continued from Page 27.
Rules:
SDTA Driver of the Month Nomination Form
To nominate a driver for Driver of the Month, they must be an employee of a member in good standing of the South Dakota Trucking Association and have at least two years with their current employer and five years of overall experience. Nominations must be supported by evidence and accompanied by a recent motor vehicle record check. Nominations can be made by any party but must be approved by the employer or a representative.
Date:
Name of Driver:
Family Information:
Residence:
Address (in full):
Name of Carrier:
Home Terminal:
Address (in full):
Phone Number:
Years with Present Employer:
Number of accidents: Chargeable Dates: Non-Chargeable Dates:
Jacket Size:
Total Years of Experience:
Has your driver ever been selected as a Driver of the Month in South Dakota or any other state? If yes, when?
List participation in truck driving championships or other truck related activities:
Basis of Nomination:
By submitting this entry, the company agrees to offer the selected Driver of the Month to the South Dakota Trucking Association Annual Convention to participate in a personal interview. Only interviewed drivers will be eligible for the Driver of the Year honors.
