Eyes on the Road with PrePass

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast as we discuss what you can expect with Warren Hoemann, a PrePass consultant and a former second in command at the FMCSA. He talks about new trucking rules involving: speed limiters, automatic emergency braking, side underride guards, hair testing truckers for illegal drugs, electronic truck identification, brokers and freight forwarders and much more.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast as we look at the many different ways tolls can costs carriers, not just in terms of money, but also when it comes to time, resources and even frustration. More importantly, you will learn how you can reduce the amount of time, money and resources you are spending on tolls, giving you more time to concentrate on the real business of trucking…hauling freight!

In order to legally drive a big rig in interstate commerce, truckers are required to have a physical examination from a qualified medical examiner. If they pass, they get a Medical Examiners Certificate that's good for up to two years. However, nearly half of the nation's truck drivers are certified for less than one year, resulting in problems for them as well as truck fleets.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and learn about a new pilot program in a major metropolitan area to speed up truck movement by ensuring truckers get as many green lights as possible. Dr. Douglas Gettman of Kimley-Horn, the firm that developed this exciting new technology, will tell you how to sign up for this free service he expects to roll out to more cities in the coming year.

Listen to this latest edition of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as Brandon Wiseman of Trucksafe Consulting discusses how CBD use can lead to truck drivers testing positive for marijuana, the repercussions of a positive drug test, if CBD use by truckers can lead to impaired driving, and more.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast as we discuss new efforts, including legislation, to help create more parking places so truck drivers can safely get their rest. Host Evan Lockridge talks with David Heller of the Truckload Carriers Association about how much the lack of available truck parking costs drivers and fleets, how the latest federal infrastructure funding package may address the problem, and even a solution Congress is discussing.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast as we discuss anticipated rules when it comes to truck speed limiters; truck driver drug and alcohol testing; universal IDs for trucks; independent contractors (owner-operators); the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program; and much more! Hear from former FMCSA Deputy Administrator Warren Hoemann, now a PrePass regulatory consultant, on what these changes could mean for both truck drivers and motor carriers.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as we explore what's in an FMCSA plan to require electronic IDs for trucks, if there are any benefits to it, how this would effect truck inspections and more. Joining host Evan Lockridge is Steve Vaughn, director of field operations for PrePass Safety alliance, and a former commercial law enforcement chief.

Now that California's controversial Assembly Bill 5 has taken effect, changes are quickly happening for many owner-operator truckers inside and outside the Golden State. Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and hear what changes are happening and are expected to happen in the coming months and years.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and learn which myths about weigh station bypass service simply are not true and how they may cost you time, money and even fuel. Host Evan Lockridge talks with PrePass Regional Director Terry Maple, former superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently said it was moving forward with a proposal to require the use of speed limiters on most trucks after an earlier plan sat idle for years. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast from PrePass as host Evan Lockridge gives you answers to some frequently asked questions that have come up about this new speed limiter proposal.

Listen to the new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast from PrePass as host Evan Lockridge talks with Tom Kloza, long-time fuel and oil analyst with the Oil Price Information Service. They discuss the causes of the recent diesel price spike, the reasons diesel has grown so much more expensive than gasoline, whether solutions to provide price relief will actually work and much more.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as we discuss the results of this study with Andrew Balthrop, research associate at the University of Arkansas. He talks with host Evan Lockridge about why some groups in trucking had more crashes after the ELD mandate took effect, how the devices greatly reduced one type of hours of service violation, and more.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as we discuss new drug testing rules with Dan Horvath, vice president of safety policy at the American Trucking Associations. He discusses proposals that will allow for the use of oral fluids and hair when it comes to mandatory drug testing. Horvath also talks about what this will mean for both truck drivers and motor carriers and why these changes are happening.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as we discuss different ways trucking fleets are offering alternatives to pay per mile. Leah Shaver tracks driver pay trends at the National Transportation Institute. She discusses why an increasing number of drivers want more than just pay per mile and the growing use of alternative pay programs. Shaver also talks about why these different pay packages are becoming more common and why carriers should think about evolving beyond a pay-per-mile model.

Truck drivers frequently complain about shippers and receivers forcing them to wait for excessive periods of time. But can anything be done to solve this age-old problem? Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as we talk about possible solutions, including how electronic logging devices can help with Dave Huneryeager, recently retired president and CEO of the Tennessee Trucking Association.

Listen to this latest episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge talks with Warren Hoemann, PrePass consultant and former FMCSA official. They discuss different issues being considered by the agency. These include possible rules about automatic emergency braking, speed limiters, higher mandatory insurance levels, changes in hours of service rules and much more.

Trucking business conditions in 2021 developed like no other year which resulted in new trends emerging that will shape the industry for years to come. Listen to the new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge looks at the biggest trends that emerged this year and are expected to continue into 2022 and beyond.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge talks with Tilden Curl, owner of Tecco Trucking and a member of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association board of directors. They discuss the mistakes Tilden made early on in his nearly 30-year trucking career, what he learned from them, and why his business is now a success.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge speaks with Scott Sutarik of telematics equipment and service provider Geotab. They discuss how open platforms in telematics systems can lead to increased truck uptime as well as better truck safety and efficiency.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and learn what are the most common truck driver and truck equipment violations and why they happen. More importantly, you'll discover how you can prevent such violations from happening to you or your trucks.

For truckers and fleet personnel trying to figure out the federal trucking regulatory landscape, it can feel like an adventure movie. As if you're Indiana Jones searching for the Lost Ark or you're adrift in the Temple of Doom. But it doesn't have to be. Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as PrePass regulatory expert Warren Hoemann tells you how to best deal with expected new trucking rules and proposals from the FMCSA

As the trucking industry continues evolving so are truck inspections, including how enforcement conducts them. Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and find out how soon the new Level VIII truck inspections could head your way. In an interview with former law enforcement chief and current PrePass executive Steve Vaughn, you will also hear about the plan to electronically identify each and every truck as they're going down the highway.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast with guest with Eric Miller of the truck navigation device provider Garmin. He discusses different ways truck navigators offer more than just maps and turn-by-turn directions. He also talks about how truck navigators provide alternate routing when there are traffic delays, how this technology is changing trucking and how navigators can improve truck driver safety.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge talks with Joe Rajkovacz of the Western States Trucking Association about changes in laws and a key regulation that could make it much more difficult to be an owner-operator truck driver. In an interview Rajkovacz he discusses why this is happening and how to possibly prepare for the future.

General consensus in the trucking industry indicates that a plan to require activated speed limiters on tractor-trailers is back on the drawing board at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and learn what could be in this expected proposal. Retired trucking telematics expert Tom Cuthbertson discusses which trucks may or may not be covered under a speed limiter mandate and how it could be enforced.

Truck driver recruiting has changed a lot over the years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes taking place at warp speed. Listen to this latest episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast and learn how recruiting has changed for both drivers and trucking fleets.

In 2014, the first announcements from truck manufacturers were made about plans to start offering fully autonomous trucks by 2025. With a little less than four years left before this deadline, it has become clear we’re not going to see trucks without drivers by then. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge speaks with trucking journalist Jack Roberts about why this has happened.

With a new presidential administration and Democratic control of Congress, expect to see changes in trucking regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration as well as in trucking laws from Capitol Hill in 2021. Listen to the latest “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast, presented by PrePass as we talk with former FMCSA deputy administrator Warren Hoemann. He discusses what changes could be in store for fleets and drivers when it comes to hours of service, speed limiters, insurance requirements, the CSA program, driver detention time and more.

Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast, presented by PrePass, in which host Evan Lockridge talks about diversity with John Esparza, head of the Texas Trucking Association. As a member of the Hispanic community, Esparza discusses why everyone in trucking should care about diversity and how different parts of the industry can work to improve it.

An increasing number of fleets and owner operators are equipping their trucks with on-board video cameras. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge speaks with Seth Clevenger, host of the RoadSigns podcast and managing editor for features with Transport Topics, about why this is happening.

Sometimes it’s simply impossible to avoid having to pull in to a weigh station. But how you handle the encounter can mean the difference between further delays and getting back out on the road quickly. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge discusses how to minimize time spent at weigh stations.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast as host Evan Lockridge talks with Drew Anderson with PrePass about how you can spend less money on truck tolls. They discuss how the many different ways trucks can be incorrectly charged and how to avoid expensive fees for toll violations.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with truck driver defense attorney Brad Klepper of Drivers Legal Plan. They discuss what the laws are when it comes to truckers possessing guns and how one court case changed the way fleets can set policies about guns.

Freight rates and demand for trucking services continue to struggle due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To make up the gap in earnings, truck operators must find ways to improve efficiency and save money on fuel. Two recent real-world demonstrations reveal how to start saving time and money immediately, which can lead to a number of other benefits.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” trucking podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Warren Hoemann, former FMCSA deputy administrator and now a PrePass consultant, about how hours of service rules changes will effect both truck drivers and fleets. They look at the four major changes and who the winners and losers are in trucking.

While the trucking industry is dealing with the most adverse business conditions in decades following the COVID-19 outbreak, there may be some reasons for optimism. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with William Cassidy, senior trucking editor at the Journal of Commerce, as they discuss what the future may hold for the industry.

In this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, host Evan Lockridge talks with Chip Warterfield of the trucking company Upstaging Lighting and Transport. They talk about what Upstaging, including its drivers and other employees, is doing to survive this crisis. They also discuss how its drivers, whose jobs are usually anything but typical for trucking, have been affected and how other fleets may want to follow what Upstaging has done.

Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Kelly Frey with PrePass about five trends that will shape trucking in 2020 and beyond. They talk about the effects of marijuana legalization and changing driver demographics in trucking as well as autonomy, data security and the internet of things.

Guest: Rich Bren, vice president of insurance, PFA Transportation Insurance and Surety Services Both owner-operator truckers and trucking fleets of all sizes are contending with ever escalating insurance rates. This cuts into profits and even forces some carriers to shut down. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge finds out what’s behind this trend. In Evan’s talk with Rich Bren with PFA Transportation Insurance, they discuss the impact of so-called “nuclear verdicts” on insurance rates and how truckers can influence their rates. A member of the Motor Carrier Insurance Industry Foundation, Bren also talks about how FMCSA safety scores can be used against trucking fleets, resulting in higher insurance rates and less coverage, and how truckers can reverse this with better safety practices. “Eyes on the Road” is the official podcast from PrePass, the most expansive weigh station bypass and toll management platform available. Other services include INFORM™ software and the MOTION™ app. Follow the links near the top or bottom of this page to subscribe, so you can be the first to hear new installments every few weeks. You can also listen to the previous episodes below or through your favorite podcast service. Email your podcast comments, questions or topic suggestions to us at podcast@PrePass.com.

It’s been only a little more than a month since the final federal mandate took effect requiring most truck drivers to use electronic logging devices to track their hours behind the wheel. However, figures show a good number of drivers are being cited by law enforcement for improper use of the devices.

While 2020 has just gotten underway, it’s already shaping up to be one of the busiest years in quite a while when it comes to new trucking regulations taking effect as well as those under development. Listen to this new episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with former FMCSA Deputy Administrator Warren Hoemann about what’s headed your way.

New analysis of federal records shows the number of truckers driving above the speed limit has increased dramatically over the past three years and it’s showing no signs of letting up. In this latest episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, host Evan Lockridge talks with William Cassidy, senior editor at the Journal of Commerce, who discovered this alarming trend.

The problem of truck drivers cheating on their logs hasn’t gone away with the disappearance of paper logbooks and the electronic logging device mandate that followed. However, in order to catch this activity, fleets have got to step up their monitoring of ELD data or they may face some severe consequences.

As marijuana increasingly becomes legal for either recreational or medical use in more states, trucking fleets are seeing greater marijuana use by truck drivers despite a federal prohibition. This introduces a variety of safety concerns. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge looks at how trucking is dealing with this safety challenge.

New results of a four-year study show long-wait times for truck drivers at shippers and receivers has not improved. In fact, it’s gotten worse, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. Here’s why and how it could improve.

Following years of complaints by truck drivers and fleets about federal hours of service regulations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed significant changes. Listen to this episode of the “Eyes on the Road” podcast, presented by PrePass, as host Evan Lockridge talks with Warren Hoemann, a former number two official at the FMCSA, now PrePass consultant as they discuss what’s in the plan.

The benefits of weigh station bypass for truckers is undeniable – both drivers and fleets save time and money by not having to wait in lines at weigh stations and can just drive on by. Now there is new research that shows another big benefit.

In every truck driver’s career, they will have to interact with law enforcement officers on multiple occasions. But how they handle these meetings can mean the difference between the encounter being short to being very long, or the possibility of a citation.

Millions of people worldwide, including many in the U.S., are caught up in the web of human trafficking, but thanks to the efforts of one group, both truck drivers and fleets can help put a stop to it.

A future in which many were predicting driverless trucks would be taking over the highways in about a decade seems to have taken a time-out. Here's why.