Improved safety on the road

Serious accidents involving fatalities with large trucks and buses are on the decrease. Rates have decreased 5% to 0.168 per 100 million total vehicle miles traveled. Rates of injuries for the same group dropped 2% to 4.09 per 100 million total vehicle miles traveled. Many contribute the decrease in accidents to driver turnover rates which have fallen to the lowest levels since the ATA began collecting date in 1995.

You may want to check with your agent to see if you can get a better rate on your insurance since overall experience in the industry is improving.

More stimulus news!!

So what does the Obama stimulus package mean to our industry? Well with the Fed’s investment in bonds and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage rates are at an all time low. This is stimulating real estate sales meaning that home construction will increase and many homeowners will remodel taking advantage of home improvement loans. For our industry that means jobs!! The materials will need to be transported by truck.

Also, the stimulus package will go to fund many shovel ready projects that will repair, replace and expand our existing transportation infrastructure. Again, that means jobs for the trucking industry.

With the interest rates remaining low as they have been in the last 20 years and with oil trading below $50.00 a barrel this will also help stimulate the economy and in turn the trucking industry. As consumer confidence returns demand for goods will increase and we will be there ready to fill inventories all across the country.

Stimulus $150+ Billion for Transportation, Energy, and Technology

The largest ever stimulus package is on its way to President Obama’s desk to be signed on Tuesday February 17th 2009. The $787 Billion stimulus package is said to include $150+ Billion for public works projects for transportation, energy and technology. Just how much of this super-sized stimulus plan will affect the trucking industry directly is hard to say right now. However, earlier versions of the plan included several programs that could impact the trucking industry. There is $300 Million that will provide grants and loans to state and local governments for projects that reduce diesel emissions. Also alternative power will see $200 Million dedicated to encourage electric vehicle technologies. State and local governments will also see $400 Million aimed at helping them purchase trucks and busses that operate on alternative fuels.

It seems that the largest impact for everyday owner operators will come from the Billions of dollars marked for highway construction, transit and rail projects. Get your hardhat on!

Today's Trucking Industry

Well it’s the start of my bog, your trucking today. My company has been in the trucking business for over 20 years providing insurance, permitting and authority services. The industry has been great to us, and we wanted to provide a forum that not only our customers but anyone in the trucking industry can discuss everyday issues that affect all of us. I will be opening dialogue to discuss everything from how Obama’s $787 Billion stimulus bill will impact our proud industry, to everyday challenges that face over the road drivers. We also have another forum where we blog about industry regulatory issues called www.yourauthorityservice.blogspot.com to help keep up with everyday changes in regulations affecting the industry. We hope to see you soon and many posts to come.