HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says an Athens-based trucking company has been ordered to shut down because of federal safety violations.

BM&L Trucking, affiliated company IDM Transportation and its owners Isaac and Heronda McWilliams must immediately cease all transportation services based on serious safety violations that posed an imminent hazard to public safety.

The FMCSA said the shutdown order follows a review of BM&L... [Read More]

WASHINGTON – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Wednesday proposed a new federal motor vehicle safety standard to require full stability technology, otherwise known as electronic stability control (ESC) systems, on large commercial trucks, motor coaches and other large buses for the first time ever.

Agency research shows the technology could prevent up to 56 percent of rollover crashes each year—the deadliest among all crash types—and another 14 percent of... [Read More]

On the way to the Louisiana governor’s desk is a bill that is intended to make anyone who violates out-of-service orders pay a steep price. Truckers caught texting while driving is also covered.

The Senate voted 34-2 to advance a bill to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk to bring Louisiana’s commercial driver’s licensing rules in compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. House lawmakers already approved HB587 by unanimous consent.

Once signed into law, ... [Read More]

Got a qualcom message stating I placed 1st in fuel economy , with 7.6mpg. Driving in the hills of New England and having and average of 12+ stops and 1500 miles per week. The company average, including the flatlands, is 6.6mpg. In the hills, its significantly less.

The secret is to drive between 55 and 58. When the terrain flattens out, I can get over 10.... [Read More]

The rules on certain truck weights in Maryland will soon change. Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law a bill to modify the circumstances when a police officer is required to allow an overweight vehicle carrying perishable products to continue to its destination, without unloading.

State officials say the rule change is intended to reduce the stress on Maryland roads and bridges that is caused by significantly overweight and illegal trucks. It takes effect Oct. 1.

... [Read More]