Do you think penalties for overweight trucks are fair? While penalties vary from state to state, one argument "for" assessing penalties is to recover the cost of wear and tear that illegal, heavy trucks inflict on highways that were not designed to handle modern load limits. But perhaps the fines being handed out are a little excessive?

Is an increase in the federal fuel tax the sensible, economical answer to funding highway infrastructure projects? The American Trucking Associations thinks so.

Have you ever been confused about when to take your legally required break after crossing into a new time zone?

You remember the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), right? The trilateral trading pact consisting of the United States, Canada, and Mexico formed during the first Clinton Administration? NAFTA is now seventeen years old, and has been shaped by the policy of a second Clinton White House and two George W. Bush terms. Now President Barack Obama is making his mark on the trade agreement, and his most recent changes affect U.S. and Mexican truckers.

As mentioned in previous posts, many states across the country are shutting down rest areas, forcing freight truckers to find alternate places to get in their legally required breaks.

Interstate rest areas are certainly not the most glamorous places to pull over and, umm, take care of business. But after hours of hauling truck loads over exhausting distances, many truckers find them not only welcome but safe and legal places to recharge – especially in order to comply with hours of service regulations. For some truckers, the loss of these rest areas may mean sleeping in unsafe areas so they can get in their legally required breaks.

Is enough being done to increase cargo, driver, and border security? Some truckers and trucking organizations are voicing concern about cumbersome regulations that don’t necessarily expedite the safe and secure movement of freight.

Truckers are no different than any other worker across America – in the sense that access to top-notch health care is hugely important. But freight haulers have one of the most hazardous jobs you can get, and that is where they’re different than the average worker. Truckers have to deal with a unique set of occupational health challenges: sleep apnea, high blood pressure, depression, obesity – even a potentially greater risk for the swine flu!

So I bet you’re wondering how the stimulus money is being spent to make the trucking industry better, right?

In February 2009, President Obama put U.S. taxpayer dollars into motion when he signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which includes heavy investment in upgrades to the energy sector.

In early November, two states that play a key role in America’s freight industry will hold elections for Governor. While there are no candidates running for office with a background in trucking on the state and federal level, it is still worthwhile to take a look at the big-picture, transportation-focused promises from the top candidates in New Jersey and Virginia.