On May 10, Virginia’s Governor, Bob McDonnell, applied to add tolls to Interstate 95, just inside the state’s North Carolina border. At $1 to $2 per axle, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) estimates the tolls could generate between $30 and $60 million per year. VDOT would use the money to increase the Interstate’s safety and infrastructure, which has one of the state’s highest accident rates. If approved, the new toll could cost $10 for trucks with five axels, a hefty price that would add up quickly for drivers who frequent this major North-South corridor.

Our coverage of the CSA 2010 Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) continues today with Fatigued Driving (Hours of Service). Although the FMCSA announced an HOS waiver for drivers carrying freight to the Deep Water Oil Spill through May 14, transportation professionals should be ready for stricter enforcement when CSA 2010 rolls out in November.

Over the past couple of weeks, two large disasters have occurred in the Southern United States resulting in dozens of deaths and billions of dollars worth of damage: an oil spill in the Gulf Coast and devastating storms in Mississippi and Tennessee. Throughout the two occurrences, trucking professionals have been affected in two very different ways, and we’re dedicated to providing up-to-date coverage of the direct effects on our industry,

The Deep Water Oil Spill

Seven-week coverage of the CSA 2010 Behavior Analysis Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) begins today with Unsafe Driving, which the FMCSA defines as “Operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by drivers in a dangerous or careless manner.”

At GetLoaded.com, we’re committed to helping drivers find and get freight through our always up-to-date load board. But, even on our more serious days, we also like to find ways to have fun. This weekend, we’re excited to welcome the Crown Royal Presents Heath Calhoun 400 to the Richmond International Raceway, right in our hometown. A great event on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the Heath Calhoun 400 pits drivers against each other in the “Race to the Chase.” Points leader Jimmie Johnson will join Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr.