Diesel hits truckers hard

Fuel costs, possibly for the first time ever, or at least the first time since 1979-80 are a bigger part of trucking companies’ overhead than labor is.

Con-Way Freight lowered its’ trucks governors from 65 mph to 62. Now, many companies are calling for a national 65 mph speed limit, in large part for the safety of not having faster cars dart around slower trucks.

Last week, the American Trucking Associations also renewed its call for a federal regulation that would require that newly manufactured trucks have electronic speed limiters installed that can be set no higher than 68 mph. No problem for the big trucking companies, most of which already are slowing down. (Clayton Boyce, spokesman for ATA, says 77 percent of the ATA's member companies have electronic speed limiters set at 68 mph.) But expect resistance from smaller, independent trucking owner-operators.

I disagree. You want governors at that speed limit, come to agreements with manufacturers.

Another not-so-happy New Year for Lancaster: another trucking industry lawsuit?

The Lancaster City Council approved a new truck route ordinance at its Dec. 11 meeting.

Unfortunately, expect the three more-established large trucking companies in Lancaster, and the Texas Motor Transportation Association, to sue the city just like they did two years ago.

However, this time, in light of judge’s comments from that suit, the city has done an official traffic safety study. Also, I-20 access road construction, including a special truck ramp to bypass the Houston School Road intersection, should address other legal challenges.

So, will Big Trucking waste more Lancaster taxpayer money, or will it do the responsible thing?