To begin with, I don’t use that word lightly. If nothing else, 2020 has definitely been a politicapocalypse in America. And just the effects it’s been having on the general public have proven catastrophic. So to analyze what effects it might have on the trucking industry is long-overdue.
Truckers have held the glue stick and kept America’s economy together during the pandemic. But all their reliability could change with federal hours of service either coming under a new administration or getting backlash in favor of other priorities. The nation is already weakening under the current infrastructure as it is. Additionally, hair testing for alcohol and drug abuse are still of high-interest for stakeholders in trucking.
What Should We Expect from Politicapocalypse?
That depends. We either will get the wildly unpredictable President Trump or a possibly vague new President Biden… Or wherever Kanye West leans.
Trucking is considerably bipartisan, in any case. So for anybody to have beef with such a peaceful aspect of the logistics industry is preposterous.
Yet, here we are. Wondering.
Trump and Trucks
Firstly, the current administration is looking to focus on filling in key vacancies as quickly as possible. And if that’s the administration that stays, Jim Mullen’s spot will quickly be a spot made shinier with someone else to be the former acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA.)
This all comes in hesitance, however, as the Trump administration has said they would continue focusing on infrastructure, through FAST. That’s an acronym for Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, which was set to expire by September.
Dave Osiecki, president and CEO of Scopelitis Transportation Consulting has said, “Let’s face it, this administration said we are going to focus on infrastructure and spend $2 trillion, and this administration hasn’t been able to get that done.”
Biden and Trucks
Joe Biden will bring in a new era in more ways than one. The way the Department of Transportation will run, it’s looking like the industry would need to make certain conversations. Minimum insurance rates, underride protections, or sideguard protections are among those to talk about.
However, a large concern that comes with Biden is the very fact that Obama was considering a speed limiter mandate. as well as increasing the insurance requirements.
Another controversial side to the multi-faceted Democrats bill was an amendment raising the minimum insurance requirements for commercial vehicles. Up from $750,000 to $2 million.
In summation, your best bet? Vote for what will keep you and your’s safe during this Politicapocalypse.
