CVSA works to keep drivers and vehicles rolling safely
Many drivers dread entering weigh stations — but not because of the scales. (Hopefully, they’ve already weighed their trucks and made the necessary adjustments so
Cliff Abbott
- About Cliff Abbott
- Cliff Abbott is an experienced commercial vehicle driver and owner-operator who still holds a CDL in his home state of Alabama. In nearly 40 years in trucking, he’s been an instructor and trainer and has managed safety and recruiting operations for several carriers. Having never lost his love of the road, Cliff has written a book and hundreds of songs and has been writing for The Trucker for more than a decade.
Posts by Cliff Abbott
The CMV Tutor: Tom Gilliam hopes to help the homeless through CDL training
Earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be the first step into a wide variety of connected careers, from driving to owning a trucking company,
A dashcam can be a driver’s best friend when determining who’s at fault in an accident
In the aftermath of an accident involving your truck, the “he said/she said” approach makes poor evidence and does nothing to prove which party is
$3.5M in federal funds earmarked for CDL training across US
In late August, the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced plans to divide $3.5 million in funding between 27 providers of CDL training, including colleges
Lessons from the road: A thorough pre-trip inspection is the best start to a safe day
Professional drivers learn early to maximize their hours for rest by minimizing their hours spent on other activities. In a career field where many over-the-road
What’s your type? Trucking offers variety of modes for transporting different cargoes
What’s the next step in my life? Whether you’re thinking about your career, or your personal life, this could be considered the “eternal question.” It’s
TCA Driver of the Year James White is a good neighbor both on and off the road
There’s no doubt about it: James White is a good neighbor. He can often be found around his Carthage, Texas, neighborhood, greeting neighbors, shopping
NHTSA advisory committee disagrees on findings, efficacy of underride protection report
Those who were expecting a resolution to the issue of side underride protection were disappointed in the June 18 report from the National Highway Traffic
Sales of new Class 8 trucks remain strong but declines expected by year-end
These are interesting times in the world of Class 8 truck sales. Inventory levels at dealers and body suppliers are up, and sales of New
Analysts see small improvements in freight volumes, but rates may give way to turbulent times ahead
Just when talk of an economic recession was beginning to fade, the stock market faltered: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 1,000 points
After a stroke and crash, former trucker Lanny Weaver stays positive for his grandsons
The thought that any mile you drive could be your last is sobering — but it’s a reality for anyone who earns a living at
Fleet Focus: CVSA inspection events present learning opportunities for truck owners
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted the 2024 Operation Safe Driver Week July 7-13. The focus of this year’s event was reckless, careless or
History matters: Drivers with clean backgrounds are more likely to land the best jobs
People can be particular about the items they buy and use. That trait extends to truckers, too. Some wear only the best in blue jeans
CVSA promotes education, outreach and safe equipment during Brake Safety Week
Brake safety week will be here before you know it! The Commercial Vehicle Training Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled this year’s event for Aug. 25-31. During
Despite positive signs, freight rates remained stagnant in June
Overcapacity continues to suppress the freight market, holding down rates — but are we nearing the long-awaited uptick in the cycle? Most of the analysts
Hydrogen fuel is nearly ready to replace diesel, but supply infrastructure must be developed
Electric vehicle technology continues to advance, and batteries are proving to be effective at powering the family car for a trip to work and back
New Class 8 truck sales dropped sharply in June, but not enough to relieve overcapacity
June U.S. sales of new Class 8 trucks fell 24.7% from the level seen in June 2023, according to data received from Wards Intelligence. Total
Want to own your own trucking business? Here’s what you should know
Buying and operating their own truck is an option many commercial drivers take advantage of. Before taking the plunge and shelling out money on a
Access to industry data and insights is key to success for business owners
The trucking industry has experienced some wild fluctuations in the past four years. One of the most telling signs is the number of new carrier
Group frustrated by FMCSA’s reluctance to allow hair testing results in Clearinghouse
As pretty much anyone in the trucking industry would agree, it’s important to ensure commercial drivers are alert and prepared to react quickly to changing