Latest News Updates From Eric Miller

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Eric Miller

Senior Reporter

Eric Miller has been a reporter and writer at publications nationwide for 40 years. He’s been at Transport Topics the past 11 years, currently on the paper’s government team; worked as a reporter at the Dallas Morning News; reporter, editor and member of the investigative team at The Arizona Republic; reporter at the Tampa Tribune; city editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican; and senior writer for D Magazine in Dallas.


Government, Business

New 7/3 Split Sleeper Berth Rule Appears Slow to Gain Popularity

A tweak of the hours-of-service (HOS) rule that went into effect on Sept. 29 has put a new 7/3 split in the mix as an alternative to meet 10-hour off-duty requirements in the sleeper berth. It also may be a bit confusing.

February 2, 2021
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Clearinghouse Records More Than 56,000 Truck Driver Violations in 2020

More than 56,000 drug and alcohol violations were recorded last year in a database intended to track truck drivers’ compliance history and prevent them from job-hopping in the event of a failed drug test.

February 2, 2021
Government, Business, Safety

CVSA International Roadcheck Set for May 4-6

This year’s International Roadcheck is set for May 4-6, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced.

February 2, 2021
Business, Top 100

NFI Icon Bernard Brown Dies at 96

Bernard Brown, the visionary behind National Freight Inc., one of the oldest trucking companies in the U.S., died Jan. 21 at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

January 27, 2021
Government, Business, Safety

FMCSA Announces Proposal to Amend Driver Vision Standard

A new regulation would allow truck drivers who cannot meet current federal vision standards of either distant visual acuity or field of vision, or both, in one eye to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.

January 27, 2021
Government, Business

ā€˜Spotter’ in New Orleans Accident Scam Sentenced to 21 Months

A so-called spotter who participated in at least two staged accidents against trucks in the New Orleans area has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for his part in the wire fraud conspiracy.

January 22, 2021
Government, Business, Technology, Safety

Audit Finds Flaws in FMCSA Monitoring of Drivers’ Medical Qualifications

An Inspector General audit has found weaknesses in regulators’ monitoring of medical examiner qualifications and ensuring that truck drivers meet physical qualification standards to safely operate commercial vehicles.

January 21, 2021
Government, Business

USDA Says It Lacks Jurisdiction to Issue Hemp Transport Shipping Document Guidance

A final hemp rule announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not include requirements for shipping documents that could help motor carriers avoid being stopped, inspected or subject to detention by law enforcement when crossing state boundaries.

January 20, 2021
Government, Business, Safety

Safety Equipment, Training for Contractors Doesn’t Endanger Status, DOL Says

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued an opinion letter ruling that motor carriers can supply independent contractors safety equipment such as dash cams, speed limiters and driver monitoring systems, and also require that they take safety training without jeopardizing their independent contractor status.

January 20, 2021
Government, Business, Safety

Plaintiff Attorneys Often Use 'Reptile Theory' to Win Nuclear Trucking Jury Verdicts, Experts Say

In trucking accident lawsuits, the "reptile theory" is a method plaintiff lawyers have deployed in pursuit of so-called ā€œnuclearā€ jury verdicts.

January 19, 2021