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The dilapidated stretch of Interstate 95, or the Turnpike, along Newark’s metropolitan region in beautiful New Jersey needs to be repaired soon, and raising federal taxes on fuel is the way to go about it, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. said amid Congress’ debate on tax policy. A look at the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

BERLIN — A suspicious package found near a Christmas market in the German city of Potsdam was not terrorism-related, but part of an attempt to blackmail delivery company DHL, an official said Dec. 3.

Truckers have long been the eyes and ears of the road, and the industry and Colorado lawmakers want to officially put that perspective to use as the state continues its growing battle against human trafficking.

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill published a letter Nov. 29 asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to delay the electronic logging device rule, a move that prompted a quick response from the trucking industry.

Beginning Jan. 1, truck drivers being administered random pre-employment and post-accident drug tests will be screened for four additional synthetic opioids, the highly addictive drugs that likely will require medical experts to consider prescriptions that balance pain mitigation with safety performance.

WASHINGTON — A fast-approaching mandate on electronic logging devices would enhance safety across the trucking and freight sectors, Democrats on the House Small Business Committee said Nov. 29.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget to study the safety effects of excessive motor carrier operator work commutes — primarily those exceeding 150 minutes.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive additional funds to help agencies there pay for highway infrastructure that was damaged by back-to-back hurricanes in September, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Nov. 22.

With the electronic logging device mandate quickly approaching, websites for ELD information and reviews have emerged to help carriers sift through the multitude of systems on the market and find the right fit for their operations.