91ÊÓƵ

The price of diesel fuel rose 1.8 cents last week, the third consecutive increase — and a trucking industry analyst said strong demand for distillates will force further increases regardless of the weather.

Caterpillar and DaimlerChrysler say their new alliance will produce joint sales in medium-duty engines and fuel systems of more than $3.8 billion by 2006.

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends inspection of the system that assures an air supply for tractor brakes in case the connection with the trailer braking system fails.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld an arbitrator’s decision that allowed the driver of a coal-ming truck under union contract to return to work after he twice tested positive for marijuana use within 16 months. The decision is not likely to have an effect on unionized freight carriers.

Illinois, concerned about losing trucker revenue, intends to conduct joint audits with Oklahoma of trucking operations that claim Oklahoma as a base state under the International Registration Plan.

New York City is infamous for streets clogged with double-parked delivery vans and commercial vehicles continually circling for a place to pull over. City officials hope the parking meter will come to the rescue.

It’s time to implement the North American Free Trade Agreement as it applies to trucking.

For John Mayo, an independent owner-operator from Orlando, Fla., the reason was purely economic. For Jerome Ballard, driving for Werner Enterprises out of Beaumont, Texas, the reason was an error in scheduling.

Two-and-a-half years ago, Dawn Capalbo’s 55-year-old husband and business partner, Sam, died suddenly of a heart attack, forcing her to take over an airfreight trucking business she knew little about.

Truckers are increasingly finding themselves the targets of smuggling rings that use money and other enticements in attempts to get undocumented immigrants across the border between Mexico and the United States.