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Independent truckers need a fuel surcharge to stay in business, but the federal government has chosen the wrong industry — shippers — to pick up the tab, said witnesses at a June 8 House subcommittee hearing.

When does the growth of information technology for trucking become information overload that could distract the driver? Federal transportation officials have decided it’s time to look into the question, since it could have negative implications for safety.

Hazardous materials placards may be placed at a level below the trailer’s floor and behind the rear underride guard as long as they are not obscured, according to a June 2 decision by the Department of Transportation’s Research and Special Programs Administration.

In the news this morning: Florida pulls licenses of 519 truckers; S.C. Trucking Association names its first woman president; and Feds say Midwest drivers pay unfair gasoline prices.

This afternoon's headlines: Rep. Rahall urges highway designers to think intermodal; Peace Bridge Authority, N.Y. residents oppose buyout proposal; and Sens. Voinovich, Breaux draft legislation to force EPA to consider costs of regulations.

The Department of Transportation is extending the deadline for comments on its proposed hours of service rulemaking until Oct. 30.

A jury will decide later this year whether the producers of “Dateline NBC” misrepresented their intentions to a Maine trucking company owner in developing a segment on driver fatigue for the television news show.

Trucking companies are part of a ground swell of public sentiment seeking repeal of the estate tax, which kicks in when family-held businesses or property are transferred from one generation to another, and Congress is taking note.

Productivity improvements in the logistics and trucking industries generated by computers and use of the Internet may be imperiled by the Transportation Department’s hour-of-service rules, according to a leading industry analyst.

Owners of trucks that have only an old ICC identification number will have to start painting their carriers’ DOT number on the doors to meet a recent directive from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.