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American Trucking Associations’ Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council officially came into existence last week as the lobbying group continued its reorganization during the Safety Management Council meeting that was held Oct. 1-4 in St. Louis.

The top three fleets that won this year’s American Trucking Associations President’s Trophies showed that by paying meticulous attention to safety details — not only to the mechanical aspects, but also to the human factors — they have developed championship environments.

Shorter hauls and different freight — two of the dynamics that differentiate the medium- from heavy-duty truck operations — are also key reasons the medium-duty vehicles have not had the severe drop in sales the heavy truck manufacturers have seen this year.

In the news this morning: Oil prices rise on Israeli-Palestinian tensions; GM, Fiat reported eyeing Daewoo; ComRoad reports higher-than-expected 3Q sales; and more to come.

The Senate and the House of Representatives Friday approved the transportation funding bill for fiscal 2001 that delays any revision in current hours of service rules for at least a year.

Transportal Network, an online service aiming to help trucking companies run more effectively, is suspending operations because of a lack of funding.

Today's technology headlines: BellSouth, SBC wireless venture to be named Cingular; GPS brings location sensing, mobile commerce to the market; retailers look to outsource holiday logistics madness; and more.

This afternoon's headlines: GM moving Janesville, Wis., medium truck production to Flint plant; biodiesel planned for 100% of 95-truck garbage fleet; heating oil, natural gas costs likely to rise this winter; and more to come.

As the Supreme Court opens its current session, two of the items scheduled for Nov. 7 are environmental issues that potentially have huge ramifications for how federal standards are established.

Allegations that Australians and New Zealanders are working as truck drivers in Iowa without complying with immigration laws have sparked a federal investigation, according to the Des Moines Register newspaper.