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The Canadian reaction to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s release of its hours-of-service proposal was subdued in most quarters, more than a week after the unveiling caused a commotion throughout this country.

In the news this morning: Pennsylvania State Police says recent crackdown on Interstate 78 found most trucks had safety violations; Volvo will seek further expansion after buying Renault unit; and Overnite labor hearing delayed until June.

New trailer shipments in February totaled 23,212, a somewhat perkier 132 units more than the same month in 1999. The two-month total of 45,314 for 2000, however, was 1.8% below the 46,123 posted in 1999.

Now that the Department of Transportation’s long-awaited hours proposal is on the table for everyone to examine, the scientific research into fatigue that forms the basis for the government’s revisions will likely become a hot topic of debate.

Oregon officials say the number of truckers cited lacking proper credentials has risen dramatically since the state reduced the hours of operation of its ports of entry.

This afternoon's headlines: GeoLogistics moves headquarters from Colorado to California; 3 firms set wheels in motion for online parts locator; and Sierra Club comes out against proposed FedEx hub in North Carolina.

Electronic communication from trailers in the field has advanced to the point where skepticism of tracking technology is starting to show signs of cracking, according to some fleet executives who are poised to buy the equipment.

In the news this morning: Minnesota to expand highway watch program; Miami port truckers say they're paying the price for a February strike; and Werner chairman warns stockholders that hours-of-service proposals, used truck glut may slow growth.

A settlement over diesel emissions reached between three of the nation’s largest grocery chains, the state of California and environmental groups could set an expensive precedent for air-quality lawsuits against trucking in California and beyond.

The 90-day clock on the comment period for the Department of Transportation’s proposed changes to the hours-of-service regulation began ticking May 2, but response was already flowing into the agency as truck drivers, industry executives and safety critics took to the Internet to post their opinions.