2018: the trucking industry’s year in pictures

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2018 Year In Trucking 400We’ve written and talked about what went on in trucking in 2018. This is how it looked. This year in pictures captures the people, places, problems, changes and, of course, the trucks and truckers that make up the industry.

Owner-operator Debbie Desiderato developed a smartphone app that lets drivers keep notes about their daily driving.Owner-operator Debbie Desiderato developed a smartphone app that lets drivers keep notes about their daily driving.

Truckers and trucking companies once again helped deliver for the Wreaths Across America project, including to Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 15.Truckers and trucking companies once again helped deliver for the Wreaths Across America project, including to Arlington National Cemetery Dec. 15.

A New York truck driver stopped his rig on Interstate 81 to rescue two dogs he saw thrown out of the window of a moving SUV. The trucker hopes to adopt the two dogs and New York State Police continue to look for suspects.A New York truck driver stopped his rig on Interstate 81 to rescue two dogs he saw thrown out of the window of a moving SUV. The trucker hopes to adopt the two dogs and New York State Police continue to look for suspects.

As the year wound down, haulers of livestock and insects were given a 'until further notice' exemption from the FMCSA from using electronic logging devices.As the year wound down, haulers of livestock and insects were given a "until further notice" exemption from the FMCSA from using electronic logging devices.

UPS driver Victoria Andrade was the grand prize winner in Pilot Flying J's annual Road Warrior contest. She won $10,000.UPS driver Victoria Andrade was the grand prize winner in Pilot Flying J's annual Road Warrior contest. She won $10,000.

Texas owner-operator Carl Boudreaux appeared on the CBS reality show 'Survivor.' (CBS photo)Texas owner-operator Carl Boudreaux appeared on the CBS reality show "Survivor." (CBS photo)

Bookdocks, a longtime independent truck stop in Iowa, closed and was sold at auction. Anyway Logistics, Inc. bought the property for $500,000.Bookdocks, a longtime independent truck stop in Iowa, closed and was sold at auction. Anyway Logistics, Inc. bought the property for $500,000.

College professor and former trucker Anne Balay's new book Semi Queer: Inside the World of Gay, Trans, and Black Truck Drivers was publish in 2018.College professor and former trucker Anne Balay's new book Semi Queer: Inside the World of Gay, Trans, and Black Truck Drivers was publish in 2018.

Two drivers were involved in a shooting incident at a truck stop in Georgia off I-75 in September.Two drivers were involved in a shooting incident at a truck stop in Georgia off I-75 in September.

Two Florida men were arrested in Indiana in August for hauling $1 million worth of pot. It was one of several trucker arrests for drugs in 2018.Two Florida men were arrested in Indiana in August for hauling $1 million worth of pot. It was one of several trucker arrests for drugs in 2018.

We gave you a close look at Suzanne and Ray Rodriquez’s 1999 Peterbilt 379 “Uno Mas”We gave you a close look at Suzanne and Ray Rodriquez’s 1999 Peterbilt 379 “Uno Mas”

Mordaunt 'Platt' Brabner won the 2018 Mike O’Connell Trucking’s Top Rookie presented by Truckers News.Mordaunt "Platt" Brabner won the 2018 Mike O’Connell Trucking’s Top Rookie presented by Truckers News.

Tesla's Class 8 all-electric Semi continued to gain attention in 2018.Tesla's Class 8 all-electric Semi continued to gain attention in 2018.

Sponsored by the RoadPro Family of Brands, the 29th annual Mother's Day Convoy attracted 539 truckers raised and raised $501,387 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.Sponsored by the RoadPro Family of Brands, the 29th annual Mother's Day Convoy attracted 539 truckers raised and raised $501,387 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

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13 tractor-trailers lined up shoulder to shoulder under an overpass on Interstate 696 near Detroit to thwart a person's suicide attempt in April.13 tractor-trailers lined up shoulder to shoulder under an overpass on Interstate 696 near Detroit to thwart a person's suicide attempt in April.

Werner driver Quinton Ward was one of several trucking industry representatives to speak at the White House. Ward also won the Transition Trucking contest.Werner driver Quinton Ward was one of several trucking industry representatives to speak at the White House. Ward also won the Transition Trucking contest.

Frank Vieira a local tanker driver from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada was the winner of the 35th annual Goodyear Highway Hero Award in March.Frank Vieira a local tanker driver from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada was the winner of the 35th annual Goodyear Highway Hero Award in March.

When truckers gathered in Louisville, Kentucky for the Mid-America Trucking Show in March, they were greeted by record snowfalls.When truckers gathered in Louisville, Kentucky for the Mid-America Trucking Show in March, they were greeted by record snowfalls.

Raymond Martinez was sworn in as the administrator the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by DOT Secretary Elain Chau in February.Raymond Martinez was sworn in as the administrator the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration by DOT Secretary Elain Chau in February.

More and more communities passed ordinances to prohibit truck parking; more are expected in 2019.More and more communities passed ordinances to prohibit truck parking; more are expected in 2019.

Florida-based Starsky Robotics said one of its autonomous trucks made a successful 7-mile trip on a highway with no one on board.Florida-based Starsky Robotics said one of its autonomous trucks made a successful 7-mile trip on a highway with no one on board.

The Truckload Carriers Association named its Best Fleets to Drive For at its convention in March.The Truckload Carriers Association named its Best Fleets to Drive For at its convention in March.

Kenworth introduced the W990 in September.Kenworth introduced the W990 in September.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer in February called for side underride guards on trailers.New York Sen. Charles Schumer in February called for side underride guards on trailers.

At least 16 tractor-trailers were involved in a massive chain-reaction accident Jan. 12 on westbound I-40 between Memphis and Nashville.At least 16 tractor-trailers were involved in a massive chain-reaction accident Jan. 12 on westbound I-40 between Memphis and Nashville.

Idaho State Police reported Zakary M. Shurtliff, 21, of Hamer, Idaho was eastbound on State Highway 33 in January when he struck the last car of a freight train. He was uninjured.Idaho State Police reported Zakary M. Shurtliff, 21, of Hamer, Idaho was eastbound on State Highway 33 in January when he struck the last car of a freight train. He was uninjured.

Truck driver Phillip Clayton, from Scottsboro, Alabama, showed his 2005 Peterbilt 379, a tribute to singer Red Simpson.Truck driver Phillip Clayton, from Scottsboro, Alabama, showed his 2005 Peterbilt 379, a tribute to singer Red Simpson.