David Cullen

[Former] Business/Washington Contributing Editor

David Cullen has been covering trucking for top-tier media platforms continuously since 1981. He served as executive editor of Heavy Duty Trucking from 2015 to 2020. Prior to that was executive editor of a fleet-focused magazine, where he was on staff from 1989 to 2015. He launched his career in 1981 with DES (Diesel Equipment Superintendent), where he served as managing editor from 1985 to 1989.

Cullen is known for his coverage of legislative and regulatory issues affecting the trucking industry, as well as fleet business related topics.

Cullen is a recipient of several Jesse H. Neal Awards for Outstanding Journalism and numerous ASPBE AZBEE Awards for Excellence in business-to-business journalism, as well as ASPBE's Annual Stephen Barr Award for Individual Feature Writing.

Articles•by David Cullen•February 11, 2019

The Last Mile: Where Brawn Meets Brains

There’s plenty of room to play in the last-mile space — the trick is learning that the consumer is king of this hill.

News•by David Cullen•February 6, 2019

Trump Pitches Infrastructure in State of Union, But No New Details

In his State of the Union address, President Trump again said he wants America’s infrastructure revamped and implied that Congress still does, too – but he offered no new details on how to go about it.

Articles•by David Cullen•February 5, 2019

NTSB's 'Most Wanted' Highlights Distracted and Impaired Driving, Truck Speed Limiters

Eight of the ten issues listed in the NTSB's Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements touch on the trucking industry is one way or another.

Passing Zone•by David Cullen•January 26, 2019

FMCSA Keeping Sights on Hours-of-Service Reform, New Safety Rating System

At TRB meeting, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials discussed the agency's goals for the new year, highlighting hours-of-service reform and a new safety rating system. Blog commentary by Executive Editor David Cullen.

Articles•by David Cullen•January 14, 2019

Get A Grip on Fleet Insurance Costs

Figuring out how to lower fleet insurance costs is not rocket science. What it takes is critical and analytical thinking to identify what’s driving up costs and what actions will help bring them under control.

News•by David Cullen•January 10, 2019

Musical Chairs at DOT Sees FMCSA’s Gautreaux Headed to NHTSA

Cathy Gautreaux, deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, is one of nine Department of Transportation officials who are either switching to a new sub-agency position or leaving DOT altogether.

News•by David Cullen•January 4, 2019

Volvo Trucks Setting Aside $780 Million to Deal with Diesel Emissions Issue

Sweden’s Volvo Group will set aside $780 million to cover estimated costs to address a faulty emissions control component used in diesel engines sold in certain markets, including North America and Europe.

News•by David Cullen•January 2, 2019

Not Everyone's Happy with FMCSA's Preemption of California Break Rules

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pre-holiday granting of petitions to preempt California’s meal and rest break rules for truck drivers, which differ from current federal hours-of-service regulations, is being met with either cheers or jeers from a range of trucking stakeholders.

News•by David Cullen•December 21, 2018

DOT Preempts California Meal and Rest Break Rules, Citing Impact on Interstate Commerce

The FMCSA announced that it is granting petitions to preempt California’s meal and rest break rules for truck drivers, which differ from current federal hours-of-service regulations.

Passing Zone•by David Cullen•December 21, 2018

Keep Your Eye on Trucking’s Moneyball

Thoughts on how ELD data may help reshape HOS and what else trucking may see next year, per the crystal ball of TCA's resident sage. Blog commentary by Executive Editor David Cullen

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