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.

News•by David Cullen•January 23, 2018

Volvo: Electric Trucks Viable for Hauling Freight Here and Elsewhere

Sweden-based AB Volvo announced on Jan. 23 that it will start selling electric trucks in Europe in 2019, with the first units entering service with select customers sometime this year – and the company's North American operations say they see a future for "electromobility" here as well.

News•by David Cullen•January 23, 2018

Leaked Infrastructure Plan: No Fuel Tax Hike, but Tolling Interstates OK

UPDATED A draft of the Trump Administration’s long-promised infrastructure plan, obtained and published on Jan. 22, is arguably most compelling for what it leaves out: Any talk of boosting federal fuel taxes.

Articles•by David Cullen•January 12, 2018

Driver Pay: Making the Grade

The rising economy has whipped up the driver shortage and turnover situation to a froth that can only be smoothed by paying long-haul drivers considerably more — and more smartly.

News•by David Cullen•January 11, 2018

FMCSA’s Gautreaux Sees Innovation Driving Safety Forward

At the start of her first full year helping to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Deputy Administrator Cathy Gautreaux praised the agency for its recent accomplishments and laid out its priorities going forward.

News•by David Cullen•January 5, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Reports Record Van Sales; Teases Rollout of Next Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vans has announced it set a new record for unit sales in 2017 and for the first time passed the 40,000-vehicles sold mark. The division also again gave a taste of what its next-generation Sprinter will offer.

News•by David Cullen•January 5, 2018

ATA Applauds DOL Employment Insurance Proposal

A Department of Labor proposed rule that would “expand the opportunity” to offer employment-based health insurance to small businesses through Small Business Health Plans, also known as Association Health Plans, is being lauded by the American Trucking Associations.

Passing Zone•by David Cullen•January 3, 2018

Gauging Driver Pay by Salary Gains

While long-haul drivers are seldom if ever salaried employees, knowing what the U.S. average percentage rate of increase is for employees who are paid salaries may help fleet managers gauge the pay expectations of drivers. Blog Commentary by David Cullen, Executive Editor.

News•by David Cullen•January 2, 2018

House Transpo Chair Shuster Not Running in 2018

Rep. Bill Shuster, chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has announced that he will not seek reelection this year.

Passing Zone•by David Cullen•December 22, 2017

2018: Year of the Roads?

If 2017 was for trucking the year of the fearsome electronic log rule, then 2018 may well end up being the year of the awesome infrastructure bill...

Articles•by David Cullen•December 22, 2017

The Upside of the Anti-Coercion Rule for Fleets

Given the headlong – and continuing – rush to comply with the electronic logging mandate that began kicking in last month, few carriers may be up to speed on the anti-coercion rule. However, fleets will want to be conversant with this rule because it can legally help drivers maximize their available driving hours.

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