TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.07.05 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending July 5, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ATRI, drowsy driving, operational costs, securement, and theft:
ATRI
The articles in this section may overlap with the “operational costs” section just below.
The second article in this section contains:
“The trucking industry is facing the most challenging freight market in years, with loads down and costs increasing,” said Greg Hodgen, Groendyke Transport Inc. president, CEO.
Feel free to review other sections of this site for ideas to help you save money.
- ATRI issues updated guides to truck idling regulations, sustainability
- ATRI Report Reveals Challenges Facing Trucking Industry Today
- ATRI report: Rising costs continue to squeeze trucking industry
- Fleet Margins Fall as Trucking Costs Set New Records in ATRI’s 2025 Report
Drowsy driving
Although this may have happened before, this is the first “drowsy driving” crash and fatality about which I’ve ready that the bail was set so high.
Also, the last article in this section stated:
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companioni, 27, has been charged with five counts of manslaughter and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
So, from a legal standpoint, this is very serious.
Please feel free to read my post:
Drowsy Driving: Dangers, Statistics, and No Substitutes.
- $1.5M bail set for truck driver in drowsy driving crash as death toll climbs to six
- 5 dead after truck driver falls asleep at wheel, crashes into stopped traffic on I-20
- NTSB investigation reveals dubious details surrounding trucking company in drowsy driving crash
- Sleeping trucker charged with manslaughter for crash that killed five
Operational costs
As opposed to the situation when COVID made trucking seem like a dream business, the trucking industry seems to have flopped over — economically — to the struggling side.
- Carriers get reprieve on fuel prices but other costs climb, squeezing margins: ATRI
- Despite Cheaper Fuel, Core Trucking Costs Hit All-Time High
- Despite lower fuel prices, trucking costs in record territory
- Fuel costs down but trucking ‘severely squeezed’ by low rates and mounting operational costs, ATRI says
- Study: Remove lower fuel expenses, and operating costs reach record high
- Trucking Still Squeezed by High Costs and Low Rates
Securement
These articles all address loads that were not secured properly.
Regardless of what you haul, make sure that your load is properly secured and that you operate your truck such that you won’t lose any of the load or lose control of your truck.
- Briefly: Massive wind turbine blade falls off truck on I-70 in Maryland
- Iowa troopers issue out-of-service order for lack of load securement during skid loader haul
- Truck and trailer out-of-service after Tennessee trooper finds leaking unsecured cargo, other violations
- Windmill turbine blade comes loose during transport, injuring one
Theft
Given that this is a holiday weekend — when those in the United States are celebrating Independence Day — the likelihood that trucks may be parked for a longer period of time is greater.
It sounds weird, but I recommend looking at your tractor and trailer as a would-be thief would, so that you secure everything before you leave them.
- Brace for ramped-up cargo theft in the U.S. this week: CargoNet
- Cargo theft expected to rise over holiday week
- Cargo theft prevention firms warn of July 4 uptick
- Cargo thieves expected to increase activity as others celebrate July 4
- Cargo thieves’ record pace: July 4 warning | HOS waiver for fireworks haulers
- CargoNet Alert: Elevated Cargo Theft Risk July 4th Weekend
- CargoNet Alert: Elevated Cargo Theft Risk July 4th Weekend
- July Fourth weekend provides increased opportunities for cargo thieves
- NMFTA Tackles Cyber-Enabled Cargo Thefts With New Framework
- Old-School Cargo Theft Surges in Mexico
- Same truck stolen twice from Dallas CDL school parking lot
- Teamsters file wage theft complaint against Costco
- Trucking Industry Crime Surge: 50 High-Stakes Incidents
2. Regarding crashes, death, drugs, fatalities, fire, fraud, and smuggling:
Crashes
Please look through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.
- Big rig crash spills mozzarella cheese on I-80 in Pennsylvania
- Ferrari F40 driver offering reward for information on tanker truck driver who sideswiped him
- Firefighters battle ‘explosions’ after four semi trucks catch fire at Colorado truck stop
- Indiana farmers help rescue cattle during crash
- Jaw-dropping video shows cab sheared from frame after two semi truck crash on Illinois interstate
- Officers pass out frozen hotdogs trashed by company after rollover semi truck crash
- Spill of chicken carcasses closes I-26 near Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Three vehicle pile-up in construction zone merge leaves two dead
- Truck hits highway overpass in Ontario ripping roof off commercial vehicle it was hauling
- Turbine blade blocks Maryland traffic on Interstate 70
Death
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the family of the trucker who died.
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- $23.3 million of cocaine seized by Canada at Blue Water Bridge
- DEA seizes 700 pounds of meth from semi truck at Georgia warehouse
- Drug busts at border ports in US, Canada top $31M; rail theft surging
Fatalities
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died in these crashes.
Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?
- Five dead in crash involving 3 semi trucks in Texas
- Kenworth driver dies in Oregon accident
- Ohio man killed in fiery crash involving semi truck
- Police describe truck driver “laughing about it as he drove away” in dash cam footage from fatal road rage incident
- Sixth person dead in Texas pile up
Fire
It seems to me that there are a lot more truck fires than there used to be. Hmm…
- 4 trucks were destroyed Wednesday in fire at truck stop north of Denver
- Wildfires still a concern across Canada
Fraud
Never attempt to deceive, misrepresent something, intentionally pervert the truth, or pretend to be someone else for the purpose of trying to get something valuable.
- Matt’s HD Owner Facing Charges for Emissions Fraud
- New York DMV workers arrested for providing fraudulent driver’s licenses to Chinese immigrants
- PA repair shop charged with removing emissions controls devices
Smuggling
Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how large of an incentive you’ve been offered.
- Human smuggling: Truck driver’s 10-year sentence | ‘Big beautiful bill’ heads to President’s desk
- Texas Border Patrol program targets CDLs of human, narcotics smugglers
- Truck driver facing federal charges after Border Patrol finds 12 people hidden in flatbed trailer compartments
- Truck driver sentenced to federal prison for transporting 25 people in tanker
- Truckers Caught Smuggling People, Drugs Face Lifetime CDL Bans
- Truckers Caught Smuggling People, Drugs Face Lifetime CDL Bans
3. Regarding economy, employment, lottery, pay, rates, and tolls:
Economy
- ACT Research: Preliminary Classes 5-8 net orders declined in June
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Class 8 orders remain weak, but spot market sees signs of improvement
- Expected upturn in freight rates is ‘a day late and a dollar short’ for most
- For-Hire Freight Volume Weak Capacity Decreased in May
- Freight market outlook remains negative
- June Class 8 truck orders plunge to lowest level since 2009
- Preliminary North American Class 8 Net Orders Decline
- Prices slightly U-turn after sharp increases the last two weeks
- Stellantis Sales in US Drop 10% Despite Ram Recovery
- Trucking market stalls in first half of 2025, despite tumultuous trade environment
Employment
- Amazon robots are on course to outnumber its human workers
- CloudTrucks petitions FMCSA for exemption from certain driver hiring regs
- CloudTrucks seeks exemption for its driver-hiring process
- Driver Poll: What builds the most trust in a recruiter conversation?
- Driver Shortage Myths Debunked: Freight Demand Drives Trucking Jobs
- Employers Added a Surprising 147,000 Jobs in June
- Truck Driver Hiring & FMCSA Compliance: A Guide for Fleets
- Truck transportation jobs: 12 months of overall stability
- Trucking job vacancies normalize, but remain above national average: THRC
- U.S. applications for jobless aid fell to 233,000 last week as layoffs remain low
- When to Hire and When to Wait in Your Trucking Business
Lottery
I hope that this trucker has great financial discipline!
Pay
According to the article in this section:
According to the latest data compiled by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), after increasing by 10.8% in 2021 and 15.5% in 2022, driver wages increased by 7.6% percent in 2023 and 2.4% in 2024.
“The rate of driver wage growth is on track to decelerate further during 2025,” ATRI noted in its trucking industry cost analysis update released on Tuesday, which revealed that wages increased only 0.9% during the first two months of 2025.
Has this been your experience?
Please feel free to comment through the form below.
Rates
- Container rates from key US trade partner plummet 39%
- DAT: More loads, fewer trucks fail to budge spot rates
- FedEx to implement single pricing structure for express, standard pickups
- Same song, another verse: Freight rates, economic uncertainty and tariffs continue to depress New Class 8 truck sales
- Van spot rates rise as expected in latest week
Tolls
- Briefly: Truckers will pay more to drive Pennsylvania Turnpike in 2026
- Indiana Authorizes Interstate Highway Tolling
- Truckers to pay more as Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls increase in 2026
4. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and Tesla:
Autonomous vehicles
I emphatically oppose the operation of self-driving, autonomous, or driverless commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but I share articles on this topic with our readers to help us stay current on the topic.
- AI startup Plus to launch self-driving trucks after $1.2B merger
- Kodiak selects Roush as manufacturing partner to upfit Kodiak driver-equipped trucks
- Vay and Kodiak partner to integrate assisted autonomy technology
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Rivian Limits EV Output to Avoid Excess of Outgoing Models
- This EV maker will let you buy an electric truck with $TRUMP crypto
- Toyota Postpones EV Plans to Boost Gas-Fueled SUV Production
- What Killing Tax Credits Means for the EV Market
Emissions
- Association Challenges California’s Clean Truck Partnership
- First legal steps taken, this time by WSTA, to untangle the legal knot of the Clean Truck Partnership
- Spear: After Emissions Wins, Trucking Can Focus Elsewhere
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel falls back with no further Mideast conflict
- Diesel Price Cools Off, Drops 4.8¢ to $3.727 a Gallon
- RNG Gains New Momentum in Longhaul Trucking
Tesla
- Musk Says First Tesla Drove Itself From Factory to Customer
- Tesla Sales Fell Sharply in Q2 Over Musk Backlash
- Tesla Shares Take a Hit as Trump-Musk Feud Reaches Boil
5. Regarding bankruptcy, brokers, business, DHL, Postal Service, recalls, shut down, and tires:
Bankruptcy
I find it shocking that one of the biggest names in food has filed for bankruptcy.
- All divisions of Del Monte Foods file for chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Del Monte Foods Files for Bankruptcy
- June ends with third Illinois trucking company to file for bankruptcy
Brokers
Business
- High Cost of New Trucks Drives Strong Demand for Late-Model Used Rigs
- How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Fleet
- How to Understand Truck Specs – Gear Ratios and What They Mean
- Incremental successes help Arrow Transportation Systems strike sustainability targets
- Is a 2027 Truck Prebuy Still in the Cards?
- Purple Wave Auction makes buying quality trucking equipment easier than ever
- Switch to UPS saved US Postal Service 43% in air transport costs
- Teaching New Drivers What Makes a Load Worth Taking — And What Doesn’t
- Three Load Planning Mistakes That Drain Fuel and Profit
- Training Guide — How to Spot Carrier Packet Red Flags Before You Sign
- UPS drivers to receive buyout offer as company shrinks parcel network
- UPS Plans to Offer Voluntary Buyouts to Union Drivers
- Veteran owner-ops share 7 ways to stay profitable in any market
DHL
- DHL appoints new chiefs for Americas divisions
- DHL Express Canada reinstates service after workers ratify labor deal
- DHL Express Canada workers ratify new agreement, move to end strike and lockout
- DHL Partners With Fortum on Battery Recycling
- DHL Supply Chain North America Promotes Kunar to CEO
Postal service
Recalls
If your tractor or trailer is under a recall, please have the work attended to as soon as possible.
- Mack recalls truck models due to electrical issue
- Nissan Recalls 480,000 Vehicles Due to Engine Failure Risk
Shut down
Similar to bankruptcy, the articles in this section describe when a company shuts down operations.
- Nebraska company to exit trucking sector after decades in operation
- Nikola Customers’ Conundrum: Innovate or Park the Truck?
Tires
6. Regarding Canada, containers, tariffs, and trade:
Canada
- Canada begins to diversify its trade, but U.S. tariffs still a ‘heavy weight’
- Canada Exports to US Keep Falling as Tariffs Curb Shipments
- Canada Rescinds Technology Tax on US
- Carney Meets With Automakers as Canada’s Factories Show Strain
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick thanks Canada for dropping digital services tax
Containers
Tariffs
Feel free to see other posts on this site — including my commentary on — tariffs.
The articles in this section go along with the trade section above.
- Analysis Shows Trump’s Tariffs Would Cost Employers $82.3B
- Borderlands Mexico: Winner in global tariff war could be Mexico, report says
- China Wary as US Advances Tariff Talks With Other Countries
- EU to Accept Trump’s Universal Tariff, Seeks Key Exemptions
- Lower UK-US Car Tariffs Take Effect
- Nike Likely to Hike Prices More After Vietnam Tariff Deal
- Tariffs disrupt cross-border freight flows in April
- ‘The Party Is Over’ for Car Sales as Tariff Reality Kicks In
- Trump Aims to Shut Loopholes China Uses to Evade Tariffs
- Trump announces deal with Vietnam, includes 20% import tariff rate
- Trump Dismisses Extension of Tariff Deadline, Teases Japan
- Trump Says He Won’t Extend Pause on Tariffs Beyond July 9
- Trump says he’s not planning to extend a pause on global tariffs beyond July 9
- Trump Threatens to Impose Tariff on Japan Over Rice Exports
- US container import tariffs averaging 21%, says Maersk
- US, Mexico negotiating to avoid tariffs on tomatoes, official says
Trade
The articles in this section go along with the tariffs section above.
- BYD Halts Plan to Build Mexico Car Plant Over Trump’s Trade War
- China trade outlook improves, container rates – not so much
- PM says negotiations continue as Trump says he’s ending trade talks over digital tax
- Trump Deals Poised to Fall Short of Sweeping Trade Reforms
- Trump Halts Canada Trade Talks Over Digital Tax
- Trump Says Deal Will Allow US Goods Into Vietnam Duty-Free
7. Regarding language, legal, and Werner:
Language
I’m glad that this topic is getting the attention it deserves.
- CarriersEdge launches new assessment to address English proficiency requirements
- DOT launches audit of non-domiciled CDLs
- ELP and non-domiciled CDL audit impact on brokers; another deadly wreck |
- English proficiency rule for truckers shaking up cross-border freight market
- FMCSA to audit states’ non-domiciled CDL practices
- Forty truckers now OOS for lack of English proficiency since enforcement began last week, Mexican officials say
- Mexican trucking company sponsoring English classes for drivers as proficiency deadline begins
- U.S. DOT orders nationwide compliance crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs
- USDOT Warns States on Nonresident CDL Compliance
Legal
- Former motor carrier owner indicted on conspiracy and fraud charges
- Man arrested for terroristic threats after pointing handgun at trucker as they drove
- Officer flipped the script on old school driver and let him choose his own punishment
- Texas trucker gets 10 years in prison for 2024 tanker smuggling arrest
- Third-party litigation financing continues to receive state attention
- Truck driver fled after man stepped in front of his semi truck during confrontation with police
- Truck driver to serve seven more months for vehicular manslaughter in I-70 bus crash that killed six
Werner
- No Wall Street reaction to truckload carrier Werner’s ‘long overdue win’
- Texas Supreme Court dismisses $90 million lawsuit against Werner
- Werner Appeal Victory Could Curb ‘Reptile Theory’ Tactics in Trucking Lawsuits
- Werner nuclear verdict overturned by Texas Supreme Court
- Werner wins reversal of $90 million judgement
8. Regarding DataQs, DOT, HOS, HVUT, politics, regulations, and speed limiter:
DataQs
Feel free to look up the definition of this word in the glossary.
- DataQs reform for better impartiality: FMCSA’s new proposal
- DataQs reform for better impartiality: FMCSA’s new proposal
- DOT takes steps to improve DataQ process
- FMCSA Aims to Improve DataQs Process
DOT
- DOT Advisory Board to meet at the White House
- DOT Announces Trucker-Friendly Package of Initiatives
- DOT Announces Trucker-Friendly Package of Initiatives
- DOT, NTSB investigating I-20 crash driver and trucking company
HOS
- DOT listens to OOIDA’s call for flexible hours of service
- Group asks FMCSA to relax Hours-of-Service rules for propane haulers during winter months
HVUT
The second article in this section says:
The annual filing period for IRS Form 2290, the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT), officially opened on July 1, and J. J. Keller & Associates Inc. is helping fleets meet the Sept. 2 deadline with the top 10 helpful tips,.
Politics
- ATA applauds senate on passing the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
- Chipmakers Win Bigger Tax Credit Under Bill Passed by Senate
- Congress approves bill unleashing major tax breaks for trucking
- North Carolina seeks to ban booting for commercial vehicles
- ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ passes House, awaits Trump’s signature
- Passage of tax reform bill provides stability for truckers but fails to address overtime issues, industry says
- Senate passes Trump tax bill as Vance breaks 50-50 tie
- Trucking industry reacts to House passage of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Trucking industry reacts to Trump’s ‘Pro-Trucker’ package
- UK Stands by Digital Tax After Canada Bows to Trump Pressure
Regulations
- Back to basics: Monitoring driver records is key to avoiding CDL disqualifications
- CHP issues ‘friendly reminder’ for truckers about grouped axle weight violations
- Feds ease skills evaluation for physically impaired truck drivers
- FMCSA’s new motor carrier registration system is designed to prevent fraud and identity theft
Speed limiter
According to the second article in this section:
Last week, the Trump administration listened to calls from OOIDA, small businesses and individual truckers by officially announcing the withdrawal of FMCSA’s speed limiter proposal.
I’m sure there have been and/or will be collective hoops for joy on this!
9. Regarding inspections, load boards, overweight, parking, towing, and truckers:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
Load boards
Overweight
Parking
- Duffy Unveils $275M Truck Parking Program, Slashes Rules
- New York City Council Approves Overnight Parking Legislation
- Truck parking bill clears NYC Council with unanimous support
- Truck parking receives $275M boost from DOT
- U.S. invests in truck parking, kills speed limiter proposal and slashes other regs
Towing
- Legal insight: Trucking’s battle with predatory towing
- North Carolina bill addresses predatory towing
Truckers
- How to Budget Weekly Pay When Freight is Inconsistent
- How to Sell Your Safety Record to a Direct Shipper
- ‘Leave’em laughing’: How to plan better driver meetings
- Policy from the Cab: How DOT’s Pro-Trucker Package Puts Drivers First
- Trucker of the Month bets on equipment diversity as failsafe
10. Regarding roads/bridges, safety, superloads, supply chain, and technology:
Roads/bridges
- I-40 reopens following flood and rockslides
- Interstate 40 in the Smoky Mountains reopens faster than expected after rock slide and flooding
- New Harbor Bridge now open
- Teton Pass back open one year after collapse
Safety
- Help HDT Track Trucking Safety Trends
- Inside the Gaps — What the FMCSA Isn’t Catching in Trucking Safety
- Safety/government affairs expert David Heller describes his journey so far with TCA: ‘Wow! What a ride!’
- What You Need to Know about Safely Transporting Fireworks
Superloads
Supply chain
Technology
- Automation Hacks for Small Fleets — What to Set and Forget First
- Fleets reshape AI adoption with focus on care over control, see retention gains
- Fleets that embrace AI now will lead in efficiency, experts say
- NMFTA LTL Freight Code Update Spurs C.H. Robinson AI Tool
- Polaris Transportation Group leverages AI to manage barrage of quote requests
- SONAR releases lane-level seasonality comparison tool
- Warp’s robotic cross-dock cuts costs, boosts efficiency
11. Regarding disasters, road rage, and weather:
Disasters
The first article in this section says:
Disasters happen. They are often related to natural occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. While these events cannot be prevented, you can take steps to ensure your business and your people are as protected and safe as possible.
It begins with a disaster preparedness plan covering a wide range of areas…
- Disaster Readiness: Develop a Business Continuity Plan for Your Fleet
- Q&A: Natural Disasters And Your Trucking Insurance
Please take appropriate precautions, including what is written on this site here:
- Your Emergency Fund Protects You from Unexpected Expenses, Loss
- Truck Drivers Emergency Kit: What Truckers Need to Survive
- Keep Medical Emergency Contact Info Forms Up-to-Date
Road rage
I’ll share a couple of sentences from the first article in this section:
… Preventing road rage starts with controlling your own responses behind the wheel. …
… When dealing with an aggressive driver, Lang advises professional drivers not to engage. …
- Combatting Summer Road Rage: Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
- Road Rage incident results in felony OWI arrest
Weather
This article contains good tips.
12. Regarding awards and recognition:
Awards
If you know of a “trucking frontline hero,” feel free to nominate him/her.
Recognition
I recognize truckers who help out their fellow human beings in a time of need — as well as those who help truckers.
- TCA names ABF trucker Highway Angel for aiding pickup truck driver
- Watch trucker pull up to burning building to help a man jump to safety
I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.
Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2025.07.05 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
