TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2025.08.02
TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.08.02 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 2, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding article spotlight, ELDs, and truck driver appreciation:
Article Spotlight
How big of a deal is drowsy driving?
Ask “27-year-old truck driver Alexis Osmani Gonzalez-Companion [who] fell asleep at the wheel” according to this article:
In a nutshell, this trucker who fell asleep at the wheel:
- ended up causing a fatal crash that killed 5 people;
- “was indicted on five counts of manslaughter and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon”; and
- “is currently being held on bonds totaling $2.25 million.”
Ouch!
The article states:
Now, former truck drivers have come forward to state that Hope Trans would pressure them into unsafe driving practices such as falsifying log books, backdating paperwork, and exceeding HOS regulations.
While corroboration of the underlying situation may seem nice, it does not reverse the consequences of what happened.
The whole log book / exceeding HOS regulations situation was supposed to have been cleared up by the ELD mandate, but obviously, that didn’t happen.
Furthermore, I have documented numerous times that I oppose exemptions to HOS rules based on emergencies because of situations like this.
(Although I never read that this particular crash happened as a result of an emergency, those who drive trucks in an emergency:
- often exceed the standard Hours of Service regulations,
- can end up driving tired, and
- can thus be involved in drowsy driving situations.)
There are numerous resources on this site that help truckers “stand their ground” against weaselly (and greedy!) trucking companies, including:
- Refuse to Drive a Truck When These Situations Happen
- Whistle Blowing Truckers: STAA Law on Retaliation, Vindication
- Captain of the Ship Policy and Unsafe Working Conditions
- Out of Service Truck: Trucker Stages a Showdown
- Condition of Employment and New Company Policy for Truckers
In case it hasn’t become obvious by now — and even though the company may be held responsible for their actions — it is the trucker who is on the line for this fatal crash.
I recommend learning enough so that you won’t be a pawn who is afraid to stand up for what is right.
ELDs
On December 4, 2017, I provided an Electronic Logging Devices Mandate Commentary.
I also wrote: In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a ‘self-certification’ product?
I genuinely feel sorry for truckers who invested their money into an ELD system that has been kicked off the list.
If you used one or more ELDs that has been kicked off the list, I’d like to hear from you.
How much in direct dollars (for the cost of the ELD) and indirect dollars (the time that it took learning how to use the ELD) has it cost you to replace a now-delisted ELD system?
Please comment through the form below.
- Electronic logging devices removed from approved list
- FMCSA moves 2 ELDs from registered list to one for ‘Revoked Devices’
- FMCSA removes two ELDs from list of approved devices, truck drivers should revert to paper logs
- FMCSA Removes WALKER and SR ELDs from approved list
- FMCSA revokes certification of two ELDs
Truck driver appreciation
Quote from the article in this section:
U.S. truck drivers with a valid commercial driver’s license can enter the sweepstakes from August 4 to September 12, 2025.
2. Regarding border, business, load board, and private loads:
Border
- US and Mexico agree to 90-day extension to land trade deal
- Why a French shipping magnate with US ties is interested in China-owned port terminals
Business
- How rising equipment costs and equipment pressures are reshaping supply chain modernization
- How to Scale Your Revenue Without Adding Any Trucks
- What a Real Back Office Looks Like for a Two-Truck Operation
- Your Trucking Company Business Plan Review
Load board
Private loads
- Truckstop Private Loads: Freight matching for brokers and carriers
- Truckstop Unveils Private Loads: streamlining freight matching for Brokers and Carriers
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and hydrogen:
Autonomous vehicles
I totally 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.
- Arena: Gatik unveils new autonomous trucking solution
- Aurora announces nighttime driverless operations and Arizona expansion
- Aurora Begins Driverless Operations at Night
- Aurora increasing driverless operations
- Legislation aimed at ‘patchwork’ of state regs on autonomous trucks
- New bill would create national autonomous trucking framework
- PlusAI shares new KPIs to track autonomous truck readiness
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Are Electric Semis Bringing Back the Cabover Design?
- Electric truck chargers must be deployed strategically: Pembina Institute
- New York City’s ‘Bronx is Breathing’ Project Supports Electric Trucks
- This new electric dolly transforms old semitrucks into clean hybrids
Emissions
- 15 years of emission regulations on the chopping block
- California Gives OEMs More Flexibility on Clean Truck Certifications
- CTA asks ‘what’s next?’ for feds after U.S. moves to end GHG Phase 3 regs
- EPA’s proposal would eliminate basis of truck emissions standards
- Repeal of truck emissions regs ‘doesn’t help the trucking industry’
- Seven trucking decarbonization projects receive NRCan funding
- What the EPA Ruling on Emissions Means for Automakers
Fuel
Hydrogen
4. Regarding crashes, drugs, embezzlement, fatalities, theft, and vandalism:
Crashes
Please look through this article to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- Agent use handheld x-ray to find $2.3 million in cocaine hidden in tractor trailer ceiling compartment
- CBP seized more than 72 pounds of cocaine in big rig
Embezzlement
This resource provides a legal definition of this word.
Embezzlement is the fraudulent taking of personal property by someone to whom it was entrusted. It is most often associated with the misappropriation of money. Embezzlement can occur regardless of whether the defendant keeps the personal property or transfers it to a third party.
I wondered about the difference between this word and fraud. So an AI overview states:
While both embezzlement and fraud involve illegal acts intended to deceive and cause financial harm, they differ significantly in terms of the perpetrator’s initial relationship with the funds or assets. …
In essence, embezzlement is a type of fraud that specifically arises from a breach of trust where the perpetrator initially had legitimate control over the assets but then chose to misuse them. Fraud, on the other hand, is a wider term encompassing diverse deceptive activities not necessarily tied to a breach of trust.
Here are recent articles about this:
- Briefly: Employee allegedly embezzled $500,000 from GA carrier
- Ex-trucking manager charged in $500K embezzlement scheme
- Former fleet manager charged with embezzlement
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?
- Arkansas police arrest man in hit-and-run crash that killed DOT worker on I-30
- Truck driver sentenced to 5 years probation for fatal wreck where bus crashed into him
Theft
Never take something that doesn’t belong to you unless you have permission from the owner.
With as much surveillance equipment as is in place in the 21st century, it’s only a matter of time before the thieves are apprehended.
- Cargo theft trends in U.S. shift in June as pilferage dominates, timing evens out
- eBook: Cargo at rest is cargo at risk
- Florida busts $400K truck ECM theft ring across two states
- June cargo theft trends: PA joins list for most incidents; crooks change targeted goods
- Man facing charges after stealing bobtail semi, leading cops on chase in Georgia
- Organized Crime Fuels Cargo Theft Surge
- Overhaul suggests what drivers can do to combat in-transit cargo thefts
- Semi-trailer with $15M in Apple products, semiconductors stolen in Nevada
Vandalism
I am classifying the act of what is written about in the article in this section as vandalism.
If someone has a better description, I’m open to it.
It is never right to damage or destroy the property of someone else without his/her/their permission.
5. Regarding economy, lottery, pay, and tolls:
Economy
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: ‘Short and soft’ peak season in store due to impact of tariffs
- For-Hire Trucking Index shows fourth month of volume declines
- FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index close to neutral in May
Lottery
In my opinion, it’s always wise to pay off debt because then the interest on that debt stops.
Pay
For those who like to “geek out” on numbers, this article has a bunch of different statistics.
Tolls
- New Indiana law could bring more tolls to state
- Report: NYC Congestion Tolls Reshape Freight Movement in Manhattan
- State officials still unclear about when truck tolls will resume
6. Regarding ATA and FMCSA:
ATA
FMCSA
- Commerce Committee approves Barrs’ nomination to lead FMCSA
- FMCSA nominee Derek Barrs finds support from trucking industry
7. Regarding inspections, language, and legal:
Language
The first article in this section states:
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, tasked with standardizing CMV inspections, explained how California’s $30 million in federal grants may depend on adopting federal regulations.
So the “language thing” is a big deal!
- California Highway Patrol not enforcing Trump’s ELP mandate for truck drivers
- Duffy X post: 1,500 truckers placed out of service for language violation
- Pulse Survey: Readers speak out on English proficiency enforcement in U.S.
- Truckers Fear Job Loss as New English Language Rules Take Effect
- USDOT boss says 1,500 truck drivers have been taken out-of-service for lack of English language proficiency
Legal
- Charges pending after South Carolina police find semi truck fully submerged near boat dock
- Contracting company owner and worker sentenced for scheme to avoid paying drivers union benefits
- Truck towed & team drivers fined $3k after officer gave them a chance to fuel up before inspection but they never came back
8. Regarding health, parking, roads, and weather:
Health
- Project 61 acquires Offshift in ‘game-changer’ for driver health
- Project 61 acquires Offshift to deliver free health platform for truckers
Parking
- Massachusetts to spend $750 million to modernize 18 service plazas
- Ohio looks to lead nation with massive truck parking expansion
- Ohio plans to add 1,400 new truck parking spaces in 33 locations
- Ohio to Add 1,400 Long-term Truck Parking Spots
- Truckers ‘sick and tired’ of inaction on truck parking crisis
Roads
Weather
- Heavy rain pummels the East Coast and sparks isolated flash flooding
- Heavy thunderstorms flood NYC streets and highways
9. Regarding politics, speed limit, and tariffs:
Politics
Speed limit
Tariffs
- A key US inflation gauge rose last month as Trump’s tariffs lifted goods prices
- CMA CGM revenue, earnings decline on China tariff fight
- Greer Says Possible Tariff Court Loss Won’t Impact Plans
- No US trade deals with Mexico, China, Canada, as tariff deadline nears
- Tractor Makers Warn That Tariffs Will Raise Machinery Prices
- Triumphant in trade talks, Trump and his tariffs still face a challenge in federal court
- Trucking Reacts to Trump’s Sweeping Tariffs
- Trump announces 90-day negotiating period with Mexico as 25% tariff rates stay in place
- Trump announces trade deal with South Korea, imports face 15% tariff
- Trump hits Canada with 35% tariffs
- Trump Pushes Tariff Start Date Back 7 Days
- Trump sets new tariffs on global trade partners, stock market drops
- Trump Tariff Blitz Unleashes Delayed Shock to Global Economy
- Trump to Set New Tariffs Before Midnight, White House Says
10. Regarding ports, regulations, and technology:
Ports
- Tax credit could boost competition among Gulf coast ports
- US container ports warn against Trump budget cuts
- US Ports Show Mixed Results in June
Regulations
Technology
- CTA urges government to invest in CBSA to prevent IT system outages
- Listen: What Trucking Fleets Are Doing With AI
- Survey Finds Carriers Optimistic About Tech-Driven Future
- What Is the Best Front and Rear Dash Cam with Night Vision for Trucking?
11. Regarding employment, recruitment, and shut down:
Employment
- Labor Market Weakens as Employers Added 73,000 Jobs in July
- Nissan to close auto plant in Mexico, cutting 2,400 jobs
- Trucking jobs bucked the tide, rising in July; warehouse employment is plummeting
- US employers added just 73,000 jobs last month as labor market weakens in face of Trump trade wars
Recruitment
Shut down
In my opinion, it’s sad when a long-established trucking company is forced to shut down.
- California trucking company closes after 40 years in business
- Carroll Fulmer fleet to close | N.D. max speed limit hits 80 mph
- Carroll Fulmer Logistics closing down
- Family-run California trucking company says they will be ‘parking our trucks for good’
- T.G.S. Logistics Shuts Down After 40 Years
12. Regarding recognition:
Recognition
It’s inspiring when people help those who have been affected by a damaging weather event.
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: 2025.08.02 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
