TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.08.16 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 16, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding article spotlight, CARB, chain laws, and emissions:
Article Spotlight
Chain laws
Dated August 12, 2025, the subtitle of the article in this section is:
From Colorado’s September 1 mandate to Oregon’s $880 fines, here’s what drivers need to know about when, where and how to chain up
Furthermore, the article states:
Chain law ignorance isn’t a defense. With some states now issuing fines approaching $900 for a single violation and penalties that can top $1,000 for blocking highways, understanding when to carry, when to install, and how to use chains properly has become a critical safety and financial issue for every driver running freight through snow country.
Also, information on this topic on this website includes:
- Truck Snow Chains: Preparation for Winter Driving
- About Automatic Tire Chains and Automatic Snow Chains for Trucks
Please stay current on the laws.
CARB
According to the glossary on this site, CARB stands for “California Air Resources Board.”
The last article in this section reveals:
Truck manufacturers are “in an impossible position” under the California Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) mandate, and several of them have asked a federal court to get them out of it.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of California, Daimler Truck (OTC: DTRUY), PACCAR (NASDAQ: PCAR), Volvo Group North America and International Motors (owned by Volkswagen), the companies are asking the court to immediately halt the California Air Resources Board (CARB) from enforcing the ACT against them, using the “impossible” term to describe their predicament.
This could be a huge oversimplification, but this situation seems to boil down to state governments vs. federal governments fighting against each other, with a bit of non-elected bureaucracy thrown in.
- 4 Top Truck Makers Sue CARB, Newsom Over Emissions Rules
- CARB’s Clean Trucks Initiative Snared in Legal Limbo
- DOJ sues CARB to block enforcement of ‘unlawful emissions standards for trucks’
- ‘Impossible position’ cited by truck manufacturers in lawsuit against California
Emissions
- Clean Truck Partnership in Peril as OEMs Waver on EV Commitments
- Clean Truck Partnership takes another blow with FTC deal, in wild week for the beleaguered pact
- Truck OEMs sue California over emissions regs, CTP enforcement
- Why zero-emission truck insurance costs can wipe out fuel savings
2. Regarding autonomous vehicles, DEF/EPA, electric vehicles, fuel, Greenlane, and Tesla:
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.
- Autonomous technology developer expanding
- DOT moves to clear the road for self-driving trucks
- GM Revives Plans for Personal Self-Driving Car
- PlusAI and Goodyear team up to enhance autonomous trucks with intelligent tire tech
DEF/EPA
According to the glossary on this site, DEF stands for “Diesel Exhaust Fluid.”
Regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the Clean Air Act, one source says that “there are indeed concerns about the overreach of federal agencies, and the Tenth Amendment’s reservation of powers to the states could be invoked to challenge EPA regulations.”
The first article in this section says:
A statement from the EPA said it has issued clear guidance to engine and equipment manufacturers urging them to revise DEF system software in existing vehicles and equipment to prevent these sudden shutdowns, giving operators more time to repair faults without impacting productivity or safety.
“We have heard loud and clear from small businesses across the United States that the current DEF system is unacceptable,” said Zeldin. “It is unacceptable that farmers, truckers, construction workers, and many other small businesses continually experience failures of diesel-powered equipment when they need it most—costing millions of dollars in lost productivity.”
I would like to hear from truckers regarding how costly — in terms of time and money — the DEF situation has been for them.
Please reach out through the form below.
Thanks.
- EPA Administrator Zeldin announces diesel exhaust fluid changes
- EPA aims to keep diesel trucks on the road
- EPA ending 5-mph DEF derates for new and existing trucks
- EPA issues new DEF guidance to prevent engine derates, shutdowns
- EPA shares industry reactions to DEF ‘limp mode’ fix
- How truck and engine OEs plan to approach EPA’s new derate guidance
- Trucking industry asks EPA for delay of heavy-duty NOx rule
- Trucking industry calls on EPA to delay and reconsider federal NOx standard
- Trucking organizations ask EPA for delay of its heavy-duty NOx rule
- Trucking orgs ask EPA for delay of 2027 heavy-duty NOx rule
- Trucking orgs call on EPA to delay heavy-duty NOx rule
- U.S. trucking industry calls on EPA to delay NOx rule until 2031
- Will This EPA DEF Update Finally End Your Derate Nightmares?
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- California EV Incentives Stall as Federal Credit Nears End
- DOT Restarts EV Charger Funding After Court Blocked Halt
- Electric vehicle infrastructure plan headed in new direction
- Ford Pivots From Electrifying Big Trucks to Budget EVs
- Quebec company receives NRCan funding for commercial vehicle electrification tech
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel price down for third week in a row
- Declining fuel prices expected
- Fuel Prices Fall Across Most of the U.S. as Summer Winds Down
Greenlane
Just wondering…
If the use of lithium batteries in electric vehicles has given rise to fires, what will happen when EV charging corridors are established?
- Greenlane expands EV charging corridor to Phoenix
- Greenlane planning I-10 commercial truck charging corridor
Tesla
- Elon Musk has once again insisted that the Tesla Semi truck is mere months away from volume production
- Extensive cleanup for semi truck hauling Tesla batteries on I-80 along California border
- Tesla Autopilot nuclear verdict could shake AV industry
3. Regarding politics, tariffs, and trade:
Politics
- FMCSA rolling out one of its truck driver initiatives
- Government funding propels decarbonization of freight
- Leaders of Canada, Mexico to Meet Amid Strained US Ties
- New Jersey truckers await–with dread–possible changes in state’s independent contractor law
- Sharp turn ahead for US transportation policy?
- States Embrace Road Use, EV Fees to Boost Transport Revenue
- Truck drivers in certain industries focus of Pennsylvania bills
- Trucking groups weigh in on DOT’s freight plan
- What’s on truckers’ highway bill wish list?
Tariffs
- A pause on higher tariffs for China is due to expire Tuesday. Here’s what to know
- Ontario trucking firms tied to tariff-hit industries may be eligible for financing program
- Producer Prices Surge in July as Tariffs Push Costs Higher
- Tariff Confusion Drives Record Volume at Los Angeles Port
- Trump Extends China Tariff Truce for 90 Days to Nov. 10
- Trump Says Semiconductor Tariffs Could Reach 300%
- Trump’s tariffs are the ‘new normal’ in global supply chains, expert says
- U.S. producer prices surge in July as Trump tariffs push costs higher
- US and China extend tariff hike suspension for 90 days
- US tariffs impacting Mexican trucking industry, exports drop over 50%
Trade
4. Regarding backups, inspections, parking, platooning, roads, and towing:
Backups
The article in this section says:
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said this past weekend trucks were backed up as far as 20 km along Hwy. 402.
The article indicates that “tighter border enforcement,” “a toll increase for trucks at the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit,” and a reduction of the number of lanes of travel could be responsible.
The problem appears to be that truckers in the area are between a rock and a hard place, potentially being hit with a “first violation” fine of $110 fine and a second violation fine of $490.
Ouch!
I would like to hear from truckers caught in this impasse through the form below.
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Briefly: Half of vehicles inspected placed out of service in safety effort
- ‘Careless driving and brakes not in good repair’ to blame in semi truck construction zone crash, Wyoming troopers say
- Lincoln, Ont., enforcement blitz puts 50% of inspected trucks OOS
- North Carolina troopers launch 90 day traffic enforcement on I-485 in response to multi-vehicle crash that killed six
- One day commercial vehicle inspection operation in Nebraska nets 212 violations, 19 out-of-service orders
- Semi truck stopped on Iowa interstate for missing set of duals, troopers say
- Texas city creates its own Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Unit
- Truck driver cited, placed OOS by CHP for ‘criminal’ zip-tie repair
Parking
Platooning
I oppose commercial motor vehicle platooning on the same roads as the motoring public for safety reasons.
Roads
Towing
5. Regarding economy, employment, employment – UPS, food, future, inflation, shortage, and tolls:
Economy
- Cass Freight Index shows July freight decline
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Carriers show resilience, optimism in new survey, but remain unwilling to order new trucks
- Freight demand on shaky footing as import bookings drop
- Freight industry leaders share strategies for navigating market volatility
- Freight shipment decline streak extends to 30 months, Cass says
- Industrial Output Dips as Factories Grapple With Weak Demand
- Retail Sales Rise in July on Rebounding Auto Sales
- Soybean Prices Drop as Export Sales Lag Amid China’s Absence
- Thyssenkrupp Cuts Outlook as Loss Deepens on Weak Demand
- Titanium returns to profitability as market stabilizes at depressed levels
- Truck freight markets showed signs of recovery in Q2: U.S. Bank
Employment
- Hiring pressures continue to ease in trucking and logistics, THRC says
- Truck Driver Recruitment and Retention Face Q2 Headwinds
- US applications for jobless benefits fell last week and remain in historically healthy range
Employment – UPS
- UPS closing operations in three states as downsizing spreads
- UPS extends buyout offer deadline after low driver interest
Food
Future
Inflation
The article in this section says:
In July, the U.S. core consumer price index (CPI) — which excludes the volatile food and energy categories — rose 0.3% from June, in line with economists’ expectations, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on August 12. On an annual basis, core CPI increased to 3.1%, marking its fastest pace since January.
Although I’m pretty sure that it has not been updated in some time — because of the huge spike in the money supply in 2020 — according to the CPI Inflation Calculator, the buying power of the U.S. dollar has shrunk by 97% since January 1913.
In other words, what used to cost $1.00 in January 1, 1913, takes $32.96 to buy as of July 2025.
Another way to look at inflation is the price of gold and silver over the last 100 years.
Shortage
The article in this section states:
Transportation and Logistics Advisors argue that the market’s biggest issue is not a shortage, but too many drivers. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of drivers grew 2.2%, while for-hire tonnage dropped 0.7%. This reverse trend compared to the post-recession recovery years has left the market saturated with drivers despite weaker freight demand.
Higher wages may be keeping drivers in the industry. ATRI’s compensation survey found the average truck driver salary hit $76,420 in 2023, over 20% higher than five years ago (adjusted for inflation).
Do you agree or disagree with this?
Please comment below.
Tolls
6. Regarding bridge strikes, crashes, deaths, drugs, explosion, fatalities, fraud, move over, smuggling, theft, and violence:
Bridge strikes
I addressed this situation regarding an August 8, 2025, article — Watch the first of two back-to-back bridge strikes on this motorist’s dash cam — in my August 2025 issue of Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips Email Newsletter.
According to the article, there were “two back-to-back bridge strikes” at “the Porterville Road bridge over Interstate 15 near Blackfoot, Idaho.”
More information — and a photo showing the damage to the bridge — is shown in this article.
I was unable to find the clearance of the bridge, but since this was on an interstate highway, I am sure that the bridge clearance was at least 13′ 6″ high.
Therefore, it is obvious that the two truckers had loads on their trucks that were too high to be transported on that road.
The second article stated:
“The northbound and southbound lanes of I-15 near Blackfoot were closed for hours as crews worked to clear debris from the bridge off of the interstate as well as the damaged semi-trailers and backhoes, authorities said.”
For your convenience, these posts are on my site:
- Low Clearance Bridges and Overpasses: How to Watch for and Avoid;
- CMV GPS Low Clearance Report Form; Low Clearance Awareness Day
- Truckers Atlas: Compare Cost Savings of Trucker Maps
Now the obvious monetary issues regarding clean-up after a bridge strike involve:
- truck/cargo property damage;
- the cost of clean-up; and
- the hike in insurance.
But long-term, what about the integrity of the bridge?
Over time and with more bridge strikes, a bridge can collapse!
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 raw chicken on Arkansas highway
- Nine people injured after school bus crashes into tanker truck leaving a truck stop
- Protecting Your Fleet After a Truck Crash: Have a Plan in Place
- Semi crashes into stalled vehicle on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma
- Semi truck rolls backwards into oncoming I-80 traffic
- Smart Post-Crash Actions to Protect Your Trucking Fleet
- Wrong-way driver causes crash on I-90 in Idaho
Deaths
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died.
Please look through these articles to see if there is anything you can learn to help you prevent being involved in a similar crash.
- Rig crashes into New Hampshire’s Winnipesaukee River, driver killed
- Trucker dead after collision on Interstate 90 in New York
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- $24.6 million in cocaine seized by Canada at Blue Water Bridge
- ATA Seeks DOT Action on Marijuana Downgrade Proposal
- Police seize $5M worth of cocaine from truck driver in Brantford
Explosion
The article states:
The Northern Nevada Consolidated Bomb Squad responded to the scene and determined that the small explosion had been caused by improperly stored rags covered in oil, which self-combusted in the August afternoon heat inside of the parked trailer.
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?
- Driver dead in rollover crash in New York
- Georgia police seek pickup driver who fled after fatally striking semi truck driver on foot
- Hope Trans LLC: Fatal I-20 Crash, Patterned Non-Compliance, and the Urgent Case for Immediate FMCSA Imminent Hazard Action
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.
- Former MA trooper gets month in jail for falsifying CDL scores
- Former Massachusetts trooper sentenced to one month in prison in beverages for CDLs bribery scheme
- Jail time for trooper named in CDL scheme
Move over
According to an article from the NHTSA:
In 19 states and Washington, DC, laws include moving over for all vehicles with flashing or hazard lights, such as: law enforcement, EMS, fire, highway maintenance, construction, utility, trash, and disabled vehicles.
The NHTSA article also shows what drivers need to do in such cases and addresses violations.
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.
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.
- $400k worth of Pine-Sol missing after thieves make off with tractor trailer
- Cargo crime continues to disrupt US, Mexican freight sectors
- Cargo theft soars in Q2, up a third over 2024
- Suspects carjack multiple vehicles including tanker truck in Los Angeles
- Two men carjack semi truck during televised police chase in LA
- Why cargo theft is exploding
Violence
It is never right to perpetrate violence upon someone in an unprovoked manner.
All perpetrators of violence must be dealt with in a just legal manner.
- Felony charges for man who hit trucker in the face for refusing to give him a ride
- Former truck driver sentenced to 29 years for attempted murder of boss who reprimanded him for poor driving
- POLICE: “Verbal altercation” preceded trucker being fatally run over at Love’s
7. Regarding containers, CTA, and ports:
Containers
CTA
- CTA makes its case to feds during pre-budget submission
- CTA welcomes police chiefs’ call for stronger border enforcement
Ports
- CK Hutchison Rules Out Ports Deal Being Completed This Year
- Panic? What panic? Port of Los Angeles sees record 1 million containers in July
- Ports to DOT: Time for a maritime reboot
8. Regarding bankruptcy, business, insurance, leasing, legal, and recalls:
Bankruptcy
This is sad.
Business
- ACT: Used truck market continued to outperform seasonality in July
- Average Used Class 8 Truck Prices Climb for First Time Since 2022
- Building Growth Lanes That Work in Any Market
- Creating a Load History Tracker That Improves Rate Negotiations
- Designing a Weekly Financial Health Check for Your Truck or Fleet
- How the used-truck market performed in July
- How to Create a One-Year Growth Map for Your Fleet
- How to Use a Single Spreadsheet to Manage 90 Percent of Your Trucking Business
- New ATRI Report Shows Trucking Profitability Severely Squeezed by High Costs, Low Rates
- Planning Your Week by Freight Zones, Not Just Load Boards
- The Simple Way to Organize Your Trucking Documents for Weekly Review
- Tips for owner-ops: A factor can help keep the cash flowing while you concentrate on trucking
- Truck To Success early registration ends soon
Insurance
Leasing
There are numerous mentions regarding truck leasing on this site.
One article is entitled:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes
- Driver Poll: Are you currently in, or have you ever been in, a lease-purchase program?
Legal
- FTC, Nebraska end lawsuits against truck makers
- Landstar says $3.4M jury verdict, other charges to weigh on Q3
- ‘Truck driver and frequent customer’ arrested by Pennsylvania cops for stalking truck stop worker
- Truck driver arrested on murder charges after running over fellow trucker at Love’s
- Truck driver faces up to life in prison after he was caught hauling hundreds of pounds of cocaine, New York officials say
- Truck driver sentenced more than 17 years for transporting minor for sex purposes
Recalls
If your tractor or trailer is under a recall, please have the work attended to as soon as possible.
9. Regarding automation and technology:
Automation
Not to be confused with “autonomous” driving, this section contains articles about gate “automation.”
The first article says:
Outpost’s gate automation platform uses computer vision and AI to reduce gate operating costs by 70% while capturing 99.9% of gate events with its data. Before bringing the platform to market, the company tested the technology, logging more than 1 million gate events at its locations.
If you have encountered a situation where gate automation was in use, did it help you?
Please comment below.
- Outpost launches gate automation platform
- Outpost launches gate automation platform
- Outpost Unveils New Gate Automation Platform
Technology
- Baltimore installs 2 speed cameras on I-83; $40 fine for speeding
- Bright idea: LitezAll 2000 lumen rechargeable tripod work light
- CDLLife App: Rigs, Routines, and Roadside Rascals
- Embrace the Bots: How TMS providers are leveraging AI to help make your business smarter
- FedEx Dataworks: A gem in the right hands
- Fleetworthy scores big with 3rd Drivewyze by Fleetworthy patent
- Is AI the missing link in appointment scheduling?
- Latest ADAS Systems Detect Safety Risks With Greater Accuracy
- Navigating the digital highway: Your data is your fortress; protect it accordingly
- PCS Software introduces AI intelligence engine Cortex
- Routing Software: Your 4-Point Checklist
- Speed cameras, red-light cameras focus of new state rules
- Tech Ropundup: Ocean freight gets real-time container visibility upgrades
- Trucking Fleets Adopt ADAS to Improve Highway Safety
- USDOT inches ahead with nationwide Automated Vehicle deployment plan
- Zonar’s telematics combines with GPS Trackit’s fleet management to form a new platform
10. Regarding Florida, NACFE, NMFTA, and South Carolina:
Florida
- Florida authorities investigating semi crash as a homicide
- Florida crash involving four semi trucks injures 2 on Interstate 75
- TCA names Florida trucker Highway Angel for aiding a fellow driver
NACFE
NMFTA
South Carolina
- South Carolina celebrates another interstate expansion after influx of money to crumbling system
- South Carolina trooper dies days after being hit by a truck on an interstate
11. Regarding supply chain, trucks, and weather:
Supply chain
- South Korea goes big in Georgia: $287M fund fuels global supply chain play
- Supply chain disruptions feared as Air Canada prepares for strike
Trucks
- Everything You Need to Know About Lumber Trucks
- How to Spec the Right Truck for Your Fleet
- Party Trucks and Party Vans: Commercial Vehicles That Bring the Fun
Weather
- Flooding cancels last day of Wisconsin State Fair as severe storms knock out power and close roads
- Summer roads, sudden risks: How truckers can stay weather-ready
12. Regarding awards, and awards – recognition:
Awards
Congratulations to the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) Driver of the Year, who was “selected from among the best professional truck drivers in Texas.”
The article also says, “The winner represents TXTA in the American Trucking Associations’ National Driver of the Year competition.”
I look forward to learning who wins that national competition.
Awards – recognition
I recognize truckers who help out their fellow human beings in a time of need.
Thanks!
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: 2025.08.16 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
