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TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.03.14

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.03.14 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 14, 2026, written by Vicki Simons.

I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

1. Regarding Iran, Oil, and Tariffs:

Iran

Last week, I wrote that “the aggression against the nation of Iran… could have a profound impact upon the trucking industry and fuel procurement.”

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A March 9, 2026, article states: “The national average cost of a gallon of diesel has increased by 85.9 cents in the last week… with the average cost standing at around $4.599 per gallon as of March 9, 2026.”

Ouch!

Here are some of the most recent articles on this, with more information in the “Oil” and “Fuel” sections below.

Oil

Tariffs

For a much better and more thorough explanation about the problems with Trump-issued tariffs, please search for the word “tariffs” in Peggy Hall’s Substack archive.

2. Regarding Autonomous Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, and Fuel:

Autonomous Vehicles

I totally oppose the operation of autonomous, driverless, or self-driving commercial motor vehicles on the same roads as the motoring public — but I share articles on this topic with my readers to help us stay current on the topic.

Electric Vehicles

Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.

Emissions

Fuel

3. Regarding Business, Chameleon Carriers, and Insurance:

Business

Chameleon Carriers

For background on chameleon carriers, please read:

The Anatomy of a Chameleon Carrier Empire. How They Build It.

Insurance

Please regularly review your truck insurance to see if it is just right to meet your needs without being too expensive.

4. Regarding Conditions, Congestion Pricing, DAT, Economy, Employment, FET, Inflation, Rates, and Tolls:

Conditions

The first article in this section says:

“Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.”

Congestion Pricing

This situation was another one of those jurisdictional fights of the feds trying to impose their will on a lower government in violation of The Tenth Amendment.

I’m glad that judge dismissed it!

DAT

Economy

Employment

FET

As a reminder and according to the glossary on this website, “FET” is an acronym for “Federal Excise Tax”.

Inflation

One source (pages 17 and 18) says that inflation is:

  • both “an increase in the amount of currency, resulting in rising prices”;
  • and “theft.”

Take a look at the M1 money supply — and what happened in early 2020 — and you’ll realize immediately what has happened to prices in the USA over the last 5+ years.

According to FiscalData.Treasury.gov, the U.S. debt:
– exceeded $37 Trillion on August 11, 2025; and
– exceeded $38 Trillion on October 23, 2025;
meaning that the U.S. national debt is now increasing by $1 trillion about every 75 days.

Based on the trajectory, it won’t be long before the Total Public Debt Outstanding exceeds $39 Trillion.

Obviously, this is unsustainable and some people have indicated that the collapse of the U.S. dollar is imminent.

If you have not already done so, please make preparations regarding your financial future.

Rates

Tolls

5. Regarding California, Indiana, and Wyoming:

California

Indiana

Wyoming

6. Regarding Crashes, Death, Drugs, Fatalities, Fire, Fraud, and Injury:

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.

Death

I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died as reported in these articles.

Drugs

Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.

Fatalities

I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died.

Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?

Fire

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.

Injury

May the Lord heal this trucker!

7. Regarding Mudslide, Staged, Theft, Violations, and Violence:

Mudslide

The situation described in the article in this section was due to “a large water pipe experienced a massive failure. The water released from the pipe caused mudslides and even trapped some employees at the facility.”

The article stated:

Garcia says he lost out on at least $15,000 in earnings while his rig was stuck in the washed out area. “The fact that I can’t work and I’m just using my savings, it’s really putting a strain on our family right now,” he said.

I’m so glad that this trucker had savings to fall back on!

Staged

According to one source:

A “staged” truck crash is an intentional, premeditated collision orchestrated by fraudsters to fraudulently claim insurance money, often targeting commercial vehicles.

Criminals maneuver a car to force a truck into an accident, typically using tactics like the “swoop and squat” (cutting off and braking) or “sideswipe” to blame the truck driver.

Be on your guard regarding these kinds of maneuvers.

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.

Violations

A lot of violations are found during truck inspections while others are spotted on the road.

Make it your aim as a trucker to do everything in compliance with the law and regulations — even if your trucking company is trying to get you to compromise.

For your convenience, please review these posts:

Now for the news articles on this topic:

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.

8. Regarding Inspections, Language, Legal, License Plate Readers, and Maintenance:

Inspections

If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.

Language

I am glad that this topic is getting the attention it deserves.

This is part of “General qualifications of drivers [who drive a commercial motor vehicle]” 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2):

Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records;

It appears that for too long, states have been letting this slide and now they cannot run from the consequences.

Here are at least some of this week’s articles on this topic:

Legal

License Plate Readers

Maintenance

9. Regarding Low Clearance, Medical Certification, Parking, and Stranded:

Low Clearance

When it comes to truck routes, I have addressed this issue on this posts on this site:

Now for the article in this section:

Medical Certification

Parking

Stranded

10. Regarding Messy Middle, Numbers, and Politics:

Messy Middle

According to the second article in this section:

The trucking industry is in what NACFE calls the “messy middle” — a transition period between traditional diesel and future zero-emission trucks.

Now for the articles…

Numbers

The first article in this section has a subtitle that reads:

On March 13, 2026 — today — the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a formal bulletin with a blunt directive: do not sell, purchase, or lease a USDOT number or MC operating authority outside of a legitimate corporate transaction, because FMCSA will revoke everything attached to it when it finds out.

Now for the articles…

Politics

11. Regarding Technology, Training, and Weather:

Technology

Training

Weather

12. Regarding Awards and Events:

Awards

Congratulations to all truckers who have:

  • demonstrated skill and achievement in their work as professional truck drivers;
  • been given a tangible reward; or
  • been nominated for or given an award.

Here are articles about some of the nominees for, finalists, and winners of awards.

Events

Going to MATS or another trucking show?

I’d love to learn what products or services you observe that will help you or other truckers save money and/or time!

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: 2026.03.14 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.


Rate Match Guarantee. We'll meet or beat your current rate. DAT Outgo.
Factor with more freedom. Non-recourse + no annual contracts. DAT Outgo.
Factoring that pays faster. Super fast funding speeds. DAT Outgo.
Factor smarter, faster, and save. Keep more of what you earn. DAT Outgo.