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TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.08.22

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.08.22 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 22, 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 Language, National Debt, and Records:

Language

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

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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;

Now for the most recent articles on this topic…

National Debt

Are you aware that the U.S. Debt to the Penny is now over $40 Trillion?

According to the first [bulleted] post listed in this section:

President Trump’s two terms have contributed $11.6 Trillion (so far). That’s 29%! America is 250 years old, and one man’s administrations have contributed almost 1/3rd of the debt. That one man still has 2 years and 5 months to go. This is all very bad.

At least one person has the guts to say the truth.

Previously, I have addressed 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 6+ years.

Although the dates may be shifting over time, according to FiscalData.Treasury.gov, the U.S. debt:
– exceeded $36 Trillion on November 21, 2024;
– exceeded $37 Trillion on August 11, 2025;
– exceeded $38 Trillion on October 21, 2025;
– exceeded $39 Trillion on May 18, 2026; and
– exceeded $40 Trillion on August 18, 2026.

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.

Records

I’m glad that there have been legal barriers to the federal government obtaining data that, in my opinion, they should not have.

According to the last article in this section:

A legal battle now underway over the records of America’s truck drivers is being described very differently depending on who is doing the describing. The U.S. Department of Transportation calls it a “radical” effort by state attorneys general to shield dangerous drivers from the law. The states call it an unlawful federal seizure of the private data of 17 million people. Both descriptions are advocacy. The purpose here is to explain, as neutrally as possible, what is actually being fought over and why the states are challenging it, so that a driver whose own record is in that database can understand what is at stake.

If this concerns you, please read through these articles and contact your elected officials.

2. Regarding Amazon, Auction, Border, Brokers, Business, Delivery, Exemption, Factoring, and Recalls:

Amazon

I’m not a fan of drone delivery, but I can certainly understand how some people are so keen on fast delivery that this is being requested.

I can also appreciate it if there is a true medical emergency when supplies must be delivered quickly to prevent suffering or loss of life.

The subtitle of the last article in this section says:

Free, fast delivery expectations pushed last-mile cost to 40% of supply chain spend, prompting FarEye’s new assistive Agentic AI dispatcher, Pilot.

The expectation of “free delivery” — in my opinion — lowers the value placed upon the work done by delivery personnel, including professional truck drivers.

I can only speculate that the cost of delivery is somehow built into the cost of the item(s) being delivered.

What do you think?

How much more does a product have to “cost” to pay for “free delivery”?

Please comment through the form below.

Also, see the section on “Delivery” below.

Auction

Border

Brokers

Business

Delivery

From the first article in this section:

Express delivery previously was available in some markets. The home improvement retailer said nearly every item in its stories is available for delivery in three hours or less for a small flat fee, with no subscription or membership required. It expects to add even faster delivery speeds in the months ahead.

From the second article in this section:

Sub-30 minute delivery now available in 38 markets

Taking a stroll down memory lane, I found one overview:

Domino’s [Pizza] dropped its famous “30 minutes or less” delivery guarantee in 1993. The company ended the policy due to severe safety concerns, reckless driving, and costly lawsuits stemming from drivers rushing to make deliveries on time.

So, I hope that Walmart knows what it is doing.

Exemption

I find it simultaneously interesting and frustrating that “exemptions” are made regarding the Hours of Service regulations and other matters.

One quote from the article in this section says:

“Exemptions from federal safety regulations have the potential to undermine safety, while also complicating the enforcement process,” CVSA wrote. “The FMCSRs exist to ensure that those operating in the transportation industry are equipped to do so safely. The federal HOS requirements exist to help prevent and manage driver fatigue. While it’s true that we cannot regulate sleep, the HOS rules set forth a framework that, if followed, allows drivers the opportunity to get the rest necessary to operate their vehicles safely.”

Do you agree?

Factoring

Recalls

If your tractor or trailer is under a recall, please have the work attended to as soon as possible.

3. Regarding ATRI, History, Last Mile, Legal, Politics, Regulations, Training, and Veterans:

ATRI

Please read the article for specifics on rising trucking costs.

History

Last Mile

Legal

Politics

From the first article in this section:

The Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act would clarify that automakers cannot be held liable under state law for building or equipping vehicles that are already in full compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

I agree, but I wish (again) that this kind of thing was built into state laws.

Regulations

From the second article in this section:

…CVSA petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to amend Title 49 CFR 392.60 so that it would require written or electronic documentation of authorization for commercial motor vehicle passengers.

FWIW, § 392.60 is entitled “Unauthorized persons not to be transported.”

So, smuggling humans is a big no-no!

Training

Veterans

As supportive as I am regarding military veterans being able to become professional truck drivers, authorizing this on the federal level is not in accordance with The Constitution of the United States.

In accordance with The Tenth Amendment, this needs to be done on the state level.

4. Regarding Autonomous Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Fuel, Iran, and Oil:

Autonomous Vehicles

I most definitely 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

It could be that with the price of fuel being so high right now, that truckers and trucking companies are looking at alternatives.

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

Fuel

So that you can track the price of fuel:

In an effort to save as much fuel as possible, here are a few of the articles on this site dealing with aerodynamics:

Now this week’s articles on this topic:

Iran

Based on my limited reading, it seems to me that people around the world are reeling from the illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional war of aggression against Iran that was started by U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

Supply chains have been disrupted and the price of fuel, oil, other products, and various services have risen sharply, as shown in the articles in this section.

If this situation bothers you, please contact your federal elected officials.

Oil

5. Regarding Chains, ELDs, Inspections, Mystery, Operations, and Parking:

Chains

According to the article in this section:

See fines for Colorado chain law violations below:

$50+ for not carrying
$500+ for not chaining up
$1000+ for blocking as a result of not chaining up

For reference purposes:

Now for the article…

ELDs

How many times will the FMCSA reject the use of certain ELDs after they once previously required only self-certification of the products?

Others within the trucking industry were speaking out against the Electronic Logging Devices “mandate” long before December 4, 2017, but you may read my commentary on the mandate.

In TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2017.12.09, I quoted Indiana’s Attorney General, Curtis Hill, regarding the self-certification provision regarding ELDs.

I also asked, “In what other industry besides trucking has the government ever mandated the purchase of a ‘self-certification’ product?“

So, I’m truly distressed for every trucker who invested in a “self-certified” ELD that used to be on the approved list, only to later have that certification revoked!

If you are such a trucker, I want to hear from you about how expensive this was for you.

Inspections

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

Mystery

Taking matters into your own hands as a trucker can backfire, so if you are a company driver, make sure that you have guidance from your trucking company before attempting this.

Operations

Make sure that you are properly credentialed to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle in the USA and abide by the rules of the road.

Parking

6. Regarding Safety, Securement, Self-Defense, Speeding, and Stopping:

Safety

For reference:

Safe Driving Tips for Drivers of Large Trucks

Securement

It is the professional truck driver’s responsibility to make sure that his/her load is secure before driving.

The Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR Part 393 covers “Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation”.

Subpart I details “Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo”.

It covers everything from § 393.104 Standards for cargo securement devices and systems to very specific kinds of loads including boulders, containers, metal coils, etc..

If you have not been trained on how to secure your load, demand that your trucking company provide you with that training before you drive a single inch!

Why? Because you as the trucker will be held responsible for it if something goes wrong.

Self-Defense

Self-defense is a natural right and is secured in The Second Amendment to The Constitution of the United States.

In my opinion, it is a shame whenever and wherever someone in the United States is not allowed to protect himself or herself from violence.

I have written about Low Cost Self Defense for Professional Truck Drivers.

I have also referred to this bill:

H.R.38 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025.

That being said, in order to stay consistent, I wish that all states and all jurisdictions would allow people to protect themselves and that there was no need for anyone on the federal level to have to write and submit a bill like this.

I researched: “How many states have something like the Second Amendment in their state constitutions?”

According to Wikipedia (internal links removed):

Forty-five states have a provision in their state constitutions similar to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms. The exceptions are California, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York.

What are your thoughts on this?

Please comment through the form below.

Speeding

No matter how “hot” your load is, obey the speed limit in every jurisdiction where you travel.

Stopping

Please watch the video embedded in the article in this section.

And please pay attention to the potential for drivers who “brake check” others and stop in the lane of travel.

7. Regarding Conditions, Congestion Pricing, Fines, Rates, Tariffs, Taxes, Tolls, and Towing:

Conditions

Congestion Pricing

Read the article for some statistics.

Fines

Ouch!

Please keep yourself fine-free!

Rates

Pay attention to rates and please make sure that the increased price of fuel is built into your calculations.

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.

There’s also a short video on Telegram with this description:

Peter Schiff on Trump’s punitive tariffs against U.S. allies and why all tariffs are paid by the American people, not foreign manufacturers

Now for the articles in this section…

Taxes

The second article in this section says, in part:

Anti-dumping duties are taxes aimed at stopping foreign manufacturers from selling products in the U.S. for cheaper than their fair market value.

Tolls

Towing

Ouch!

This seems predatory to me!

8. Regarding Contraband, Crashes, Drugs, Enforcement, Fatalities, Fire, Fled, and Fraud:

Contraband

Please read the article to find out why these products were seized.

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.

Drugs

Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.

Enforcement

Fatalities

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, as it concerns a “highway”:

Fatality means any injury which results in the death of a person at the time of the motor vehicle accident or within 30 days of the accident.

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

Fled

The circumstances may not be exactly as described, but one AI overview from an injury attorney’s website says:

Fleeing the scene turns a simple traffic mistake or minor accident into a separate, severe criminal offense. Staying means exchanging insurance or facing standard, non-criminal liability. Fleeing adds felony or misdemeanor charges, mandatory license suspension, steep multi-thousand-dollar fines, and years of prison time.

So, fleeing the scene could result in severe consequences!

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.

9. Regarding Impaired, Inattention, Injuries, Recovery, Smuggling, and Theft:

Impaired

I wondered what kind of “impairment” the trucker had.

According to the article in this section:

In a separate incident Aug. 13 near Flagstaff, troopers responded after an oversized commercial vehicle struck multiple traffic barricades along Interstate 40. Authorities said the driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested for DUI after providing a preliminary breath sample of 0.124. Open alcohol containers also were found in the cab.

This was easy to prevent!

Never ever consume alcohol — or use an alcohol-containing product (such as mouthwash) — before beginning to drive a commercial motor vehicle!

Inattention

A summary of what is on this law firm’s website:

While they seem similar, distraction means an outside object or activity pulls your focus away from the road, like texting or talking to a passenger. Inattention is a general lack of focus or a blank mind, such as daydreaming, fatigue, or being lost in thought without a specific trigger.

What tips would you give to a trucker who is prone to being inattentive on the road?

Injuries

May the Lord heal these people!

Recovery

I am glad whenever I read of stolen goods having been recovered!

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.

And don’t attempt to smuggle illegal products.

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.

10. Regarding Economy, Employment, Lottery, Shortage, and Trade:

Economy

Employment

Lottery

Shortage

The subtitle of the article in this section says:

C.H. Robinson says booming manufacturing and tech shipments are offsetting softer automotive volumes while driver shortages constrain supply

OOIDA has had plenty to say about the “trucker shortage” over the years.

Trade

11. Regarding Construction, Ports, Roads, Supply Chain, Technology, Tesla, and Trucker:

Construction

Be aware that there is a huge backlash against AI data centers in the USA.

FYI, an August 18, 2026, article is entitled:

AI Isn’t the Bubble, The Speculation Is… Here’s Why You Can’t Afford to Wait For It To Pop

Ports

Roads

Supply Chain

Technology

Tesla

Trucker

12. Regarding Appreciation, Awards, and Awards – Championship:

Appreciation

FYI: National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2026 takes place from Sunday, September 13, through Saturday, September 19, 2026.

This annual event led by the American Trucking Associations honors the millions of professional truck drivers who safely and securely move essential goods across the United States.

Awards

Congratulations to all truckers who have:

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

Here are this week’s articles:

Awards – Championship

Congratulations to every professional truck driver who has desired to enter, has entered, has competed in, and has won a truck driving championship!

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: 2026.08.22 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.



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