TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.03.29 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending March 29, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding ACT Research, ASCE report card, ATA, collapse, events – MATS, FMCSA, and NTSB:
ACT Research
One may learn more about ACT Research here.
If ACT is an acronym, I have not found out for what the letters stand.
- ACT Research: Is the trade war all bad for freight rates?
- ACT Research: US trailer orders delayed amid tariff ambiguity
- ACT Research: Used truck demand and pricing in state of flux
ASCE report card
ASCE stands for “American Society of Civil Engineers”.
According to the third article in this section:
Improvements were made, but sustained infrastructure investments are still necessary, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.
The report, featuring a grading scale of “A to F,” is released every four years to provide a comprehensive assessment of 18 infrastructure categories.
In its 2025 report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave United States infrastructure an overall grade of “C.”
All of the articles on this that I found this week were:
- ASCE Gives US Highway Conditions a D+ Grade
- ASCE Report Card: Infrastructure Improved Under Biden
- Infrastructure report card reveals U.S. roads are below average
ATA
These are some of the latest stands from the American Trucking Associations (ATA):
- ATA backs bipartisan effort to eliminate truck and trailer tax
- ATA lauds Barrs’ nomination as FMCSA administrator
- ATA opens nominations for Mike Russell Trucking Industry Image Award
- ATA praises legislation to repeal 12% excise tax on trucks and trailers
Collapse
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March 26, 2024, following a strike by a container ship.
So, it’s now been over a year!
- Baltimore Marks One Year After Tragic Bridge Collapse
- Small Baltimore trucking company still “figuring it out” in year since Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse
Events – MATS
MATS stands for Mid-America Trucking Show.
- MATS 2025: Trucking industry’s largest event returns for its 53rd year
- Mid-America Trucking Show opens Thursday at Kentucky Expo Center
- New trucking insurer at MATS for first time
FMCSA
The articles in this section cover a wide range of topics.
- FMCSA Administrator Nominee Knows How to Work With Trucking
- FMCSA Latest Acting Administrator Gone After 2 Weeks
- FMCSA plans to stop issuing MC numbers as new registration system launches in 2025
- FMCSA provides vague answers to possible changes to regulations
- FMCSA to introduce ‘Motus,’ new ‘one stop shop’ for carriers
- Former Florida Highway Patrol Chief nominated to lead FMCSA
- Lawyer tapped to lead FMCSA apparently departs after two weeks in role
- Longtime Florida law enforcement official nominated to lead FMCSA
- Motion picture group asks FMCSA for Clearinghouse exemption
- Motion picture haulers seek renewal of waiver from Clearinghouse regs
- Prisoner transportation company asks FMCSA for exemptions
- Trucking industry reacts to Derek Barrs’ FMCSA nomination
- VIDEO: Drivers voice frustrations with FMCSA enforcement
- What It Means for the Industry as FMCSA Eliminates MC Numbers in 2025
NTSB
NTSB stands for National Transportation Safety Board.
- NTSB details timeline of deadly I-80 tunnel crash
- NTSB faults Maryland in Key Bridge collapse, warns dozens of other bridges at risk
- NTSB found Key Bridge exceedingly vulnerable before collapse
2. Regarding BOI, brokers, business, development, factoring, and insurance:
BOI
I was very happy to read that the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) situation has ended! Hurray!
- Beneficial ownership information ends for all U.S. companies
- U.S. Treasury amending beneficial ownership information reporting rule
- U.S. Treasury ends business ownership reporting for U.S.-based companies
Brokers
Business
- 10 Tips for Selling Your Used Trailer
- 7 Popular Upgrades For Commercial Trucks and Vans
- Jamie Hagen on Running a Small Trucking Fleet
- What To Consider When Buying Truck Tires
- What To Consider When Buying Your Next Cargo Van
- Why Write a Trucking Business Plan?
Development
Factoring
Insurance
3. Regarding alcohol, buried, crashes, death, drugs, fatalities, fires, fraud, smuggling, theft, and violence:
Alcohol
Never ever consume/use products containing alcohol prior to driving a commercial motor vehicle.
Buried
The article in this section says that the trucker died.
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the trucker’s family.
While I do not know the specifics that led up to this, the statement that this trucker had more a million miles’ worth of trucking experience is proof that every trucker needs to constantly be aware of the need for safety.
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.
- Officers searching for tractor trailer that drove straight through foggy 12 vehicle pile up
- Semi driver survives after rig goes over bridge at the Kentucky-Illinois border
- Semi truck veered across three lanes of I-94 traffic in potential medical emergency crash that ejected driver
- This pickup vs. semi truck merging situation has truckers and motorists debating each other
- Trucker in stable condition after being extricated from crash off of I-40
- Upside down pickup crushed by tractor trailer after tumble down brushy embankment
Death
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died as described in these articles.
- Driver electrocuted, ejected when oversize load makes contact with live power line during evasive maneuver
- Dump truck driver found dead behind dumpster hours after fleeing single-truck crash
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- 116 pounds of cocaine seized at Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge crossing
- 33 fentanyl, cocaine traffickers charged in massive drug bust in Florida
- CBP finds 100 pounds of cocaine in commercial vehicle at Michigan port
- CBP finds cocaine in big rig in Texas
- CBP intercepts Canadian trucker with almost 53 kg of cocaine at Ambassador Bridge
- Over 1,300 pounds of meth seized from tractor trailers at California cargo facility, Customs and Border Protection says
- White Paper: Cannabis, Compliance, and Driver Retention
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?
- Death toll could rise to five in pileup on I-40 as Arizona officials find ‘more human remains’
- One dead in 10 vehicle crash on I-35 in Texas
Fires
It seems to me that there are more truck and truck stop fires than there used to be.
Or perhaps it is the case that the fires are being reported in a more timely fashion than they used to be.
Personally, I think that part of the reason may stem from lithium batteries catching fire.
I also wonder if some of these so-called “wildfires” are caused by Direct Energy Weapons (DEWs).
- Firefighters in the Carolinas battle multiple wildfires as New Jersey crews contain a forest blaze
- Rig hauling toilet paper and paper towels catches fire in North Carolina
- South Carolina wildfire keeps growing as firefighters protect homes
- Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by drought, wind and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene
- Wildfires prompt evacuations and an emergency declaration in the Carolinas
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.
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 in place in the 21st century, it’s only a matter of time before the thieves are apprehended.
- Eight Corvettes Go Missing in Kentucky but Are Later Found
- Fleets and Insurers Respond to Freight Theft Surge
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.
- Florida man faces attempted murder charge for firing multiple shots at big rig, sheriff says
- Two teens arrested for throwing rocks at multiple semi trucks from I-640 overpass in Knoxville
- Woman who ‘completely decapitated’ missing trucker found in creek says she ‘loved it’, new true crime episode shows
4. Regarding bankruptcy, congestion pricing, consumers, economy, FedEx, inflation, pay, and rates:
Bankruptcy
Congestion pricing
- New York given 30 more days to end congestion tolling program
- NYC Congestion Pricing Raises $52M Amid Trump Backlash
Consumers
Economy
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Tariff impact on commercial vehicles, flatdeck rates remain strong
- EXCLUSIVE: ATA economist says trucking economy is uncertain
- February Used Truck Sales Slip After Previous Month Gains
- Flatbed market anything but flat
- For-hire freight volumes fall, capacity contracts
- Trucking industry show recovery signals but faces seasonal volatility, report says
FedEx
Inflation
Pay
Rates
5. Regarding autonomous vehicles, CARB, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, fuel conservation, and hydrogen:
Autonomous vehicles
I completely oppose the operation of self-driving, driverless, or autonomous 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.
- Aurora Driverless Safety Report demonstrates tech readiness
- Aurora unveils safety blueprint ahead of driverless truck debut
- Driverless Trucks Set to Transform Freight Transport Worldwide
CARB
According to the glossary on this site, CARB stands for ” California Air Resources Board”.
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- California-based small fleet adds 15 battery-electric trucks
- Hyundai Showcases $7.6B Georgia EV Plant, Announces Expansion
- Rivian Spins Out ‘Micromobility’ EV Startup Called Also
- This Edison Motors diesel-electric hybrid truck doesn’t even look real
Emissions
- Michigan man and heavy-duty diesel parts supplier sentenced for emissions control ‘tunes’
- Truck Makers Keep Options Open on EPA Emissions Regulations
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel price up first time in 3 weeks, futures markets edge higher
- Diesel Price Rises 1.8¢ After Three Declines
- Pilot first in US to offer B99 biodiesel for commercial fleets
- Shell Bets Big on LNG
- Why Hexagon Agility Loves RNG as a Truck Fuel
Fuel conservation
Hydrogen
- Daimler Truck Ramps Up Testing of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck
- KAG Canada using dual-fuel hydrogen truck for Edmonton fuel deliveries
- SwRI Unveils Second-Phase Hydrogen Truck Engine
6. Regarding employment, shortage, testing, and training:
Employment
- Driver Poll: How often do you get job offers from recruiters?
- VTNA to Lay Off Up to 350 Employees at Virginia Plant
Shortage
Testing
This isn’t your standard testing…
Training
7. Regarding Canada, tariffs, and Trump:
Canada
- Canada’s Carney Holds Back Retaliation Until Next Week
- Canadian Prime Minister Calls Auto Tariffs ‘Direct Attack’
- Carney Says Canada Wants to ‘Get Serious’ on Trade Talks
- IRP extension for Canadian truckers
Tariffs
- Borderlands Mexico: Tariffs could lead Mexico into recession, report says
- Economist: Tariffs Risk ‘Irreparable Damage’ to US Carmakers
- Europe Lashes Out Over Trump Auto Tariffs
- Five takeaways from State of Freight: Getting ready for auto tariffs
- Freight market recovery threatened by tariffs, government policies
- ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs scaled back; impact of port fees; sober in supply chain |
- Mexico Seeks ‘Preferential Treatment’ From Trump on Tariffs
- Most Carmakers Stand to Feel Pain From Trump’s Auto Tariffs
- Pulse Survey: Readers speak out on tariffs
- Tariffs on Canada Lumber Risk Pinching Toilet Paper Supply
- Trucker Exclusive: Tariffs potentially devastating for cross border freight market
- US, Canadian steelworkers hit with layoffs amid tariff uncertainty
Trump
- Struggling USPS a Privatization Target for Trump
- Trump announces 25% tariff on all auto imports to the U.S.
- Trump Budget, Tax Bill on Congress’ Spring Agenda
- Trump Hails Hyundai’s US Expansion as Tariff Vindication
- Trump Hits Auto Imports With 25% Tariff in Trade Fight
- Trump imposes 25% import tariffs on cars and parts made outside US
- Trump may take softer approach on April 2 ‘reciprocal’ tariffs
- Trump nominates former Florida highway patrol chief to lead FMCSA
- Trump Nominates Navy Veteran Brent Sadler to Lead MARAD
- Trump nominates trucking official to head FMCSA
- Trump places 25% tariff on imported autos
- Trump Plans Tariff ‘Liberation Day’ With More Targeted Push
- Trump Says Auto Tariffs Coming, Teases Breaks for Some Nations
- Trump says he’ll put a 25% tariff on countries that buy Venezuelan oil, though the US does so itself
- Trump Taps Derek Barrs for FMCSA Head Amid Turmoil
- Trump tariff fears plague ocean container rates
- Trump threatens ‘far larger’ tariffs on EU, Canada if they jointly retaliate
- Trump Weighs Imposing Copper Import Tariffs in Weeks
- Trump, Carney Talk, Plan Meeting After Canada’s Election
- Trump: Nations That Buy Venezuelan Oil Will Face 25% Tariff
8. Regarding legal, legal – Wabash, statistics, technology, and weight:
Legal
- Driver stepped out to view victim, discuss with witnessing trucker, before driving away from crash with pedestrian
- Driver will NOT face charges for fatally hitting fellow trucker who fell off disabled rig
- Families File Lawsuits Against Driver, Amazon After Fatal I-35 Crash
- Survivor of massive I-35 crash sues Amazon, ZBN Transport for over $100M
- Trucker facing court date for stealing a fellow driver’s cat
- Trucking company owner gets almost 4 years in prison for lying to FMCSA
- Trucking company owner sentenced for lying to federal agency
Legal – Wabash
- Court Slashes $462 Million Wabash Verdict to $120 Million
- Court slashes Wabash’s massive nuclear verdict, denies new trial
- Judge reduces $462M verdict against Wabash National in 2019 accident that killed two
- Punitive damages in huge Wabash judgment slashed but still over $100M
- U.S. Court Reduces Penalty Against Wabash in Fatal 2019 Trailer Crash
Statistics
Technology
- Block those spam & scam texts: Don’t let intrusive messages take over your phone while you’re on the road
- Carriers can harness technology to identify and correct risky driver behavior
- Contoro Robotics raises $12M to scale AI-powered trailer unloading
- Determine your bottlenecks before leveraging new AI technology
- Fleets Use Tech, AI to Drive Efficiency, Stay Competitive
- Navigating uncertainty: The power of location intelligence in supply chains
- New UPS tool helps online shoppers calculate import fees before buying
- Ongoing MVR monitoring could help carriers avoid big risks
- Popular driver-facing cam maker debuts new feature to shut off recording in Illinois due to privacy law concerns
- Secure Your Operations with New NMFTA Cybersecurity Guide
- Uber Freight offering ‘dedicated tours’: Loads matched by AI
- Uber Freight’s Powerloop begins offering dedicated tours to carriers
Weight
- MDOT eases weight restrictions in southern part of the state
- Proposal to increase truck weights creates division at House hearing
9. Regarding inspections, maintenance, operations, runaway ramp, safety, and securement:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Fleet Technology to Keep Fleets Prepared For CVSA Safety Blitzes in 2025
- Here are some of the eye-popping commercial vehicle violations inspectors have spotted at scale houses lately
- Oklahoma troopers unimpressed with pickup driver’s furniture dolly trailer fix
- OPP is very concerned with finding the owner of this semi truck mud flap
- Two day commercial vehicle blitz underway in Arizona
Maintenance
- Evolving Beyond Reactive Maintenance Models to Predictive Success
- Top 3 Routine Maintenance Areas to Maximize Your Van’s Lifespan
Operations
- ‘Defensive driving’ means ensuring safety for everyone on the road
- Tractor trailer dragged 300 pound landscaping boulder through downtown Colorado Springs, cops say
- When they say the load HAS to get there, we don’t think this is what they mean.
Runaway ramp
Safety
Securement
Always, always, always make sure that your load is properly secured before you drive.
- Pickup and trailer impounded by Oklahoma deputies for unsecured load and other violations
- Trucker cited after load of metal pipes crashes through cab
10. Regarding DOT medical card, parking, and rewards:
DOT medical card
Parking
- House Committee Eyes Major Parking Fixes for Truck Drivers
- San Antonio Tightens Truck Parking Rules, Giving Residents Greater Control
- Truck parking ordinance passed in San Antonio
- Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act Receives Bipartisan Support
Rewards
11. Regarding politics, ports, and Pros to Know:
Politics
- Arkansas lawmakers debate crackdown on undocumented truckers
- Bill proposes a $7,500 tax credit for CDL-A truck drivers
- Bill seeks to eliminate 12% tax on heavy-duty trucks put into place over 100 years ago
- Bill to repeal 12% tax on trucks revived in Congress
- Congressional hearing Wednesday takes up trucking industry issues
- Connor’s Law: SBTC renames proposed bill for student killed by semi
- Engine brakes the focus of bills in multiple states
- Highway bill committee hearing: What’s good for trucking isn’t always good for truckers
- House panel debates ELD certification, truck weight limits
- Lawmakers propose tax relief for truck drivers
- Left lane, passing rule revisions advance at statehouses
- Mississippi passes tax bill with transportation funding boost
- Mississippi to Invest $12.85 Million in Inland Port Upgrade
- OOIDA advocates for ‘pro-trucker’ highway bill
- OOIDA to advocate for truck drivers in congressional hearing
- OOIDA to CVSA: Enforce English-proficiency regulation
- OOIDA urges action on non-domiciled CDLs, English proficiency
- Showdown over non-citizen drivers brewing in Arkansas state house
- Ticket quotas are the topic of bills in multiple statehouses
- Transportation funding package approved by Michigan House
- Trucking industry details challenges to House subcommittee
Ports
- Costello Warns That Port Fee Plan Could Upend Supply Chain
- Port of Savannah sets record container, rail and truck moves in February
- Proposed US port fees on Chinese vessels may alter intermodal shipping patterns
- Trade groups, businesses speak to both sides of proposed US port fees
- US Ports See February Cargo Surge Across Coasts
Pros to Know
12. Regarding awards – Howes, awards – industry image, awards – Kenworth, and awards – rookie military veteran:
Congratulations to all award winners!
Awards – Howes
- Hope Zvara inducted into the Howes Hall of Fame?
- Mother Trucker Yoga proprietor Hope Zvara honored by Howes
Awards – industry image
Awards – Kenworth
Awards – rookie military veteran
- Nominations open Thursday for top rookie military veteran driver award
- Search for America’s top rookie military veteran driver who transitioned to trucking
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: 2025.03.29 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
