TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.06.28 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending June 28, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding holidays, idling, language, medical certification, statistics, and weather:
Holidays
As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, please be aware of the potential for increased traffic on the roads and hence an increased opportunity for distracted driving and crashes.
For similar holiday tips, you may wish to review posts on this site that were written regarding New Year’s Eve and Memorial Day.
Other helpful tips that may apply to Independence Day deliveries:
Double-Check Your Memorial Day Delivery Appointment
- Prepare for a hot, tight July 4th freight market
- Truckers, get ready to share the road with 61.6 million July Fourth travelers
Idling
According to the article in this section:
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released an updated compendium of state, county, and city idling regulations to help commercial vehicle drivers stay compliant.
Also, you may wish to review the 9-post series on idling on this site.
Language
I am glad that this issue is getting the attention it deserves.
- CarriersEdge Offers English Language Proficiency Assessment
- CarriersEdge: Motor carriers concerned about English language proficiency assessment
- Craig Fuller: ELP enforcement, trade wars, real wars, and freight feuds |
- DOT Secretary Duffy: Nationwide non-domiciled CDL audit; ELP enforcement |
- ELP Rule Threatens 10% of Truckers, Risks Carrier CSA Scores
- English Language Proficiency Standards Could Drive Rates Higher
- English Skills Tied to CMV Safety in Volpe Center Findings
- English-proficiency bill tackles problem at driver-training level
- How should motor carriers assess a commercial vehicle driver’s English proficiency? FMCSA provides guidance
- Starting this week, truck drivers can be taken out-of-service for lack of English language proficiency
- State of Freight Takeaways: English language rule for truckers takes effect, early impacts emerging
- Stricter English proficiency enforcement goes into effect today. Here’s what to know.
- Truckers fear job loss as new English language rules take effect
- Understanding English Language Proficiency Requirements for Drivers
Medical certification
According to the first article in this section:
On Monday, June 23, the [FMCSA] announced it would be rolling out the long-awaited Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration rule. …
Under the new rule, medical certification information will be shared electronically with state licensing agencies directly from the medical examiners, replacing the former paper-based system.
While I understand the need for easier accessibility, I am concerned about the potential for problems associated with a digital version of this system.
Plenty could go wrong if someone on the inside has a vendetta against truckers for whatever reason.
- Feds roll out new medical certification process
- FMCSA implements electronic medical certification rule
- Medical examiners now must submit their findings electronically
- ‘Outdated’ paper med cards phased out as FMCSA’s digital medical certification rule now in effect
- USDOT: Digital process will streamline medical certification for CDL holders
Statistics
These articles are worth reading.
- It’s mostly “not the truckers causing the accidents,” reminds Ohio Trucking Association in wake of fiery tanker wreck with pickup
- Severe crash numbers drop despite rise in collision rates, Lytx report reveals
Weather
I wrote the following in my June 2025 issue of Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips Email Newsletter (slightly reformatted):
=====
Every year — and especially in the summer — high temperatures soar in certain parts of the USA (and around the world).
While temperatures may rise to triple digits, they don’t have to get that high to cause problems.
Continually pay attention to various temperatures, including:
- Your own body temperature (hot truck, empowerment, drinking water, stay cool);
- Sleeping conditions (sleep better, idling-related series, proposition);
- Your truck’s temperature (keep water and oil levels optimized, keep the fuel topped off);
- The temperature in any refrigerated trailer you haul (keep the fuel level topped off); and
- The temperature of any perishable food you carry with you (thermoelectric coolers vs. ice chests vs. compact refrigerators).
Becoming dehydrated and/or suffering from heat-related illness is very serious.
Do not allow a trucking company to cause you to lose your health!
Your health and wellness are paramount, so take care of yourself!
=====
The articles in this section…
- A tornado that swept through a rural town in North Dakota left at least 3 people dead
- Early-season heat dome brings highest temperatures in years to parts of Eastern US
- Eastern half of US sweltering again, with dangerous heat wave expected to last until midweek
- Illinois Tollway launches hot weather patrols
- The first tropical storm of the 2025 hurricane season is here
2. Regarding border, broker, business, DHL Express Canada, ELDs, expedited, and lease:
Border
- Borderlands Mexico: Supply chain firms invest in new cross-border facilities
- Navigating the complexities of cross-border freight
- U.S. Border Patrol is increasingly seen far from the border as Trump ramps up deportation arrests
Broker
Business
DHL Express Canada
- DHL Express Canada, striking workers tentatively agree on labor deal
- DHL Express Canada, union reach tentative agreement
ELDs
Expedited
- Fleetworthy introduces Expedited Inspection service in Nevada
- New electronic ‘Expedited Inspection’ service now operable in Nev.
Lease
You may wish to review this post:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, oil, and robotaxis:
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 our readers to help us stay current on the topic.
- Driverless trucks: Weigh in on safety, competition
- Kodiak Robotics Teams Up With Remote Driving Specialist Vay
- Vay, Kodiak Robotics team up on Assisted Autonomy to remotely control trucks
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- California Emissions Clash: Newsom’s New Official EV Order
- EV charging funding freeze thaws for 14 states
- EV-Carrying Ship Sinks in Pacific Ocean After Catching Fire
- Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states
- Ford Again Urges Congress to Preserve EV Battery Tax Credits
- Senators Avoid EV, Hybrid Fees in Their Version of Budget Bill
- WattEV expands electric truck charging network
Emissions
- Trucking group challenges CARB’s Clean Truck Partnership with OEMs
- Vehicle emission rules in legal crosshairs after SCOTUS ruling
Fuel
This article “jumped out” at me as novel: Piston raises $7.5M for cardless fuel payments solution.
The article states:
Piston’s solution promises to change the game. Instead of relying on traditional physical cards, Piston utilizes a secure, app-generated QR code system. This cardless approach significantly reduces fraud by tying each transaction to specific details, including vehicle, time, location, and fuel type.
I am very interested in learning how this works long-term.
- Benchmark diesel price now at its highest level in almost a year after big jump
- Diesel jumps 20 cents in a week amid Middle East unrest
- Diesel price jump doubles previous week’s increase
- Diesel Price Shoots Up 20.4¢ to $3.775 a Gallon
- Diesel Prices Jump 20 Cents to Highest Level in 10 Months
- Edmonton rolls out first mobile hydrogen fuelling station in Alberta
- Fuel movement disrupted in Alaska
- Fuel tax changes implemented July 1 in 13 states
- Mideast Unrest Pushes U.S. Fuel Prices Upward
- US Ethanol Set to Wipe Out UK Production
- Will diesel prices go nuclear; electric vehicle ship fires; ENS sign awareness |
Oil
The situation regarding oil has been exacerbated by the unconstitutional attack by the U.S. on Iran.
- Oil Flip-Flops After US Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites
- Oil rises and US stock futures slip as markets react to US strike on Iran nuclear sites
- Shale Firms Shrug Off Trump Push to Drill as Price Rally Ebbs
- Trump Warns Oil Producers on Prices Following Iran Attack
- Update: oil prices fall back after short-lived surge in early trading
Robotaxis
- Tesla’s Modest Robotaxi Rollout Staged for Retail Investors
- Waymo Robotaxis Hit Streets in Atlanta Today
4. Regarding bucket truck, crashes, drugs, fatalities, fire, fraud, theft, and violence:
Bucket truck
Please pay attention to your surroundings as you drive, including for any people working in bucket trucks!
- Video shows moment worker was knocked from a bucket truck by passing semi truck
- Worker suffers broken bones after being knocked from bucket truck by passing semi truck
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.
- BOLO for black pickup driver that fled after causing fireball crash with tanker truck in Columbus
- Driver injured when rig overturns in Virginia
- Reckless truck driver nearly smashes into house while evading police
- Tanker truck overturns, causes massive fire in Ohio
- Two big rigs collide in Pennsylvania causing fuel spill
- Watch as this Chinese trucker dramatically dangles off bridge ripped in half by landslides
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- Brampton trucker nabbed at border in $23.3-million cocaine bust
- CBP officers seize over $1.5 million in hard narcotics in trailer at Colombia Solidarity Bridge
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 and workers injured after big rig crashes into I-75 worksite
- Truck driver dies on impact in collision with train near Los Angeles
- Trucker dead after crash involving semi trucks, MDOT vehicles
- Trucker dies in collision with Calif. commuter train; one passenger hurt
- Trucker killed by own rig after jumping from moving truck on rural road
Fire
It seems to me that there are a lot more truck fires than there used to be and I wonder if that is because more electric trucks with lithium batteries are in use.
- Firefighters battle daytime trucking company fire for six hours
- Semi truck burns to the ground as driver shops for snacks
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.
- FMCSA ‘confident’ in fraud fight despite staff reduction
- Houston man charged with illegal operation of carriers, PPP fraud
- Motive: pioneering AI-powered fraud prevention in fleet management
- Tive: revolutionizing fraud prevention through real-time visibility
- Trucking company owner to serve 23 years in prison for fraud
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 expected to rise again in 2025
- Cargo Theft: Rising Risks During Holiday Weekend
- CBP seizes $25 million in counterfeit jewlry
- Former employee charged with embezzling $166K from auto transport trucking company, Michigan officials say
- GA Police catch credit card thief hiding in back of tractor trailer using overhead drone
- Group warns that cargo theft expected to rise 22% in 2025 due to digitalization in trucking and supply chain
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.
- Armed woman blocking I-45 in lawn chair after crash with semi truck
- Trucker accused of attempted murder in alleged road rage shooting of another truck driver
5. Regarding economy, rates, Relay Payments, surcharge, tolls, tariffs, and trade:
Economy
- ATA Truck Tonnage Index declined 0.1% in May
- ATA: Truck Tonnage Dropped in May
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Freight market weakness continues
- Economy Shrank 0.5% in Q1, Worse Than Estimated
- Fed to Wait to Reduce Interest Rates as Trump Demands Cuts
- FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index stayed close to neutral in April
- Key Inflation Gauge Rises as Americans Cut Back on Spending
- May Cargo Slips at Largest US Ports for First Time in Months
- Truck Tonnage Ticks Down 0.1% Sequentially in May
Rates
- New Mideast tensions fail to boost trans-Pacific container rates
- Tanker Rates Soar to Highest Since 2023 After US Bombs Iran
- Tanker rates surge, Maersk still sailing through Strait of Hormuz
Relay payments
- Relay Payments expands digital payments for OTR expenses
- Relay Payments expands into maintenance with trio of deals
Surcharge
Tolls
Tariffs
- Auto Industry Pushes Back on Trump’s Chip Tariff Threat
- Canada Faces Steel Job Cuts as US Tariff Pressure Mounts
- Continental Cuts Margin Target Over Tariffs Ahead of Breakup
- Drewry: No “lasting impact” from tariff break as ocean rates fall again
- EU Firms Up Trade Strategy Ahead of Trump’s Tariff Deadline
- EU Plans Boeing Tariffs in Response to US Trade Moves
- EU, US Confident They’ll Reach Tariff Deal by July 9
- Global Goods Trade Accelerates as Tariff Fears Speed Imports
- Powell: Tariff Impact on Prices Still Unclear
- Trump Threatens Double Tariffs on Spain Over NATO Budget
- US, China agree on deal for tariffs, rare-earth magnets
Trade
- Bessent Says Trump’s Trade Push Could Wrap by Labor Day
- Canada and EU Sign Security Pact as Carney Shifts From US
- Merchandise-Trade Deficit Widens on Exports Drop
- Pressure to Seal Trump Trade Deals by July 9 Ramps Up
- Trump Announces US Signed China Trade Deal
- US Trade Partners Wary of Signing Deals
6. Regarding guns, health, operations, parking, roads, and routing:
Guns
While I totally believe in self-defense, it seems as though there was probable cause for this trucker’s apprehension.
Health
- Switching gears: Calling on fit drivers to share their stories!
- Teamsters complain UPS slow to deploy air-conditioned vehicles
Operations
There’s a lot that can go wrong in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, so please pay attention to yourself, your truck, and the rules by which truckers must abide.
- Bendix tech tips: Getting the most from your air disc brakes
- Briefly: Truckers ticketed in crackdown on bypassing open weigh stations
- CHP calls out big rig driver for ignoring signs, losing control in construction zone
- Man survives being crushed between two semi trucks at chocolate factory
- North Carolina town honors sacrifice of dump truck driver who ‘steered away from others’ when brakes failed on I-40
- Wrong way driver hits, flips semi truck
Parking
- Love’s opens new store in Winslow, AZ with 81 truck parking spots
- Love’s opens store on I-40 in Arizona, adding 81 truck parking spaces to network
- Truck Parking Club Club Cash Wallet Explained
Roads
- I-40 at North Carolina/Tennessee line reopens one lane in each direction, ahead of schedule, officials say
- Interstate 40 near TN-NC border closed again by rockslides
- Project to Lower Historic Baltimore Tunnel Nears Halfway Mark
- SC to use federal funds to expedite rebuilding of bridge destroyed in tanker truck fire
- Tennessee lane closures halted for holiday traffic
Routing
I strongly recommend that all OTR truckers obtain and use an updated Truckers Atlas in order to avoid any routing problems..
Local truck routes may not be captured in a truckers atlas, but many are.
7. Regarding HOS, inspections, maintenance, operations, regulations, and weight:
HOS
- Congress requests that FMCSA waive hours regs in advance of forecast emergencies
- Dozens of lawmakers call on FMCSA to give truckers hours of service relief five days before an emergency strikes
- Fireworks haulers receive limited hours-of-service exemption
- FMCSA eases trucker rules for July 4th displays
- Lawmakers ask FMCSA for earlier emergency declarations
- Members of Congress ask for HOS exemption before disasters strike
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- CVSA eyes ‘trackers on truckers’ for next highway bill
- Nearly 3,000 commercial vehicles weighed during three day enforcement detail in Illinois
- Nearly 400 Commercial Vehicles Put Out of Service for Brake Violations
- Pre-trip report says ‘no issues,’ but CMV inspector finds six defective tires
Maintenance
- How Low-Phosphorus, Low-Ash Oil Can Improve Truck Reliability
- How to Maximize Air Disc Brake Life
- Iowa troopers stop truck driver trying limp to ‘truck stop he liked’ with two blown tires
Regulations
- BREAKING: DOT will crack down on non-domiciled CDL holders
- CSA under (re)construction: Will proposed changes more accurately reflect a carrier’s crash risk?
- FMCSA extends 30-minute break exemption for oversize haulers
- The Ultimate Guide to FMCSA’s June 2025 Rule Rollouts: What Every Fleet Must Know
- USDOT working to remove ‘red tape’ from trucking regs
Weight
8. Regarding legal, politics, qualifications, regulations, speeding, and technology:
Legal
- Court fines illegal truck terminal in Halton Hills, Ont., prohibits operation
- Fleet owner charged for allegedly operating illegal chameleon carriers
- Man charged for reselling diesel fuel to trucking companies in fraudulent credit card scheme
- Man sentenced to 6.5 years for kidnapping of trucker who escaped when he dozed off
- Owner of multiple ‘illegal’ trucking companies charged with conspiracy to defraud U.S., lying to FMCSA, feds say
- Repair company and owner accused of collecting $1 million from hundreds of illegal commercial vehicle ‘tunes’
- Team drivers ticketed for falsified logbooks after snapping axle during u-turn attempt
- Update: What’s in the indictment? Charges against Texas trucking company owner quickly sealed
- Werner Wins $100M Nuclear Verdict Reversal by Texas Court
- Werner wins big: Court reverses $100 million nuclear verdict
Politics
- Delaware bill could be problematic for insurance settlements
- New Louisiana Laws of Note to Trucking Industry
- OOIDA scores huge wins for truck drivers with DOT announcement
- Perspective: ATD Drives Concerns Directly to D.C.
- Senators Push Fix for Dry Bulk Trucking Penalties
- Truckers left out of No Tax on Overtime bill
- Truckers Left Out of No Tax on Overtime Bill
- Trucking industry prime beneficiary of new Louisiana laws
- U.S. DOT unveils blockbuster ‘Pro-Trucker Package’ that promises to kill speed limiter mandate, expand truck parking, much more
Qualifications
According to the article in this section:
Over one thousand drivers have lost their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) for good as part of a long-standing Border Patrol program.
Speeding
This sounds serious, so please pay attention.
Technology
- AI, digital twin technologies can help streamline supply chains, expert says
- ATA’s focus turns from environmental battles to tech, safety, and fraud protection, Spear says
- Automating Your Trucking Business
- Descartes releases next-gen visibility tech to further protect from fraud and theft
- DOT Secretary plans to use AI to solve carrier identity
- Estes Forwarding Worldwide hit by cyberattack
- Fleet Operators Cite Safety, Efficiency Gains With In-Cab Tech
- Maersk unveils new AI platform to simplify customs tasks
- Nominate your company for AI Excellence in Supply Chain
- Samsara Beyond 2025: AI-powered safety, wearable device redefine work
- Samsara puts AI at the core of fleet tech evolution with newest product lineup
- Samsara releases new AI multicam
- Samsara seeks to make fleets safer by providing real-time weather visibility
- Samsara: locking down cargo with connected IoT
- Samsara’s latest asset maintenance features utilize AI
- Samsara’s route optimization and commercial navigation improve efficiency
- Utilizing dash cams for corrective action training
- Washington troopers using driver telematics data as part of targeted patrols on I-5 and I-90
9. Regarding employment, recruiting, shortage, training, and truckers:
Employment
- Kroger Plans to Close 60 US Stores to Improve Profit
- Layoffs hit Amazon Fresh, Kroger, UNFI and other food companies
- New Jersey Crackdown on ‘Employee Misclassification’ Threatens Supply Chain, Truckers Say
Recruiting
- Driver Poll: What makes you skeptical of a job ad or recruiter message?
- Happy drivers add recruitment, retention value to carriers
Shortage
The article in this section looks at various angles of the situation.
Regarding pay, it says:
…while gross pay looks impressive, net value hasn’t kept pace. Drivers are smart. They know what their time is worth—and more importantly, they know when they’re being used.
A $1,900 weekly gross doesn’t mean much when…
Training
- Next Gen Trucking’s ‘Train the Trainer’ provides strategies for engaging younger generation
- Ontario extends deadline to Oct. 1 for detailed MELT lesson plans
- STA calls on Saskatchewan government to support new truck driver training
Truckers
- Check Call: It’s about giving more than receiving
- Inspiring Stories of Commercial Drivers Helping Others
- Key Considerations When Mapping Out Your Career in Commercial Driving
- New YouTube video series begins with stories of 3 truck drivers
10. Regarding ports, reefers, retread, safety, superloads, supply chain, and tires:
Ports
- Jaxport Adds Two New Cranes to Boost Cargo Capacity
- Texas ports record mixed freight movements in May
- With Mideast shipping on high alert, Maersk re-opens Israel port
Reefers
- Guess less, save more: Smarter reefer management that pays off
- Running on Ice: World Refrigeration Day brings about the future of cold chain
Retread
Safety
Superloads
- Oregon DOT announces series of 31 ‘superloads’ throughout summer
- Superload weighing nearly 1.5 million pounds to cause travel delays on I-80 in Wyoming
Supply chain
- Supply Chain Safeguards Would Receive Boost in DHS Bill
- What Fleet Managers Need to Know About Today’s Supply-Chain Disruptions
Tires
11. Regarding death and FedEx:
Death
I am dedicating this section to Fred Smith, FedEx Chairman and Founder, who passed away at age 80.
- Fred Smith, FedEx Chairman and Founder, Dies at 80
- Fred Smith, FedEx founder and parcel industry pioneer, dies at 80
- How Fred Smith built FedEx into the world’s largest cargo airline
- Memphis airport to be renamed after FedEx founder
FedEx
- FedEx Cuts Q1 Guidance Despite Q4 Gains
- FedEx fills out Freight executive team ahead of spin off
- FedEx names new chairman to replace founder Fred Smith
- FedEx navigates tariff swings to modest profit gain
- FedEx retires a dozen freighter aircraft in efficiency move
- FedEx to close 30% of package facilities as network integration ramps up
12. Regarding awards:
Awards
Congratulations to all professional truck drivers who have achieved a safety milestone and/or been nominated for or received an award for their service!
- Ryder honors 3 truckers with its 53rd annual Driver of the Year Awards
- Schneider honors 220 drivers for safe driving
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: 2025.06.28 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
