TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.07.26 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending July 26, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding article spotlight, speed limiter, and speeding:
Article Spotlight
The article in this section lists 3 quotes — from UK Guardian, AccuWeather, and Newsweek — about a US heat dome that could be lethal.
Weatherbug.com’s article “Intense Heat Bakes the Southeast, Central U.S.” echoes that assessment.
Heat-related illness is very real.
Some resources on this site that may help include:
- A Hot Truck: On Summer Heat, Truck Heat and Bake Oven Conditions
- How To Stay Cool Without An APU
- On Drinking Water: For Trucker Bodily Needs and Health Benefits
- Body Cooling Neck Wrap Products: Reviews by Truckers
- A Little Empowerment for Truckers Without Idling Alternatives
And just so you know, because their design is based on ambient temperature, you can lose all cold food stored in a thermoelectric cooler when you drive/park in hot temperatures.
Speed limiter
This is a huge positive! Hurray!
- DOT officially pulls speed limiter rulemaking
- Feds axe truck speed limiter mandate citing data gaps
- FMCSA officially withdraws speed limiter rule for heavy trucks
- FMCSA, NHTSA withdraw prior proposals to mandate speed limiters on trucks
- FMCSA, NHTSA withdraw prior proposals to mandate speed limiters on trucks
- Government agencies withdraw speed limiters
- RIP speed limiter mandate; DOT withdraws proposed rulemakings
Speeding
Speed limits are posted for safety.
Unless the sign specifically states a minimum speed, most speed limit signs state the maximum speed at which one may travel.
The point is that weather conditions may dictate that one needs to travel more slowly to maintain control of one’s vehicle.
2. Regarding age, CDLs, regulations, and training:
Age
The first article in this section states:
The trucking industry finds itself mired in one of the most protracted freight recessions on record, a predicament exacerbated by a flood of capacity that has outstripped demand. This surplus stems from an industry with negligible barriers to entry, where supply can readily overshoot, challenging the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) persistent claim of a perpetual driver shortage. …
According to this resource, “Capacity in trucking refers to the amount of resources in a market. This means the number of trucks, trailers, and drivers ready to move freight at any given moment.”
The first article below further states:
Lowering the truck driver age to 18 would risk unleashing a torrent of new participants into an already oversupplied market, exacerbating the glut rather than alleviating it. Safety advocates warn of heightened accident rates among younger drivers, who are statistically more prone to distractions and crashes due to inexperience.
What are your thoughts?
Please comment through the form below.
- ATA’s push for teen truckers will make capacity glut worse
- FMCSA says no to teens with K-restricted licenses attending out-of-state trucking school
CDLs
I have been communicating with James Lamb of the Small Business in Transportation Coalition about this “Non-Domiciled CDL” situation and from what I understand, it is not good.
Regulations
- DOT, FMCSA plan to improve working conditions for drivers
- Trump’s Labor Department proposes more than 60 rule changes in a push to deregulate workplaces
Training
Regarding the new website for the Smith System, it is worthwhile to look at their blog.
3. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, fuel, and fuel cards:
Autonomous vehicles
I resoundingly 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.
- Bill would require FMCSA to grant autonomous trucks exemptions from ‘human-specific requirements’ like hours-of-service rules
- Daimler Truck expands autonomous vehicle partnership
- Data on autonomous vehicles reveals serious concerns
- Door Maker Begins Pilot With Bot Auto’s Autonomous Semis
- Driverless trucks: ‘One big accident away from being banned’ on public roads
- Fong bill: Green light for driverless trucks?
- Lyft Plans to Launch Benteler Autonomous Shuttles in US
- Steves & Sons to launch autonomous trucking pilot with Bot Auto
- The autonomous distribution yard just got safer
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
- Diesel prices continue to move upward
- Diesel prices on the rise, as spot rates dip | Cliffhanger crash in Wyo.
- Full circle: benchmark retail diesel price is about where it was a year ago
- Phillips 66 Weighs Projects to Profit From Tight Diesel Market
Fuel cards
The article in this section states:
While fuel cost control remains the primary driver for adoption, modern fuel cards also deliver operational data, enhance security, support sustainability, and reduce administrative burdens—yet surprisingly, over one-third of fleet managers still aren’t using them.
Another statistic in the article makes me wonder…
4. Regarding brokers, business, inspections, maintenance, operations, and UPS:
Brokers
- Check Call: Broker liability hits the headlines once again
- OOIDA relays broker transparency problem to Senate committee
- The Freight Broker of the Future
- Yet another broker liability case, this time in the Fifth Circuit, adds to the growing mix
Business
- Five generations trucking: The Turnage family’s longevity secret
- TCO: Trucking’s Moving Target
- Used Truck and Trailer Prices Diverge in June as Auction Activity Surges
- Used Trucks in a Time of Transition
- What Every Small Carrier Should Know Before Their First DOT Audit
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- Don’t Flunk Your Vehicle Inspection: Preventative Maintenance Tips
- Over 2,000 violations uncovered by Arizona commercial vehicle enforcement troopers during weeklong blitz
Maintenance
The third article in this section includes a video that shows the trailer falling apart in transit.
Would a pre-trip inspection have caught whatever preceded the floor of the trailer buckling?
Since the trailer had no roof, I hazard a guess that the support for the walls was compromised and may have contributed to the collapse.
If you know more about this situation, please comment through the form below.
- Beyond conservative truck maintenance: How far do you extend oil drains?
- How to Build a Preventive Maintenance Calendar That Actually Gets Used
- Tractor trailer filmed falling apart in North Carolina intersection
Operations
The “habits” are common-sense tips.
UPS
5. Regarding bridges, construction, ports, safety, and weather:
Bridges
The third article in this section states:
From Tuesday, July 22 through Saturday, July 26, the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign will remind drivers to make sure their vehicles can pass safely beneath overpasses on state and local roads. …
Commercial driver’s license holders as well as those driving rented box trucks, delivery vans, moving trucks or recreational vehicles are responsible for knowing the height of their vehicle and complying with posted bridge clearance signs, a West Virginia Department of Transportation news release said.
The articles…
- Bridge between Iowa, Wisconsin to be demolished
- PennDOT Launches Campaign to Prevent Bridge Hits
- State DOT campaign targets bridge strikes
Construction
Ports
Safety
Weather
Regarding the second article in this section:
- the video ends before we know whether or not the trucker was successful in backing out of flood waters; and
- the trucker never should have attempted to enter flood waters in the first place!
Please stay safe, no matter what the weather conditions are.
- Flash flooding prompts rescues in New Mexico mountain village
- Trucker tries throwing it in reverse when NM flooding proves too fierce
6. Regarding crashes, death, drugs, fatalities, fires, and theft:
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.
- Campaign to avoid bridge strikes in Eastern states happens this week
- Michigan police seek Cadillac driver who caused semi truck to roll into ditch
- Semi discovered hanging off a cliff in Wyoming
- Semi truck blazed trail through woods in I-5 wreck with minor injuries
- Small car rear ends tractor trailer in Indiana
- Tandem trailer hits guardrail on I-30, causes fire in Arkansas
- Train collision with big rig shuts down roadway for several hours
- Trucker buried under bales of paper that broke through front of trailer during crash
- VIDEO: Flatbed trailer hauling coils flips completely upside down, but at least the straps held?
Death
I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died.
- Family wants answers after woman’s body found severely decomposed behind TN truck stop and motel
- Trucker reports body found in Missouri River
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- $23.4 million in cocaine discovered in semi truck crossing from U.S. into Canada
- CBP finds cocaine in big rig in Texas
- CBSA officers nab truck driver trying to smuggle cocaine worth $23.4 million into Canada
- DEA nabs two brothers using big rig to haul largest amount of fentanyl ever seized in South Carolina history
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?
- 7 CMV involved in I-95 crashes that killed 2, injured 9 others in SC
- Arkansas police release more information on fatal crashes on I-30
- Man died in crash involving dump truck and semi in Maine
- Men armed with AK still at large as fifth person dies following fatal crash on I-35
- One dead in semi crash in Oregon
- Troopers investigating cause of double fatality pileup on I-95 in South Carolina involving seven commercial vehicles, nine cars
Fires
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.
- Big rig tires catch fire on Tennessee highway
- Police investigating two ‘suspicious’ weigh station fires and graffiti
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 losses surpass $61 million in second quarter of 2025
- Cargo thief found guilty in $5 million theft scheme
- Over $20K worth of meat nabbed during cargo theft
- Thieves make off with $20,000 of beef in latest Philadelphia heist
7. Regarding detention, discrimination, exemption, parking, truck stops, and trucking:
Detention
I have a few resources on my site about detention:
- Comments to FMCSA on Detention (September 9, 2019)
- Getting Paid For Waiting Or Down Time
- Detention Pay
Please share your thoughts through the form below.
- Driver Poll: When you’re stuck waiting (delays, reset, etc.), what do you most often do?
- Turning Detention into Leverage — Small Moves That Lead to Big Rates
Discrimination
Exemption
I have expressed my disapproval regarding the issuance of “exemptions” to Hours of Service regulations.
If the HOS regulations are not going to be applied evenly across the entire trucking industry, what’s the point with trying to enforce them at all?
- Bill seeking permanent HOS exemption for livestock haulers
- FMCSA agrees to hours-of-service exemption for CMV drivers working for railroad companies
- Hawaii receives limited CDL exemption
Parking
- ATA’s Spear Urges Senate to Fund Truck Parking, Freight Tech
- Dozen of truck parking spaces now available in Ohio with reopening of four rest areas
- New York City Council passes bill to create overnight truck parking
- NYC will expand overnight truck parking | HOS relief for wildfire response
- Ohio Opens Rest Areas With 40 Truck Parking Spots
Truck stops
- Fleets Explained: The History of Truck Stops
- Pilot continues to add new travel centers and improve existing ones
- Pilot opening new location in Colorado
- Pilot opens new location off Interstate 76 northeast of Denver
Trucking
The second article in this section states:
This white paper offers Canadian heavy-duty fleet operators a detailed and practical roadmap to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting requirements in Canada, the U.S., and the European Union.
I totally disagree with the false narrative regarding “ESG”.
I asked ChatGPT to “Generate a list of the top 25 original problems associated with ESG,” and the resource broke them down into these categories:
- Environmental (E);
- Social (S);
- Governance (G);
- Systemic and Structural Issues; and
- Emerging or Under-discussed Risks.
Now for the articles….
- FreightWaves Infographics: Navigating the Complexity of Today’s Freight Market
- Strategic Roadmap: ESG Reporting for Canadian Heavy-duty Fleet Operators
8. Regarding economy, employment, future, rates, scam, shortage, strike, and taxes:
Economy
- ACT: U.S. trailer orders spike 133% in June
- ATA Truck Tonnage Index declines 0.4% in June
- ATA: Truck tonnage fell in June
- Briefly: Economic uncertainty drives down truck orders in June
- CTA seeks more immigration oversight to bolster economy
- FTR: U.S. trailer net orders jump to more than 13,800 units in June
- June 2025 freight volumes and rates still impacted by overcapacity and tariffs
- June Trailer Orders Increase 144% From Last Year
- June Trailer Orders Surge Amid Tariff Pressures and Market Uncertainty
Employment
- 130 truckers & mechanics to be laid off in AZ after failed Teamsters negotiations with Kroger
- Chevron Cuts 575 Houston Jobs After $53B Hess Takeover
- Ruan Transport laying off 144 workers in Arizona after losing contract
- Trucking Announcements: New hires at Turgeon, BeyondTrucks; UAP names new VP of heavy vehicles parts
- Trucking Survey: Fewer Committed Driver Applicants, Growing Retention Risks
Future
- Are carriers optimistic about trucking industry’s future?
- Truckstop.com survey finds drivers optimistic about future of trucking tech
Rates
Scam
Be on your guard against scams of all kinds.
- BBB warns of $223K heavy farm and trucking equipment online sales scam
- Florida man guilty of interstate scheme to steal big rigs loaded with millions of dollars in electronics from southern Indiana
Shortage
There is no trucker shortage!
Strike
Taxes
9. Regarding leasing, legal, NMFTA, and politics:
Leasing
You may wish to review this post:
Commercial Truck Leasing: Beware of Designed-to-Fail Schemes
Legal
- Man arrested after shouting “hahaha SIKE” at police officer and immediately crashing into semi truck
- Strict medical leave rules cost carrier nearly $1M in settlement
NMFTA
According to the glossary on this site, NMFTA stands for “National Motor Freight Traffic Association.”
The article in this section says that NMFC stands for “National Motor Freight Classification.”
Politics
- Congress Eyes New Highway Bill — and a New Way to Fund It
- Contractor bill could open door for safety techs in leased owners trucks
- DOT kicks off next highway bill process
- Here’s your opportunity to comment on future of transportation policy
- New bill seeks more relief for livestock haulers
- New legislation seeks to cut red tape for seasonal agriculture CDL holders
- New out-of-service rules coming for ELD tampering, logbook fraud
- OOIDA opposes bill that threatens independent truckers’ control
- OOIDA to Senate: Embrace pro-truck driver approach
- Towing reforms continue to be adopted at statehouses
- Trucking experts deliver litany of familiar concerns to senators
- Trucking industry sounds off on Capitol Hill
- Want to help shape the next highway bill? Here’s your chance
- What owner-operators need to know about Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
- With House in Recess, Senate Tackles DOT Nominations
10. Regarding issues, language, statistics, and technology:
Issues
Language
The subtitle of the article linked in this section is:
“Some say it’s a step toward safer highways—others call it the start of something darker. This article digs into the enforcement of English Language Proficiency rules and what it really means for the future of trucking.”
I found that this is a well-balanced article, listing statements from both supporters and critics, the wedge, and the fact that the FMCSA “can’t keep up.”
FMCSA’s budget is $926 million. And yet, over 94% of carriers in the system have no safety rating at all. That’s not a typo. It means nearly every new authority has never had an on-site audit. …
Pop-up CDL mills, shell companies, shady brokers gaming the system—none of that gets caught.
And then there’s the list under the question:
“What Would Real Reform Look Like?”
And their conclusion:
“Final Word: Fairness Has to Go Both Ways”.
The need for leadership, the need to clean up fraud, and the need for “holding everyone accountable” sound really good to me.
Statistics
- Five takeaways from the State of Freight for July: What earnings and the indices are saying about the market
- VIDEO: USDOT boss talks to truckers to get the real deal on problems in the transportation industry
Technology
- AI, Trucking, & Trust: Penske’s Tim Haynes on Real-World Fleet Data
- AMPLIFY: SearchCarriers — Smarter Carrier Data for the People Who Move Freight
- Mack introduces new Mack Protect collision mitigation system for Pioneer
- NATO warns ports vulnerable to ‘unprecedented’ cyber threats
- Range Energy completes eTrailer dynamic stability testing
- Save Time With TMS Trucking Software
- Teletrac Navman debuts Multi IQ Camera to reduce blind spots, improve safety
- The roles of automation and AI in trucking, and what is the difference
- Trucking’s tech divide: Safety, work, automation clash in Congress
- Why custom driver apps are critical for fleet efficiency in 2025
11. Regarding tariffs and trade:
Tariffs
- “It all unraveled quickly”: Family-owned business laments tariff and trade chaos
- ACT: Tariffs significantly affecting the freight market
- Americans, Not Exporters, Eat Rising Tariff Costs
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Trailer makers’ tough tariff decisions, and spot market pullbacks
- EU Readies $117 Billion Plan to Match US 30% Tariff
- Small Brazilian coffee producers fear for the future after Trump’s 50% tariff
- Trump Seeks New Legal Grounds for Brazil 50% Tariff Threat
- Trump: Not Focused on Talks With Canada; Tariffs Might Stay
Trade
- Carney Tempers Hopes for Fast US-Canada Trade Deal
- Economic, trade uncertainties give trucking real estate buyers long overdue leverage
- EU Sees Progress Toward US Trade Deal With 15% Tariffs
- EU’s Von der Leyen to Meet Trump in Bid to Clinch Trade Deal
- Flurry of trade deals offers relief for some Asian countries, while others wait
- Government policy to ‘buy Canadian’ could benefit some truck, trailer makers
- India ‘Confident’ It’s Nearing Trade Agreement With the US
- Trade Deal With Japan Lowers Threatened Tariff to 15%
- Trade disputes hit CN volumes and prompt railway to cut outlook
- Trade flows boost China, Europe ports while tariffs pain US gateways
- Trump reaches trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines
- Trump Weighs Odds of Trade Deal With European Union
12. Regarding awards, recognition, and talent:
Awards
I congratulate every professional truck driver who has reached a performance and/or safety milestone, whether one mile at a time or a big benchmark.
Recognition
I recognize those folks who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need.
- Averitt recognized on Tennessee REWARD Honor Roll
- TCA honors veteran driver who helped cyclist victim of hit-and-run trucker
- TCA names Searcy Trucking driver Walde a Highway Angel for helping injured cyclist
- Truck driver rescued after being trapped in Wisconsin crash
Talent
According to the first article in this section:
…the NEXT Top Talent Award will spotlight young professionals [under the age of 30] who exemplify excellence, safety, leadership, and passion in their roles.
While I’m interested to learn more about this, I would like to know about spotlighting those in the trucking industry in other age ranges as well.
- Next Generation in Trucking announces NEXT Top Talent Award
- Next Generation in Trucking launches NEXT Top Talent Award
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: 2025.07.26 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
