TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.08.30 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending August 30, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding holiday and theft:
Holiday
Labor Day weekend is here and is a prime time for cargo thieves to be prowling around.
Look at your tractor and trailer from the standpoint of a would-be thief to make it as hard to open and steal from as possible!
- Cargo theft expected to surge during long Labor Day weekend
- CargoNet: ‘Dangerous’ Cargo Theft Risk Over Labor Day Weekend
- TDOT: No lane closures for Labor Day holiday weekend
- Truckers warned to be ‘vigilant and proactive’ this Labor Day
- Verisk CargoNet: Cargo thieves target Labor Day weekend
Theft
- Ceva Logistics loses high-value shipments amid rise in cargo theft
- From Beer to Sneakers: How Box Trucks Fuel a Freight Crime Epidemic
- Store owner was trafficking millions in stolen cargo
2. Regarding immigration and language:
Articles in this section came in rapid fire succession following the fatal crash in Florida caused by an illegal alien who could not communicate in English.
Immigration
- Truck driver arrested for residing in Texas on B1 visa meant for work only
- Trump Administration Pauses Truck Driver Visas
- U.S. visa suspensions a warning Canadian trucking must heed: CTA
- US Freezes Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers
Language
- ATA calls again for “enforcement surge” to crack down on underqualified truckers
- Bodycam Video Highlights English Struggles of Truck Driver in Fatal Florida Crash
- Breaking the language barrier: Changing regulations mean testing and documentation for carriers
- Confusion over trucker visa pause, English proficiency rules may drive up costs for American companies, Mexican trucking executive warns
- DOT Demands Calif., Wash., and N.M. Comply With English Requirement for CDLs
- DOT responds to Harjinder Singh bodycam footage: ‘Inexplicable lack of enforcement’
- DOT threatens funding for three states over lax ELP enforcement
- DOT, New Mexico clash over Harjinder Singh’s English test
- Duffy Cites Significant Failures in English Enforcement
- Duffy threatens 3 states with loss of funds over language enforcement
- Feds tell states: Enforce trucker English rules or lose millions
- Florida agriculture officers to begin English proficiency testing
- Florida announces 23 commercial vehicle ‘interdiction checkpoints’ in crackdown on illegal immigration and English language proficiency violations in trucking
- Florida Launches Immigration Checks at Weigh Stations
- Florida Launches Immigration Checks at Weigh Stations
- Florida setting up English proficiency checks at ag inspection sites
- Florida to use ag checkpoints to enforce trucker language regulation
- Florida Turns Weigh Stations Into Immigration Checkpoints — Necessary Protection or Risky Precedent for Small Carriers?
- Florida’s agri inspection stations will be used as immigration enforcement ‘strongholds,’ says state’s attorney general
- Funding threatened for states that don’t enforce English-proficiency regs
- Millions sign competing online petitions about triple fatal FL crash
- New Mexico releases footage of Harjinder Singh passing an inspection in English
- Newsom Spews Lies About Illegal-alien Truck Driver; Rubio Blocks Visas; Illegals Kill Two in Maine
- OOIDA’s 2008 comments on English proficiency still apply
- Petitions Seek Leniency for Illegal-alien Trucker Who Killed Three
- Report: Illegal-alien Truck Driver Who Killed Three Couldn’t Read English, yet Rec’d Two CDLs
- Still Selective, Still Political — What They’re Not Telling You About ELP Crackdowns
- Three states singled out, threatened for not enforcing English proficiency OOS requirements
- Transportation Secretary Warns Three States on English Language Requirements
- Truck driver accused by the Trump administration of being in the US illegally is denied bond
- Undocumented Driver Accused in Florida Crash Is Denied Bond
3. Regarding 2290, business, intermodal, private fleets, rail challenge, and recalls:
2290
Business
- Hexagon Agility secures major CNG truck order from Trayecto
- Hexagon Agility to supply CNG fuel systems for 100 trucks in major Mexico rollout
- Protecting Small Trucking Fleets from Scammers: Lessons from the Insurance Frontlines
- Scaling Your Fleet Isn’t the Goal — Scaling Profit Is
- Shifts in Supply Chain Shape Trucking Business Environment
- Tips to Speed Up a Commercial Vehicle Sale
- Upside Down and Under Pressure — Selling a Truck When You Still Owe More Than It’s Worth
- Used Sleeper Trucks Gain Value as Semi-Trailers Struggle in July
- Used Truck Sales and Prices Increase in July
- What Happens When You Turn in a Commercial Lease Truck Early — And How to Survive It
- What is ‘permanent full expensing’ and why would it benefit trucking?
- What To Consider When Buying a Commercial Vehicle for the Farm
Intermodal
Private fleets
- About Us: Transport Topics’ Top 100 Private Carriers for 2025
- Interactive Map: Where the 2025 Top 100 Private Carriers Are in North America
- Private Fleets Adapt to Tariff-Driven Volatility
- Private Fleets Keep Supply Chains Humming Across Industries
- Top 100 Private Carriers Tap Brakes on Growth
Rail challenge
- Rail freight companies’ new service poses challenge to OTR trucking
- Trump Fires Rail Regulator as STB Weighs Merger
- Trump fires rail regulator board member Primus ahead of merger decision
Recalls
- Briefly: Recall covers over 2,000 VolvoNew VN trucks for steering issue
- Ford Recalls 355,000 Pickups Over Dashboard Display Failure
4. Regarding bridges, ports, technology, and weight:
Bridges
The damage to the White River Bridge (the first article in this section) was estimated to be worth $2 million!
The Washington State Governor proclaimed this to be an emergency.
- Emergency declared in WA over closure of “critical lifeline” bridge due to semi truck crash
- Semi truck strike leaves Michigan bridge damaged, road closed
Ports
- Gulf Coast ports post mixed July results: Houston, New Orleans up, Corpus Christi down
- Ports See Strong July Cargo Gains From Tariff Frontloading
- South Carolina ports chief resigns, citing ‘personal reasons’
Technology
- Chinese technology poses cybersecurity threat to trucking
- CloneOps.AI cuts carrier onboarding time by 90%
- How Brent Ellis is Automating Trucking Operations at Decker Truck Line
- Incorta feeds your AI models directly from your ERP
- Motive and Fleetio expand fleet data integration
- Motive, Fleetio Expand Partnership
- Profit Per Load with Trucker Stats™
- Tech Roundup: Warehouse automation goes international
- The Hidden Dangers of Chinese-Made Trucking Technology
- Truckers weigh in on how to fix ‘broken’ DataQ process
- UPS Outsources Weather Forecasting Operation
Weight
5. Regarding Canada, politics, tariffs, and trade:
Canada
- Canada Post records largest-ever loss as parcel volumes drop 36%
- Canada Vows Stronger Action on Cheap Steel Imports
- Canada’s EQB Sees Sharpest Stock Drop Since 2020
- Canada’s LeBlanc Will Head to Washington for Trade Talks
- Canadian economy contracts 1.6% in Q2 as tariffs hit, StatCan says
- Canadian Firms Delay Passing Tariff Costs to Shoppers
Politics
- Freight Groups Draw Policy Road Map for Congress
- Heed the call: Make the voice of truckload heard on Capitol Hill
Tariffs
Prices on goods and services have started to increase for Americans.
Have you noticed this?
Please comment through the form below.
- ACT Research: Tariffs raising equipment prices
- Borderlands Mexico: Tariffs drive job losses at Mexico’s border factories
- Caterpillar Says It Will Take $1.8 Billion Hit on Tariffs
- Consumers to Feel Tariff Pain as Small Parcel Exemption Ends
- De Minimis Tariff Exemption Ends, Roiling E-Commerce
- EU to Propose Removing US Tariffs to Meet Trump Demand
- Fleets cuts and trailer tariffs reshape trucking
- Import slide continues after early peak
- McKinsey & Company research examines impact of tariffs on truck OEMs
- Mexico Moves to Raise Tariffs on China, Bolstering US Ties
- Mexico proposes 50% tariff on Chinese imports; bans shoes, small packages
- Mexico Suspends Postal Shipments to US Over Tariff Confusion
- South Africa Halts Parcels to US Over Trump Tariffs
- Swiss Post Joins Other Nations Suspending US Goods Shipments
- Tariff clarity can’t shore up falling ocean container rates
- Tariff jitters spark jump in USMCA claims on Mexico, Canada goods
- Tariff turbulence keeps truckers on edge despite June stability
- Tariff turbulence keeps truckers on edge despite June stability
- Tariffs pointing to historic import gap for U.S. container ports: Analyst
- Tariff-ying: ACT Research seminar reveals grave freight outlook
- Trump’s 50% Tariffs on India Over Russian Oil Take Effect
- UN Agency Seeks Clarity on Small Parcels as Exemption Ends
Trade
- EU-US pact to steady trans-Atlantic trade, forwarder says – with one exception
- Japan’s Trade Envoy Abruptly Cancels US Trip
- US, South Korea Eye Closer Ties on Security, Shipbuilding
6. Regarding chain law, inspections, maintenance, operations, and snake:
Chain law
Please pay attention to snow chain laws.
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- 10 Articles to Help Trucking Companies Prepare for Brake Safety Week
- 598 trucks placed out of service in hazardous materials inspection blitz
- 600 out-of-service violations issued during hazmat blitz
- Enforcement officers slam the brakes on unsafe trucks
- Hazmat inspection blitz nets 1,100 violations
- Ready or not: CVSA’s Brake Safety Week is under way
- Troopers find nine out-of-service violations on combination vehicle and driver traveling through eastern Iowa
Maintenance
- How to Correctly Adjust Slack Adjusters and When It’s Actually Needed
- How to cut fleet violations for Brakes, Lights & Tires
- How to Implement Your OEM Maintenance Schedule Into Your ELD So You Never Miss a Critical Interval
- How to Plan Preventative Maintenance Around Your Freight Schedule Instead of Losing Revenue Days
- How to Read the Early Clues of a Transmission Failure — Manual and Automated
- How to Use Oil Sample Reports to Predict Failures Before They Happen
- Reading Tire Wear Like a Mechanic — What Feathering, Cupping, and Shoulder Wear Tell You About Your Truck
Operations
- Family of Memphis wrong-way driver speaks out
- Officers force wrong-way trucker to the ground in handcuffs on Memphis-Arkansas Bridge
- Wyoming Highway Patrol tells drivers to yield to emergency vehicles following trooper’s crash with big rig on I-80
Snake
Yikes!
I have a feeling that the snake climbed up into the truck’s engine compartment to stay warm.
As the article says: “Looks like a thorough pre-trip really paid off.”
7. Regarding crashes, crashes – arm, drugs, fatalities, fire, fraud, and violence:
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.
- Big rig bursts into flames after hitting median in Tampa
- Four horses killed in semi truck rollover
- Semi truck with Dallas Cowboys star wanted for early morning hit-and-run
- Tractor trailer plows through 20 vehicles slowed for traffic on I-95 in Miami-Dade
- Trucking company in I-20 drowsy driving crash in June has 60 days to take “substantive corrective actions,” says USDOT
Crashes – arm
This sounds grisly.
According to the second article:
Enrique says two black and white videos shared to him by a nearby business prove that his driver is innocent in the situation, and the motorist severed his own arm by crashing into the trailer.
The video embedded in the second article seems to corroborate with this, but I still wonder how the motorist hit the truck hard enough to sever his arm and the trucker not know that his truck had been hit.
Did the motorist have his arm hanging out of his vehicle when he hit the truck?
- Dallas Cowboys logo semi truck still at large after severing arm of motorist and driving off
- Owner of Dallas Cowboys logo semi truck says motorist severed his own arm by sideswiping trailer from behind
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- Nearly 50 pounds of fentanyl found in car hauler in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma troopers find nearly 50 pounds of fentanyl in ‘concealed void’ in car on auto hauler
- Trucking joins National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day event
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?
- Bodies of people killed in u-turn crash still unclaimed by families
- Two dead in Memphis semi truck crash
Fire
It seems to me that there are a lot more truck fires and so-called “wildfires” than there used to be.
- Fire at Louisiana auto plant is 90% contained while evacuation order remains
- Semi truck’s rear brakes catch fire after Brake Safety Week inspection, Virginia DMV says
- Wildfires have burned over 200,000 acres in Oregon
- Wildfires threaten homes in Oregon and California, prompting hundreds of evacuations
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.
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 autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, emissions, and fuel:
Autonomous vehicles
I emphatically oppose the operation of autonomous, self-driving, or driverless 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 and McLeod Partner on New Autonomous Transportation Management System
- Aurora and McLeod Software Develop TMS for Autonomous Trucks
- Aurora, McLeod partner on autonomous truck TMS
- Aurora, McLeod Partnering on TMS for Autonomous Trucks
- McLeod Software developing TMS for Aurora autonomous trucks
- Torque partners with EdgeCase to develop comprehensive driverless safety case
- Volvo Details Autonomous Fleet Operations
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- $46 million to support electric vehicle charging
- A California Drayage Fleet’s ZEV Truck Journey [Listen]
- A Tough But Rewarding Journey: 4Gen’s Path to All-Electric Trucks
- EV Realty and Prologis Mobility partner to provide shared EV charging access across California freight routes
- EV Realty, Prologis Link California Charging Network Access
- Oregon Could Join Hawaii in Mandating Per-Mile Fees for EVs
- Prologis, EV Realty tackle California’s fragmented truck charging network
- States adding electric vehicle charging
Emissions
- EPA proposes ‘smog check’ relief for non-California-based truckers
- EPA says California’s smog checks for out-of-state semi trucks may be unconstitutional
- EPA says it will prevent California’s ‘attack on truck drivers’
- Trump administration has a new California target: out-of-state mandate for its Clean Truck Check
- Wyoming lawmakers ask for pardon for diesel mechanic jailed for deleting emissions controls
Fuel
- Benchmark diesel prices move lower for fifth consecutive week
- Diesel prices fall, but only slightly
- Fuel prices down for fifth straight week
9. Regarding cold chain, economy, employment, pay, and shortage:
Cold chain
- Cold Chain Technologies expands Asia Pacific presence in cold chain logistics
- DHL expands Asia Pacific cold chain network with dual-certified facility in Malaysia
Economy
- American Trucking Trends report: Trucking freight volumes drop in 2024
- BMO’s transportation numbers show slight improvement in trucking credit conditions
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot market rates and truck tonnage improved, while trailer orders fell sharply
- ECONOMIC TRUCKING TRENDS: Spot market reveals shifting trade patterns, ACT warns of tariff ‘air pockets’ ahead
- FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index down due to rising fuel prices
- GDP Grows at Revised Rate of 3.3% in Q2
- July saw Class 8 truck sales at a ‘snail’s pace’; new orders even slower
- July sees continuation of stagnant freight volumes and rates
- Shippers’ market conditions hit three-year low point: FTR
- Tonnage, Trucking Conditions Indexes Show Continued Stagnation
- Tonnage, Trucking Conditions Indexes Show Continued Stagnation
- U.S. Trailer Orders Drop 39% in July on Tariff, Market Pressures
Employment
- ACT’s For-Hire Trucking Index sees July increase
- FedEx Supply Chain to layoff 600 workers at Cummins warehouse
- Layoffs hit International Paper, J.B. Hunt, Hormel and more
- Roehl Opens the Road to More CDL-A Drivers with Expansive Opportunities and Long-term Career Support
- Roehl Transport: Career home for drivers at all experience levels
Pay
According to the first article in this section:
According to the National Transportation Institute (NTI), more than 40% of for-hire fleets now offer guaranteed pay programs, compared to just 14% in 2017. This trend reflects a growing movement toward more consistent, stable, and transparent pay models for truck drivers.
Are you on a guaranteed pay program as a trucker?
How well do you like it?
Please comment through the form below.
- Driver Pay Needs to Change? It Already Has — Here’s How
- Driver Pay Trends: Fragile Gains in Face of Freight Market Uncertainty
Shortage
The subtitle of this article is:
Every year hundreds of thousands earn CDLs, yet the ATA still calls it a shortage. The truth? It’s not about bodies in seats — it’s about conditions that push them out.
An image of a tweet lists “Electronic logs, EPA emissions, unfair compensation, terrible lifestyle” as being among the conditions that drive the “shortage.”
The article lists these sections:
- Debunking the Shortage Myth – A Quick Recap
- Why Mega Carriers Push the Shortage Narrative
- How the Narrative Hurts Small Carriers
- The Real Danger – A Broken Playing Field
- The Small Carrier Reality
- A Call to Challenge the Narrative
- What Needs to Change
- Closing – Why Small Carriers Can’t Stay Silent
Do you agree or disagree?
Please comment through the form below.
10. Regarding FMCSA, legal, regulations, and speeding:
FMCSA
Here comes another truck study!!!
- FMCSA to conduct study of causes of fatal heavy-duty truck crashes
- FMCSA to spend $30 million on study of commercial vehicle crashes
- FMCSA to study fatal large-truck crash causes
- New FMCSA study to look at fatal truck crash causes
- Truck crash study may finally reap some useable data
Legal
- CHP nabs over-length commercial vehicle driver with no escort taking ‘scenic drive’
- CVTA: Florida Highway Tragedy Underscores Need for Enforcement Overhaul in Training and Licensing
- More Than 4,600 Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Were Inspected Over Five Days – CVSA — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
- NFI driver misclassification case in New Jersey could reach individual payouts of $50k
- Woman sentenced to 11 years after paying truckers over $1 million to distribute drugs for cartel
Regulations
- Another company asks FMCSA for warning device exemption
- Check the facts: Regulatory enforcement changes abound in trucking but flip-flops remain legal — for now
- FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Certificate Waiver As States Continue Transition
- Padilla, Schiff denounce EPA proposal for California’s HD inspection and I/M requirements
- Unseen Costs of Trucking Regulations
Speeding
11. Regarding parking, sleep, and truckers:
Parking
- Convenience store giant Wawa offers parking at new travel centers, but no showers
- New Texas truck stop aims to be destination for truckers
- Newest Love’s in Texas panhandle includes 59 truck parking spots
Sleep
You may also want to see this article on this site:
How to Sleep Better as a Professional Truck Driver
Truckers
- Recruit, Retain & Reward Your Drivers
- Road mode: The real cost of trucking on home life
- Trucker of the Month: Jason Shelly’s multistop reefer-haul niche
12. Regarding awards, awards – recognition, and driver appreciation:
Awards
Congratulations to all truck driving champions!
Of course, I believe that truckers are champions every day on the road, but it sure is nice to get recognized. 🙂
- ATA crowns National Truck Driving Champions
- ATA Names 2025 National Truck Driving Champions
- David Comings Living the Dream as NTDC Grand Champion
- FedEx Freight driver from North Dakota wins driving skills competition
- Meet the 2025 IFDA Truck Driver Hall of Fame inductees
- Trucker of 50 years has a few positive words of wisdom for anyone who asks
Awards – recognition
I recognize those who helped truckers — and truckers who helped others — who needed help in a time of need.
- Goodyear names 2025 Highway Hero winner
- Highway hero: Goodyear honors trucker for life saving measures
- J.B. Hunt Driver is 41st Goodyear Highway Hero
- Melton driver and former Marine named Highway Angel by TCA
- Trucker Named TCA Highway Angel for Heroic Act
Driver appreciation
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is scheduled to take place September 14-20, 2025.
Be on the lookout for freebies and discounts.
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: 2025.08.30 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
