TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2025.09.13 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending September 13, 2025, written by Vicki Simons.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.
1. Regarding Charlie Kirk and NTDAW:
Charlie Kirk
I consider the broader context of the assassination of Charlie Kirk — and what has transpired since then — to be important for the trucking industry and professional truck drivers.
According to the About page of TPUSA.com — the website for Turning Point, the organization founded by Charlie Kirk — this is what the organization is about:
We are committed to identifying, educating, training, and organizing students to promote freedom.
Turning Point USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk. The organization’s mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.
Since those things sound very reasonable to me, I wondered why Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10.
According to the September 11, 2025, article entitled “Assassinations of Character and of Men: Here’s Why America Is So Fatally Divided“:
In the wake of yesterday’s horrible tragedy, the assassination of commentator Charlie Kirk, many are reacting with shock, others shockingly. As millions offer sympathy and prayers, others spew venom because they dislike the views Kirk held. And the murder and malevolent responses have inspired troubled observers to ask, once again: What’s wrong with 21st-century America?
Why are we so polarized?
One columnist, who shared mutual friends with Kirk and is “sickened” by his killing, believes she knows.
“Charlie had the courage to tell the truth,” she writes.
Charlie’s widow, Erika, spoke out following her husband’s death.
The transcript of her speech includes this segment:
The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done.
They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and of God’s merciful love.
But they should all know this.
If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea.
You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country.
One video contrasts the huge difference between the aftermaths of the deaths of George Floyd and Charlie Kirk.
Whatever one wants to say about Charlie Kirk, he spoke with conviction on what he believed — and that was his Creator-endowed right to do!
Quoting from The Declaration of Independence:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
And quoting the First Amendment to The Constitution of the United States:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Freedom of speech is a pillar of the United States of America.
Some people don’t like it when others speak the truth, but we absolutely need more truth-tellers who are unafraid and unashamed to speak the truth and are willing to engage with others in open ways.
In John Maxwell’s book High Road Leadership: Bringing People Together in a World That Divides — which I have read and recommend — John Maxwell would denote speaking the truth in love — for the benefit of helping others — as a mark of a high road leader.
Colossians 4:6 says: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
As I have texted to others many times:
May the Lord bless you with wisdom, knowledge, understanding, wellness, purpose, abundance, discernment, and courage to do all that He has called you to do.
NTDAW
According to the American Trucking Associations:
Celebrated annually, this year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 14-20, 2025 and we invite all Americans to show professional truck drivers appreciation and support for all the hard work they do. Their efforts contribute greatly to our quality of life and truly move America forward.
See if you can take advantage of the freebies, discounts, and other goodies being offered this week!
- Businesses to thank truckers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- CH Robinson honors drivers and carriers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- Cheers to truckers: Free drinks from Circle K for Appreciation Week
- Truck Driver Appreciation: 5 Ways to Show You Care All Year
- Werner announces plans for Truck Driver Appreciation Week celebrations
2. Regarding economy, employment, future:
Economy
- Class 8 Truck Orders Continue to Fall in August
- Freight Market Showed Hopeful Signs in Q2
- Moody’s cuts Odyssey rating amid weak freight market
- Retailers see import decline through end of 2025
- Truck and trailer dealers see decrease in sales, without corresponding boom in parts and service
- Truck makers need to be cautious on production as Class 8 demand remains weak: FTR
Employment
- Don’t slam the door on the way out: How you leave employment is as important as how you start
- Driver Poll: If a local job meant more stops and more loading/unloading, would you still want it?
- J.B. Hunt closing facility at GA Home Depot distribution center
- The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits last week hits 263,000, most in nearly 4 years
- Transportation/warehousing jobs up slightly in BLS model revision
Future
The caption/subtitle of the first article in this section reads:
With freight leaders forecasting a tough 12–18 months ahead, small carriers need to shift from survival mode to strategic execution—and that starts by facing the numbers head-on.
This may apply to owner-operators and independent truckers, too.
- The Freight Forecast Nobody Wants — But Everyone Needs
- Trailer makers adapt as fleets stall trailer purchases in face of weak freight market
- Trucking Carriers Expect Bumpy Ride for Next 18 Months
- Werner sees market inching closer to recovery
3. Regarding foreign truckers, immigration, language:
Foreign truckers
I think that a big part of the criticism about any trucking company hiring professional truck drivers from another country is that doing so precludes the hiring of American citizens.
Someone might ask, but what if American citizens don’t want to work in the conditions that some trucking companies offer?
I think that an examination of the “conditions” that are causing Americans not to want to be truckers is necessary.
And this has been going on for a long time.
ATRI reports updated statistics on the top issues of truckers on a periodic basis.
- Did Nebraska, Werner open the door to Kenyan truck drivers?
- Nebraska Government, Werner deny rumors of deal with Kenya to bring in foreign drivers
- Werner faces social media storm over Kenyan driver rumors
Immigration
Language
A September 9, 2025, article entitled “Bill to require weigh stations along interstates to check truckers for English and CDL compliance” opens with:
A Florida Congressman introduced new legislation to require that all weigh stations check Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for irregularities and verify the English Language Proficiency (ELP) of truckers passing through the facilities.
Be on your guard.
A similar article is: Bill targets weigh stations for trucker checks.
- A Deadly Crash, a Divided Nation: Why Sikh Truckers Are Now in the Crossfire
- House bill would require English proficiency checks at weigh stations
- New legislation calls for weigh station enforcement of English language proficiency
4. Regarding business, classification, cold, recalls, repairs, Run on Less – Messy Middle:
Business
- LTL Fleets’ ‘Y2K’ Fears Ease as NMFC Updates Take Hold
- Mark Ledford’s MRL Transport: Master class in trucking right-sizing
- Navigating Truck Sales Cycles: A Lesson from a 1995 Forecast
- OnTrac challenges FedEx, UPS with cross-country delivery services
- Relay Payments expands: Circle K becomes third largest user
- Should You Keep Your Authority or Lease On — The 2025 Breakdown That Could Save (or Sink) Your Trucking Business
- Stop Bleeding Money — Real Fleet Maintenance Strategies That Keep You Rolling
- This Is One of the Hardest Decisions in the Industry — And One of the Most Misunderstood
- Three things that could drive excess capacity from the trucking market
- Veho brings e-commerce delivery network to southern California
- What to Consider When Buying a Truck for Contract Work
- What to Know About Selling Truck Parts
- When It’s Time to Scale Down — How to Exit a Truck Without Sinking Your Business
Classification
- Misclassifying truck drivers is illegal, ESDC warns employers
- NFI misclassification fight ends in $5.75M deal
Cold
- Medlog’s new facility: A game changer for cold storage
- The strategic truth behind Tobin’s cold chain acquisitions
- Why Phononic’s move could save billions in wasted goods
Recalls
If your tractor or trailer is under a recall, please have the work attended to as soon as possible.
Repairs
The title of the second article in this section reminds me of a post I wrote:
Being Exploited: Unscrupulous Trucking Companies Trap Truckers.
- Breakdown Breakdown — How to Handle Road Repairs Without Getting Ripped Off
- When the Wheels Stop Turning — What to Do With a Truck That Won’t Stay Out of the Shop
Run on Less – Messy Middle
5. Regarding crashes, drugs, explosion, fatalities, theft, 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 tried to avoid Interstate 75 crash, hits Georgia deputy involved in pursuit
- Briefly: Bridge struck by tractor-trailer to be closed for 6 to 8 weeks
- Dump truck driver loses license, fired at the scene, after DUI rollover crash, cops say
- Motorist hospitalized with broken legs after crashing into concrete pillar oversize load
- New York woman spared after semi truck crashes into home, propane tanks
- Side ripped off of tractor trailer in crash involving rig that crossed the center line
Drugs
Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.
- DOT Finally Moves on Fentanyl Testing for Commercial Drivers
- New York trucking company owner arrested after drugs and assault rifles seized by FBI and IRS during raid: Report
Explosion
Are there truly more explosions of commercial motor vehicles than there used to be — or is it the case that they are just being reported in a more timely manner?
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 in Ohio crash involving 3 big rigs
- Gas tanker crash causes explosion that injured 90, killed 4 in Mexico City
- Woman dies after being struck by semi truck in Oregon
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.
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.
6. Regarding autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel:
Autonomous vehicles
Without a doubt, I oppose the operation of self-driving, autonomous, 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 plans to expand routes
- First Kodiak Driver-equipped truck delivered to customer
- International and PlusAI launch driverless truck fleet trials in Texas
- International begins autonomous delivery trials on I-35 in Texas
- International launches autonomous fleet trials
- Kodiak Robotics delivers its first factory-made autonomous truck
- Roush Industries delivers first upfitted autonomous truck since Kodiak partnership
Electric vehicles
Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.
- Amazon Tests GM BrightDrop EV Delivery Vans
- Exxon Says Its New Form of Graphite Boosts EV Battery Life
- Ram Cancels US All-Electric Pickup Amid Demand Deceleration
- VW Delays Electric Golf as Cost Cuts Stall Factory Revamp
Fuel
7. Regarding FMCSA, legal:
FMCSA
- FMCSA Announces Plans to Launch Fatal Large Truck Crash Study
- FMCSA spikes sexaul assault, harassment study
- FMCSA to stop accepting paper payments Sept. 30
Legal
- ATA Touts Lawsuit Abuse Legislation
- CBP, HHS seize shipment worth $86.5 million of illegal E-Cigarettes
- Driver experiencing medical emergency in 5 mph police chase that ended in battering ram now suing Houston deputies
- Judge issues determination on patent infringement complaint betweek Motive, Samsara
- Op-ed: Motive defeats Samsara in IP infringement case
- Singer’s family sues trucking company, manufacturer for fatal crash
- Trucker files lawsuit over alleged attack in North Carolina
8. Regarding politics, politics: FAIR Trucking Act, politics: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act:
Politics
- Bill targets trucking standards for hauling livestock
- Freight brokers pushing truck-fitness bill
- Iowa city to start full enforcement of noise camera program to combat Jake brakes
- Moving and storage companies meet with Capitol Hill lawmakers
- Trucking groups seek opposing highway bill priorities
- Trucking union sets highway bill priorities
- Voter registration is start to making your voice heard
Politics: FAIR Trucking Act
Politics: Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act
9. Regarding lottery, pay, rates, tariffs, tolls, trade:
Lottery
I hope that this trucker has great financial discipline in his life!
Pay
This article contains numbers:
Rates
- Rates spin as Chinese ships dropped from U.S. routes
- Trans-Pacific container rates rally despite trade war’s effects
Tariffs
- Mack Trucks and J.B. Hunt Tackle Tariffs and Regulations
- No truck OEM spared from impact of tariffs
- Sheinbaum Aims to Calm China Tensions After Tariff Backlash
- Supreme Court to review legality of Trump’s tariffs in November
- Tariff Revenue Rises but Deficit Soars to Third-Biggest Ever
Tolls
Trade
- Bessent to Meet Chinese Officials in Spain to Discuss Trade
- EU Lawmakers Seek Tweaks to US Trade Deal
- Ex-FMC chief warns: U.S. maritime push needs deeper look
10. Regarding inspections, routing, training:
Inspections
If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.
- 767 violations found during commercial vehicle enforcement blitz along Mass Pike
- Enforce the 28-hour law? Legislators want increased compliance
- How roadside inspectors might easily catch digital HOS and ELD cheats
- Officers put a third of inspected trucks OOS in Collingwood, Ont.
Routing
Training
- What Every New Driver Should Know Before Their First Day on the Road
- ATRI launches research initiative on entry-level driver training impacts
- ATRI’s latest research to consider new entrant truck driver training
- How a high-school student found a new way in CDL course
- How Training Drives Safety: Turning Culture into Action Behind the Wheel
- MTO suspends truckers’ licences after uncovering dishonest testing, training
11. Regarding ports, technology:
Ports
- Georgia Ports welcomes first vessel to use Lay Berth saving 12-15 hours in vessel schedule
- Montreal port expansion included among first five nation-building projects
- Montreal Port Project Sees Cost Rise to $1.7 Billion
Technology
The fourth article in this section references “lidar,” which stands for “light detection and ranging”.
- Dash cam captures semi truck u-turn eerily similar to fatal one in Florida
- Driver’s dash cam captures footage of fatal incident involving man walking through fuel island
- Impersonation Attacks Are Here To Stay
- MicroVision eyes 2029 rollout of lidar for trucks
- Multimodal group established to modernize freight movement
- Tech Roundup: Accelerate cash flow with Tai and Navix’s new integration
- TruckSmarter secures $16M: A new era for transport AI
- Volvo surpasses 1 million connected trucks worldwide
- Volvo’s new Load Finder designed to help eliminate deadhead miles
- White Paper: Freight Security in a High-Risk Era: How Shippers Are Investing in Safety Tech
12. Regarding truck parts, truck stops, weather:
Truck parts
Truck stops
Weather
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: 2025.09.13 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
