TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.01.31

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.01.31 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending January 31, 2026, written by Vicki Simons.

I welcome your comments, thoughts and feedback on the items of your choice below.

TDMST Weekly Round-Up

1. Regarding Weather:

On the East Coast, we have had two winter storms practically back-to-back:
Winter Storm Fern and now Winter Storm Gianna.

As I write this on Saturday, January 31, 2026, my area in the midlands of South Carolina is receiving snow, which is accumulating.

Both the municipality closest to which I live — and the county in which I live — have shut down services until after the storm has passed.

My area is supposed to warm up to above freezing within the next 24 hours, but I know that other places have an accumulation of ice that makes driving range from unwise to downright treacherous.

Furthermore, ice accumulations may have torn down power lines or disrupted electric connections and communications.

Some truckers may feel pressured to drive their trucks despite conditions not being ideal.

Please remember this:

No load is worth your life!

The dangers of winter driving are captured in the video embedded in this video.

Here are some resources on my website that you may find helpful:

Being prepared before a storm hits is something that I have encouraged many, many times, including having an emergency fund; an emergency kit; a well-stocked first aid kit; adequate food and drinking water; a properly maintained portable toilet; and sufficient winter clothing items.

Please take care of yourself, remembering that trucking is one of the deadliest occupations in the USA!

Weather

2. Regarding Operations: Left Lane, Low Clearance, Overweight, Seat, Tires, U-Turn, Wheel-Off, and Wrong Way:

This section contains a bunch of single articles about operations in the trucking industry, which cover decisions ranging from poor to downright illegal!

If you need a refresher, please consult the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR).

Operations: U-Turn

Congratulations to the second trucker who averted a nasty collision!

I’m not sure how the second trucker was able to video record from what looks like the driver’s seat while driving (0:20 – 0:27) — a practice that is restricted — but I hope that there is enough identifiable information in the video for the first trucker to be dealt with!

Driver’s egregious u-turn attempt caught on camera by second trucker

Operations: Wheel-Off

Please conduct thorough pre-trip inspections and post-trip inspections!

I make available as a Free Download a “Pre-Trip Inspection Combo.”

Iowa CMV troopers ‘beg’ drivers to check equipment after two wheel-off incidents this week, resulting in fatality

Operations: Wrong Way

Footage released of wrong-way semi truck on Oklahoma expressway

3. Regarding 3PL, Amazon, Border, Brokers, Business, and Carrier Integrity Pact:

3PL

Amazon

Border

Brokers

The second article in this section describes a big problem under “The Data”:

Nearly 88,000 trucking companies shut down in 2023. Another 8,000 freight brokerages went with them. In 2024, we lost another 10,000 motor carriers in the first six months alone.

Fraud losses topped $455 million last year. Double brokering spiked 400% in some corridors. Cargo theft hit 65,000 incidents, up 40% from the year before.

Somewhere in all that carnage, small carriers are filing claims against $75,000 surety bonds, only to find out that the pot’s already been divided 50 ways.

If this topic interests you, please read the full article.

Business

Carrier Integrity Pact

The article in this section opens with:

George Krasulja wants to bring integrity back to the Canadian trucking industry. Or, at the least, to recognize the carriers that do operate with integrity.

The TransX director is in the process of rolling out a new verification program that will allow carriers that operate with integrity to differentiate themselves from those who do not.

The founder was quoted as saying: “It’s a self-attestation backed up by documents and verification…”

Do you think this will succeed?

Should such an organization be established in the USA?

What about for brokers?

Please share your comments through the form below.

Carrier Integrity Pact looks to identify carriers that do things right

4. Regarding Age, ATRI, ELDs, EPA, LTL, NACFE, Politics, and Regulations:

Age

According to one source:

Actuarial tables (life tables or mortality tables) are statistical tools, often updated every 10 years by organizations like the IRS, used to estimate life expectancy, calculate annuity values, and determine insurance premiums based on age, gender, and mortality rates.

I researched (for example) “the average monthly insurance rate for a 17 year old male versus a 26 year old male in the USA” and found:

Age Group	Approx. Monthly Average Cost
17-Year-Old Male	~ $680–$690+ (full coverage) (source)
26-Year-Old Male	~ $170–$200+ (average) (source)

So, what will happen if trucking companies decide to allow under-21 male drivers to drive their trucks?

I expect for their insurance rates to go through the roof!

I have nothing against young people, but there are very real reasons why maturity — the kind that is usually found only among those with fully developed brains — is needed to become a professional truck driver.

One resource says:
Brain Maturation is Complete at About 24 Years of Age

and shows this image:

Brain maturation in human from 5 years to 20 years of age.

So, I oppose those under 21 years of age being able to drive commercial motor vehicles in the USA.

Now this raises a very interesting question as to “why” there has been such a push for younger truckers.

I think that trucking companies realize that more mature truckers will no longer put up with the high-stress, low-paying jobs being offered and are simply looking to “fill seats.”

In case you’re wondering about my “low pay” description above, please see:

Inflation Calculator Shows Trucker Pay Fails Cost of Living Test
26 Percent (September 2018 data, now 18.6% as of December 2025)

Agree?

ATRI

ELDs

FMCSA reinstates another ELD

EPA

LTL

The subtitle of the third article in this section reads:

“New AI agents are cutting wasted trips, speeding freight and bringing long-missing visibility to less-than-truckload networks”.

The article states:

The logistics provider has rolled out a new set of AI agents designed specifically to tackle missed LTL pickups. When one pickup fails, it can trigger a cascade of delays across terminals, routes and other customers’ freight. By automating how missed pickups are identified, investigated and resolved, C.H. Robinson says it’s already seeing measurable gains in speed, efficiency and network reliability.

The company’s AI agents now automate 95% of missed pickup checks, eliminating more than 350 hours of manual work each day.

This sounds excellent to me! I’ll be eager to see how this works out in the long-term.

NACFE

Politics

Regulations

5. Regarding Autonomous Vehicles, Charger, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Fuel, and Tesla:

Autonomous Vehicles

I completely 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 my readers to help us stay current on the topic.

Charger

The topic of how to charge electric vehicles may take the same pattern as the old Park ‘N View (PNV) that preceded personal cell phone proliferation.

Even though I do not agree with electric vehicles from a top-down control point of view, I envision one day some invention where an electric truck can be powered from some kind of powerful-but-lightweight generator mounted on the truck

Also, please see the “Tesla” section below.

Be that as it may, here are a few articles on this topic.

Electric Vehicles

Before you buy an all-electric Commercial Motor Vehicle, please do your due diligence by asking some questions and getting answers.

Emissions

EPA Rejects CARB Plan to Test Out-of-State Truck Emissions

Fuel

Tesla

Please see the “Charger” section above.

6. Regarding Data Centers, Technology, and Training:

Data Centers

The topic of data centers has taken front row at some meetings of government entities.

I have personally spoken on this topic a number of times before the Aiken County Council.

Palmetto State Watch Foundation in my home state of South Carolina has a number of articles on this topic.

Dr. Annie Bukachek, the last surviving private practice independent doctor in the Kalispell, Montana, area, who has been voted the best family physician in that area for the last seven consecutive years, made a presentation on Sunday, November 30, 2025, entitled:

What To Know About The A.I. Bubble.

Among other things, she covered major financial red flags, early signs of instability, “who benefits” from the AI bubble, and “who pays” when it bursts.

Technology

Training

7. Regarding Crashes, Death, Distracted Driving, Drugs, Fatalities, Fraud, Scam, Theft, Trafficking, 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.

Death

I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the family of the loved one who died as reported in this article.

Driver dies after semi truck tires come loose, strikes car in Iowa

Distracted Driving

For reference purposes:

Distracted Driving: Beware of Attention Diverters That Can Be Fatal

Distracted Driving’s Death Toll: What a Viral Dashcam Lawsuit Means for CDL Holders

Drugs

Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.

Fatalities

I express my deep sympathy — and offer my condolences — to the families of those whose loved ones died.

Can you learn anything from the articles below that would help prevent being involved in a fatal large truck crash?

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.

Scam

Please be aware of and speak out against these and other types of scams that can impact truckers and trucking companies.

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.

Trafficking

Please learn about and from Truckers Against Trafficking.

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.

Trucker passenger involved in Indiana shooting identified

8. Regarding Economy, Employment, Future, Inflation, Rates, Tariffs, and Trade:

Economy

Employment

Future

Auto Supplier Bosch Sees Tough Markets Persisting Until 2027

Inflation

Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged While Upgrading View of US Growth

Rates

Tariffs

For a much better and more thorough explanation about the problems with Trump-issued tariffs, please search for the word “tariffs” in Peggy Hall’s Substack archive.

Trade

US Trade Gap Widens From Smallest Since 2009 as Imports Rise

9. Regarding Language and Legal:

Language

I am glad that this topic is getting the attention it deserves.

This is part of “General qualifications of drivers [who drive a commercial motor vehicle]” 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2):

Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records;

It appears that for too long, states have been letting this slide and now they cannot run from the consequences.

Here are at least some of this week’s articles on this topic:

Legal

10. Regarding Containers, Inspections, Parking, Recalls, and Safety:

Containers

Inspections

If you keep yourself and your rig in perpetual readiness for an inspection, you’ll never be caught off-guard.

Parking

Recalls

If your tractor or trailer is under a recall, please have the work attended to as soon as possible.

Toyota Recalls 162,000 Pickup Trucks Over Faulty Screens

Safety

Trucking Alliance’s safety agenda 3: broad regulatory changes on English, ELDs and insurance

11. Regarding Smith System, Speed, Speed Limits, and Towing:

Smith System

Learn more about the Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc.

Speed

No matter how “hot” your load is, obey the speed limit in every jurisdiction where you travel.

Iowa troopers clock semi truck at 84 MPH on Highway 61

Speed Limits

Towing

12. Regarding America’s Road Team, Awards, and Recognition:

America’s Road Team

Congratulations to those professional truck drivers who were chosen to be part of America’s Road Team.

ATA Picks 20 Drivers as Newest America’s Road Team Captains

Awards

Congratulations to all truckers who have:

demonstrated skill and achievement in their work as professional truck drivers;
been given a tangible reward; or
been nominated for or given an award.

Two articles this week…

Awards: Recognition

I recognize those who helped out their fellow human beings in a time of need, whether it was the trucker doing the helping or the trucker being helped.

I wish you — and all professional truck drivers — safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.

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