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TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.09.26

TDMST Weekly Round-Up 2026.09.26 is the trucking commentary on news affecting professional truck drivers for the week ending September 26, 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 Diesel, Fuel, Iran, Middle East, Oil, Strike, and Venezuela:

Diesel

To anyone watching, the price of fuel — especially diesel — has spiked.

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Any reasonable prognosticator could have guessed what might happen as a result of the illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional war that U.S. President Donald Trump waged on Iran.

In response to the problem with diesel, Trump has proposed a diesel export ban.

A former member of Congress has said that “Banning The Export of Diesel Will Only Make A Bad Situation Worse.”

One writer forecasts a future that guts the trucking industry as we have known it.

So that you can track the price of fuel:

In an effort to save as much fuel as possible, here are a few of the articles on this site dealing with aerodynamics:

See also the section below about a potential strike by truckers.

Now this week’s articles on this topic:

Fuel

Iran

Middle East

These articles are about routing through the Suez Canal instead of the Strait of Hormuz.

For your convenience, this article does a good job of contrasting two paths:

From Hormuz to Suez: Middle Eastern Sea Lanes.

Now for the articles:

Oil

Strike

In the past, I have written:

Trucker Protest: 10 Reasons Why Parking Your Truck Can Be Costly.

Before you go “on strike” against the high price of fuel, be aware of what your strike might do to your job, especially bearing in mind one goal of the powers-that-be: to eliminate human truck drivers from the process of the transportation of goods.

Venezuela

According to the first article in this section, these are about “new oil and natural gas development projects in Venezuela.”

2. Regarding Autonomous Vehicles, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Fuel Cell, and Hydrogen:

Autonomous Vehicles

I most definitely 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.

Batteries

Electric Vehicles

It could be that with the price of fuel being so high right now, that truckers and trucking companies are looking at alternatives.

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

Emissions

Fuel Cell

Hydrogen

It breaks my heart when millions of people are harmed by the control of others.

That’s why I think that being able to use the resources that our Creator has put at our disposal makes perfect sense, especially when those resources are free.

One resource says: “Earth’s dry air is composed of roughly 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, and an extremely trace amount of hydrogen at about 0.00005% (or 0.55 parts per million).”

In answer to my queries:

  • “Elemental nitrogen gas cannot be burned as a chemical fuel because it is completely inert and lacks available chemical energy.”
  • “Oxygen is an oxidizer. An oxidizer is a substance that helps a fire burn, but it does not burn by itself.”
  • “Yes, hydrogen can be used as a fuel to generate power, heat, and electricity.”

The ways in which hydrogen can be used as fuel include:
“fuel cells, combustion, and energy density [supposedly ‘about three times more energy dense than gasoline’.]”

So, is there a source of hydrogen that is much more plentiful than in the air we breathe?

Yes, water! The chemical formula is H2O.

Is there a way to separate the hydrogen from oxygen in water?

Yes, electrolysis, “which applies an electric current to break water molecules down into hydrogen and oxygen.”

You may research more details about how electrolysis works, but the simplistic view is that:

  • Oxygen gas forms at the positive electrode (anode); and
  • Hydrogen gas forms at the negative electrode (cathode).

There’s a lot of technical stuff I do not know or understand, but water is free in many areas.

So, as an alternative to still-controlled electric power, I speculate that there is going to be a massive turn toward hydrogen-powered trucks in the days to come.

Furthermore, wouldn’t it be exciting if sometime in the future, trucks were equipped with mini systems built into them that could generate hydrogen on the road?

3. Regarding Bankruptcy, Border, Brokers, Business, Capacity, and Insurance:

Bankruptcy

I speculate that there are going to be a lot more bankruptcies within the trucking industry

Border

Brokers

Business

Capacity

For a definition of “capacity“, please see the glossary on this website.

Insurance

Please regularly review your truck insurance to see if it is just right to meet your needs without being too expensive.

4. Regarding California, Containers, Canada, Delivery, Freight, and Trade:

California

Containers

Canada

Delivery

According to the first article in this section, collaborating with DoorDash and Uber, “Costco is expanding its same-day delivery network as it looks to grow e-commerce sales and compete with retailers like Walmart and Target.”

The second article in this section opens with:

The U.S. Postal Service lost $163 million in revenue over a 12-month period because it was unable to track a surge in undeliverable packages from e-commerce shippers that treat the carrier as a free disposal service, according to an inspector general’s report published Thursday.

In my opinion, this is unacceptable!

Freight

The first article in this section contains:

Short-haul freight is up 35% year to date, and that shift is changing the truckload market. In this SONAR update, we break down why under-100-mile freight is growing, why long-haul volumes are slipping, and how intermodal is pulling freight out of over-the-road networks.

I have speculated in the past that truckers may be reduced to doing just the local pick-up and delivery, letting driverless trucks do the long haul work.

Trade

According to the article in this section, this proposed road is in Texas.

5. Regarding Alcohol, Crashes, Death, Drugs, Dumping, Fatalities, Fire, and Fraud:

Alcohol

Never ever consume alcohol — or use an alcohol-containing product (such as mouthwash) — before beginning to drive a commercial motor vehicle!

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 these articles.

Drugs

Never ever haul or take illegal drugs.

Dumping

Over the years, I have read articles — such as these — about truckers (or others within the trucking industry) have have “dumped” something from trucks that ought not to have been disposed of as it was.

One resource reads: “Illegal dumping from commercial vehicles violates environmental statutes, such as South Carolina Code Section 16-11-700, which prohibits discarding solid waste or litter on public or private property without legal permission.”

Naturally, other states will have their own laws regarding illegal dumping.

Fatalities

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, as it concerns a “highway”:

Fatality means any injury which results in the death of a person at the time of the motor vehicle accident or within 30 days of the accident.

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?

Fire

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.

6. Regarding Scam, Smuggling, Theft, Trafficking, Violations, and Violence:

Scam

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

Smuggling

Never ever transport people made in the image of God as if they were cattle or cargo — no matter how large of an incentive you’ve been offered.

And don’t attempt to smuggle illegal products.

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.

Please bear in mind that, should the economy worsen, the temptation will increase for people to hijack trucks and steal the contents.

Desperate people do desperate things.

Trafficking

Please learn about and from Truckers Against Trafficking.

Violations

A lot of violations are found during truck inspections while others are spotted on the road.

Make it your aim as a trucker to do everything in compliance with the law and regulations — even if your trucking company is trying to get you to compromise.

For your convenience, please review these posts:

Now for the news article on this topic:

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.

7. Regarding DataQ, Enforcement, Inspections, Low Clearance, and Motus:

DataQ

For a definition of this term, please see the glossary on this site.

Enforcement

Inspections

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

Low Clearance

Actually, this section should probably have been named “oversized” and “permitted” loads — or “measure before you move”.

Motus

[Ragged sigh!]

8. Regarding Parking, Safety, Securement, Speeding, Stranded, and Training:

Parking

Safety

Through the years, there have been various kinds of “daring” and “dangerous” games associated with driving.

Please see the first article in this section about a new one!

Securement

It is the professional truck driver’s responsibility to make sure that his/her load is secure before driving.

The Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR Part 393 covers “Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation”.

Subpart I details “Protection Against Shifting and Falling Cargo”.

It covers everything from § 393.104 Standards for cargo securement devices and systems to very specific kinds of loads including boulders, containers, metal coils, etc..

If you have not been trained on how to secure your load, demand that your trucking company provide you with that training before you drive a single inch!

Why? Because you as the trucker will be held responsible for it if something goes wrong.

Now, typically, truckers usually think of a physical load that must be secured.

In the case of the article in this section, it is a gas leak.

Please consult with your driver manager or company Safety Director about how to secure various kinds of loads.

Speeding

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

Stranded

OK, the first paragraph of this article reads:

4RoadService is announcing a new search feature that lets users find help by typing an interstate and exit number, for example, “I-87, Exit 16”, instead of a city / state.

With all of the GPS tools on the market now — and so many maps apps out there — why not track a truck’s whereabouts that way?

Just asking.

Training

9. Regarding Economy, Fees, Fuel Payment, Fuel Taxes, Future, Pay, Rates, Tariffs, and Tolls:

Economy

According to a September 28, 2026, article: “Consumer sentiment sinks as Americans grow more worried about prices”.

More detail:

Consumer sentiment in the U.S. fell to 48.1 in September, driven by inflation worries and high prices impacting household finances.

Rising fuel costs and inflation concerns are putting additional pressure on household finances

Now for the articles:

Fees

Fuel Payment

Fuel Taxes

Future

Pay

While increased pay sounds good, what does it need to off-set by rising prices?

Rates

Pay attention to rates and please make sure that the increased price of fuel is built into your calculations.

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.

There’s also a short video on Telegram with this description:

Peter Schiff on Trump’s punitive tariffs against U.S. allies and why all tariffs are paid by the American people, not foreign manufacturers

Now for the articles in this section…

Tolls

10. Regarding Infrastructure, Language, Legal, and Politics:

Infrastructure

Language

I have lumped together in this section articles dealing with the topics of:

  • both English Language Proficiency (ELP);
  • and Non-Domiciled CDLs.

Here they are:

Legal

Politics

11. Regarding Supply Chain, Technology, Trucks, and Warehouse:

Supply Chain

Technology

Trucks

Warehouse

12. Regarding Appreciation, Awards, and Recognition:

Appreciation

FYI: National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2026 took place from Sunday, September 13, through Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Awards

Congratulations to all truckers who have:

  • demonstrated skill and achievement in their work as professional truck drivers;
  • been recognized for that skill and achievement, perhaps for safe driving;
  • been given a tangible reward; or
  • been nominated for or given an award.

Here are articles about some of the nominees for, finalists, and winners of awards.

Recognition

I recognize those who helped their fellow human beings in a time of need, whether the trucker was the one doing the help or receiving the help.

Thank you to everyone 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.









Return from TDMST Weekly Round-Up: 2026.09.26 to our TDMST Weekly Round-Up Trucking Commentary or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.



Truckers, for all that you do all year long... thanks!
Factor smarter, faster, and save. Keep more of what you earn. DAT Outgo.
Rate Match Guarantee. We'll meet or beat your current rate. DAT Outgo.
Factoring that pays faster. Super fast funding speeds. DAT Outgo.
Factor with more freedom. Non-recourse + no annual contracts. DAT Outgo.