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Old Dominion Freight Line Q1 financials reflect economic softness

THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Old Dominion Freight Line is reporting LTL operating metrics for February 2025. “The decrease in our February revenue results reflects continued softness in the domestic economy as well as the impact of lower fuel prices on our yields,” said Marty Freeman, president, CEO. “While our revenue and volumes were lower on a year-over-year basis, demand for our industry-leading service remains strong, and we continue to be cautiously optimistic about the economy.” Decreases in Q1 Revenue per day decreased 5.0% as compared to February 2024 due to a 7.1% decrease in LTL tons per day that was partially offset by an increase in LTL revenue per hundredweight. The decrease in LTL tons per day was attributable to a 5.9% decrease in LTL shipments per day and a 1.3% decrease in LTL weight per shipment. For the quarter-to-date period, LTL revenue per hundredweight and LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 2.6% and 4.3%, respectively, as compared to the same period last year. Focus on Service “As a result, we will continue to focus on delivering superior service at a fair price and have the capacity to effectively manage incremental growth in our business,” Freeman said. “Our continuous execution on these fundamental elements of our long-term strategic plan has contributed to our historical track record for success and supports our confidence in producing further profitable revenue growth over the long-term while also increasing shareholder value.”

Towing Reform: OOIDA to testify at Missouri capitol

WASHINGTON —  The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association will testify at the Missouri capitol at a hearing discussing towing reform on Tuesday. Earlier this year, OOIDA expressed support for two proposals in Missouri that would ensure fair treatment for truck drivers involved in nonconsensual tows.  OOIDA executive vice president Lewie Pugh will give testimony before the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee. “Small-business truckers often get stuck with bills that are arbitrarily inflated by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars,” Pugh said. “We appreciate the Missouri legislature’s interest in this issue and we look forward to continuing to work with them and other states to get small-business truckers a means of contesting predatory towing practices.” Predatory Towing Practices Bills, HB745 and SB516, aim to address longstanding issues with predatory towing practices. These bills, introduced by Sen. Justin Brown (R-Rolla) and Rep. Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City), propose critical reforms. They would grant the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) the authority to regulate nonconsensual towing procedures for commercial vehicles. Highlights of the Legislation Establishing a 7-member Towing and Recovery Review Board, with one member representing independent owner-operator truck drivers. Creating a complaint filing and adjudication process to address violations by towing companies. Regulating the release of vehicles when fees are disputed. Prohibiting per-pound charges for nonconsensual tows. Allowing commercial vehicle owners or operators to request a specific towing company, with law enforcement required to honor these requests except under certain conditions. Prohibit towing companies from performing nonconsensual tows if they violate the law.  

Truckstop, FTR: Van spot rates decline, flatbed rates rise

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. —  Broker-posted spot market rates in the Truckstop system for dry van and refrigerated equipment returned to their downward trend during the week ending Feb. 28. The downtrend comes after rising for the first time in six weeks during the prior week, according to FTR. Refrigerated spot rates fell to their lowest level since April 2023. Dry van spot rates were at their second lowest level since October. Flatbed spot rates rose to their highest level since late July, and flatbed volume was the strongest since July 2022. Total Spot Load Availability Total load activity increased 6.5% to the highest level since May 2023. Volume was 22% higher than in the same 2024 week but more than 27% below the five-year average for the week. Total truck postings increased 1.5%, and the Market Demand Index – the ratio of load postings to truck postings in the system – rose to its strongest level in seven weeks due to flatbed. Total Spot Rates The total market broker-posted spot rate increased 2.5 cents due to stronger flatbed rates coupled with stronger flatbed volume performance week over week. Total rates were down more than 1% from the same 2024 week and were nearly 8% below the five-year average for the week. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were up more than 2% y/y. During the current week (week 9) of the year, flatbed and dry van spot rates usually rise while refrigerated rates in recent years have mostly declined. Dry Van Spot Rates Dry van spot rates decreased more than 1 cent after rising more than 3 cents in the prior week. Rates were 1.5% above the same 2024 week – the first positive comparison since the first week of the year – but about 14% below the five-year average for the week. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were up 7% y/y. Dry van loads increased 2.7%. Volume was nearly 7% above the same 2024 week but more than 45% below the five-year average. Refrigerated Spot Rates Refrigerated spot rates fell more than 6 cents after increasing more than 3 cents during the previous week. Rates were more than 3% below the same 2024 week and 16% below the five-year average for the week. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were nearly flat y/y at down 0.2%. Refrigerated loads fell 8.1%. Volume was 4% above the same 2024 week but about 46% below the five-year average. Flatbed Spot Rates Flatbed spot rates increased 3.6 cents after a gain of nearly 2 cents in the previous week. Rates were 2% below the same 2024 week and more than 6% below the five-year average for the week. Rates excluding a calculated fuel surcharge were up 1% y/y. Flatbed loads increased 9.6%. Volume was more than 32% above the same 2024 week but close to 18% below the five-year average.

FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index fell into negative territory in December

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. —  FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for December fell to -1.8, which is only the second negative reading for the measure since August 2023. “Market conditions for shippers likely will be volatile in the near term as the supply chain reacts to the plethora of tariff impositions and threats as well as similar measures such as the proposed port access fee related to China,” said Avery Vise, FTR president of trucking. November Looked Strong The November SCI reading had been +2.3. Sharply stronger freight volume and capacity utilization in December were a hit to shippers’ market conditions for the month, although the impact on freight rates was marginal. “Our forecast for the SCI is slightly weaker than it was previously but generally not as weak as it was in December,” Vise said. “Although we expect market conditions over the course of the year to be only slightly negative for shippers, that outlook probably is of little consolation for traffic managers having to navigate a chaotic business environment day to day and week to week.”

Trump tariffs: ATA issues warning

WASHINGTON —  President Donald Trump’s promise to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China was fulfilled on Tuesday. The American Trucking Association issued a statement regarding its position on the new tariffs. “Truckers live in every state and community throughout our country, said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO.  “We have seen firsthand the devastating effects of fentanyl and the humanitarian crisis caused by unchecked illegal immigration. President Trump has rightfully placed an emphasis on tackling these challenges, and the trucking industry is committed to being a part of the solution. That is why we are raising public awareness and supporting legislation to remove deadly fentanyl from our streets, backing efforts to increase the security and efficiency of our borders, and training our workforce to recognize and report instances of human trafficking.” Unintended Consequences of Tariffs “As we work to make our communities stronger and safer, we must also avoid unintended consequences that could exacerbate another one of Americans’ top concerns: the high prices for goods and groceries,” Spear said. “With the success of USMCA and the growing trend of nearshoring, the North American supply chain has become highly integrated and supports millions of jobs.” According to Spear, imposing border taxes on the country’s largest and most important trading partners will undo this progress and raise costs for consumers. Hardworking Truckers to Pay the Price “The 100,000 full-time hardworking truckers hauling 85% of the surface trade in goods with Mexico and 67% of the goods traded with Canada will bear a direct and disproportionate impact,” Spear said. “Not only will tariffs reduce cross-border freight, but they will also increase operational costs. The price tag of a new truck could rise by up to $35,000, amounting to a $2 billion annual tax and putting new equipment out of reach for small carriers. “The longer tariffs last, the greater the pain for truckers as well as the families and businesses we serve. The Trump Administration knows our industry well and understands how vital trucking is to our economy and supply chain. President Trump proved his dealmaking skills during his first term by negotiating the USMCA. To prevent unnecessary economic pain, the trucking industry urges all parties to come to the table once again to swiftly reach a new agreement.”

Trucking titans of the bayou: Meet the 2025 champions

BATON ROUGE, La. —  The 2025 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships, presented by the LMTA Foundation, is announcing its winners.  The two-day competition was held at the L’Auberge Baton Rouge on a specially made driving course across River Road from the L’Auberge’s main facilities.    “This year’s competition saw 80 drivers participate, each completing three tests focused on testing a driver’s knowledge and skills,” the LMTA said. “All competitors were required to provide safe driving records, including a zero-accident report for the year.” Scored Categories The scored categories were as follows:  The written examination is an hour-long test that measures competitors’ knowledge of the trucking industry, safe driving rules, first aid, and firefighting.  The pre-trip inspection tests the driver’s ability to thoroughly investigate the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMSCA) pre-trip inspection. Each driver is tasked with finding defects planted on a test vehicle within a limited time.  The field test course sees contestants drive a vehicle through the specially designed course with problems designed to simulate conditions they may encounter during the everyday operation of a truck.   Competition Classes The Louisiana competition has nine classes, each with different size commercial vehicles. The classes include: Step-Van Straight Truck 3-Axle Van 4-Axle Van 5-Axle Van 5-Axle Tank 5-Axle Flatbed 5-Axle Sleeper Cab Twin-Trailers Scores in each class were calculated from each competition category, recognizing a first, second and third-place winner. Each winning contestant was recognized during the night’s Trucking Safety Awards Banquet with an award for their competition class.  Top Champions Also awarded from the competition were the Mechanics Award, Rookie of the Year Award, Team Award, and Overall Grand Champion. The Mechanic’s Award was given to Corey Mitchell of FedEx Freight, with the highest pre-trip inspection score.  Rookie of the Year was awarded to Darrin Lemoine with Walmart Transportation, as the driver with the highest score among those participating in a truck-driving championship for the first time. XPO won the Team Award with the overall highest average score based on the scores of the competing drivers from that company. Chad Rudesill with FedEx is the 2025 Grand Champion as the driver who receives the highest overall score during the competition.  All first-place winners will represent the LMTA Foundation and the State of Louisiana in the 2025 American Trucking Association (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. on August 20 – 23.  Winners of the LMTA competition are as follows:  Step Van  1st Place – Nicholas Burgess, Walmart  2nd Place – Michael Brian, FedEx  3rd Place – Mario Powell, FedEx                             Straight Truck  1st Place –  Place Leroy Williams, XPO                         2nd Place – Darrin Lemoine, Walmart                         3rd Place – Corey Mitchell, FedEx                       3 Axle Van  1st Place – Chad Rudesill, FedEx                         2nd Place – David Jowers, Old Dominion Freight Line                             3rd Place – Damien Hebert, XPO                         4 Axle Van  1st Place – Larry Peltier, Martin Brower                                2nd Place – Wallace Simien, Walmart                   3rd Place – Shelton Winn, Old Dominion Freight Line  5 Axle Van  1st Place – Eric Courville, FedEx                            2nd Place – Christopher Colomb, Walmart                   3rd Place – John McLean, Walmart                           5 Axle Tank Truck  1st Place – Curtis McMellon, XPO                        2nd Place – Johnnie Long, Walmart                          3rd Place – Patrick Rudesill, FedEx                          5 Axle Flatbed  1st Place – Mark Collins, Walmart                              2nd Place – Joseph Vital, FedEx                            3rd Place – Warren Little, FedEX                            5 Axle Sleeper Cab  1st Place – Patrick Bonvillian, Old Dominion Freight Line                      2nd Place – Malcolm Taylor, FedEx                                        3rd Place – Joseph Guidry, Walmart                                                 Twin Truck  1st Place – Wilbur Sansom, FedEx                                              2nd Place – Eddie Bonnet, Old Dominion Freight Line                                                3rd Place – Michael Greene, Ergon Trucking                                           

DAT names Jana Galbraith as chief people officer

BEAVERTON, Ore. —  DAT Freight & Analytics is announcing the appointment of Jana Galbraith as chief people officer (CPO). “Jana is a dynamic and strategic leader with a proven track record of building strong, high-performing teams and fostering cultures that enable people to thrive,” said Jeff Clementz, DAT’s CEO and president. “Her experience guiding organizations through growth and transformation will be invaluable as we scale our business and strengthen our position as the most trusted freight marketplace and analytics provider. We’re thrilled to have her join the team and help shape the future of DAT.” Looking for Top Talent According to a company press release, Galbraith will lead DAT’s people strategy, talent development and organizational culture initiatives. She will work to ensure the company attracts, retains and empowers top talent to further drive innovation and growth. Proven Leadership Galbraith is a seasoned people and operations leader. She has more than 20 years of experience developing HR functions for growing organizations. She has held leadership roles across technology, entertainment and digital media companies, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution. Most recently, she served as a senior vice president of people experience at Xero. She led the global HR business partnering function across the Americas, UK/EMEA, New Zealand and Australia. Galbraith she was responsible for driving HR strategy through areas including talent development, culture transformation and organizational design. She has also worked extensively with startups and high-growth companies, both in-house and as an advisor. “DAT is at an exciting inflection point, and I’m delighted to join a company that recognizes its people as the driving force behind innovation and customer success,” Galbraith said. “I look forward to building on the company’s strong foundation and creating an environment where employees feel empowered to do their best work, contribute meaningfully, and grow alongside the business.”

KLN Group sets sights on expansion with significant investment

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — KLN Group Inc. has successfully secured funding to fuel its expansion plans. “We are not just another trucking company,” said Marian Kozak, president, KLN Group. “We are a tech-driven logistics powerhouse committed to innovation, efficiency, and excellence in every aspect of our business. KLN Group Inc. is enhancing the logistics industry by embracing the latest technology, forging powerful partnerships, and creating sustainable growth in the industry. Our adoption of AI-driven solutions is transforming customer service, making our logistics network more responsive and efficient than ever.” Strategic Expansion: Strengthening Nationwide and Global Reach The investment will be used to scale its fleet, enhance logistics infrastructure and establish additional terminals across the United States. According to a company press release, KLN Group is aggressively expanding its operations to meet increasing demand. Key initiatives include: Nationwide Infrastructure Growth — Launching new terminals across the U.S. to optimize logistics efficiency and enhance service reliability. Fleet Expansion — Increasing capacity to support high-value freight transport and final-mile delivery. Cross-Border & International Expansion — Developing strategic partnerships to enter new markets, including Canada and select European regions. Leveraging expertise in global trade regulations and customs compliance. AI-Powered Customer Service — Implementing conversational AI technology to automate and improve customer service, ensuring faster response times, enhanced communication, and seamless logistics management. Company Vision “With a clear vision, innovative technology, and a strong investment strategy, KLN Group Inc. continues to advance its role in the evolving logistics industry,” KLN said. “By providing state-of-the-art solutions tailored for the modern economy, the company is set to redefine efficiency and reliability in specialized freight transport.”

Christine Britton named WIT Member of the Month

ARLINGTON, Va.— The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) is announcing Christine Iva Britton as its March 2025 Member of the Month. Britton was naturally drawn to anything with a motor and wheels as far back as she can remember. Growing up, her father ran a Husqvarna saw shop behind Jubitz Truck Stop. That location is near the Freightliner dealership where she has been employed for 10 years. Destined for the Road “The trucking industry was always coming and going in the backyard of my pre-CDL life,” said Britton. “I had stars in my eyes pretty early on and eventually went to IITR Trucking Driving School to make it official.” Starting her career at Premier Truck Group in October of 2014, Britton is dispatched by the entire dealership. It includes new and used sales, collision and service departments. She assists management, service technicians, service writers and foremen with diagnostic feedback providing customer service excellence. Her recognitions include being named one of Premier Truck Group’s 2024 Winning Women, winning the Premier Truck Group’s Safety Excellence Coin #056 and a Jubitz Truck Light Parade honorable mention. For fellow women within the industry or those looking to enter it, Britton has some enthusiastic advice. “Do it,” Britton said. “Always trust your intuition, be patient with yourself, believe in your greatness, be bold and communicate with confidence. Support, don’t compete. Make a great playlist to get through it and get over it.”

Former mayoral candidate identified as pedestrian killed by semi

SHREVEPORT, La. —  Darryl Ray Ware II, a Shreveport native and the city’s youngest mayoral candidate, has been identified as the pedestrian killed by a semi-truck on Saturday. Ware, 31, was hit by the semi-truck as he walked along 1-20. He ran for mayor of Shreveport in 2022. The incident is still under investigation by the Shreveport Police Department. The cause of the accident has not been identified. Information on the semi-truck’s driver and associated company has not been released. This is an on-going story.

UPS appoints Kevin Clark to board of directors

ATLANTA, Ga. —  UPS is announcing the appointment of Kevin Clark to the UPS board of directors, effective immediately. “Kevin’s deep expertise in finance, technology, mobility, and industrial transformation make him an outstanding addition to the board, strengthening our stewardship of UPS,” said William Johnson, chairman of UPS board of directors. “We’re excited to have Kevin join us and look forward to his contributions.” Seasoned Industry Veteran Clark is chair and CEO of Aptiv PLC. He joined Aptiv in 2010 as CFO and served as Aptiv’s COO before being named president and CEO in 2015. Prior to Aptiv, he was a founding partner of Liberty Lane Partners, LLC, and held leadership roles at Fisher Scientific International Inc. Clark has both a bachelor’s degree in financial administration and a Master of Finance from Michigan State University. “Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare and technology, which are strategic areas for UPS,” said Carol Tomé, UPS CEO. “We regularly evaluate our board, and his addition strengthens our perspectives in critical areas where we aim to accelerate growth. We’re thrilled to have him join us.” Clark is expected to join the board’s Audit Committee following UPS’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.

Mack Trucks to display advanced tech, fuel efficiency at TMC 2025

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Mack Trucks will showcase the Mack Anthem model and Class 6 Mack MD6 at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition. “Mack will also highlight its latest connected vehicle technology advancements, including the recently introduced AutoSend and Self-Service Parameter Updates features,” Mack said in a press release. “These enhancements to Mack’s Over The Air (OTA) capabilities help fleet managers maximize vehicle performance while reducing administrative workload.” AutoSend AutoSend, now standard with Mack’s Integrated Uptime subscription service, enables automated software deployments through the in-cab Driver-Display Activation interface, allowing updates to be completed in 30 minutes or less without disrupting operations. “The new Self-Service Parameter Updates feature, available through the Mack Connect customer portal, gives fleet managers direct control to create and deploy custom parameter profiles for critical vehicle settings such as road speed limits and idle shutdown parameters,” Mack said. Trucks on Display Mack trucks on display in Mack Booth No. 701 include: The Mack Anthem 64T which features: Engine: Mack MP8-445C, 445 horsepower and 1,850 lb.-ft. torque. Transmission: MackTMD12AFO mDRIVE 12-speed (Overdrive) Additional features: Mack PowerLeash engine brake, Mack ClearTech One emissions system, aerodynamic mirrors, stainless steel and clad aluminum bumper. The Mack MD6 42R which features: Engine: Cummins ISB6.7 diesel, 260 horsepower and up to 660 lb.-ft. torque. Transmission: Allison 2500 RDS six-speed with PTO provision. Additional features: 25,995-lb. GVWR, Mack air suspension, GEOTAB telematics, full-color dash with 5” copilot screen. TMC will be held March 10-13  at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit your local dealer, www.macktrucks.com or Mack booth No. 701 during TMC 2025.

NHTSA issues safety recall for Volvo Trucks VNL

WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reporting that Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2023-2025 new VNL trucks. “The brakes may take longer than expected to activate,” the NHTSA said. “As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, ‘Air Brake Systems.’” Remedy Dealers will install a new pneumatic circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 18, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks’ customer service at 800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks’ number for this recall is RVXX2502. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

National Right to Work Foundation issues legal notice to 10 Roads Express drivers subject to Teamsters strike

WASHINGTON —  The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is issuing a special legal notice for 10 Roads Express drivers subject to Teamsters union bosses’ recent strike order against the company. “The situation raises serious concerns for employees who believe there is much to lose from a union-ordered strike,” the legal notice said. “That is why workers frequently contact the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation to learn how they can avoid fines and other union discipline for continuing to report to work.” According to the Foundation, the order affects hundreds of drivers across the country. 10 Roads Express is one of the largest private contractors for the U.S. Postal Service. Notification of Rights “The legal notice informs these workers of rights, albeit limited, that union officials often do not want them to know,” the Foundation said. “First and foremost, drivers have the right to resign their union memberships and keep working to support their families.” The notice gives workers who want to exercise their right to work information on how to avoid fines and punishment that could be imposed by union officials. The Foundation’s special legal notice highlights workers’ right to resign union membership and their right to revoke their union dues check-offs, with links to sample letters that can be sent to exercise both rights. The notice also gives workers information on how to begin a petition for a “decertification election,” in which employees request a workplace election to remove the union. Strike may be Lead-Up to Creation of National, Inescapable Bargaining Unit Where Workers Can’t Vote Away Teamsters Control “Teamsters union officials’ propaganda surrounding this strike hides the fact that many workers may simply want to continue working to support themselves and their families, something that they have an absolute right to do no matter what Teamsters bosses may say,” said Mark Mix, National Right to Work Foundation president. “Teamsters officials are also unlikely to acknowledge the fact that they are demanding that 10 Roads Express management bargain with them on a national level and not in individual workplaces, which may very well be a lead-up to the Teamsters thrusting 10 Roads Express drivers into a huge national unit designed to lock workers into Teamsters ranks in perpetuity. “Such a gambit would also stop 10 Roads Express drivers in a single workplace from asking the federal labor board to hold a vote amongst their colleagues to remove the Teamsters from that one facility, as the work unit would encompass hundreds if not thousands of drivers from across the country who have likely never met each other,” Mix said. “Workers who are interested in continuing to do their jobs and avoid such legal maneuvering by Teamsters bosses in the future should read the Foundation’s legal notice and quickly seek Foundation legal aid if they encounter any obstacles to exercising their rights.” Foundation Committed to Fighting Unionism Abuse The National Right to Work Foundation is exclusively dedicated to providing free legal assistance to employee victims of forced unionism abuse. The full notice can be found at: https://www.nrtw.org/10roadsexpress/. The Foundation has provided legal aid several times recently to truck drivers, warehouse workers, and other employees who oppose Teamsters union officials’ agendas. At the end of 2024, hundreds of Foundation-backed workers across Northern Ohio voted in favor of removing Teamsters union officials from power at their workplaces. That followed efforts to similarly boot out Teamsters bosses from trucking employees in Georgia, California, Virginia, and New Jersey.

CVSA’s International Roadcheck to focus on hours of regulation, tire inspections

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck is set for May 13-15 and will focus on both driver and vehicle regulations. The International Roadcheck is a high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle and driver inspection and regulatory compliance enforcement initiative will place over three days in Canada, Mexico and the United States. “Law enforcement personnel will inspect commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weigh/inspection stations, temporary sites and mobile patrols to verify regulatory compliance,” the CVSA said in a press release. “Data from the 72 hours of International Roadcheck will be collected and the results will be released this summer.” Each year, International Roadcheck places special emphasis on a driver violation category and a vehicle violation category. During International Roadcheck, inspectors will primarily conduct the North American Standard Level I Inspection The check is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. While all 37 steps will be completed, inspectors will also pay close attention to the driver’s record of duty status (RODS) and the vehicle’s tires. Driver Focus Area “Hours-of-service (HOS) regulations are in place to safeguard transportation safety by limiting driving hours and mandating adequate rest breaks to ensure commercial motor vehicle drivers have the opportunity to get the rest they need, thereby preventing crashes and incidents caused by fatigue,” the CVSA said. To ensure compliance with HOS regulations, drivers must accurately reflect their times and duty statuses in their RODS. RODS is a log that a commercial motor vehicle driver must maintain to record their driving activity. Failure to record, complete or retain the log, or knowingly falsifying logs or other related reports, is not only a driver out-of-service violation, it also makes the driver and/or carrier liable to prosecution. During the driver portion of an inspection, inspectors check the driver’s documents, license or commercial driver’s license, medical examiner’s certificate and skill performance certificate (if applicable), record of duty status, Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse status (in the U.S.), seat belt usage, and alcohol and/or drug impairment. If an inspector identifies driver out-of-service violations, they place the driver out of service, restricting that driver from operating their vehicle. Vehicle Focus Area “The importance of proper tire maintenance cannot be overstated,” the CVSA said. “Tire failure while in transit is a hazard to all motorists. It is also far more expensive and time consuming for motor carriers to repair an in-transit tire failure versus proactively maintaining tire health and addressing tire issues before the vehicle is on the road.” Inspectors will check tires’ tread depth and proper inflation. They will also be on the lookout for tire damage, such as air leaks, tread separation, cuts, bulges, sidewall damage and improper repairs. During the vehicle portion of the Level I Inspection, inspectors ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft components, driver’s seat, fuel and exhaust systems, frames, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, wheels, rims, hubs and windshield wipers are compliant with applicable regulations. Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include the examination of emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments. CVSA Decals A vehicle that successfully passes a Level I or V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for up to three months. If out-of-service violations are found during an inspection, as outlined in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle is restricted from operating until all out-of-service violations have been properly addressed. Help from Inspectors As part of International Roadcheck, inspectors may also be available to answer questions about tire health and violations, and to help drivers navigate the HOS regulations in their jurisdictions. In case of inclement weather or other limiting circumstances during the three days of International Roadcheck, a jurisdiction or an inspector may opt to conduct a limited Level II Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection or Level III Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection, instead of a Level I Inspection. Level II and III Inspections are not eligible for a CVSA decal.

Fleet Advantage releases latest truck life cycle data index

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —  Fleet Advantage (FA) is releasing its latest Truck Life Cycle Data Index (TLDI), which compares all-in operating costs of Class-8 vehicles. “This strategic and data-driven approach allows for better forecasting of future needs, more accurate budgeting, and the ability to take advantage of emerging technologies that can improve efficiency and reduce costs over time,” said Brian Antonellis, CTP, senior vice president of fleet operations for Fleet Advantage. Ultimately, a well-crafted procurement plan based on robust analytics can lead to significant cost savings, improved operational efficiency, and a more sustainable and competitive asset management strategy with the necessary flexibility and business agility.” Significant Cost Savings According FA, the TLDI shows significant cost savings when replacing older-model vehicles with 2026 MY trucks. The TLDI shows that organizations can realize a first year per-truck savings of $13,097 when upgrading from a 2021 Sleeper model-year truck to a new 2026 model. For a fleet of 100 trucks, those savings can reach $1.3 million. Diesel Advancements The advancements of diesel are especially important now that the Environmental Protection Agency has initiated a plan to rescind the Biden administration’s waivers granted for California’s Advanced Clean Trucks and Omnibus low nitrogen oxides rules. Regardless of any decisions on this issue, companies need to understand the importance of having a data-driven procurement plan in place, according to FA. For organizations with transportation fleets, having a multi-year procurement plan is important for optimizing their equipment acquisition strategies and reducing total cost of ownership (TCO). By leveraging advanced data analytics, organizations can gain valuable insights into fleet performance, maintenance patterns, and market trends, enabling them to make more informed decisions and even small adjustments to their strategy about when and how to acquire new vehicles and/or equipment types. Smart Economic Choice “Today’s clean diesel trucks are not just better for the environment; they’re also a smart economic choice for the trucking industry,” said FA. “According to data from the Diesel Technology Forum, the environmental impact of today’s new clean diesel trucks is significant. The organization has seen reductions of 99% in NOx emissions and 98% in particulate matter compared to older models.” Fuel economy continues to represent a major portion of the savings through truck replacement. Based on FA’s TLDI, private fleets can save $5,941 per truck in fuel in the first year following replacement of a 2021 MY sleeper, a 14% increase in fuel economy and reduction of CO2 emissions. “Diesel trucks are drastically different from their predecessors, offering a stronger mix of environmental responsibility and economic efficiency,” Antonellis said. “The advancements we’ve seen in diesel technology have been nothing short of remarkable, with modern trucks achieving near-zero emissions levels that were once thought impossible.”  

Used Class 8 truck retail sale price held steady in January

COLUMBUS, Ind – According to ACT Research, the used Class 8 average retail sale price was essentially flat m/m in January, at $57,371, or 0.1% higher m/m. “On a y/y basis, prices were 2.9% lower,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “Prices are expected to start transitioning to y/y growth in early 2025.” “Same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales held reasonably steady to start the new year,” Tam said. “The 1.4% m/m decrease was stronger than the expected 9% seasonal contraction indicated by history. January is typically the weakest sales month of the year, running nearly 9% below average.”

OOIDA applauds bipartisan bill to expand truck parking

WASHINGTON — The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is announcing its strong support for the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act.  The Act, introduced by U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Angie Craig (D-MN), would dramatically increase designated parking for commercial trucks.  Safe Parking Sorely Needed  “Lack of safe truck parking has been a top concern of truckers for decades and as a former truck driver, I can tell you firsthand that when truckers don’t have a safe place to park, we are put in a no-win situation,” said Todd Spencer, president, OOIDA. “We must either continue to drive while fatigued or out of legal driving time, or park in an undesignated and unsafe location like the side of the road or abandoned lot. It forces truck drivers to make a choice between safety and following federal Hours-of-Service rules. The current situation isn’t safe for the truck driver and it’s not safe for others on the road. OOIDA and the 150,000 small-business truckers we represent thank Representative Bost and Representative Craig for listening to truckers across America and leading the charge to improve highway safety for all drivers. The bill has longstanding, broad industry support and should be a top priority as Congress begins reauthorizing our nation’s highway safety programs.”   Lack of Parking a Growing Problem  The lack of truck parking has been a problem for decades. It is only getting worse as capacity has not kept pace with the increasing number of trucks on the roadways. There is currently only 1 parking spot for every 11 trucks. This results in drivers wasting an average of one hour every day trying to secure parking.   “I grew up in a family trucking business,” Bost said. “I know firsthand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to push that extra mile in search of a safe place to park. By expanding access to parking options for truckers, we are making our roads safer for all commuters and ensuring that goods and supplies are shipped to market in the most efficient way possible. This is a matter of public safety for everyone; and I’m committed to do all I can to drive this legislation over the finish line.”   Drivers Need Safe Places to Rest  “Truck drivers keep our nation’s supply chains moving, and they should never be forced to forgo much-needed rest because of insufficient highway parking,” Craig said. “Increasing rest spot availability means a safer and more efficient road for truck drivers and everyday commuters alike, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle on this critical issue.”   Drivers need the ability to rest in safe places to best operate on America’s roadways, according to OOIDA. Trucks parked on highway shoulders, exit and entrance ramps, vacant lots and side streets create an immediate safety hazard for truck drivers and other roadway users. The time drivers waste finding safe parking is time not spent getting goods to their destination, slowing the supply chain and raising the costs for consumers. Expanding truck parking capacity will improve road safety and supply chain efficiency.   The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act would invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the creation of new truck parking spaces. Funding would be awarded on a competitive basis and applicants would be required to submit detailed proposals to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The primary focus would be to construct new truck parking facilities and convert existing weigh stations and rest areas into functional parking spaces for truck drivers. 

Grand theft cargo: Senate subcommittee convenes to tackle freight fraud and other crimes

WASHINGTON —  The Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines and Safety held a hearing on Thursday, Feb. 27. to address the rise of cargo theft and other crimes in the trucking industry. The hearing was convened by committee chair Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and focused on the rise in cargo theft, specifically on crimes within the supply chain like brokering scams, fraudulent trucking companies and train robberies by highly organized gangs. The hearing aimed to examine potential solutions, including increased coordination and enforcement by federal agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) and the Department of Homeland Security to stop theft and fraud. “We are addressing an urgent and growing concern of cargo theft,” Young said. According to Young, in the fall, PFL Logistics, a third-party logistics provider in Indiana, lost a $60,000 shipment when its cargo was stolen by a previously trusted carrier. “For a small company, a loss like this absolutely devastating,” Young said. “One that employees and customers ultimately bear. It drives inflation at a time when inflation is top of mind of our constituents.” Young noted that PFL is just one of many companies that have fallen victim to cargo theft across the county and that the trucking industry is asking congress to take action. “They want us to to work together with their industry to address this threat and come up with some concrete solutions,” Young said. Young noted that the rise in e-commerce has brought additional threats and challenges. He also pointed out that the FMCSA does not have adequate protections in place to identify fraudulent actors or remove them from its system. “Nor does it have the authority to assess civil penalties for violations of its safety or commercial regulations,” Young said. Young emphasized the need to modernize safeguards. “I’m hopeful that, together, we can begin the process of establishing and implementing those safeguard reforms today,” Young said. Trump Administration Setting Freight Safety Back Sen. Gary Peters also emphasized the need for greater safety and the prevention of cargo theft, but believes that the Trump Administration is taking steps to eliminate safety regulations that are already in place. “Since taking office, instead of increasing federal law enforcement capacity and effectiveness, which I believe is the first step we need to take to address this criminal trend like cargo theft, and fraud,” Peters said. “President Trump has prioritized politicizing and gutting federal law enforcement.” Peters noted that Trump fired much of the Federal Bureau of Investigation senior leadership including the head of the criminal, cyber, response and services branch which is responsible for criminal and cyber investigations world wide. He also fired the heads of multiple critical FBI officers and dozens of prosecutors across the country for working on Jan. 6 cases. Trump also implemented a hiring freeze preventing agencies from recruiting new talent. “You are asking for more law enforcement, but there is a freeze on new talent coming into law enforcement,” Peters said. The subcommittee heard from a variety of witnesses at the hearing including, chief Will Johnson, chief special agent, BNSF Railway Police Department and second vice president of International Association of Chiefs of Police of Fort Worth, Texas; Robert Howell, chief supply chain officer, Academy Sports and Outdoors of Katy, Texas and Adam Blanchard, principal and CEO, Tanager Logistics and Double Diamond Transport of San Antonio, Texas. Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association OOIDA executive vice president Lewie Pugh also testified during the hearing. “OOIDA’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of our members and any issues that impact their safety and success which increasing includes freight fraud,” Pugh said. Freight Fraud Easy to Commit “Cargo theft and freight fraud are so incredibly easy to commit it doesn’t even take a savvy or experienced criminal to pull it off,” Pugh said. “Everyone from shippers, receivers, motor carriers and brokers are vulnerable targets. Often, the perpetrators of these crimes are based internationally far beyond the reach of American enforcement agencies. While there are certainly cases of physical theft occurring within our industry, most of the problems small business truckers face involves being scammed by fraudsters or swindled by unscrupulous brokers.” According to Pugh, these illegal activities exploded in recent years, increasing by 600% over the course of just 5 months between 2022 and 20231. Estimates indicate these crimes costs the industry roughly $1 billion annually. Factors Contributing to Freight Fraud “There are several factors contributing this recent explosion in freight fraud,” Pugh said. “Weak freight rates, overcapacity, increased competition, leading to greater susceptibility to fraud among small trucking businesses. Advanced technology, coupled with a lack of federal oversight and enforcement of regulated entities has also created an environment where fraudulent actors can thrive.” Most small-business truckers – who are not contracted with a larger motor carrier – acquire loads from brokers on platforms called load boards. As shippers have become less likely to work directly with small carriers, reliance on load boards has increased dramatically over the years among owner-operators. “Unfortunately, small trucking businesses are both the most vulnerable to fraud and least likely to be able to recover from it,” Pugh said. “Most commonly, motor carriers are held responsible for the loss of the cargo due to fraud. With costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollar per incident.” According to Pugh, several OOIDA members have lost their businesses after falling prey to a single case of freight fraud. One Scam to Lose it All “This is not hyperbole,” Pugh said. “It only takes one scam to completely ruin a small trucking business. “Fraudulent activities include double brokering, criminals posing as legitimate brokers, rerouting schemes, identity theft, purchase of authority by fraudsters and more. Double Brokering Double Brokering is when criminals pose as motor carriers to acquire loads from brokers, then pose as brokers looking for truckers to complete hauls. When the freight is delivered, the legitimate broker issues a payment to the fraudulent actor, and the trucker who actually hauled the cargo is left high and dry. It is entirely possible brokers are unaware any fraudulent activity has occurred in these cases, but there are instances of fake motor carriers working closely with unscrupulous brokers to take advantage of small trucking businesses via double brokering. Another scam involves the theft of a broker’s identity to arrange the shipment of a load with a motor carrier. The trucker delivers the load and submits the appropriate paperwork to the fake broker, who then forwards the documents to the real broker, collects the payment and disappears. Making matters worse, small trucking businesses are also forced to absorb all the additional costs associated with moving the freight, including fuel, tolls maintenance and other expenses. Reroute Schemes Some motor carriers have also fallen victim to reroute schemes. While hauling a fraudulently brokered load, the scammers contact the unknowing trucker with a new delivery address, often offering extra payment for covering the additional miles. Once delivered, the load is transferred to another truck and stolen, leaving the carrier responsible for the lost freight. Identity Theft In other cases, a motor carrier’s identity is stolen and used to secure a load from a broker. The fraudster then delivers the load to a warehouse, where it is transferred and stolen. The legitimate motor carrier, whose authority was compromised, is ultimately held liable for the value of the stolen load. It is not particularly difficult to accomplish this type of scam. Every motor carrier is assigned a USDOT Number, which, along with addresses and phone numbers, can be easily viewed on FMCSA’s website. As a result, it is incredibly easy to take that information, hijack the authority of a legitimate motor carrier, acquire loads, and receive payments. Fraudsters can also assess the safety records of motor carriers to choose victims that are most likely to be selected by brokers. No Help for the Victims “Truckers are doing everything they can to protect themselves, but they are limited in their capabilities,” Pugh said. “For example, an OOIDA member doesn’t have the resources to identify the sophisticated scammers. They lack the authority to ensure brokers are complying with existing transparency regulations. While there are systems in place that can combat fraud, the federal government is struggling to provide support to shippers, motor carriers and brokers as needed.” What Should the Government Do? Pugh said the first step that should be taken is legislation by congress. “Passing Senate Bill 337 which is bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Fischer and Duckworth,” Pugh said. “This bill, which is supported by a wide variety of industry stake holders gives the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration the authority to level civil penalties against fraudsters. It also requires brokers to register with a physical address. This is something carriers have had to do for years. It’s a minor change that can have a major impact in protecting motor carriers.” Pugh said that congress should also use its oversight to ensure existing programs can help prevent fraud. “This includes improving FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB), which OOIDA has advocated for for years,” Pugh said. Regulatory Efforts Pugh noted that congress must also support regulatory efforts that are currently underway, such as insurance compliance, broker bond requirements and by creating a new registration system. “Additionally, if FMCSA fails to produce a final rule that ensure compliance with existing broker transparency regulations, congress must compel the agency to do so,” Pugh said. How Quickly Fraud Can Happen At this point in the hearing, Pugh had been speaking for approximately 5 minutes. “Since I began my testimony, a small business trucker has likely fallen prey to fraud that could jeopardize their entire business,” Pugh said. “That’s how commonplace freight fraud is becoming in trucking. We believe we have identified several critical steps congress and FMCSA must take to weed out fraudulent actors.” Young thanked Pugh for his testimony and perspective on the issues of fraud in trucking. Primary Target for Fraud Young noted that truckload freight is the primary target for fraud. “98% of respondents identified truckload freight as the most vulnerable mode,” Young said. “This subcommittee oversees the FMCSA and I’d like to better understand how bad actors are acquiring USDOT numbers, MC numbers and other business identifiers to carry out their illicit schemes under the guise of legitimacy.” FMCSA Lacking Earlier in the meeting Blanchard testified that a bad actor had posed as his own company, Tanager Logistics, to steal shipments. Young inquired as to how this could happen so easily. “They are able to do this now through a whole multitude of ways,” Blanchard said. “We have experienced everything…from spoofing our emails and otherwise representing themselves on behalf of out company. There are instances out there now where individuals are out there purchasing MC and DOT numbers on the black market. That is a major issue that we have to address and the FMCSA must do a more efficient job, in our opinion, of ensuring that they go through those companies that are authorized to transport freight in the United States and remove those that are illegitimate.” Chief Johnson noted that their have been instances of companies that are going out of business that have auctioned off their numbers just as they do pieces of equipment. “Individuals could buy this numbers through a business liquidation process and then already have an established footprint and assume illicit operations under a previous legitimate (business),” Johnson said. When Blanchard informed FMCSA about the illicit use of his company, he was told that unless a third party was out these using their MC or DOT number, that FMCSA did not have the ability to investigate this other company that was representing us. “We provided them with the information we knew at the time,” Blanchard said. “The individual that was behind the other Tanager Logistics, from our investigation, turned out to be somebody from Africa. We also did some investigation internally and through our attorneys that determined that the address that was listed in the SAFER website provided by the FMCSA was an address in Ohio of a woman that had no affiliation to logistics whatsoever.” What Should Congress do to Equip FMCSA? Blanchard said that FMCSA should be better equipped regarding its cyber capabilities. “They are falling further and further behind these criminal organizations,” Blanchard said. “We had an instance where our profile with FMCSA was hacked and somebody changed our address and phone number in an attempt to engage in another fraud…the FMCSA needs to be the group that quarterbacks a unified federal group of agencies and law enforcement groups in order to address these issues, in order to create a database and a repository of data so that it can be coordinated appropriately amongst not only federal law enforcement, but state law enforcement and increase the cyber security that they have to prevent these kinds of things from happening.” To watch the entire hearing click here.

Kenworth names council members for 2025

KIRKLAND, Wash.—  Kenworth Truck Company is naming the members appointed to its 2025 Dealer, Parts and Service Councils. 2025 Kenworth Dealer Council “The Kenworth Dealer Council features executives representing 490 Kenworth dealerships in the United States and Canada from eight different dealer groups who work in partnership with Kenworth to provide leading-edge customer support and strive to maximize uptime for fleets and truck operators,” Kenworth said in a media release. The 2025 Kenworth Dealer Council members include: Chairman – Mike Levering, Truckworx Kenworth (Birmingham, Ala.) Bill Kozek, CSM Companies (Madison, Wis.) Kyle Treadway, Kenworth Sales Company (Salt Lake City, Utah) Jared White, MHC Kenworth (Leawood, Kan/) Andrew Johnston, Inland Kenworth (Burnaby, B.C.) Carl Herzog, CIT Trucks (Normal, Ill.) Scott Nichols, Palmer Group (Indianapolis, Ind.) Additionally, Jodie Teuton of Kenworth of Louisiana (Gray, Louisiana) serves as the Kenworth line representative for the American Truck Dealers (ATD). 2025 Kenworth Parts Council “The 2025 Kenworth Parts Council is comprised of leading parts directors and managers from Kenworth dealerships in the United States and Canada focused on further enhancing parts quality and customer support for truck operators and fleets,” Kenworth said. “PACCAR Parts supports Kenworth dealerships in efforts to expedite repairs and increase customer uptime by helping to maintain industry-leading parts availability throughout the Kenworth dealer network, and by providing access to parts in 24 hours or less through its network of distribution centers strategically located throughout North America.” The 2025 Kenworth Parts Council members include: National Chair – Eric Bontrager, CSM Companies (Windsor, Wis.) Barry Collens, Inland Kenworth (Tolleson, Ariz.) Jacob Herzog, CIT Trucks (Mokena, Ill.) Scott Lockhart, MHC Kenworth (Denver, Colo.) Jeff Weaver, Truckworx Kenworth (Birmingham, Ala.) Teague Miller, Kenworth of Pennsylvania (Carlisle, Penn.) Jason Wheeler, Inland Kenworth (Burnaby, B.C) Sébastien Letendre, Kenworth Maska (La Présentation, Quebec) Carl Herzog, CIT Trucks (Normal, Ill.) “Kenworth dealers offer genuine Kenworth proprietary parts and provide all-makes parts and service (partsandservice.kenworth.com) through 490 locations in the United States and Canada,” the company said. “Kenworth dealers also offer TRP parts, which are reliable aftermarket products designed and tested to exceed customers’ expectations for quality and value. Regardless of the age, make or application of the vehicle, TRP is the all-makes answer.” For more information, visit www.TRPParts.com. 2025 Kenworth Service Council “The 2025 Kenworth Service Council is led by Kenworth service managers in the United States and Canada who serve on the council and help promote service and product enhancements for The World’s Best trucks,” Kenworth said. Members of the 2025 Kenworth Service Council include: Chair – Jeff Minter, CSM Companies (Windsor, Wis.) Brett Duarte, Papé Kenworth (Federal Way, Washington) Dan Mills, Sioux Falls Kenworth (Sioux Falls, S.D.) Dan Ray, Kenworth Northeast (Rochester, N.Y) Jerome Wasilieff, Inland Kenworth (Burnaby, British Columbia) Jude Becnel, Kenworth of Louisiana (Gray, La.) Jason Welborn CIT Kenworth (Normal, Ill.) Zach Newton, MHC Kenworth (Leawood, Kan.) Richard Williamson, Truckworx Kenworth (Birmingham, Ala.) Ryan Dicken, GreatWest Kenworth (Calgary, Alberta) Sean Warren, Kenworth Truck Centres (Toronto, Ontario) Tony Wiser, Kenworth of Pennsylvania (Carlisle, Penn.) Kenworth Dealer Council representatives Levering and Kozek also serve on this council. “The council works in partnership with Kenworth to support The World’s Best customer experience throughout the Kenworth dealer network in the United States and Canada, primarily through the Kenworth PremierCare program,” Kenworth said.