Troopers target fatigued truck drivers on I-5 Fatigued driving is drawing renewed attention from highway safety officials, who are treating drowsiness as a preventable crash risk alongside impaired and distracted driving. The information available describes a Maryland safety initiative rather than providing operational details about a specific I-5 enforcement effort. Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration Highway Safety Office has expanded its “Be the…

Kodiak AI, Charger Logistics launch autonomous Laredo lane Kodiak AI and cross-border carrier Charger Logistics have begun hauling freight on a 435-mile route between Dallas and Laredo, Texas, extending Kodiak’s autonomous trucking operations into one of the busiest freight corridors connecting the United States and Mexico. The service currently operates with a safety driver behind the wheel. The companies plan to transition…

Mexico truck exports soar 145% as U.S. demand accelerates Mexican manufacturers sharply increased heavy-duty vehicle production and exports in September as U.S. customers prepared for new emissions requirements, according to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and industry group ANPACT. Mexico produced 15,181 heavy-duty vehicles in September, up 121.4% from 6,857 units during the same month in 2025.…

Washington State Patrol is emphasizing the dangers of fatigued driving and urging motorists to make safe decisions before tiredness affects their ability to operate a vehicle. The campaign includes increased attention to driver behavior and the risks fatigue poses to commercial and passenger vehicle traffic. Fatigue Can Impair Driving Ability State officials said fatigued driving can reduce awareness, slow reaction times and…

The AI Summit introduces fleets to AI’s potential and pitfalls Artificial intelligence is moving from a technology discussion into day-to-day fleet operations, but many fleet managers are still determining where it can deliver practical value and where it creates additional risk. Those questions were the focus of The AI Summit, a special educational track co-hosted by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology &…

Chinese van-type trailers and related subassemblies now face final U.S. trade duties following affirmative determinations by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Final duties take effect The final orders impose a 130% antidumping cash-deposit rate and a 135% countervailing duty rate on covered Chinese van trailers and subassemblies. The antidumping duty addresses allegations that the products were…

Iowa troopers share photos of commercial vehicle violations as a reminder to conduct thorough pre-trips The Iowa State Patrol’s Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit is reminding drivers to take a close look at their equipment before starting work after recent inspections uncovered several serious defects. In social media posts, Iowa troopers shared photographs from commercial vehicle inspections and urged drivers to complete a…

Truck owners pursuing claims against PACCAR over alleged fuel-injector failures cleared an important court hurdle after a judge ruled they do not have to prove the engines violated federal emissions standards to pursue warranty allegations. The ruling does not determine whether PACCAR is liable and does not certify the case as a class action. Warranty Claims May Proceed The lawsuit alleges that…

Former Florida trucking company owner Khayyam Arif Oglu Farajov has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a scheme that allegedly generated more than $1 million through fraudulent freight transactions, federal prosecutors said. Owner Admitted to Fraud and Money Laundering Farajov, 40, an Azerbaijani national who operated Talishco LLC in Orlando, pleaded guilty to one count of…

Nearly all commercial driver’s license and commercial learner’s permit holders must now rely on electronic medical-certification records rather than paper Medical Examiner’s Certificates. Alaska is the only state covered by an exception allowing certain CDL and CLP holders to use paper certificates temporarily. NRII waiver expires nationwide The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s temporary waiver connected to the National Registry II rollout…

English proficiency a ‘life-and-death safety standard,’ OOIDA says The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is backing efforts to reinforce federal English-language requirements for commercial truck drivers, saying the rule is fundamentally a highway safety measure. OOIDA President Todd Spencer made the case for English proficiency at an event focused on commercial vehicle safety. He said drivers of heavy trucks must be able to…

Is Trucking Capacity Coming Back? Why New Capacity Isn’t Entering the 2026 Freight Market New trucking capacity is not entering the U.S. freight market, even after roughly a year of elevated tender rejections, according to FreightWaves SONAR data published Oct. 7, 2026. The data points to a market tightening because trucks and drivers are leaving or remaining unavailable, rather than because freight…

Orlando trucking owner pleads guilty in $1 million USPS freight auction fraud An Orlando trucking and freight brokerage owner has pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. Postal Service of nearly $1 million by claiming payment for transportation work that his company did not perform. Khayyam Arif Oglu Farajov, 40, owned and operated Talishco LLC in Orlando, Florida. According to federal prosecutors, he…

Five military veterans have been named finalists for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award, which recognizes service members who have built careers in the trucking industry. This year’s winner will receive a new Kenworth T680. Five veterans selected as finalists The finalists represent multiple military branches and trucking companies: Mohammad Arzola — U.S. Marine Corps, Patriot Group International Monica Brooks-Buck —…

Driver Poll Examines What Recruiters Should Explain About Bonuses A new driver poll is focused on a common part of the recruiting conversation: what information should come first when a carrier representative mentions bonuses. The question asks drivers what they most want to know right away when a recruiter discusses incentives such as sign-on bonuses, safety bonuses or other payments. The poll…

Chinese van-type trailers and related subassemblies face steep new U.S. trade duties after federal agencies determined that the imports injured the domestic trailer industry. The measures include a 130% antidumping duty, a 135% countervailing duty, and continued Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. ITC finds material injury The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a final affirmative injury determination on Sept.…

Trucker Reports Locked Steering Led to Humvee Load Loss on I-295 in Virginia HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — A tractor-trailer hauling two up-armored Humvees crashed Friday morning while exiting Interstate 295 in Virginia after the driver reported that the truck’s steering locked, according to Virginia State Police. The crash occurred at approximately 7 a.m. on Oct. 9, 2026, on the exit ramp from…

A federal executive order temporarily authorizes the use of tax-exempt, red-dyed diesel on highways and defers the federal diesel tax through the end of the year. The measure could reduce fuel costs for truckers and other diesel users, but the actual savings will depend heavily on state tax policies and enforcement rules. Federal diesel tax temporarily deferred The federal tax on highway…

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is supporting a proposed federal rule that would make violations of English language proficiency requirements an out-of-service violation for commercial drivers. Proposal Would Align Federal Rules With Inspection Standards The rulemaking would align the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations with current enforcement tolerances in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria maintained by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.…

State police agencies in six Northeastern states will conduct a three-day enforcement operation targeting dangerous, distracted and commercial vehicle violations on major highways and cross-border corridors from October 13 through October 15, 2026. Six States Join Regional Enforcement Effort Massachusetts State Police announced “Operation Wicked Safe” alongside law enforcement partners from Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The initiative…

Freight’s Next Move Matters More Than the Last 18 Months The freight market may be entering a new phase, but the most important signals will come from what companies do next rather than from the difficult conditions of the past year and a half. That was the central message from Chris Wofford, founder and managing partner of Wofford Advisors, during an appearance…

Red dye diesel break is being greeted with a big yawn An executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Oct. 5 is intended to provide temporary relief from high diesel prices, but trucking groups and fuel marketers say the measure offers limited practical help for over-the-road fleets. The order, titled “Emergency Tax Relief on Diesel Fuel,” directs the Treasury Department to…

Factory backlogs build as freight and steel costs climb Unfilled orders at U.S. factories continued to grow in August while shipments stalled, adding pressure to manufacturers, suppliers and the trucking companies that move materials and finished goods through the industrial supply chain. The Census Bureau reported Oct. 2 that unfilled factory orders increased 0.6% to $1.6096 trillion. Backlogs have risen in 25…

Truck buyers are taking a wait-and-see approach, OEMs say North American Class 8 truck orders were mixed in September as fleets entered the traditional fall buying season while manufacturers managed full 2026 backlogs and transitioned to Model Year 2027 production. ACT Research estimated preliminary North American Class 8 net orders at 18,700 units in September, a decline of 9.5% from the same…

# Arkansas Trucking Ruling Remains Unclear From Filed Excerpt The Arkansas Supreme Court docket shows that Old Dominion Freight Line and driver Aaron Marvell Foster appealed a St. Francis County case involving six defendants. But the excerpt provided does not include the court’s ruling, reasoning, underlying accident facts, or the legal issue the justices decided. The case, **Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.…

Speed violations top trucker citations in CVSA campaign Speeding was the most frequently cited violation among commercial motor vehicle drivers during this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week, according to results released by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in early October. Law enforcement officers from 36 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces and Mexico interacted with 8,083 drivers during the July 12-18 campaign. The…

Diesel shortage? NASTC warns Congress, voicing safety concerns with tanker HOS relief The National Association of Small Trucking Companies is urging Congress to consider a temporary pause on U.S. diesel and distillate exports as inventories decline and fuel prices rise. In a Sept. 24 letter to leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives, NASTC President David Owen shared the association’s concerns and…

LAPD recovers $1 million in cargo linked to BNSF and Union Pacific rail thefts Los Angeles police recovered approximately $1 million worth of merchandise that investigators said had been stolen from freight shipments moving on BNSF Railway and Union Pacific rail lines. The recovery followed a Sept. 30 search at Shoes n Shoes, a shoe retailer on Slauson Avenue in Whittier, California.…

Logistics Companies Look to AI for Measurable Gains, Not Just Automation Artificial intelligence is moving deeper into freight operations, but logistics companies face a practical question: Can the technology produce a measurable return on investment? Dan Bailey, co-founder and CEO of Nexcade, said the answer depends less on simply deploying AI and more on whether companies can provide the technology with the…

Federal regulators are moving forward with two pilot programs that would test greater flexibility in how commercial truck drivers manage their hours of service. The proposals focus on temporarily pausing the 14-hour driving window and expanding options for splitting sleeper-berth time. Programs Would Test a Pause in the 14-Hour Window The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published notices outlining a pilot…

Tesla drops “self-driving” branding in Europe Tesla is moving away from its “self-driving” branding in Europe, a change that puts new emphasis on the limits of the company’s driver-assistance technology and the responsibilities that remain with the person behind the wheel. The company’s naming of its advanced driver-assistance features has been a continuing point of contention with regulators, safety advocates and some…

Speeding was the most common violation recorded among commercial truck drivers during the 2026 Operation Safe Driver Week campaign, according to results released by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. Officers issued 3,968 warnings and 2,604 citations to commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle drivers across North America. Enforcement Conducted Across North America Law enforcement agencies from 36 U.S. states, seven Canadian provinces…

FMCSA to Allow Self-Driving Trucks to Use Cab-Mounted Warning Beacons in Place of Triangles The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is granting a limited five-year exemption allowing certain autonomous trucks to use cab-mounted warning beacons instead of traditional roadside warning devices such as reflective triangles or fusees. The exemption applies to Aurora Operations Inc. and other motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles…

Federal regulators have granted Aurora Operations Inc. and other qualifying carriers a five-year exemption allowing Level 4 autonomous trucks to use cab-mounted amber warning beacons instead of traditional roadside warning devices when a vehicle is stopped or disabled. Exemption Addresses Driverless Truck Requirements The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said the exemption is intended to address a requirement that drivers place warning…

Five U.S. military veterans have been named finalists for the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award. The winner will receive a new Kenworth T680 truck. 2026 finalists The finalists were selected by Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program. They are: Mohammad Arzola — U.S. Marine Corps, Patriot Group International Monica Brooks-Buck —…

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $426 million for critical freight and highway infrastructure projects in 12 states through the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects, or INFRA, program. Funding Targets Freight Bottlenecks The investment is intended to improve transportation infrastructure and address congestion affecting the nation’s supply chain. One of the projects is designed to eliminate a freight bottleneck…

Court Rejects Challenge as FMCSA Grants Five-Year Warning-Beacon Exemption for Driverless Trucks The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has approved a five-year exemption allowing Aurora Operations and other participating autonomous trucking companies to use cab-mounted warning beacons instead of traditional roadside warning devices. The decision follows a legal challenge from Illinois cargo van operator Kostas Giannoulias, who argued that FMCSA improperly issued…

Freight’s Next Move Matters More Than the Last 18 Months The U.S. freight market is still working through a prolonged downturn, but the most important signals may now be coming from what happens next rather than from the weakness of the past 18 months. That was the central theme of a FreightWaves Today discussion with Chris Wofford, founder and managing partner of…

AV truck fleets win 5-year exemption on warning beacons The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a five-year exemption allowing qualifying autonomous trucks to use cab-mounted flashing amber beacons instead of the roadside warning triangles required for conventional trucks. The exemption took effect Oct. 7, 2026, and runs through Oct. 7, 2031. It was originally requested by Aurora Operations, but it…

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a provisional renewal allowing designated steel-coil transport drivers to work up to 16 consecutive hours in a duty period and return to work after at least eight hours off duty. Exemption Extends Duty Period The exemption permits covered drivers serving steel-coil transportation operations and related shipping locations to operate beyond the standard 14-hour duty-period…

Melton driver honored by TCA for aiding victims of Kentucky rollover crash The Truckload Carriers Association has named Melton Truck Lines driver Sammie Phillips a TCA Highway Angel after he stopped to help four young adults involved in a serious SUV rollover near Lexington, Kentucky. According to the TCA, Phillips was traveling near Lexington at about 8:10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14,…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily easing federal tax and penalty rules for red-dyed diesel used in highway vehicles, but trucking groups say the measure may provide limited savings and create compliance challenges across state lines. Federal tax and penalty relief The order defers the federal excise tax on on-road use of red-dyed diesel, currently 24.4 cents per gallon, through…

Pilot’s First Tesla Megacharger Opens at Georgia Travel Center, With 12 More Planned Pilot and Tesla have opened their first Tesla Megacharger site at a Pilot travel center, launching a heavy-duty electric truck charging network at select locations along major U.S. freight corridors. The site opened October 8 at Pilot #1390, located at 130 Interstate Exchange Way in Ellabell, Georgia. The facility…

Pilot’s First Tesla Megacharger Opens at Georgia Travel Center, With 12 More Planned Pilot and Tesla have opened their first Tesla Megacharger site at a Pilot travel center, launching a heavy-duty electric truck charging network at select locations along major U.S. freight corridors. The site opened October 8 at Pilot #1390, located at 130 Interstate Exchange Way in Ellabell, Georgia. The facility…