TRUCKERS REPORT – Trucks & Trucking | Business & Commerce

  As Independence Day approaches, Verisk CargoNet has issued a nationwide alert warning logistics providers and fleet operators of a significant spike in cargo theft risk surrounding the July 4th holiday. The alert, based on a five-year analysis of theft trends, reveals troubling patterns that demand immediate attention from supply chain and security professionals. Extended closures and reduced oversight during the holiday period create prime opportunities for thieves to strike. According to CargoNet’s review of theft activity from July 1 to July 7 over the last five years, the most targeted dates are July 1 and July 3—days typically impacted by early facility closures and long weekend schedules. These dates have consistently seen the highest number of reported thefts. The report highlights a worrying surge in cargo crime. Where CargoNet previously recorded an average of four thefts per day during the July 4th week between 2013 and 2022, the… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

  A joint enforcement initiative between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Texas Department of Public Safety has led to the permanent disqualification of over 1,000 commercial drivers from holding a CDL due to convictions for smuggling people or narcotics. This aggressive program, known as the Texas Hold’Em Initiative, was launched in 2008 and has since become a cornerstone of border security operations at one of the busiest commercial trade ports in the U.S.—the Laredo crossing. Under this initiative, any truck driver convicted in federal court of human or drug smuggling in Texas is permanently banned from holding a commercial driver’s license in any U.S. state. As of this fiscal year alone, 141 CDLs have already been revoked. In total, the Laredo Sector CBP has disqualified 1,053 CDL holders—848 due to human smuggling and the remainder for drug trafficking. What sets Texas apart is a unique provision… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

  As summer temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of encountering road rage on America’s highways. For professional truck drivers who already face the challenges of congested traffic, increased construction zones, and an influx of teen drivers, this seasonal spike in aggressive driving behavior can pose serious safety threats. Understanding the causes of summer road rage and how to manage it is key to ensuring safe and stress-free travel. According to the Association for Psychological Science, road rage incidents are more common in summer than any other season. Adam Lang, Director of Customer Advisory Services at Netradyne, reinforces this, noting that extreme heat doesn’t just affect vehicle performance—it affects driver behavior too. With 96% of Americans witnessing road rage and 89% experiencing it firsthand in the past year, it’s more critical than ever for truckers to be prepared. How to Spot Road Rage Behavior Lang differentiates bad driving from… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

  In a bold move to address long-term transportation funding challenges, Indiana has passed legislation that positions it as the first state in the nation to authorize tolling on all of its interstate highways. Signed into law as Public Law 173 (formerly House Bill 1461) in May 2025, the legislation enables the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), with approval from the governor, to seek a federal waiver to implement toll lanes on any interstate route within the state. This marks a significant shift in highway funding strategy. Currently, the only tolled interstate in Indiana is the I-80/90 corridor, where commercial trucks are charged roughly 49 cents per vehicle-mile via the EZ-Pass system. Under the new law, tolling could expand to heavily used freight and passenger corridors such as Interstates 64, 65, 69, 70, 71, 80, and 90. Why Indiana Is Turning to Tolling The push for expanded tolling arises… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.

  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), under Secretary Sean P. Duffy, has unveiled a sweeping package of initiatives aimed at easing regulatory burdens and enhancing working conditions for truck drivers. Marketed as a “pro-trucker” agenda, the plan includes substantial funding to address truck parking shortages, halts progress on the contentious speed limiter mandate, and launches new pilot programs for more flexible hours-of-service (HOS) rules. This announcement follows Secretary Duffy’s earlier pledge to hold “bad actors” in the industry accountable and signals a major shift in federal transportation policy—particularly under the Trump administration, which is framing this package as a response to overregulation in Washington. $275 Million Allocated for Truck Parking At the top of the industry’s wish list has been increased truck parking, and DOT has responded with more than $275 million in new grant funding. One major example is Florida’s upcoming $180 million investment along the I-4… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.