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- Protecting Your Fleet After a Truck Crash: Have a Plan in Place
Why Post-Crash Procedures Matter In the trucking industry, the moments immediately following a crash—no matter how minor—are critical. The way drivers and fleets respond can significantly influence safety outcomes, insurance claims, and potential litigation months or years later. From gathering accurate information to preserving evidence, having a structured crash response plan helps fleets protect themselves legally and financially. Industry safety experts stress that training drivers on post-crash protocols is essential. Drivers should understand how to remain calm, show empathy toward others involved, and gather accurate details at the scene. This includes photographs, videos, and contact information for all parties and witnesses. Relying solely on police reports can delay the process and leave fleets vulnerable. The Driver’s Role After a Crash Fleet safety leaders recommend equipping drivers with clear guidelines and tools to handle post-crash documentation. This might include crash kits in the cab or apps that walk drivers… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.5 days ago - Fuel Prices Fall Across Most of the U.S. as Summer Winds Down
National Fuel Price Trends As summer winds down, fuel prices are declining across most of the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) for the week ending August 12. The national average on-highway diesel price fell nearly a nickel to $3.754 per gallon, just 0.5 cents higher than the same week last year. Regular gasoline prices dropped about two cents, averaging $3.118 per gallon—a decline of nearly 30 cents compared to last year’s levels. Regional Diesel Price Breakdown Diesel prices saw notable decreases across most U.S. regions: East Coast: Down 5.0 cents to $3.757 per gallon—the largest weekly drop among all regions. West Coast: Fell 4.8 cents to $4.492 per gallon. Excluding California: $4.148 (down 4.8 cents) California: $4.899 (down 5.7 cents) — remains the most expensive state average. Gulf Coast: Down 4.5 cents to $3.397 per… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.6 days ago - US Core Inflation Hits Fastest Pace Since January
In July, the U.S. core consumer price index (CPI) — which excludes the volatile food and energy categories — rose 0.3% from June, in line with economists’ expectations, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on August 12. On an annual basis, core CPI increased to 3.1%, marking its fastest pace since January. The acceleration was largely driven by higher services prices, offset slightly by slower growth in goods prices. The latest figures are adding weight to expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates as early as next month. Services Drive Inflation Surge Excluding energy, services costs saw their largest increase since the start of the year. Key contributors included: Airfares: Jumped the most in three years. Medical care and recreation: Both posted notable gains. Shelter prices: Rose 0.2% for the second consecutive month, reflecting steady housing costs and ongoing declines in… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.7 days ago - Not Enough Drivers or Too Many? The Debate Over U.S. Trucking Capacity
A Growing CDL Population Amid Market Uncertainty The U.S. trucking industry is split on whether it’s facing a driver shortage or a driver surplus. According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the number of long-haul CDL holders has risen to about 3 million in 2025, a 30% increase from 2.3 million in 2016. While slightly below the 2019 peak, the driver population remains historically high — even as carriers face years of weakened pricing power from overcapacity. The Case for Too Many Drivers Transportation and Logistics Advisors argue that the market’s biggest issue is not a shortage, but too many drivers. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of drivers grew 2.2%, while for-hire tonnage dropped 0.7%. This reverse trend compared to the post-recession recovery years has left the market saturated with drivers despite weaker freight demand. Higher wages may be keeping drivers in the industry. ATRI’s compensation… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.1 week ago - New ATRI Report Shows Trucking Profitability Severely Squeezed by High Costs, Low Rates
Trucking Costs Rise While Profit Margins Shrink, According to ATRI’s 2025 Operational Report The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released its 2025 edition of An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking, revealing that while fuel prices dipped in 2024, underlying operational costs reached record highs — and trucking profitability suffered as a result. The average cost to operate a truck in 2024 was $2.260 per mile, just a slight 0.4% decrease from 2023. However, excluding fuel costs reveals a more troubling picture: non-fuel operational costs rose by 3.6% to $1.779 per mile — the highest ever recorded by ATRI. Among the major cost components, driver wages, which surged post-COVID, increased modestly by 2.4%, actually falling short of the 2024 inflation rate. However, other key expenses surged more sharply. Truck and trailer payments jumped 8.3%, reaching a record 39 cents per mile, while driver benefits rose 4.8%… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.1 week ago - Average Used Class 8 Truck Prices Climb for First Time Since 2022First Price Jump in Over Two Years For the first time in 2½ years, the average retail price for a used Class 8 truck has increased year over year. According to ACT Research, June’s average retail price hit $60,324, marking a 10.4% increase from $54,621 in June 2024 and a 6.2% rise from $56,813 in May. This annual jump is the first since December 2022. While freight demand and spot rates remain flat, ACT Vice President Steve Tam noted that market averages don’t tell the full story. Segments of the industry are experiencing different realities, and some sellers are actively mining past customer data to spark sales. Sales and Mileage Trends Sales volume in June reached 22,600 units, up 9.2% from the same month last year, though unchanged from May. One factor influencing higher prices is the quality of the trucks sold — they’re getting younger and… ...[TheTopNews] Read More.1 week ago
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