Can your ELD lower your insurance bill?

Plus: New take on the driver shortage | Are CDL qualifications safety driven or political?

Insurance costs are up and nuclear verdicts are a big concern, but using data that's available right at a fleet owner's fingertips could help keep premiums in check.

Also in today's issue, we've got a new take on the driver "shortage." Then tomorrow, we're sharing expert advice on how your fleet can stay in compliance with CDL changes. You don't want to miss this one.

But first, see how this truck caused a bit of a traffic jam...

ROADSIDE READS

What we're listening to. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association's interview with Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of Women In Trucking. She talks all about the group's work to support females in the trucking industry and its upcoming annual conference.

FAQ. Have questions about the upcoming truck tariffs? This post breaks down the details.

Home, sweet home. Fleet execs know the lack of home time is tough for drivers. In a reel, this trucker shares how he's handling being away from home.

Lessons to learn. Think the Louvre heist has nothing to do with cargo theft? Au contraire! At least, according to this article.

IN NUMBERS

7%

How far current spot rates are trending below the five-year average. (The Trucker)

INDUSTRY VOICES

CDL qualification changes: safety or politics?

"Why target immigrant drivers, who work dangerous hours to support and contribute to the American economy?" It's a question Karam Singh, co-founder of the California Sikh Youth Alliance, poses in an opinion article for The Sacramento Bee.

Road safety, of course, is critical. But, Singh writes it should be enhanced through safety regulations, tougher tests and increased language requirements—not discriminatory politics that target immigrants who are in the country legally.

Why this matters: There's pretty much unanimous agreement that safety on the road is paramount. The difference lies in what is the best course of action to improve safety, and whether that involves changing who can qualify for a CDL. (The Sacramento Bee)

FAST LANE

UNDER PRESSURE: Nuclear verdicts grow costlier

MINIMAL TRAINING: Lawmakers ask DOT to investigate CDL schools that "exploit loopholes"

CALIF. V. GOV: State pushes back on FMCSA finding it lapsed in CDL vetting

DIVIDED ROAD: AI boosts big firms, leaves small businesses behind

UPS CUTS: UPS announces layoffs, driver buyouts amid Q3 slowdown

ANOTHER DELAY: Tesla Semi production pushed back to 2026

ROAD REPORT

'Driver shortage' isn't about the numbers, says ATA

When American Trucking Associations' chief economist, Bob Costello, spoke at a conference this week, he made one thing clear: the driver shortage isn't so much an absolute number problem as it is a quality problem. There's a dearth of highly qualified truckers, he said, citing issues such as drug tests, safety and high standards of professionalism.

Why this matters: After citing driver shortage numbers around 80,000, the ATA is slightly changing its tune to a lack of quality truckers. The question is how to improve the talent pool, and whether it will take more on fleet execs' part than just offering a bigger paycheck. (CCJ Digital)

CONNECTED FLEET

Why ELD data engagement is reshaping trucking insurance

Insurers are increasingly using telematics and ELD data to assess risk and set premiums, according to experts speaking at the recent National Association of Small Trucking Companies conference. Small fleets and owner-operators who use the data (like tracking speeding or sudden braking) can demonstrate safer operations and potentially qualify for lower insurance rates.

Why this matters: Insurance costs are a major burden for small motor carriers. By tapping into ELD data to monitor and improve driver behavior, fleets might be able to improve safety and negotiate better insurance rates—a win-win. (Overdrive)