Newsletter Archive

Is the freight recession finally ending?

Plus: Virtual 5K to benefit truckers | English proficiency warnings issued

Being healthy on the road can be tough, with long hours sitting down, stress from driving and limited healthy options at truck stops. One OTR driver knew he needed to turn his life around. He's gone from consuming sugary drinks daily to training for a 5K, and we're sharing his inspirational story today.

Meanwhile, trailer telematics and genAI for trucking are getting more sophisticated, and trucking could take a page from another industry's playbook as it transforms its technology. Plus, is the end of the freight recession we've heard about for months finally coming?

Lastly, you don't want to miss this! The Inside Lane is hosting a free webinar on June 18 to discuss the talent pipeline and how to attract and retain the next generation of drivers.

Guest panelists include OOIDA's Lewie Pugh; Lindsey Trent, co-founder Next Generation in Trucking Association; and Robert Pierson, VP of driver recruiting at Mesilla Valley Trucking who has onboarded 30,000 drivers in his career. Register today.

SPOTLIGHT

He lost his son, his parents and his health. What he gained is changing lives.

OTR truck driver Shaun Lezer was living on KitKats and frappuccinos until his health hit a wall in 2022. The 42-year-old Utah resident, who now drives for In-N-Out Burger, knew he needed a serious reset. The Healthy Habits program through the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund changed everything.

Now he’s logging daily walks, staying hydrated and training for a virtual 5K, one that he sparked into existence. Taking place June 22-28, The Heart & Sole 5k, now in its second year, is sponsored in part by the Inside Lane. Here, Lezer shares how he turned things around. -Bianca Prieto

What motivated you to sign up for the Healthy Habits program? What made it different from trying to make changes on your own?
The main motivational factor for me was feeling hopeless for my future and as a role model for my family. I definitely had this fear of a lifetime full of chronic illness and possibly future diseases such as diabetes, which is genetically present in both my mother's and father's family tree. Before reaching out to St. Christopher’s, I had never tried a peer group setting program. This is absolutely what made the difference in my success.

You took a big step by committing to a 5K. What inspired that goal, and how has it helped you stay focused on your health?
The 5K was an idea I came up with during a group call one day. The conversation was about gratitude and specifically how grateful we were for how trucking has changed our lives. The idea for the 5K was focused on how I can give back to the trucking industry. My vision for the 5K is the hope that someday it will inspire as many drivers as possible to want to change their current lifestyle regarding their own physical and mental health.

Which changes from the program have had the biggest impact on your daily life?
For me, the biggest impact is the courage and willingness to address and take action on many physical and mental health issues I was ignoring for years. In 2019, I lost my youngest son at the age of 6 months. In 2022 and 2024, I lost both my parents in their 60s. With that said, I was at my lowest depression point in my entire life. The Healthy Habits group of fellow drivers had a huge impact on my life.

What should drivers know about the Healthy Habits initiative?
Drivers should be aware of all the programs that SCTF has to offer. It’s so easy to visit their website, and the facilitator, Lindsey Bryan, is the easiest person to talk to. She responded to me the same day I signed up online for the program. You are not committing to anything except improving yourself; there is no hidden agenda or sales pitch, I promise you!

For drivers out there who feel stuck, unhealthy or unsure where to begin, what would you say to them?
Don’t give up! The Healthy Habits group is 100% free. You have nothing to lose! The group and facilitator are the most supportive space I have ever been a part of. There is no pressure or judgement at all,. Come with open ears and you will be surprised by the knowledge and friendships you may gain.

Above: Shaun Lezer in August 2023 and May 2025 after regaining his health. (Courtesy)

FRIEND OF INSIDE LANE

The virtual race will take place June 22–28, 2025, and can be completed at your own pace—walk, run, or treadmill, wherever you are. Registration is just a $25 donation, with 100% of proceeds directly benefiting professional drivers experiencing financial hardship due to injury, illness or other health-related issues.

How It Works:

Register with a $25 donation at truckersfund.org/scf5k
Complete your 5K anytime between June 22–28
Share your race photos using #HeartAndSole5K to spread the word!

INDUSTRY VOICES

What freight could learn from fintech

Could the world of trucking learn a thing or two from the payments industry? These two sectors are vastly different, but financial services underwent a technological transformation in recent years.

And today: "The global supply chain ecosystem is now poised for a similar metamorphosis," writes Albert Lie, CTO at Forward Labs, which focuses on AI-driven freight automation.

For example, payment company Stripe standardized APIs for better integration across systems, and trucking could do the same to improve data sharing, Lie noted.

Why this matters: Leaders often look to case studies within their own or adjacent industries, but sometimes it's worth broadening the scope. Standard data interfaces, like those now used in fintech, could have tons of benefits for fleet executives with better coordination between brokers, carriers, shippers and other key supply chain players.

Get more details at Fast Company.

FAST LANE

BOUNCE BACK: Chassis provider readies for freight surge to ports

REMOVED REQUIREMENT: FMCSA nixes DEI mandate for CDL grants

TESTING, TESTING: C.H. Robinson, IKEA trial EV trucks on I-10

FUEL UP: Depot with renewable diesel opens up in Southern Calif.

SEEN & HEARD

"The costs are coming down. The sophistication is really fantastic and rivaling the truck side." -Cory O’Brien, VP of Digital Enablement at Wabash

Telematics on the tractor have become pretty commonplace, as carriers and their shipper customers seek real-time visibility and data. But what about the trailer, especially in situations like drop and hook, where the tractor and trailer aren't always together? O’Brien details the integrated tech features and telematics that have come to the trailer side in an interview. Watch it here.

ROAD REPORT

Analysts see freight rate rise on the horizon

A team of researchers at Stifel and Goldman Sachs is predicting some good news finally coming to the trucking industry: the freight recession is almost over, and rates could soon tick up. The analysts said supply is closer to demand as carriers have exited the market, even as demand remains relatively soft.

Why this matters: The freight recession keeps lingering, and many analysts were predicting its end until tariffs arrived. But according to Stifel, "We believe tariff changes played a minimal role in rates moving higher in recent weeks." Fleet executives will still need to focus on optimizing their business and prioritizing profitable shippers and lanes, but higher rates may offer some relief. (FleetOwner)

Love's opens two new locations, adding 140 parking spots

Love's Travel Stops has opened two stores, one in Wilmington, Illinois, and the other in Carlin, Nevada. Combined, the two locations add 140 trucking spots, along with amenities such as fresh food options, diesel bays and showers.

Why this matters: Despite the introduction of various bills to combat truck parking shortages, the issue persists, leaving truckers with no choice but to pull over on the side of the road. Love's addition helps by adding spaces, advancing safety for drivers and the public on the roads. (Truckers News)

English proficiency warnings start to go out to truck drivers

U.S. authorities have begun issuing warnings to truck drivers lacking English proficiency, according to Alfonso Millán Chavez of Mexico’s National Chamber of Freight Transportation. One such warning was recently reported in Texas. With only about 30% of B1 visa drivers meeting language expectations—despite being cleared to haul freight from Mexico to Canada—the Chamber is working to launch English training programs for interested drivers to protect access to cross-border routes and avoid disruptions in freight flow.

Why this matters: Chavez says his organization supports the English requirements. But if the industry doesn't pay attention and ensure compliance, too many drivers put out of service "will lead to a collapse in the economy," he says. Just like with other regulations, the onus is on fleet executives to ensure their trucks, drivers and business operations are in compliance with the rules of the road. (Border Report)

CONNECTED FLEET

A fleet's AI is only as good as its data

Generative AI is starting to influence the trucking and logistics industries, which have abundant data from telematics and ELDs. One of the most challenging aspects of implementing the technology, though, is having standardized and clean data from disparate systems that can feed into the AI, according to Trimble executives.

Why this matters: Without accurate data, AI could generate incorrect inferences about freight demand or routes, which could wrongly influence business decisions if not viewed with a skeptical eye. The good news: AI models have become more sophisticated and are able to weed out potential data anomalies. Still, fleet executives need to ensure their employees understand the capabilities as well as the limitations of AI. (Commercial Carrier Journal)