Newsletter Archive

Lawmakers target staged truck crashes

Plus: Trouble for Nikola truck owners | English proficiency on the border

Temporary tariff relief, stocks are rallying, but are supply chains out of the woods yet? We look at the latest tariffs news and impact on trucking firms, plus how to be a good logistics partner through good times and bad.

Meanwhile, three months after Nikola's bankruptcy, fleets that bought the trucks are running into problems, and there's no one to turn to for solutions. And those staged truck crashes hoping for big cash payouts? Lawmakers are taking aim.

ROADSIDE READS

Roadcheck wraps up. Ever wondered what actually happens during a Roadcheck inspection? Oklahoma Highway Patrol shared this video for a walk through the process. Plus, Overdrive's editor gives his firsthand account of Roadcheck day one.

At the border. An interesting article about the Laredo Motor Carrier Association and how new enforcement of English proficiency rules might affect the city—a key crossing point for trucks between the U.S. and Mexico. Much of the city is bilingual, but even an English-speaking driver can get nervous if they're pulled over.

Hot Springs. The Arkansas Trucking Association’s 2025 conference is underway this week, with sessions on the freight market, discussions on trucking lawsuits and speakers talking trucking safety.

Prime sandwich. It's an Elephant race on I-80/90 in Ohio.

IN NUMBERS

$455 million

That’s the value of reported cargo theft in 2024. But experts say lots of cases go unreported. The estimated losses? Closer to $1 billion every year.

Source: CNBC

INDUSTRY VOICES

How to be a collaborative logistics partner with your customers

Customer service is king in the logistics industry, and businesses face a lot of decisions when picking their trucking or logistics partners.

Scott Wang, president of parcel carrier UniUni, shares this advice for firms looking to select a delivery partner: "The strongest logistics partnerships go beyond metrics and treat data as a foundation for collaboration."

The key for trucking companies? Position yourself as a partner that knows how to balance technology and AI insights alongside emotional intelligence and the human touch.

Why this matters: In the current market, shippers want carriers and logistics partners they can depend on. Relationships are perhaps most important at this time, when everyone in the supply chain is dealing with an uncertain freight market.

Get more details at Forbes.

FAST LANE

STOCK RALLY: Trucking stocks rose on reports of tariff pause

CRUEL KARMA? Driver without CDL stole car hauler, crashed it into ditch

EARNINGS DOWN: High insurance costs, fraud weigh on Landstar

PERSONAL TIME: CVSA pushes to lower driver personal conveyance

ROAD REPORT

China tariffs are on pause. Now what?

With tariffs on imports from China reduced to 30% for three months, there are pros and cons for trucking. Consumer confidence could rise, which would boost spending and mean more freight movement for fleets. Importers may also start to pull forward additional inventory. However, uncertainty for businesses remains, and they may be hesitant to make big adjustments until there's more clarity.

Why this matters: The 90-day pause offers some relief to supply chains and may give trucking another temporary boost. But it's not a definitive action that allows logistics businesses to plan for the long term. The future of freight volumes, rates and the market remain in limbo. (CBS News)

Fleets grapple with truck problems after Nikola bankruptcy

Trucking companies that purchased Nikola's zero-emission semi-trucks now have a problem. The collapsed OEM isn't there to provide support. Fleet executives have reported a lack of replacement parts, a dearth of hydrogen fuel and having to pay storage fees on inoperable trucks.

Why this matters: Trucks, especially electric ones, are no small investment for fleets. Without support from another OEM or a state government, dormant trucks could create a dire operational and financial situation for trucking businesses. (Clean Trucking)

Layoffs sweep across freight industry, 3PLs

A slew of logistics firms has announced facility closures and layoffs. To name a few, Berger Logistics is shuttering its supply chain operations in Phoenix and laying off 121 workers, and Cardinal Logistics Management Corp. will lay off 43.

Why this matters: Businesses don't always disclose the reasons for layoffs, but researchers had predicted layoffs could be coming to the trucking and logistics industry because of tariffs and overall business sentiment. Since the start of the year, more than 30,000 freight-related layoffs have been announced. (FreightWaves)

CONNECTED FLEET

Trucking tackles its parking crisis with technology

Trucking groups and software companies are innovating to find new ways to fix the long-standing issue of truck parking. Some, like Trucker Path, use reservations systems so drivers can book a spot near the end of their route. There are also apps that map out where truckers can find parking nearby, many with real-time availability.

Why this matters: With an estimated one parking spot available for every 11 trucks, the truck parking situation is in desperate need of a solution. Technology can help drivers find a safe place to rest after their HOS. But the ultimate solution: more parking spaces. (Tech.co)

AGENDA

Lawmakers call for task force to stop staged truck crashes

A group of lawmakers wants the White House to crack down on a risky type of fraud: Criminals who crash into trucks on purpose, attempting to get legal payout from the carriers. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA.) and six other congresspeople wrote a letter calling for the Trump administration to form a task force that would investigate and prosecute staged crashes.

Why this matters: This type of fraud comes with far more dangerous consequences than just higher insurance premiums. The criminals are creating literal life-or-death situations on the road. Cracking down on the schemes is essential to keep motorways safe. (American Trucking Associations)