Up, up, up. Diesel shattered records, freight rates are rising and a carrier is making one its largest driver pay increases in company history. Find out how much.

And while we all know the sort of data telematics tracks, this one was a bit of surprise: it can also help flag driver health issues. We dig deeper into the dire stats around trucker health, and how even the smallest carriers make a difference, in our expert Q&A coming up Thursday.

Also, here’s a crazy, only in NYC moment: someone decided to have a solo dance party on a moving trailer crossing the George Washington Bridge. (Use headphones if you’re at the office; language NSFW).

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 09/14, UP 0.318¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

Driver education reimagined. A trucking veteran turned down a $100,000 offer to build a CDL mill. Then, he and 50 truckers pooled their funds to create a new kind of CDL school. Watch the video to learn their story.

Helping drivers. A sobering read from an industry veteran on the dangers of social isolation among drivers and how truckers can help themselves and their peers. “It is not a weakness to ask for help.”

Meet the fleet. McElroy Truck Lines, a flatbed hauler in the tiny town of Cuba, Alabama, has grown from one truck to 550 and has a unique minimum pay threshold that attracts drivers—especially ones who prioritize home time.

Enrollment opens. Carriers can now apply to be part of the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2027 TCA Elite Fleet Program. Details here; enrollment closes Nov. 13.

Thanking truckers. A roundup of deals and giveaways this week to commemorate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week—including one custom Kenworth!

Sponsored by Ford

Whether you're on site or not, you don't have to personally check on every truck to know it's being driven right. Super Duty just earned Ford's best quality score in more than a decade, so the truck holding down your yard isn't one you have to think twice about. And with remote top speed and acceleration limiters, you set the rules for how it's driven, no matter where you are. It's not about whether you can watch every mile. It's about not having to.

Hmm! Do you agree with this take? In the podcast, Leto shares his POV that carriers have been slower than brokers to adopt new tech, and how he sees AI changing trucking and freight brokerage. (The FreightCaviar Podcast)

Telematics can be a driver well-being and retention tool

The standard use cases for telematics are pretty well established: track vehicles and trailers, predict maintenance needs, spot risky driving behavior, etc.

But the wealth of data coming in from telematics could also flag driver well-being problems before they escalate, writes Aaron Lilach, senior risk consultant with HUB International global insurance brokerage. Hard braking and sudden lane changes? It could be a sign of driver fatigue and being overworked.

“Telematics data often shows the warning signs” long before a driver leaves a company, Lilach says.

Why this matters: Most fleets have at least some form of telematics at this point. That means what you do with the telematics data is the differentiator. Instead of simply punishing a driver for frequent lane drifting, a fleet could examine more deeply why it’s happening. Is the driver on too many night runs? Is there a more serious health condition? Then take action accordingly. (CCJ Digital)

RATES RALLY: Truckload spot rates post biggest jumps in weeks

PAY HIKE: Anderson Trucking bumps up driver pay nearly 17%

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: FMCSA keeps Motus system paused, enforcement suspended

DRIVERLESS TRUCKS: Kodiak to launch long-haul commercial driverless trucking by year end

TRUCK DEMAND: OEMs with plants in Mexico ramp up Class 8 production

GUILTY PLEA: Bribery scheme let 100+ people fraudulently get CDL

Another diesel record …
Diesel crossed the $6 per gallon mark Friday per AAA data, which means trucking operators are paying 63% more to fill up compared to this time last year. On top of that, a GasBuddy analyst says fuel prices are “likely to continue trending higher.”

Why this matters: Saying “diesel rose again” is starting to feel the same as saying “the sky is blue.” Optimizing routes, reducing idle time, avoiding deadheading and turning down loads that don’t make sense are all strategies fleets can deploy now, to help control costs as diesel climbs. (CNBC)

Thanks for reading today's edition! You can reach the newsletter team at [email protected]. We enjoy hearing from you.

Interested in advertising? Email us at [email protected]

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter twice a week. Be safe out there!

The Inside Lane is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.