What the federal crackdown means for your drivers and your loans

Plus: Drivers as your first line of cyber defense | Spot rates are finally rallying

Federal and state agencies are cracking down on non-citizens, from revoking CDLs to cutting off small business loans. It's all coinciding with the FMCSA's move to reinvent itself.

And if your cybersecurity efforts are focused only on back-end systems, you might be missing a key resource in fighting attacks.

Plus, check out this fun snapshot into trucking on the other side of the world.

⬆️ $5.643

AVG. COST OF DIESEL PER GALLON IN U.S. AS OF 04/06, UP 0.242¢

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

ROADSIDE READS

Helping hand. C.H. Robinson is offering carriers cash advances for fuel as diesel prices soar.

"A new FMCSA." This video details how the agency is pivoting its strategy and aiming to reinvent itself.

Crash stats. Early data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows traffic fatalities were down 6.7% last year. See all the facts and figures here 📊.

Tech journey. Read about R&J Trucking's transition from a legacy operating system to a cloud-based TMS—and how the change helps their business.

What's at stake? This article takes a deep dive into a legal case on broker liability and how the Supreme Court's eventual decision could shape the motor carrier market.

INDUSTRY VOICES

How a human-AI hybrid in logistics calms shipper anxiety

Picture this: A truck driver has stopped for their mandatory rest break, but the shipper just sees an inactive status for their load. Without further context, this creates "the anxiety gap," says Benjamin Kats, founder of Dispatch Dudes, a logistics and dispatch company.

It's why human relationships remain critical in trucking and logistics, because they can reassure shippers of what's happening with their important, high-value freight. As Kats puts it: "Tech is critical. But there’s one thing it can’t replace: trust."

Why this matters: For all the hype around AI and talk of its transformative nature, it's still best used as a complement to human skills, not a replacement—especially in a relationship-driven industry like logistics. (Forbes)

FAST LANE

FUEL COSTS: Amazon to levy 3.5% fuel, logistics surcharge

LICENSE CLAWBACK: Indiana revokes CDLs from undocumented immigrants

LOAN CHANGE: Small Biz Admin cuts off loans for green-card holders

MORE PARKING: Love's adds 216 truck parking spaces at two new travel stops

TRUCK MAKING: Volvo's new Monterrey plant to start truck production in July

AV TEST: Ryder, International Motors launch autonomous truck pilot in Texas

SEEN & HEARD

"When you're an owner-operator, you can literally deduct every single thing that relates to your business in any way." —Todd Amen, President and CEO of ATBS

It's tax season, and the April 15 deadline is rapidly approaching. Amen, whose business focuses on taxes, accounting and consulting specifically for truckers, talks about the tax deductions that are commonly overlooked. (The CDL Files)

ROAD REPORT

Spot rates rallying, shrinking gap with contract rates

As capacity shrinks, pricing power is shifting toward carriers. Spot and contract rates are both above $2 per mile and have been steadily increasing month over month. In addition, the gap between spot and contract rates narrowed to just 11 cents last month.

Why this matters: This is a welcome sign for smaller carriers, who typically have more volume on the spot market than in contracts. It remains to be seen if rates will keep rising to lift trucking out of its long recession, or if the Iran conflict will stymie progress. (FreightWaves)

CONNECTED FLEET

Drivers are key piece of the puzzle in thwarting cyberattacks

When it comes to cybersecurity, a lot of fleets focus on their back-office systems. But as cyber risks evolve, drivers are becoming an important line of defense, whether it's stopping cargo theft or preventing extortion. Trucking leaders advise that cybersecurity training should include drivers, with a focus on real threats and how to avoid them.

Why this matters: Generic cyber trainings around email links or phishing scams may not be sufficient in the trucking industry. Fleets that tailor their cyber protections and trainings to trucking's specific risks—and actively involve drivers in the security process—may stand a better chance of stopping attacks in their tracks. (Truck News)