Why Cargo Theft Affects Every American
Cargo theft has evolved from isolated trailer break‑ins to a sophisticated, nationwide crime that now costs U.S. businesses billions each year. Criminal groups use identity fraud, fictitious pickups, double‑brokering and counterfeit documents to hijack high‑value freight before it reaches its destination. The ripple effect reaches retailers, manufacturers and ultimately consumers, who face higher prices and product shortages. Major corridors such as California, Texas and Illinois see the highest incident rates.
CVSA Reports 574 Commercial Vehicles Removed From Service for Brake Violations
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Day on April 14 inspected 4,021 commercial trucks across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, removing 574 vehicles—about 14.3% of those examined—from service for serious brake violations. Inspectors focused on drums, rotors and other...
Dry Van Spot Rates Surge Toward 2021 Peak as Trucking Market Tightens Again
Spot rates for dry‑van, refrigerated and flatbed trucks climbed ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, with dry‑van rates now just 12 cents shy of their December 2021 peak. FTR data shows dry‑van spot rates rose 13 cents in a week and...
FMCSA Finally Launches New Registration System: Motus
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has officially launched Motus, a unified online registration platform that replaces legacy systems dating back to the 1990s. The new dashboard lets carriers apply for, renew, and manage their federal registrations in a...
CORCA Passes House to Strengthen Federal Response to Cargo Theft
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), sending it to the Senate for further consideration. The bill seeks to tighten the federal response to cargo theft by improving information sharing and expanding the Department...
Spot Truckload Rates Climb to Multiyear Highs Across Major Freight Segments
Spot truckload rates have surged to multiyear highs across dry van, refrigerated and flatbed segments, driven by robust freight demand and constrained capacity. Dry van spot rates rose 4 cents to $2.01 per mile, up 44% year‑over‑year, while refrigerated rates...
FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming: What Fleets Need to Know Before Launch
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is set to launch Motus, a unified online platform that will replace multiple legacy registration systems for carriers, brokers, and service providers. Motus will centralize USDOT registrations, operating authority applications, biennial updates, hazardous‑materials filings,...
Kentucky Cuts Fuel Taxes by 10 Cents to Ease Rising Fuel Costs
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency over soaring fuel prices and signed Executive Order 2026-235 to cut diesel and gasoline taxes by 10 cents per gallon starting May 11. The diesel tax falls from 22¢ to 12¢ and...
U.S. Employers Added 115,000 Jobs in April Despite Global Economic Pressure
U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs in April, far exceeding the 65,000 forecast and keeping the unemployment rate steady at 4.3%. Hiring slowed from March’s 185,000 gains but remained robust despite rising fuel prices triggered by the Iran‑related oil shock. Healthcare...
This Week in Trucking: Safety Tech, Clearinghouse Security, and Autonomous Milestones
The FMCSA announced new identity‑verification steps for its Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and urged carriers to update portal accounts ahead of a forthcoming online registration system. Daimler Truck’s Freightliner will roll out the Detroit Assurance Suite, adding cross‑traffic assist and...
Smart Tire Technology Emerges as Key Driver of Fleet Efficiency in North America
Smart tire technology is gaining traction among North American fleets as fuel prices and operating costs rise. Real-time monitoring platforms such as Continental’s ContiConnect use embedded sensors to track pressure and temperature, enabling early issue detection and predictive maintenance. Early...
International Launches ‘My International’ Platform to Centralize Fleet Data and Operations
International Motors has launched My International, a cloud‑based platform that consolidates telematics, service workflows, and dealer communication into a single interface for fleet operators. The solution offers real‑time diagnostics, fuel‑analytics reporting, remote lock/unlock, OTA updates, and centralized warranty tracking, accessible...
Diesel Prices Decline While Gasoline Costs Rise Across U.S. Markets
Diesel prices slipped 5 cents to $5.351 per gallon, while gasoline rose 8 cents to $4.123 per gallon, according to the EIA. The West Coast saw the steepest diesel decline, down 9 cents to $6.53, whereas the Rocky Mountain region...
Avoiding Winter Pileups: How Truck Drivers Can Stay Safe on Icy Roads
Winter pileups are a cascade of 20‑25 small collisions caused by drivers traveling too fast and too close in icy conditions. Experts warn that increased traffic volume, schedule pressure, and overconfidence are amplifying the severity of these events. Key warning...
This Week in Trucking: DataQs Upgrade, Autonomous Trucks, and Fuel Shifts
This week the FMCSA rolled out a faster, three‑stage review for DataQs disputes, cutting resolution time to 45 days. Ohio released a list of 315 carriers with nearly $5.2 million in unpaid tolls, raising compliance pressure. Humble Robotics debuted a cab‑less...