Focusing on Values and Safety

Barrs opened his address by highlighting integrity as the cornerstone of the trucking profession.

“What are the values of your drivers? What are the values of your company?” Barrs asked. “For me, it has to be faith. It has to be family. It has to be my community, responsibility, and service. I have to live by those principles every single day as I go through and lead this organization. We have a lot of work to do. We’ve done a lot of work over the last few months, but that’s just the beginning of the things that we have planned and the things that we need to do to help clean up the mess.”

His comments underscore the FMCSA’s focus on creating a safer and more professional trucking workforce by ensuring that new drivers receive proper training before getting behind the wheel.

Challenges in the Current CDL Training System

The discussion turned to entry-level driver training. Barrs noted that all prospective CDL holders must complete training through an approved provider, but some programs are failing to meet standards.

“But as we found out real quick after I got here, that’s a problem,” he said. “Some providers were not meeting those standards. Some could not demonstrate that the training was even being delivered.”

Since his appointment, Barrs said the FMCSA has removed more than 7,000 providers from the registry and continues to address what he calls “bad actors.”

“To be honest with you, I would just as soon go through and just clear all of them out and start all over again,” he said. “We have a systematic problem here that we have to work through to ensure … we are putting the right drivers behind the wheel of commercial motor vehicles.”

Why Proper CDL Training Matters

Barrs stressed that professional driver training is essential for safety and credibility in the industry.

“Training is where professionalism begins; it’s the foundation,” he said. “If the foundation is weak, the structure above it is also compromised.”

“Carriers deserve confidence that when they hire a newly licensed driver, the driver has been properly trained,” he added. “Everyone traveling on local American roads deserves assurance that when someone earns a CDL, it represents real competency. The truckload sector is too important to allow weak standards, and there’s more work to be done.”

He also emphasized that earning a CDL should reflect genuine skill, not just paperwork.

“We all understand — or we should understand — that your CDL actually should mean something,” he said, noting that “fly-by-night” training providers and less-than-reputable carriers give the entire industry a bad name.

“Your CDL should represent real training, real qualifications, real competency — and it must be issued in a way that is consistent, resistant to fraud,” he said.

Looking Ahead

While no official plan to start from scratch has been confirmed, Barr’s remarks indicate that the FMCSA is exploring all options to improve oversight of CDL training providers. Drivers and fleet managers can expect stricter standards, more accountability for training programs, and continued efforts to ensure that new CDL holders are prepared for the road.

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According to MATS organizers, the Pro Talks stage is a place where companies and professionals can connect directly with drivers and help address real needs across the industry. It is meant for those who have practical experience and can offer advice that makes a difference on the job.

“The trucking industry is looking for answers, and MATS is the place they come to find them,” said Toby Young, President of MATS. “We are looking for experts who can provide not just information, but real-world solutions that our attendees can use to improve their businesses immediately. This is an opportunity to move beyond the exhibit hall and become a vital resource for the entire industry.”

Anyone interested in speaking can submit a proposal on the official MATS Call for Speakers page. The priority deadline for submissions is January 1, though proposals will still be accepted afterward with fewer available time slots.

To shape the 2026 program, MATS surveyed more than 50,000 trucking professionals, including owner-operators, fleet leaders, and maintenance specialists. The survey results showed that drivers want more sessions covering equipment, maintenance, government regulations, business management, technology, and safety. These areas remain top of mind for drivers working to stay efficient and profitable in a changing market.

Drivers can review the full findings in the MATS Education Survey Report to see what topics their peers said matter most heading into 2026.

Image Source: Mid America Trucking Show

Other Source: Truckers News 

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Each year, the CVSA hosts this campaign to help improve how people drive—not just through enforcement, but by encouraging meaningful conversations between drivers and officers and spreading education where it matters most. This year’s focus? Reckless driving.

As CVSA puts it, reckless driving includes any action behind the wheel that shows “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” That means speeding, texting while driving, tailgating, or getting behind the wheel under the influence could land drivers in trouble. Expect everything from warnings to full citations if you’re caught making risky choices behind the wheel.

Why This Week Matters

The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2023 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 40,901 traffic-related deaths in the U.S.—only a slight dip from 42,721 the year before. Canada saw 1,931 roadway fatalities in 2022, while Mexico reported a staggering 15,979 deaths that same year.

Operation Safe Driver Week is one way CVSA is working to improve those numbers. The initiative isn’t just about catching drivers in the act—it’s about preventing crashes from happening in the first place.

Enforcement Meets Education

Although enforcement is a major piece of the puzzle, this campaign is also rooted in public education. CVSA is rolling out tools and materials that reach drivers of all kinds—from those just learning to drive to seasoned professionals behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. The organization also distributes public service announcements and downloadable resources to help spread key safety reminders far and wide.

Operation Safe Driver Week combines targeted enforcement with proactive outreach to help drivers slow down, stay focused, and make better decisions on the road.

How to Learn More

Drivers, fleet managers, and safety advocates can all take part in this effort. For educational materials, enforcement details, and downloadable resources to help raise awareness in your community, head over to the CVSA website.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Operation Safe Driver Week Set for July 13–19 with Focus on Dangerous Driving Behaviors appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“Every student’s submission to our Road Safety Art Contest not only reflects creativity and imagination – but also the need for all roadway users to focus on safety,” stated Vinn White, FMCSA Deputy. “We look forward to proudly showcasing the winning artwork at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, DC.”

In a congratulatory video, White, along with U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg, celebrated this year’s contest, which received nearly 300 submissions from students nationwide.

The Road Safety Art Contest invites students from kindergarten through high school to leverage their artistic skills to promote road safety awareness, particularly around large trucks and buses, whether they’re driving, biking, or walking.

This Year’s Winners:

• Grades K-2:
  • Grand Prize: Hannah Hong, California
  • People’s Choice: Alyssa Robinson, Texas
  • Honorable Mention: Dylan Kim, New Jersey
• Grades 3-5:
  • Grand Prize: Aahana Tiwari, Georgia
  • People’s Choice: William Do, New Jersey
  • Honorable Mention: Claire Wang, New Jersey
• Grades 6-8:
  • Grand Prize: Saanvi Bajaj, Georgia
  • People’s Choice: Aditya Yogesh, Michigan
  • Honorable Mention: Anwesha Joshi, Florida
• Grades 9-12:
  • Grand Prize: Cheyenne Chu, California
  • People’s Choice: Jennifer Choi, California
  • Honorable Mention: Feite Ban, New Jersey

“The announcement of winners also kicks off FMCSA’s national young audience campaign aimed at reaching soon-to-be and new passenger vehicle drivers,” the department stated. “As part of this campaign, FMCSA offers a teen driver toolkit for driver’s education instructors, school counselors, parents, and others to educate new and young passenger vehicle drivers about how to share the road safely with large trucks and buses. This new resource kit includes a lesson plan, presentation, and helpful digital assets for social media.”

The art contest and the young audience campaign are integral components of FMCSA’s efforts to enhance public awareness and education on safe driving practices for both commercial motor vehicle drivers and all roadway users. These initiatives align with the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and Safe System Approach, aiming to foster safe and responsible driving behaviors and create an environment where everyone can reach their destinations safely.

For more details about the Road Safety Student Art Contest and to view high-resolution images of the winning entries, visit FMCSA’s official website.

Source: The Trucker

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Empowering Future Truckers

Phil Byrd, the chairman of TCF, expressed his admiration for the Academy’s impact, stating, “The South Dallas Driving Academy has been instrumental in removing roadblocks to rewarding careers in trucking. Providing young Texans with the tools they need to succeed empowers them to break the cycle of poverty and build a bright future for themselves and their families. This organization has grown exponentially in such a short time. It is truly amazing to witness. The Trucking Cares Foundation is proud to continue our support of this transformative program that invests in the next generation of our industry.”

A Legacy of Support

This recent donation builds on TCF’s history of backing SDDA. Initially, TCF contributed $15,000 in 2021 to help launch the program, followed by an additional $20,000 in 2023, showcasing its unwavering commitment to the Academy’s success.

Chris Petersen, vice president of Rally Fleet Services and chair of SDDA, remarked, “When so much of our energy at the South Dallas Driving Academy is focused on helping young men and women overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers entering our industry, the continued support of ATA leadership and the Trucking Cares Foundation is incredibly encouraging. I will always remember ATA Chairman Andrew Boyle’s emphatic endorsement of our vision when we first presented the concept just over three years ago. Shortly thereafter, TCF began its support of our program. Thanks in large part to TCF’s support, SDDA has expanded from a 7-student pilot program to one that has graduated 110 Class C and 5 Class A drivers in the past 14 months. TCF’s ongoing sponsorship will ensure that we can continue providing these crucial life credentials so we can help fill the pipeline of the next generation of trucking professionals.”

Breaking Barriers with Education

The press release highlights a stark reality—almost 40% of low-income individuals in urban U.S. areas, and nearly half in South Dallas, lack a valid driver’s license due to the scarcity of affordable driver education. The South Dallas Driving Academy offers a unique dual-pathway program, enabling South Dallas residents to earn their driver’s licenses and prepare for a career in transportation. This trailblazing initiative, exclusive to Bonton and South Dallas residents, boasts an impressive 90% course completion and graduation rate.

Von Minor, president & executive director of SDDA, emphasized the significance of TCF’s contribution, saying, “Because of the continuing support of the Trucking Cares Foundation, the SDDA is able to provide the tuition and scholarships that are required for men and women to matriculate through our quarterly Class A/CDL Commercial License Program and launch career pathways into the trucking industry. What was once a barrier has become an economic pathway.”

Source: The Trucker

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