The Midwest Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit takes place December 16 and 17 at the Loews Kansas City Hotel. Attendance is free, and organizers want to see a stronger turnout from the men and women behind the wheel.

Why Drivers Are Being Asked to Attend

Past summits have attracted large groups of government officials, law enforcement agencies, university researchers, and insurance representatives. What they have not had is a strong group of working truck drivers sharing real on-the-road experiences.

OOIDA hopes to change that in 2025. Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh says drivers need to be part of the conversations shaping future regulations.

“If you can attend, please come,” Pugh said. “This is a chance for you to listen, ask questions, and give input to DOT and others about the things that need to be done to truly improve highway safety. There is no one more knowledgeable about this topic than the nation’s professional drivers. There are plenty of decision-makers who care about highway safety, but they aren’t always sure about the right approach to take. That’s why the men and women who make their living on the interstate need to point them in the right direction. I can assure you that there will be plenty of safety advocates and others in attendance who will be telling them a much different story about what must be done to improve safety.”

Registration Details

Registration is free and must be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday, December 10. Drivers who want a voice in upcoming safety decisions can secure a spot through the event’s registration page.

What Drivers Can Expect at the Summit

The summit begins at 8:30 a.m. on December 16. FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs and FMCSA Regional Field Administrator Winsome Lenfert are scheduled to open the event.

Across two days, drivers will have access to multiple breakout sessions focused on safety challenges affecting the industry. Topics include:

• Truck Leasing Task Force
• Technology improvements for CMV safety
• Drug and alcohol prevention
• Crash research
• Market shifts and the trucking economy
• Automation
• Speed prevention strategies
• Human trafficking prevention
• Cargo theft and freight fraud
• The impact of ELDs

OOIDA will be active in several discussions throughout the summit.

OOIDA President Todd Spencer will speak during a session titled “Truck Leasing Task Force: Findings, Impacts and Next Steps” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on December 16. Spencer will join Steve Viscelli and Steve Rush to talk about how predatory lease-purchase setups can affect safety.

Later that afternoon, OOIDA Foundation Director Andrew King will participate in “Economic Signals, Freight Flows and Safety Outcomes” alongside Mat Leo from C.H. Robinson. The session runs from 3 to 4 p.m. and covers how economic pressure influences safety decisions.

On December 17 at 10:30 a.m., Pugh will sit on another panel with FMCSA officials for a session titled “Fighting Back: Cargo Theft and Fraud in the Freight Supply Chain.” Pugh will address how freight fraud harms small trucking businesses, while FMCSA’s Ken Riddle and others will outline the agency’s actions to combat it.

A full agenda is available here for anyone planning to attend.

Why This Matters for Drivers

Drivers are the ones dealing with real-world conditions every day. When you attend and share your perspective, you help ensure that future safety policies reflect actual road experience rather than assumptions. The summit gives drivers a rare chance to guide discussions that may influence regulations for years to come.

Source: Land Line Media

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The hall of fame is open to the public and celebrates the careers and achievements of industry leaders who have made a lasting impact on trucking.

On October 22, ATHS welcomed its fifth class of honorees:

• Roy Carver – Carver founded Bandag Incorporated in 1957, creating a tire retreading system and building the company’s first finishing line. Today, Bandag has more than 1,700 dealers worldwide.
• Lewis Semple Clarke – Clarke built the “Autocar No. 1” in 1897, now housed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Autocar is the oldest vehicle nameplate in the U.S. and the only truck manufacturer dedicated entirely to severe-duty vocational applications.
• Joseph Morten – In 1936, Joe Morten & Son Inc. launched to help truckers navigate new state and federal regulations. The company remains a leading commercial trucking insurance agency with over 9,000 customers across 46 states.

“This year, we found three candidates we thought were really worthy,” said Tom Mullen, ATIL Hall of Fame chair. “There are many more out there, and we look forward to honoring them in 2026 and beyond. It really does speak to the history of the industry, and that’s really what we’re all about.”

The new inductees bring the hall of fame’s total to 18 members, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

Past Honorees Include:

• 2024: John Ruan (Ruan Transportation), Marvin Rush (Rush Enterprises), Frederick McKinley Jones (Thermo King), Robert Young (ABF Freight)
• 2023: Harry Kent and Edgar Worthington (Kenworth), Al and Don Schneider (Schneider National Inc.), Ted Rogers (American Trucking Associations), Frank Seiberling (Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company)
• 2022: Bill and Carolyn Moon (Iowa 80), Leland James (Freightliner Trucks), Earl and Lillian Congdon (Old Dominion Freight Line)
• 2021: Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Clessie Lyle Cummins (Cummins Engine Co.), John Jack and Gus Mack (Mack Trucks Inc.), Dave Nemo (Radio Nemo)

For truckers, the ATIL Hall of Fame is more than a tribute. It’s a reminder of the people who built the industry and the innovations that continue to keep trucks on the road across America.

Source: Land Line Media

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On the July 21 episode of What the Truck?!?, host Thomas Wasson sat down with Todd Waldron, Truckstop.com’s Vice President of Carrier Experience, to dive into how new tech—especially AI—is transforming logistics.

“Truckstop.com has been a staple of this industry since before I started my career in logistics, so to be here for a milestone like this is incredible,” Waldron reflected.

Over the years, Truckstop.com has evolved from a simple load board to a tech leader, focusing on smarter, safer, and more efficient freight movement. Recent advancements, particularly AI-powered tools, are a game-changer.

According to a recent survey by Truckstop.com, 60% of drivers feel optimistic about the future of freight. Waldron believes technology plays a huge role in this mindset. “Technology is giving carriers greater control, more security, and higher efficiency, and is leading to this positive outlook,” he said.

Freight fraud remains a top concern, but new prevention tools are making a difference. More than half of carriers report better fraud detection thanks to technology.

“We’re seeing the biggest impact in freight fraud prevention and route optimization, and more than half of drivers say that fraud prevention efforts have significantly improved,” Waldron explained.

Truckstop.com’s multi-layered security approach is paying off, with customers experiencing a 45% drop in fraud compared to last year.

While truckers have a reputation for being cautious about new gadgets, younger drivers especially are warming up to tech. “One time I had a driver who would foil wrap his driver tech unit because he didn’t want to be watched,” Waldron joked. But today, about 70% of drivers under 35 feel comfortable using these tools.

Data and AI aren’t just buzzwords—they’re changing how decisions are made on the road and behind the scenes. Predictive analytics help foresee maintenance needs and improve dispatch, making a tangible difference in drivers’ daily routines.

“Drivers now feel like they’re achieving value from these tools,” Waldron shared.

Looking ahead, Waldron sees collaboration as the next big frontier. “How do we leverage our strengths to be more efficient together?” he asked. His vision? A logistics ecosystem where partnerships drive innovation, not just competition.

Even with all the tech advances, relationships and trust still top the list for many industry veterans. That’s why Truckstop.com’s reputation matters so much.

“73% of carriers say that Truckstop.com is a brand that they trust, and 69% believe we will lead the freight industry for the next thirty years,” Waldron said. “That kind of longevity makes it exciting to talk about this technology landscape, and it gives us confidence to continue working on new solutions in the future.”

As Truckstop.com looks forward to its next 30 years, the focus remains on blending technology, security, and teamwork to keep the supply chain moving smarter and safer than ever before.

Image Source: Truck Stop
Source: FreightWaves

The post Truckstop.com Marks 30 Years of Driving Innovation in Logistics appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Covenant-Landair was honored with the Partner-Level Supplier Award, John Deere’s highest supplier distinction, and the 2024 Sustainability Award. These awards underscore the company’s exceptional commitment to providing top-tier logistics solutions and advancing sustainable practices.

Excellence in Supply Chain Performance

The prestigious Partner-Level Status comes from John Deere’s Achieving Excellence program, which rigorously evaluates its suppliers on key performance criteria, including quality, delivery metrics, technical support, and cost efficiency. This honor confirms Covenant-Landair’s vital role in enhancing John Deere’s global supply chain operations and reliability.

Shaping the Future of Green Logistics

The Sustainability Truckload Carrier of the Year Award recognizes suppliers who excel in reducing environmental impact while sustaining high service levels. Covenant-Landair stood out for its proactive adoption of energy-efficient strategies, efforts to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and its strong focus on driving innovation in sustainable logistics.

This dual recognition highlights Covenant-Landair’s operational excellence and reinforces its commitment to setting new standards in logistics performance and environmental responsibility.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: Landair

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