“Cargo thieves are well aware that extended holiday closures work to their advantage,” stressed Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations at CargoNet. “With theft activity already surpassing 2023’s record highs, we urge the industry to remain vigilant throughout the holiday weekend.”

Key Findings From CargoNet’s Data

CargoNet’s analysis of 174 recorded thefts during July 1–7 over the past five years highlights the following disturbing trends:

• Peak Risk Days: Cargo theft rates notably spike on July 1st and 2nd. These days see numerous loaded vehicles left unattended prior to the holiday.
• Rising Theft Activity: Even though 2023 marked a year of record theft rates, 2024 is already on track to exceed those numbers.
• High-Risk Locations: States facing frequent targeting include California, Texas, and Florida. Specific counties like San Bernardino (CA), Maricopa (AZ), Dallas (TX), Los Angeles (CA), and Shelby (TN) are particularly theft-prone hotspots.
• Preferred Targets: Criminals show a marked preference for high-demand goods, such as non-alcoholic drinks (especially energy drinks), major appliances, and computer electronics.
• Theft Methods: Cargo theft and direct vehicle theft remain more commonly executed than elaborate fraud schemes.

Examples of Past Theft Incidents

Previous July 4th weeks have seen significant losses, including:

• $439,895 in medical supplies – Davenport, FL
• $352,000 of computer electronics – San Francisco, CA
• $314,191 of computer electronics – Commerce, CA
• $180,000 worth of meat products – Georgetown, TX
• $180,000 worth of ATVs – Savannah, GA

What You Can Do to Mitigate Risk

CargoNet advises companies to reinforce security measures during this critical time. From employing GPS tracking devices to avoiding unattended storage and verifying hiring credentials, proactive steps can minimize vulnerabilities during the holiday.

Logistics stakeholders, don’t ignore these warning signs. Ensure your cargo and operations are safeguarded as the July 4th holiday nears.

Image &Source: The Trucker

The post CargoNet Issues Advisory on Increased Cargo Theft Risk During July 4th Holiday Week appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This year, approximately 2,400 dockworkers and mechanics were awarded the prestigious Safe Work Award. Collectively, these employees contributed over 15,000 years of injury-free service, exemplifying operational excellence and adherence to safety protocols. Among the honorees were individuals who reached significant service milestones, including three employees who achieved an extraordinary 40+ years of safe, incident-free work:

• Harold Castell, Jr., Lead Dockworker, Houma, Louisiana
• Lawrence Benoit, Lead Mechanic, Lafayette, Louisiana
• Darryl Gay, Mechanic, New Orleans, Louisiana

Additionally, Saia recognized over 5,500 city and line drivers with their Safe Drive Award, collectively representing nearly 40,000 years of accident-free driving across the company. From achieving one to over 40 years without a preventable accident, the honorees demonstrated exceptional safety practices. This year, six remarkable drivers were celebrated for achieving a notable milestone of 40 or more years of safe driving:

• Jack Ikey, Line Driver, Dallas, Texas
• Frank Lee III, Line Driver, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• Charles Layman, Line Driver, Jacksonville, Florida
• Joseph Dominguez, Jr., City Driver, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Michael Shumake, Line Driver, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Roy Coleman, Line Driver, Las Vegas, Nevada

With over 70% of Saia’s drivers and a substantial portion of its dockworkers and mechanics recognized for their dedication to safety, the company’s robust culture of safety is evident.

“Since June is ‘National Safety Month,’ this is the perfect opportunity to recognize how important safety is at Saia and across our industry,” said Steve Greenhill, Vice President of Safety. “The awards we present honor the commitment our employees make every day to protect themselves, their coworkers, and the communities we serve. Their achievements underscore our longstanding emphasis on training, accountability, and continuous improvement.”

Saia’s ongoing commitment to safety reflects its dedication to its employees and the communities it serves, setting a high standard in the trucking industry.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Saia Honors Nearly 8,000 Employees for Exemplary Safety Milestones appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“The LMTA Foundation is proud to shine a spotlight on these companies and their commitment to safety,” said Renee Amar, executive director of the LMTA Foundation. “Their dedication to improving highway safety sets a high standard for the industry and makes a real difference on Louisiana’s and the nation’s roads.”

Recognizing Safety Excellence in the Trucking Industry

The winners represent companies achieving the lowest accident frequency ratios per million miles annually, segmented by mileage and cargo categories. This dedication to safety underscores the commitment these businesses hold toward fostering safer roads across Louisiana and beyond.

All honorees will gather for recognition during the Truck Safety Awards Banquet on March 1 at the L’Auberge Hotel in Baton Rouge. The banquet will also honor recipients of the Most Improved Award and the coveted President’s Award, for which all category winners are eligible.

Meet the 2025 Louisiana Fleet Safety Awards Winners

Below is the list of this year’s top-performing companies across various categories:

Under 1 million miles | Hazardous/Tank

• 1st place: FreedomTrucks of America

• 1st place: Newman Transport

• 1st place: Occidental Chemical Corporation

• 2nd place: O’Nealgas, Inc.

1,000,000-3,000,000 miles | Hazardous/Tank Materials

• 1st place: Hercules Transport, Inc.

• 2nd place: Texas Transeastern

3,000,000-6,000,000 miles | Hazardous/Tank Materials

• 1st place: Ergon Trucking Inc.

6,000,000-9,000,000 miles | Hazardous/Tank Materials

• 1st place: Dupre’ Logistics

Under 1 million miles | Miscellaneous

• 1st place: Occidental Chemical Corporation

• 1st place: Sabel Steel

• 2nd place: River City Ready Mix

9,000,000-12,000,000 miles | Miscellaneous

• 1st place: Dupre’ Logistics

1,000,000-3,000,000 miles | General Commodities Truckload

• 1st place: New South Express

12,000,000-20,000,000 miles | General Commodities Truckload

• 1st place: C&S Wholesale Service Inc.

• 2nd place: Walmart Transportation

1,000,000-3,000,000 miles | General Commodities LTL

• 1st place: Martin Brower

9,000,000-12,000,000 miles | General Commodities LTL

• 1st place: Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Under 1 million miles | Household Goods

• 1st place: American Moving and Storage

Under 1 million miles | Heavy Haulers

• 1st place: RedGuard

1,000,000-3,000,000 miles | Heavy Haulers

• 1st place: D & J Construction

Celebrating a Legacy of Safer Highways

The 2025 Louisiana Fleet Safety Awards reflect the commitment of businesses operating in the trucking industry toward building safer roads for everyone. Each winning company serves as an example, setting benchmarks for safety practices and fostering a culture of responsibility.

Source: Truckers News

Image: LMTA, Truckers News

The post 18 Companies Honored as Division Winners in the 2025 Louisiana Fleet Safety Awards appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.