Safety/Compliance

The industry is entering a transformative period where data intelligence determines operational survival. On December 17, 2025, Geotab announced the details for its Connect 2026 conference, emphasizing that AI and quality data are the new cornerstones of fleet safety. The company processed 100 billion data ... Read More »

The Hidden Cost of Small Accidents In the world of trucking, everyone focuses on the big accidents. While it is great news that fatal crashes are actually declining in 2026, there is a new problem growing in the rearview mirror. According to recent safety reports, ... Read More »

Prioritizing Safety Immediately After a Collision Fleet drivers often face unique challenges when involved in an accident, especially when operating large commercial vehicles. The immediate aftermath of a collision is chaotic, yet clear actions are paramount. First and foremost, drivers must ensure their safety and ... Read More »

Overcoming the Data Avalanche As a new fleet manager, you might quickly find yourself buried under mountains of driver data. Traditional video telematics tools often force you to spend hours reviewing footage just to coach a single driver. This manual process takes up too much ... Read More »

Understanding the New Safety Gap For many years, fleet managers treated safety as a "one size fits all" problem. They gave the same training to every driver and hoped for the best. However, the Geotab 2026 State of Commercial Transportation Report (published February 2026) reveals ... Read More »

The Numbers That Should Alarm Every Fleet Manager Something shifted during the 2026 CVSA International Roadcheck — and not in a good direction. The three-day enforcement blitz wrapped up on May 14. The final data told a story that should concern every fleet safety professional ... Read More »

The Imperative for Proactive Fleet Safety Fleet safety is always paramount, yet traditional safety programs often concentrate too heavily on reactive measures. For instance, you might analyze video footage after a crash or severe incident occurs. This approach, while necessary for compliance and root cause ... Read More »

Properly functioning fleet assets are critical for any operation using them to complete jobs. Whether it’s equipment, vehicles, or tools, tracking key asset service and utilization metrics can help surface potential issues before they become costly, time-consuming problems. Service Metrics Service histories provide an in-depth ... Read More »

The High Cost of Paperwork and Fatigue Driver Hours-of-Service (HOS) and Logbook violations are a pervasive problem, averaging 45,064 per month. This group covers a broad range of errors, ranging from exceeding maximum driving hours to administrative failures like incomplete inspection reports or false logs. ... Read More »

The landscape of commercial transportation is shifting rapidly as we enter the new year. Fleet managers now face a combination of strict new regulatory oversight and fresh opportunities for industry recognition. On December 18, 2025, the NAFA Fleet Management Association announced the launch of its ... Read More »

Driving Smarter, Location-Based Maintenance Fleet managers constantly seek new ways to cut maintenance costs and maximize vehicle uptime. Aperia Technologies Inc., a leader in tire management, recently unveiled a powerful solution to this universal challenge. The company announced the launch of its Nearby Issues feature ... Read More »

As a new fleet manager, navigating the maze of federal and state regulations can feel overwhelming. However, ensuring your fleet is compliant is non-negotiable for both safety and financial reasons. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines, legal issues, and a tarnished company reputation. A proactive ... Read More »

Moving from Reactive to Proactive Safety For years, fleet safety was a reactive game. We waited for an incident to occur, then we investigated, and finally, we made a plan. Now, however, the availability of advanced safety technology, particularly AI-powered telematics and dash cams, is ... Read More »

The Grim Statistics Behind Highway Blowouts Welcome back to your weekly fleet management breakdown. First, let us look at the hard numbers behind highway rubber. Tire failures cause roughly 8,000 to 11,000 commercial truck crashes every single year. Official data shows that tire issues trigger ... Read More »

For years, dash cameras have served as silent witnesses, providing crucial evidence after an incident. Today, however, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming them from reactive tools into proactive safety systems. AI-powered dash cams don't just record what happens; they actively analyze the driver's environment and ... Read More »

If you're running a fleet in 2025, odds are you’ve already heard about California’s grand plan to lead us all into a zero-emissions utopia by 2045. That’s right—if your trucks have a tailpipe, Sacramento eventually wants to see it parked. But before you roll your ... Read More »

AI and Predictive Analytics Fleet safety is undergoing a significant transformation, with cutting-edge technologies enabling a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to risk management. For example, AI-powered driver monitoring systems are now able to detect risky behaviors such as distraction, drowsiness, cell phone use, and ... Read More »

In January 2026, Aurora Innovation quietly crossed a milestone that should make even the most seasoned fleet manager raise an eyebrow: 250,000+ driverless miles logged on public roads without a single vehicle collision attributed to its self-driving system. This isn’t another demo loop or lab ... Read More »

The modern fleet manager operates at the intersection of logistics efficiency and human advocacy. While technology has advanced, the human element remains the most critical factor in a successful safety program. Supporting driver mental health and managing fatigue are no longer peripheral tasks; they are ... Read More »

Bracing for Intensive Roadside Enforcement Campaigns Summer travel seasons inevitably bring elevated congestion. This traffic poses significant safety hazards for commercial vehicle networks. To mitigate these rising risks, international safety associations are preparing nationwide driver monitoring campaigns. Fleet executives should take proactive steps now to ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial motor vehicle operators to use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track Hours of Service (HOS) and ensure compliance with safety regulations. However, fleets must decide whether to use satellite-based or cellular-based ELDs. Each system has distinct ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has made a major change to how trucking companies handle drug and alcohol violations. In the past, companies were expected to report positive tests and test refusals in a "timely" manner, which usually meant within a few business ... Read More »

Turning a Crisis into a Controlled Process No fleet manager ever wants to receive the call that their driver has caused an accident. However, accidents are an unfortunate reality of the industry. When this happens, your immediate actions can significantly impact the safety of everyone ... Read More »

Geotab has taken top honors at the 2025 NAFA Institute & Expo (I&E) in Long Beach, California, winning the People’s Choice Award in NAFA’s Innovations Showcase. Their winning product, Geotab Vitality, stood out among 14 contenders with its personalized coaching, gamification, and rewards system that ... Read More »

Successfully navigating an FMCSA audit hinges on understanding what to expect and ensuring all necessary documentation is in order. Here’s a helpful overview from JJ Keller on how these audits are conducted and how to prepare for them. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ... Read More »

    Analysis of Brake Violations For U.S. Truck Fleets (2023-2024) The graph titled "Brakes Out of Service 2023-2024" highlights brake violation trends across different truck fleet sizes over a span of 17 months. This data offers insights into brake-related compliance issues within fleets of ... Read More »

Emergency Action to Restrict Non-Domiciled CDLs The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently took emergency action to dramatically restrict who can receive a non-domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This is a significant change fleet professionals must understand immediately. U.S. ... Read More »

Even Top Fleets Have a Maintenance Problem The gap between a well-run fleet and a national average fleet is wide. But even the best operations in the country are still losing ground on two of the most preventable violation categories in trucking — tires and ... Read More »

Keeping drivers safe on the road is a top priority for any business that uses a fleet of vehicles. Speeding is one of the biggest risks out there, but it can be hard for managers to know exactly what is happening behind the wheel in ... Read More »

To thrive during your first year as a fleet manager, you must master the art of the "paper trail"—which, in 2026, is almost entirely digital. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) does not accept "I forgot" as a legal defense. Staying compliant requires a ... Read More »

The Shift Toward Safer Fleets Fleet safety remains a top priority for transportation companies seeking to protect their drivers, assets, and the public. In recent years, technological advancements have significantly transformed safety protocols by providing more accurate, real-time data to prevent accidents and reduce risks. ... Read More »

Moving Beyond Paperwork to Prevention For a long time, fleet safety was mostly about keeping good records. If a company had its paperwork in order, it felt "safe." However, the J.J. Keller 2026 State of Fleet Management study (published May 6, 2026) shows that this ... Read More »

  Human trafficking is a growing crisis in the United States, and the trucking industry plays a unique role in both the fight against it and, unfortunately, the environments where it often occurs. While truck stops, rest areas, and freight hubs can be hotspots for ... Read More »

Fleet maintenance shifted from reactive to predictive this week with a major announcement from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems. On January 14, 2026, Bendix reported a significant safety achievement following the deployment of its new AI-powered behavior platform. This technology identifies high-risk maintenance behaviors before they ... Read More »

For legitimate carriers, owner-operators, and fleet managers, the daily grind involves more than just logistics and fuel prices. It's an ongoing battle against regulatory loopholes, skyrocketing insurance costs, and competitors who cut corners to undercut rates. Today, however, marks a significant step forward in leveling ... Read More »

Fleet Safety: Five Key Strategies for Truck Fleet Operators in 2025 Safety is a top priority for truck fleet operators in 2025 as they navigate increasingly stringent regulations, rising insurance costs, and the ongoing demand for efficient logistics. Accidents and safety violations not only put ... Read More »

Moving Beyond Just Fixing What's Broken For generations, the standard way to maintain a fleet of vocational trucks, like the Mack concrete mixers or dump trucks common in construction, was "reactive." This simply means that a part was fixed only after it had already broken. ... Read More »

Why the Five Second Window Matters The 2026 Geotab State of Commercial Transportation Report has shared some big news. Their research shows that the five seconds leading up to a collision are the most important. During this very short time, certain driver behaviors can predict ... Read More »

Let’s face it: the trucking industry in 2025 feels like being stuck in a high-tech episode of "Survivor." Between futuristic tech upgrades, looming 2027 diesel regulations, and the constant quest for efficiency, managing a fleet of Class 8 trucks requires more than just mechanical know-how. ... Read More »

Beyond Basic Tracking: Telematics as a Driver Retention Tool Modern telematics systems are evolving far beyond simple GPS tracking and Hours of Service (HOS) compliance. Today, fleets are harnessing these platforms to significantly improve driver satisfaction and, consequently, retention. By integrating data from electronic logging ... Read More »

The challenge of driver retention continues to plague the trucking industry, but a growing number of fleet operators are finding success with a holistic approach: comprehensive driver wellness programs. These initiatives extend far beyond traditional safety training, addressing the physical, mental, and even financial well-being ... Read More »

Ah, the glamorous life of fleet management. Juggling maintenance schedules, safety protocols, and the occasional rogue driver who swears they “definitely didn’t hear that weird clunking noise.” Managing a fleet isn’t just about keeping the wheels turning; it’s about keeping everyone safe—both on the road ... Read More »

Remember when a dashcam was just a camera? It sat on the windshield, recorded video, and occasionally exonerated your driver when a sedan decided to brake-check a 40-ton vehicle. Simpler times. In 2026, calling these devices "dashcams" is like calling your smartphone a "telephone." The ... Read More »

Artificial intelligence is here—and no, it’s not coming for your job (yet). But it is showing up in more cabs, cameras, and compliance tools than ever before, and it’s making life easier for fleet managers who are tired of juggling retention, safety, and compliance all ... Read More »

Electronic Logging Devices, or ELDs, are essential for compliance. They ensure drivers follow Hours of Service rules. However, their true value goes beyond just tracking hours. By analyzing the rich data from these devices, you gain deep insights into your fleet's performance. This analysis significantly ... Read More »

Every fleet has that one toolbox drawer. The one with a flashlight that doesn't work, a fistful of fuses for a truck you sold in 2019, and an instruction manual nobody has opened since the Clinton administration. Turns out the federal government had one too ... Read More »

As the trucking industry evolves in response to technological advancements, environmental regulations, and shifting market demands, fleet managers in 2025 face a dynamic landscape when purchasing trailers. To stay competitive and operationally efficient, trucking fleets must adopt a strategic, forward-thinking approach to trailer acquisition. Understand ... Read More »

For a very long time, corporate fleet safety revolved mostly around keeping tidy records. If an organization had its regulatory paperwork in order, leadership assumed the operation was safe. However, basic compliance does not automatically protect drivers from unpredictable highway hazards. Modern safety requires continuous, ... Read More »

SambaSafety just dropped their 2025 Driver Risk Report—and it's a high-impact read for anyone managing drivers, vehicles, or risk. With insights from over 50 million MVRs, plus claims data, telematics, court records, and FMCSA reports, this report shines a bright light on the systemic pressures ... Read More »

The trucking industry continues to evolve at full throttle, with fresh innovations, policy debates, infrastructure developments, and major business moves shaping the road ahead. Here’s a roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of trucking right now. Einride Eyes U.S. IPO Amid Autonomous Tech ... Read More »

We’ve all seen the "Safety Office" in a typical Class 8 terminal. Usually, it’s a windowless room that smells faintly of stale Folgers and existential dread. It’s the place where drivers go to be told, in the tone of a disappointed middle-school vice principal, that ... Read More »

Fleet managers often struggle to bridge the gap between operational safety and corporate leadership. However, establishing a true culture of protection starts at the very top of the organizational chart. A "Safety-First" policy serves as more than a simple document; it acts as a foundational ... Read More »

Protecting Your Assets After a Collision Receiving a call about an accident is always stressful, but it can be especially frustrating when your driver did everything right. Even when your fleet is not at fault, you must follow a structured response to protect your driver, ... Read More »

Staying current with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations is a non-negotiable part of running a safe and legal fleet. As we move through 2025, several key areas of compliance demand the attention of managers overseeing light and medium-duty vehicles. In fact, ignoring these rules, which ... Read More »

A Healthy Driver is a Safe Driver The well-being of a driver directly correlates with their safety on the road. Therefore, promoting driver health is a fundamental part of an effective fleet safety program. The demanding nature of the job, which often includes long hours ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released several significant regulatory adjustments for commercial motor carriers. Perhaps the most impactful shift for fleet safety planning is the official withdrawal of the controversial proposed rule requiring speed-limiting technology on heavy trucks. This ruling, which would ... Read More »

The New Rules for Commercial Fleet Cameras Fleet camera systems have changed a lot over the past few years. In early 2026, new state laws brought strict rules for public agencies. For example, Washington passed Senate Bill 6002 to limit how agencies use license plate ... Read More »

If you're running a small or mid-sized fleet, you know that safety is a 24/7 job. From bad weather to bad driving habits, the risks are constant. This week, Samsara announced a major expansion of its AI-powered safety platform, rolling out new tools designed to ... Read More »

Using Telematics to Tackle Rising Insurance Costs For owner-operators and small fleets, rising insurance costs represent one of the greatest operational hurdles. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, insurance premiums rank as the fourth-highest challenge facing carriers today. Therefore, Daimler Truck Financial Services USA ... Read More »

A New Standard for Unified Fleet Safety Lytx recently announced the launch of LytxOne, a platform designed to integrate video safety and telematics into a single, cohesive foundation. This development marks a significant shift from fragmented systems toward a more streamlined operational model. According to ... Read More »

The End of Just Watching For many years, dashcams were like silent witnesses. They recorded what happened on the road and saved the video to be watched later. If a driver got into an accident, the manager would look at the footage to see what ... Read More »

ATRI's 2024 Top Trucking Industry Issues Report cited insurance cost and availability as number four (4) in the list of top ten (10) trucking industry issues overall. Since 2021, ATRI research has documented continuing increases in truck insurance premiums paid by motor carriers. The increase ... Read More »

For fleet managers in the HVAC and plumbing industry, "loss prevention" isn't just a buzzword—it's a daily battle. High-value tools, equipment, and vehicles are constant targets, and when they vanish, the cost goes far beyond replacement. It disrupts schedules, spikes insurance premiums, and erodes profit ... Read More »

Every crash on your DOT record feeds into your Safety Measurement System (SMS) score under the Crash Indicator BASIC. That score shows up when shippers, brokers, and insurers run your numbers  and once it's there, most operators assume it's there for good. What a lot ... Read More »

Analyzing the Rise of Judicial Hellholes The legal environment for the trucking industry is very dangerous right now. Over the last 15 years, jury awards against motor carriers have skyrocketed. New data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) details this growing problem. A special report ... Read More »

Proactive Mid-Year Safety Reviews are Crucial By the time mid-year arrives, you’ve likely settled into a routine. However, this is the perfect time to conduct a comprehensive safety plan review. Rather than waiting for an incident, you can proactively make adjustments to your safety plan ... Read More »

In the early months of 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shifted its focus toward a major safety concern: Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that no longer meet federal standards. Starting in February, roadside inspectors began a much more aggressive enforcement campaign. If a ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations are the backbone of safety in the trucking industry. While large carriers like J.B. Hunt, Schneider, and Knight-Swift operate with extensive resources, their strategies for maintaining compliance offer invaluable lessons for smaller operations looking to reduce violations and ... Read More »

For new small and mid-size fleets, the financial threat of a major accident is very real. Fortunately, modern commercial vehicles now include robust Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). ADAS uses cameras, sensors, and sophisticated software to help drivers avoid crashes. As a result, these technologies ... Read More »

The Top 10 Fleet Management Tech Tools You’re Probably Ignoring As a fleet manager, you’re bombarded with tech solutions promising to revolutionize your operations. But with so many options, it’s easy to overlook tools that can make a real difference. Here’s a rundown of ten ... Read More »

Truck drivers are the backbone of the logistics industry, often working long hours in challenging conditions to keep goods moving. Despite their critical role, many drivers feel misunderstood or overlooked by fleet managers. Addressing these concerns can not only improve driver satisfaction but also enhance ... Read More »

Moving Beyond Just Recording For years, fleet managers used dash cams as a "black box." If an accident happened, they would watch the video to see who was at fault. While this helped with insurance claims, it did nothing to actually stop the crash from ... Read More »

Shifting the Legal Tide Against Fleets The trucking industry continues to grapple with the serious threat of "nuclear verdicts," which are jury awards exceeding $10 million. These massive verdicts fuel soaring insurance costs and create significant legal exposure for every motor carrier. However, a recent ... Read More »

Samsara has introduced a groundbreaking advancement in fleet safety with its AI-powered Insights, offering a comprehensive view of driver behavior and road conditions. This innovative technology integrates dash cam footage, trip data, driver behavior, and safety scores to provide intelligent summaries that detail what occurred ... Read More »

If you've been in fleet management or trucking long enough, you've developed a healthy skepticism about federal deadlines. The automatic emergency braking (AEB) mandate for heavy trucks has been "coming soon" for so long that some of us have started treating it like that friend ... Read More »

Insurance is one of the largest recurring costs for fleet operators, but it’s also one of the most outdated—until recently. For decades, commercial auto insurance has relied on static underwriting models based on general risk factors like vehicle type, driving record, and accident history. These ... Read More »

In today’s logistics world, every second matters. The ability to move goods quickly and securely while minimizing downtime is essential for staying competitive. But how can businesses ensure their operations are running at peak efficiency? It’s not just about having the right trucks or equipment—it’s ... Read More »

Understanding the New Opportunity for Crash Accountability Motor carriers now have more options to challenge non-preventable crashes and have them removed from their Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores. This is a game-changer for fleets unfairly penalized for accidents they couldn’t have prevented. But taking advantage ... Read More »

For decades, trucking companies have used different sets of numbers to identify themselves to the government. Most companies have both a USDOT number and an MC number. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is making a big change to simplify things. They are ... Read More »

The Hidden Enemy Under Your Truck Every winter, thousands of trucks across North America face a silent enemy: road salt. While salt makes roads safer for driving, it is incredibly harsh on metal parts. For fleet managers, the most frustrating victim of this salt is ... Read More »

The New Standard for Fleet Safety Welcome to your first year on the job. You might think video cameras exist only to spy on your drivers. However, modern artificial intelligence has completely transformed these tools into active safety partners. Recent benchmark data from Samsara shows ... Read More »

The regulatory landscape for fleet safety technology has seen a sudden and dramatic shift this year. In a move cheered by some industry groups, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officially withdrew its proposed rule to mandate speed-limiting devices on heavy commercial vehicles in ... Read More »

Spring break is often seen as a time for relaxation, but for a new fleet manager, it should be a time for high alert. It isn't just college students hitting the road; it is millions of families and travelers who are often tired or driving ... Read More »

A Meaningful Milestone in Safety Geotab’s "2026 State of Commercial Transportation" report recently shared some incredible news for the trucking industry. Their five-year study shows that collisions per million miles dropped by 38.7% across North America between 2021 and 2025. This is not just a ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is redesigning its Safety Management System (SMS) for 2025, fundamentally altering how carriers are evaluated. These updates emphasize fair scoring and hold businesses strictly accountable for road safety. Fleet professionals must understand these shifts. This overhaul aims to ... Read More »

Are you ready to gain valuable insights into the most pressing challenges facing trucking today and where the industry is headed in 2026? View the recording of our exclusive webinar for a deep dive into ATRI’s annual Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry report, plus ... Read More »

Nothing ruins a rookie fleet manager's week faster than a driver peeling the roof off a trailer like a tin can. Low bridge collisions are incredibly expensive, causing thousands of dollars in structural damage and ruining valuable cargo. Standard GPS units frequently miss local bridge ... Read More »

The rapid adoption of in-cab cameras and advanced Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) is one of the most significant and contentious trends in fleet management today. On one hand, this technology promises a new frontier of safety, offering the potential to prevent accidents, exonerate innocent drivers, ... Read More »

A Portal-Switching Problem Fleet Managers Know Too Well If you run both Fleetworthy Safety+ and Lytx cameras, you know the drill. A safety event triggers. You pull up the Safety+ dashboard to review the behavior data, then switch to the Lytx portal to find the ... Read More »

Nobody likes being watched, especially truck drivers. It can feel like a "spy in the cab." However, the latest 2026 data might actually change some minds. Fleets using AI dash cams have seen crash rates drop by over 70%. That is not just a small ... Read More »

Stepping into the role of a fleet manager is a significant challenge. You're suddenly responsible for valuable assets, the safety of your drivers, and a budget that can make or break your company's profitability. While the learning curve can be steep, your success often comes ... Read More »

From Reactive to Real-Time: How Fleet Safety Is Changing For years, fleet safety programs followed the same basic pattern. An accident happened, managers pulled video, they had a conversation with the driver, and everyone hoped it wouldn't happen again. That approach was never really prevention ... Read More »

Fleetworthy's 2025 Trucking and Fleet Insights Report offers a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing challenges and trends within the U.S. trucking industry. Surveying 300 professionals from large (500+ vehicles) and midsize (50-500 vehicles) trucking companies, as well as independent owner-operators, the report sheds light on ... Read More »

Every summer, thousands of commercial vehicles get pulled in for a hard look at one of the most safety-critical systems on the truck. This year the window is set: the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has scheduled Brake Safety Week for August 23–29, 2026, and ... Read More »

In today’s fast-paced logistics landscape, ensuring that every asset in your fleet is accurately tracked and managed is more crucial than ever. From trucks and trailers to specialized equipment, the ability to monitor your fleet in real time can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, ... Read More »

Fleet safety is taking a massive leap forward. At its annual Vision 26 innovation summit, Motive revealed its latest technology designed to protect drivers and reduce roadside accidents. The biggest announcement from the event was the AI Omnicam Plus. This new camera system gives fleet ... Read More »

The trucking industry is always looking for new ways to make heavy-duty vehicles last longer and work better. Mack Trucks recently announced the Mack ImpactShield, a huge improvement for Class 8 trucks. This new feature is the first time a truck of this size will ... Read More »

For many private and over-the-road truck fleets, maintenance has traditionally followed a simple rule: service the vehicle when the calendar or odometer says it is time. Preventive maintenance is still essential, but today’s fleets have access to a more precise approach. Condition-based maintenance uses real-time ... Read More »

The Shift to Verified Identity Fleet managers face complex new compliance challenges today. Traditional telematics platforms capture endless safety events constantly. However, these isolated alerts lack verified driver attribution. A major shift in safety architecture is arriving quickly. Specifically, organizations must connect human identity directly ... Read More »

The Foundation: Understanding Your USDOT Number When you start a fleet, your first major compliance step is securing a USDOT Number. This unique set of digits is more than just a registry code. It is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) primary tool for ... Read More »

Managing a commercial fleet comes with plenty of surprises, but nothing ruins a budget faster than looking at a fuel bill and seeing charges you did not authorize. Fuel is typically one of the absolute largest variable costs for any fleet. When drivers are on ... Read More »

Starting a new fleet means facing many crucial decisions. Deciding on telematics systems and safety technology is absolutely necessary. Implementing in-cab dashcams often feels like a serious management challenge. In fact, many professional drivers feel concerned about inward-facing cameras. A recent Geotab survey of European ... Read More »

At this year’s NAFA Institute & Expo (I&E) in Long Beach, NAFA recognized the 2025 100 Best Fleets in the Americas, honoring outstanding performance across public and commercial fleet operations. Top honors went to: #1 Public Fleet: Palm Beach County, FL Sheriff's Office #1 Commercial ... Read More »

Our most recent data on unsafe driving violations a in the U.S. from 2023 to 2024 is something to behold.  Categorized by fleet size: the 1-10 trucks crowd, the 11-100 group, and the big leagues with 100+ trucks all are showing a marked lack of ... Read More »

The Importance of Proactive Maintenance A well-maintained vehicle is a safe vehicle. This simple truth is the cornerstone of any effective fleet safety strategy. Neglecting routine maintenance can lead to mechanical failures on the road, which can cause serious accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Moreover, ... Read More »

  Testing a More Flexible Workday This spring, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is launching a major study to see if truck drivers can be safer with more control over their schedules. Two new pilot programs are inviting over 500 professional drivers to ... Read More »

Fleet safety data often resides in complex, siloed reports. This complexity makes extracting actionable insights difficult. Consequently, safety professionals must spend hours digging through specialized dashboards just for answers. This inefficiency delays driver coaching and increases fleet risk. Today, however, the industry is shifting toward ... Read More »

Learn how connected fleet technology and telematics can be used to set new safety standards. Telematics is more than just data gathering; it's about transforming fleet operations. By analyzing data on driver behavior like speeding, harsh braking, and aggressive cornering, fleet managers can identify risky ... Read More »

Staying Calm and Prepared for Roadside Inspections For truck drivers and fleet operators, roadside inspections are an unavoidable part of the job. These inspections ensure compliance with safety regulations and help keep the roads safe for everyone. However, they can be stressful, especially if a ... Read More »

When hundreds of supposedly independent companies all claim the exact same office suite as their "physical place of business," the industry faces a transparency crisis. These Mystery Fleets—entities that exist primarily on paper—are often the primary vehicles for double brokering and "chameleon" carrier schemes. To ... Read More »

A New Standard for Roadside Safety The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently updated its safety protocols. As of March 16, 2026, inspectors have a new way to check driver communication skills. This change ensures that every driver can read road signs and speak with ... Read More »

The Essentials of Cab Rest Policies Welcome back to the manager seat. Sleeping in a modern truck cab sounds simple enough at first glance. However, managing sleeper berth policies requires balancing strict federal regulations with driver comfort. Federal safety rules mandate specific sleeper berth design ... Read More »

Every fleet operator we talk to is wrestling with the same question. How do you actually change driver behavior, not just measure it? A recent piece from Verizon Connect, titled “In-cab alerts and post trip feedback for drivers,” lays out a practical answer that we ... Read More »

The Big Change in DOT Drug Testing The Department of Transportation (DOT) is making a major update to its safety rules. For years, the standard drug test looked for five main types of drugs. Now, the DOT is moving to add fentanyl to that list. ... Read More »

Federal Agency Acts on Non-Compliant Tech The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) just took a major step. On March 4, 2026, the agency removed 14 products from its Registered ELD List. These tools failed to meet the minimum federal safety standards. This move shows ... Read More »

As the calendar pushes into the middle of July, fleets across the country are facing the peak challenges of the summer season. The "dog days of summer" bring more than just vacation traffic; they deliver intense heat, punishing sunlight, and a surge in road construction. ... Read More »

Fleet safety managers now navigate a rapidly changing compliance landscape, especially regarding driver qualification files (DQFs). Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) re-issued a temporary waiver for paper medical examiner's certificates. This extension allows carriers to rely on paper copies until January 10, ... Read More »

If brakes felt like they were eating up more roadside-inspection time over the past 12 months, you weren’t imagining it. New analysis of FMCSA roadside-inspection data through February 2026 shows brake-related violations running well ahead of last year, and the gap is widening. In February ... Read More »

The landscape of commercial fleet safety is experiencing a fundamental shift, moving beyond mere compliance and post-incident analysis toward a model of proactive risk prevention. Fleet managers must recognize that traditional safety programs, which often focus on reviewing incidents after they happen, do little to ... Read More »

Fleet professionals know that safety is the cornerstone of successful operations. A new report confirms the enormous, measurable impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) now has on road risk management. According to the first-ever Samsara Safety Report, fleets implementing the full AI safety solution saw a ... Read More »

  For any fleet manager, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are the bedrock of safety compliance. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) ensure these rules are followed, creating a clear legal framework for managing drive time. But compliance is not the ... Read More »

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are now standard safety equipment in most new commercial vehicles. AEB and Lane Keeping Assist demonstrably reduce crashes. These technologies save lives. However, fleet managers face a surprising challenge: drivers often disable these critical features. This issue creates a significant gap. ... Read More »

When it comes to running a fleet, safety is often viewed as a cost rather than an investment. However, the right safety features don’t just prevent accidents—they save money in the long run. From lower insurance premiums to reduced vehicle downtime, implementing effective safety technologies ... Read More »

The days of simply buying separate electronic logging devices (ELDs) and basic dashcams are over. Today's commercial fleets need unified technology platforms. These platforms combine safety, compliance, and efficiency into one easy data stream. Fleet managers must decide which technology best supports their operations and ... Read More »

Let’s talk about the Hours-of-Service (HOS) violations—the federal rules that tell drivers when to drive, when to nap, and when to absolutely, definitely, without-a-doubt pull over and get some sleep. These rules are the backbone of safe, sane, and sustainable driving. But as our latest ... Read More »

For new fleet professionals, the first year brings many challenges. Therefore, you should focus on maximizing safety and cutting costs immediately. In 2025, modern telematics systems offer the best tools to achieve these goals. This technology is essential for gaining a competitive edge. It turns ... Read More »

Between the fine print and varying perspectives on the rule announced March 29, you may be seeking steadiness amid uncertainty. Cummins Inc. met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unprecedented ambition with a call to action for all of industry and all levels of government ... Read More »

Closing Security Loopholes in Safety Databases Modern fleet safety requires secure information systems that keep disqualified operators off the highway. Unfortunately, rogue actors have historically manipulated registration systems to hide prior substance abuse violations. To combat these persistent threats, federal regulators are deploying advanced security ... Read More »

FMCSA's ELD Purge: Is Your Device Still Legal? A Compliance Crackdown Fleet Managers Can't Ignore The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is serious about cleaning up its electronic logging device registry. Since January 2026, the agency has removed 67 devices from its official list of ... Read More »

Setting the Foundation for Success Starting your journey as a fleet manager is often like being handed the keys to a house while the previous owner is still moving the furniture. Consequently, your first year is less about reinventing the wheel and more about making ... Read More »

 Getting the best insurance rates for your small truck fleet isn't just about luck; it's about playing the game smarter. Insurers are all about risk, so your job is to look like the safest, most buttoned-up operation on the block. Here are some "insider" tips ... Read More »

The Evolution of Fleet Safety For decades, fleet safety management was a fundamentally reactive discipline. It relied on lagging indicators—events that had already happened. A manager would review paper logs riddled with potential inaccuracies, respond to customer complaints about erratic driving, or, in the worst-case ... Read More »

Navigating New FMCSA and Local Compliance Standards The landscape of commercial transportation remains in a constant state of flux. Fleet managers must currently navigate a complex web of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates alongside shifting local jurisdictional requirements. Staying ahead of these changes ... Read More »

In a world of tight schedules and mounting pressure, the daily pre-trip inspection can sometimes feel like a formality to be rushed through. However, this routine check is arguably one of the most critical safety procedures a driver performs. A thorough and consistent pre-trip inspection ... Read More »

Truck-Lite previewed a new trailer backup safety system designed to improve visibility and awareness during reverse maneuvers in yard, dock, and parking environments. The system combines reverse lighting with an audible alarm to provide both visual and audible alerts when a trailer is backing. It ... Read More »

The transportation industry is always looking for new ways to make our roads safer for everyone. Recently, Lytx published their much-anticipated 2026 Road Safety Report. This report contains valuable information gathered from over 341 billion miles of driving. By looking at this massive amount of ... Read More »

In today's hyper-connected world, the phone in a driver's hand is a major liability for any company with employees on the road. Do you truly understand your legal exposure? Your fleet's duty of care demands far more than just a signed cell phone policy. It ... Read More »

The Midnight Hazard Is Real Welcome to the night shift. You probably thought managing a fleet meant enjoying a quiet evening at home. However, your trucks do not sleep. Consequently, neither does your fleet's risk profile. Recent data paints a very clear, scary picture. Specifically, ... Read More »

The Trap of Negative Driver Management Managing driver behavior remains one of your hardest daily duties as a new fleet leader. Drivers hate feeling micromanaged by mysterious software algorithms. Furthermore, focusing purely on mistakes creates deep resentment across your workforce. In fact, constantly lecturing experienced ... Read More »

The Critical Role of Monitoring Speed in Reducing Accidents and Claims for Commercial Fleets Jim Angel, Speedgauge In the world of fleet management, safety is a top priority, and speed monitoring stands as one of the most effective ways to protect drivers, prevent accidents, and ... Read More »

Visualizing Risk for Proactive Safety Coaching Fleet safety managers constantly seek new ways to move from reactive reporting to proactive risk management. Fleetworthy recently announced two significant enhancements to its safety and compliance products that directly enable this shift. Specifically, they launched the new Site ... Read More »

The Future of Fleet Safety is Proactive and AI-Driven As of mid-2025, the work truck industry is undergoing a fundamental safety revolution. The strategy is shifting from simply reacting to accidents to proactively preventing them using a suite of intelligent technologies. Fleets are rapidly adopting ... Read More »

SAF-HOLLAND has officially launched BrakeSight™, a new technology designed to take the guesswork out of brake maintenance. This system is made specifically for Haldex ModulT air disc brakes. It works on both the front part of the truck (the tractor) and the back part (the ... Read More »

Are We Recovering Everything We're Entitled To? As a Risk or Fleet Manager, can you positively affect the bottom line? In a word, yes. The opportunity is hiding in your auto physical damage claims — specifically in the elements most of us never request. When ... Read More »

Fleet managers operating in high stop-start environments, such as urban delivery and refuse collection, have a new standard feature available to help reduce operating costs and improve fuel efficiency. PACCAR recently announced that Allison Transmission’s Neutral at Stop technology is now the standard offering on ... Read More »

AI is showing up everywhere these days. It writes emails, recommends movies, answers customer service chats, and occasionally makes people wonder if their toaster is judging them. Now it is also showing up in dashcams. For truck and van fleet operators, that raises a fair ... Read More »

For decades, fleet safety was a game of "detect and discipline." Managers would wait for a collision or a harsh braking event to trigger a review, essentially looking in the rearview mirror to fix the future. However, according to the Michelin Connected Fleet’s 2026 Outlook ... Read More »

Mark your calendars because the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced its annual Brake Safety Week is approaching. This enforcement and education initiative is a critical time for fleets, as brake-related violations consistently rank as the top reason for placing vehicles out-of-service (OOS) during ... Read More »

Fullbay, the turn-key platform that improves the operational efficiency of heavy-duty repair shops, introduced four new product innovations during its annual Diesel Connect conference, held May 20-22 in Phoenix. With a lineup of influential industry experts and over 300 attendees, the conference featured an in-depth look at ... Read More »

You probably thought unexpected road breakdowns only happened in bad action movies. However, side-of-the-highway breakdowns will gladly destroy your weekly maintenance budget. Fortunately, factory remote diagnostics systems let you catch engine troubles before trucks break down completely. Today, smart sensors monitor fault codes in real ... Read More »

Safety compliance in the trucking industry has traditionally focused on what drivers do wrong. When an operator makes a mistake, like speeding or braking too hard, they receive a penalty or a strict warning from their manager. However, modern psychology shows that positive reinforcement is ... Read More »

Why the FMCSA Revoked These Devices On March 4, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took a major step toward highway safety. The agency officially revoked the registration of 14 Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). These specific products failed to meet the strict technical ... Read More »

Great new webcast from J.J. Keller covering the new FMCSA CPDP program.  This webcast helps you use the FMCSA’s Crash Preventabilty Determination Program (CPDP) to protect your Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores from non-preventable accidents, such as being struck by a reckless driver or rear-ended ... Read More »

The Dreaded Limp Mode is Dead Welcome to your first year in fleet management. You probably expected to deal with flat tires and angry customers. Instead, you are likely spending your days arguing with broken diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensors. Every fleet manager knows the ... Read More »

The Clock Is Always Ticking Welcome back to the manager seat. Few topics cause more collective groans in dispatch than driver Hours of Service regulations. However, mastering these rules protects your drivers and your operating bottom line. Federal regulators enforce strict limits on driving time ... Read More »

Fleet managers constantly seek cutting-edge strategies to enhance driver safety. Day & Ross, a leading North American transportation and logistics provider, recently completed a successful pilot. This pilot validates a significant shift in safety protocols. This initiative focused on leveraging predictive fatigue risk management using ... Read More »

In modern fleet management, dash cams and telematics systems have become essential tools. While their value in providing clear evidence after an accident is undisputed, their greatest potential lies in preventing that accident from ever happening. Fleets that only review footage after a collision are ... Read More »

The New Reality of Driver Compliance Welcome to your first year in fleet management. You likely thought your biggest hurdle would be fuel costs or broken engines. Instead, you get to navigate the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This digital database tracks drug and alcohol ... Read More »

The fleet-technology market just got more concentrated. In July 2026, Geotab announced it had acquired the commercial operations of Verizon Connect's international telematics business, taking over customer relationships and operations across a swath of markets in Europe and Australia. For fleet decision-makers, the deal is ... Read More »

Mack Trucks has officially raised the bar for trucking safety with the launch of its all-new Mack Pioneer™ Class 8 highway truck, featuring the groundbreaking Mack® Protect™ active safety and collision mitigation system. In a significant strategic move, Mack has transitioned from the widely used ... Read More »

Moving from a "break-fix" mentality to a structured Preventive Maintenance (PM) program is the single most effective way to protect your fleet's bottom line. In the world of Class 8 trucks, a roadside breakdown isn't just a repair bill; it's a missed delivery, a disgruntled ... Read More »

In a move that signals a deeper commitment to enterprise-scale solutions, Fleetio has appointed Leslie Henthorn as its first-ever Chief Marketing Officer. For fleet managers, this is more than just a corporate hiring announcement. It represents a strategic shift for the Birmingham-based company as it ... Read More »

The Shifting Risk Cargo Securement violations, averaging 8,757 per month, are failures that occur when the load is not properly contained or restrained. This includes inadequate numbers of Tiedowns, use of defective Securement Devices, and general Improper Load Securement. Also included are failures related to ... Read More »

Shifting from Compliance to Financial Impact To capture the attention of the C-suite, fleet managers must translate safety data into the language of the bottom line. Executive leadership often views safety through the lens of risk mitigation and capital preservation. Therefore, your primary benchmark should ... Read More »

A new year means new industry trend predictions, and 2025 could see some major changes with the incoming administration. These trends lists have become a bit of a trend themselves and can generally be useful as an overview of what to expect broadly so fleet ... Read More »

Building a Unified Safety Culture Through Defined Roles Safety within a fleet is never the result of a single person's effort. Instead, it requires a synchronized approach where every stakeholder understands their specific contribution. When lines of responsibility blur, critical safety checks often fall through ... Read More »

If you run a fleet, you already know the problem: video can be one of your best tools for safety, claims defense, and coaching—but it can also become a time sink. When something happens on the road, your team often has to chase down the ... Read More »

Driver Retention Starts Before the First Load Here is a number that should get your attention immediately. Driver turnover in commercial fleets hit 94% for large truckload carriers in 2025. That means nearly every driver seat turns over within a year. For a new fleet ... Read More »

Real-Time Analytics Identify Seasonal Safety Spikes Recent telematics data has confirmed a significant increase in commercial vehicle accidents as severe winter weather patterns grip major U.S. shipping lanes. According to a January 30, 2026, report from Geotab, the impact of Winter Storm Fern led to ... Read More »

Every so often a research report comes along that confirms what every fleet manager already suspected in their bones but could not prove in a meeting. The American Transportation Research Institute delivered exactly that on June 8, publishing new research showing that trucking liability insurance ... Read More »

The Shift Toward Proactive Risk Detection Motive recently released its 2026 AI Road Safety Report, providing a comprehensive look at the current state of commercial vehicle safety. The findings indicate a significant shift in how fleets manage risk. According to the report, for every single ... Read More »

Few vehicles on the road are harder to drive safely than a loaded concrete mixer. Ten yards of wet concrete sitting high in a rotating drum gives a mixer truck a center of gravity that shifts constantly, an aggressive off-road duty cycle, and a delivery ... Read More »

FMCSA Updates Safety and Compliance Rules for 2026 The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces strict rules to protect all drivers on the highway. In early 2026, the agency launched several key changes to improve daily safety. Fleet managers must understand these updates to avoid ... Read More »

In a strategic move to bolster its Trailers as a Service (TaaS) offering, Wabash has acquired TrailerHawk.ai, a company renowned for its advanced cargo security and smart access management technologies. This acquisition aims to enhance freight security, provide real-time visibility, and deliver data-driven insights to ... Read More »

Motive Refines Its Core Safety Offering Fleet safety remains a critical priority for modern transportation companies today. Fleet managers constantly search for accurate actionable insights. Recently, Motive introduced major upgrades to its safety platform. These new enhancements streamline daily operations. Furthermore, the updates provide clearer ... Read More »

Navigating the Crisis of a Positive Drug Test A positive drug test is arguably the most stressful HR scenario a fleet manager faces because the legal stakes are immediate. According to FMCSA Clearinghouse regulations, once a Medical Review Officer (MRO) verifies a positive result, you ... Read More »

Automating Regulatory Compliance Tasks Managing compliance must be your absolute top priority right away. In 2025, regulatory agencies are increasing their scrutiny of all fleets, especially new ones. You must adopt a compliance-first workflow and digitize your entire record-keeping system (Verion Software, 2025). This involves ... Read More »

The commercial transportation industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Among the most impactful innovations are AI-powered safety cameras, often referred to as SafetyCams, which are revolutionizing fleet safety, drastically reducing accident rates, and, as a direct consequence, lowering insurance premiums ... Read More »

Telematics Data Reveals Peak Evening Risk Fleet safety managers must prepare for one of the most hazardous nights of the year: Halloween. New data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) clearly shows that distraction levels surge when children are actively trick-or-treating. CMT analyzed driving data from ... Read More »

The Basics of the CSA Program Welcome to the world of fleet management, where three letters will likely haunt your dreams: CSA. This stands for Compliance, Safety, Accountability. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses this program to identify high-risk motor carriers. Essentially, it ... Read More »

Cargo theft is a growing problem in the trucking industry, costing businesses billions of dollars annually. Thieves are becoming more sophisticated, targeting high-value loads such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food products—items that can be quickly resold without traceability. Whether you’re an owner-operator or managing a ... Read More »

The Paperwork Trap of Fleet Management Welcome to the wild world of fleet administrative paperwork. You likely expected to spend your days managing drivers and trucks. Instead, you are drowning in greasy paper invoices and fuel receipt reconciliation. Manual data entry consumes hours of your ... Read More »

Why the Roads Get Weak in the Spring It might seem strange that a solid paved road can suddenly become fragile, but it happens every year like clockwork. During the winter, the ground under the road freezes deep down. When spring arrives, the top layer ... Read More »

Cargo theft represents a serious and costly risk for fleets, especially with supply chain disruptions making goods even more valuable. Thieves often target high-value loads such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Consequently, this type of crime not only results in financial loss but also ... Read More »

Fleet operations usually focus on tracking vehicles, managing drivers, and monitoring fuel use. However, a major part of driving safety depends on something outside the vehicle entirely: the actual road surface. Damaged infrastructure and sudden weather changes create constant dangers for drivers and expensive repairs ... Read More »

Think about your favorite video game. Why do you keep playing? Maybe it’s the high score. Perhaps it’s earning a new badge. Or maybe you just want to beat your friends. What if we could make fleet safety feel a bit like that? For a ... Read More »

Route planning is the unsung hero of fleet management. It's that elusive key to solving the mysteries of fuel efficiency, on-time deliveries, and the age-old question, "Why did that truck take a detour through a cornfield?" If you’re still relying on your drivers’ "gut feelings" ... Read More »

Commercial drivers often travel across state lines, which makes navigating gun laws very complex. Federal law, specifically the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA), provides some protection for individuals transporting firearms across state lines. However, this law has strict requirements. The firearm must be unloaded, secured ... Read More »

The Good News Fleet Managers Have Earned After years of steadily worsening collision numbers following the pandemic, the 2026 data is finally offering some relief. Lytx released its 2026 Road Safety Report in March, drawing from more than 341 billion miles of commercial driving data ... Read More »

As a Risk or Fleet Manager, your role is pivotal in protecting your organization's assets and managing its bottom line. When a vehicle in your fleet is damaged due to another party's negligence, the primary focus is typically on repairing the damage or settling a ... Read More »

Managing a fleet of trucks is a constant balancing act between keeping old equipment running and spending money on new vehicles. For many years, companies tried to keep their trucks on the road for as long as possible to avoid high monthly payments. However, new ... Read More »

The driver serves as the primary guardian of a company’s physical assets and its public reputation. While fleet managers implement sophisticated software, the person behind the wheel remains the only individual capable of preventing a collision in real-time. This frontline role requires a high level ... Read More »

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the final rule for Phase 3 of its Greenhouse Gas Emissions for heavy-duty vehicles. Since issuing Phase 1 of its GHG regulations in 2011, EPA emissions rules for all vehicle classes have become increasingly rigorous. The latest Phase 3 ... Read More »

Are you losing 20% in unchecked operating costs every month?  Check out this great blog from Fleetworthy on how fleet operators can enhance operational efficiency and protect the bottom line in the face of regulatory evolution.  

The Leading Cause of Vehicle Defects Lighting and Visibility violations are the most common mechanical defect group in our fleet. They account for an astounding 77,776 monthly violations. This group is highly varied, including inoperable lamps, missing clearance lights, defective reflective sheeting, and obstructions on ... Read More »

Severe accidents on the road are going down. That is the good news from the Lytx 2026 State of Road Safety Report. But, there is a bad new part, too. The report shows that minor crashes are actually going up. Low-severity incidents have jumped by ... Read More »

Seeing the Danger Before the Damage For years, fleet managers have used accident reports to figure out how to stay safe. They would look at a crash and try to make sure it never happened again. But according to the 2026 Motive AI Road Safety ... Read More »

In the trucking industry, your reputation is built on data long before a handshake ever takes place. Shippers and brokers are increasingly looking past fancy logos to a much more critical metric: your Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score. This invisible scorecard is maintained by the ... Read More »

By Paul Kangethe Watch this insightful live session featuring industry experts as they break down the latest trends, challenges, and solutions shaping the world of commercial fleets. Whether you manage a few trucks or a nationwide operation, this conversation offers practical tips and valuable takeaways ... Read More »

In the complex world of fleet management, safety remains paramount. Collisions not only endanger lives but also incur significant costs in repairs, insurance premiums, and lost productivity. Traditional approaches to driver safety often rely on punitive measures, which can sometimes create friction and fail to ... Read More »

A short guide to picking the right reefer for your fleet — without overspending or cutting corners. Buying a new reefer trailer is one of the biggest purchases a fleet manager makes. A new 53-foot reefer with a current cooling unit now runs anywhere from ... Read More »

Welcome to your new role overseeing commercial vehicles. You quickly discover that managing drivers feels like babysitting high-tech rolling offices. However, keeping your fleet safe requires more than just luck. Fortunately, modern artificial intelligence dashcams have revolutionized how teams handle risk on the open road. ... Read More »

Core Component Failures The Vehicle Structure and Other Defects category is a collection of potentially catastrophic failures. It averages 20,726 monthly violations. This group addresses the fundamental safety of the truck's chassis. It includes Cab Body Frame integrity, Suspension components, and the Steering Mechanism. It ... Read More »

At the IAA Transportation event in 2024, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) introduced the TECTRANS battery system, designed specifically for the commercial transportation sector. This system boasts a 15-year lifespan and focuses on high energy density and fast charging, promising to revolutionize the electric ... Read More »

In the high-stakes world of fleet management, a shredded tire on the shoulder of a highway is a common sight. To the untrained eye, it’s a nuisance—a service call, a delay, and a disposal fee. But to a strategic manager, that "alligator" on the asphalt ... Read More »

The New Federal Mandate for Emergency Braking Fleet managers must now prepare for a significant shift in vehicle safety requirements. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently confirmed a federal mandate requiring all new light trucks and passenger vehicles to feature automatic emergency braking ... Read More »

For a long time, truck drivers and fleet managers have lived in a world filled with clipboards and stacks of yellow carbon-copy paper. Every time a driver starts or ends their day, they have to perform a walk-around inspection. These reports, known as Driver Vehicle ... Read More »

Goodyear recently introduced a revolutionary advancement in tire safety during the first week of January 2026. This new technology, branded as SightLine, effectively gives a vehicle's tires a digital "nervous system" to measure real-time road friction. Unlike traditional monitoring systems that only track air pressure, ... Read More »

The final quarter of 2025 has solidified a major transition in transportation where generative AI and integrated OEM safety systems are no longer elective upgrades. Large-scale carriers and regional operations alike are leveraging these advancements to mitigate rising insurance costs and bridge the driver experience ... Read More »

Understanding the Financial Impact of Accidents A fleet accident or safety violation can have a profound impact on a company's financial health, extending far beyond the immediate repair costs. Initially, there are the direct costs, which include vehicle repairs, increased insurance premiums, and hefty fines ... Read More »

If your trucks seem to pick up more tire write-ups when the weather heats up, the roadside-inspection data backs you up. Analysis of FMCSA violations from May 2024 through February 2026 shows tire violations rising and falling on a clean seasonal cycle — and the ... Read More »

When it comes to trucking and FMCSA violations, size matters. It’s not just a headline—it’s the stark reality. As the numbers show, larger fleets (those with 100+ trucks) consistently rack up fewer violations compared to their smaller counterparts. But why is that? Are big fleets ... Read More »

The wheels of commerce keep turning, but ensuring they do so safely is paramount. At the heart of truck safety regulations are the Hours of Service (HOS) rules, designed to prevent driver fatigue and reduce accidents. These regulations dictate how long commercial truck drivers can ... Read More »

The operational landscape for fleet professionals demands constant evolution, especially concerning road safety. Therefore, fleet managers must shift their focus from merely documenting incidents to actively preventing them. Traditional dash cameras record events after they happen, serving primarily as evidence for claims. However, modern AI-enabled ... Read More »

Your People Weren't Hired to Push Screens Walk the floor of almost any freight operation and you'll see something strange: skilled, experienced professionals spending their day copying numbers from one system into another. Checking a rate in one tab, re-keying it in a second, reconciling ... Read More »

Your drivers work hard. They follow the rules. But sometimes, they still get into trouble. Often, it is not their fault. It is the "other guy." Now, you can prove it. A new update from Verizon Connect lets you see who really caused the problem. ... Read More »

The Foundation of Vehicle Safety Tire and Wheel issues are responsible for a significant monthly average of 30,079 violations. This group encompasses low tread depth, visible tire damage, flat tires, and major component failures. These failures include loose or missing wheel studs. Also included are ... Read More »

The regulatory landscape for commercial motor vehicles is evolving rapidly, making proactive planning essential for fleet professionals. A key piece of legislation on the horizon is the federal mandate for Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems on new heavy-duty trucks. While the final rule has seen ... Read More »

For anyone stepping into a fleet manager role for the first time, the biggest headache usually isn’t the trucks or the cargo. It is keeping drivers from quitting. The first year for a rookie driver is notoriously tough, and a lot of them walk away ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched the Tech-celerator Now program to boost the adoption of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) within the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry. This crucial initiative aims to reduce fatalities and crashes by promoting active safety technologies. Blind-spot warnings, ... Read More »

SAF-HOLLAND has announced a new technology called SmartSTO™. This system is designed to solve two major problems for truck drivers: staying safe while uncoupling a trailer and protecting expensive air and electrical lines from getting damaged. By making the process smarter and more organized, SmartSTO™ ... Read More »

For most U.S. fleet operators, the question is no longer if you should use dashcams, but how you can actually make them work for your bottom line. According to recent data, over 60% of fleets have already installed cameras. Yet many managers find themselves in ... Read More »

The Department of Transportation recently launched a massive enforcement action to improve highway safety across the nation. This significant initiative specifically targets "CDL mills" that have historically provided inadequate training to new commercial drivers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the removal of nearly 3,000 training ... Read More »

Driver retention is one of the biggest challenges in the trucking industry. With constant demand for qualified drivers and plenty of job opportunities available, it’s crucial for trucking companies to create an environment where drivers want to stay. Competitive pay, clear communication, and a culture ... Read More »

The Compelling Case for Proactive Crash Prevention For fleet managers focused on safety and the bottom line, the debate over regulatory mandates often overshadows the clear-cut benefits of advanced safety technology. While the proposed federal speed limiter rule was formally withdrawn in July 2025 by ... Read More »

Strategic Alliance for Enhanced Fleet Compliance The increasing complexity of regulatory requirements demands integrated solutions, and the recent partnership between Omnitracs and Omnigo directly addresses this need. This collaboration allows fleets to streamline compliance workflows and proactively manage risk by combining robust telematics data with ... Read More »

For small, lean fleets, time is your most valuable asset—and the biggest threat to your budget. The key to staying ahead isn't working harder, but implementing systems that automate consistency. In the full article, "Small Fleet SOPs: Simple Playbooks for Uptime and Cost Control," you'll ... Read More »

1. Do Dash Cams Actually Reduce Accidents? (Spoiler: Yes, They Do)  If you think dash cams are just fancy GoPros for truckers, think again. Studies show that fleets using dash cams see a significant drop in accident rates: 52% reduction in accidents when dash cams ... Read More »

Achieving Best-in-Class Fleet Safety: Insights from J. J. Keller’s Fleet Safety Assessment Guide Fleet safety is crucial for compliance, driver protection, and liability reduction. J. J. Keller’s Journey to Best-in-Class Fleet Safety Assessment provides a framework to evaluate and improve fleet safety across eight key ... Read More »

Mark your calendars, pour something cold, and prepare to feel an emotion rarely associated with federal rulemaking: mild relief. On June 22, FMCSA published three final rules that officially take effect July 22, 2026, and all three of them involve the agency deleting requirements instead ... Read More »

Stricter Oversight for Electronic Logging Devices Fleet managers are facing a significant shift in federal enforcement as the Department of Transportation tightens its grip on compliance technology. Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took a major step by removing 14 products from its ... Read More »

A new report from a leading fleet safety provider delivers a critical alert to all fleet professionals: collision risks are still escalating, and driver behavior remains the primary cause. This information emphasizes that fleet managers must intensify proactive coaching efforts. The comprehensive Lytx 2025 Road ... Read More »

Smart Solutions for High-Risk Maneuvers Navigating intersections continues to present substantial risks for commercial fleets. Complex urban settings often obscure oncoming traffic. Because of these hidden dangers, truck operators must maintain incredibly rapid reaction times. Fortunately, crash mitigation systems are advancing rapidly to prevent these ... Read More »

The conversation around a federal speed limiter mandate for commercial motor vehicles is gaining significant momentum. For fleet managers, staying ahead of this potential regulation is not just about compliance; it's about safety and operational efficiency. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues to ... Read More »

For many fleet owners, the decision to use independent contractors isn’t just about flexibility—it’s about survival. The model allows businesses to scale, manage costs, and remain competitive in an industry that demands both speed and efficiency. But what many operators don’t realize is that the ... Read More »

The FMCSA and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) have renewed enforcement of a long-standing rule requiring commercial drivers to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency. This is not a new law; rather, it is a stronger enforcement of the federal regulation that has existed for years. ... Read More »

Building a Culture of Safety in Fleet Management Safety isn’t just a policy—it’s the heartbeat of any successful fleet operation. As fleet managers, creating and maintaining a safety-first culture not only protects your most valuable assets—your drivers—but it also drives productivity, reduces costs, and strengthens ... Read More »

Beyond the DOT Number: A Checklist for Spotting "Mystery Fleets" In the world of freight, a USDOT number is often treated like a golden ticket,a digital seal of approval that says a carrier is vetted, insured, and ready to roll. But as we recently uncovered ... Read More »

Emergency fleets operate under immense pressure, where every second is a high-stakes calculation and every component must perform flawlessly. When it comes to vehicle safety and operational efficiency, braking systems aren't just parts—they are the literal line between a controlled stop and a catastrophe. The ... Read More »

For nearly forty years, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has held fleets accountable through their "International Roadchecks." Across three days and three nations (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), the annual safety blitz sees law enforcement personnel conduct about 15 vehicle inspections per minute. ... Read More »

Navigating a massive commercial vehicle through a busy city environment is one of the most stressful tasks a truck driver faces. For a newly appointed fleet manager, watching vehicles navigate these tight urban corridors can be just as nerve-wracking. Among all the different situations a ... Read More »

The way criminals steal cargo is changing fast. In the early months of 2026, a surprising trend emerged in the logistics world. According to the latest reports from CargoNet, the total number of theft incidents has actually gone down. However, don't let those numbers fool ... Read More »

The New Reality of ELD Compliance Welcome to the world of fleet management where your best friend and worst enemy is a digital box. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are now the law of the land. These devices track every second a truck moves. You cannot ... Read More »

The Future of Cruise Control: Revolutionizing Fleet Efficiency Advancing Technologies Offer Enhanced Experience and Fuel Efficiency from Eaton In the ever-evolving landscape of fleet operations, the future of cruise control technology stands out as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. For fleet managers, the integration of ... Read More »

Managing a fleet of commercial vehicles comes with a heavy workload. For safety managers, one of the biggest challenges is finding the time to review driving footage. Dash cameras capture hours of video every day, but safety teams often get stuck in an efficiency bottleneck. ... Read More »

Fleet managers know that roadway risk is rarely singular; hazards often stack, shift, and escalate due to environmental factors. A new advanced suite of features, called Dynamic Risk, has been launched to fundamentally change how commercial fleets identify and respond to these dynamic environmental risks ... Read More »

Compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations is a fundamental part of fleet safety. However, a driver who is legally compliant is not automatically well-rested. Fatigue remains a major contributing factor to commercial vehicle crashes. Consequently, forward-thinking fleets are looking beyond the logbook to implement ... Read More »

The numbers from this year's International Roadcheck are a compliance wake-up call for every fleet running North American roads. During the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's three-day enforcement blitz, May 12–14, 2026, inspectors pulled trucks off the road at a rate that should make any safety ... Read More »

A new Geotab survey reveals 87% of professional drivers prefer real-time, AI-powered audio coaching to video storage, highlighting the path to widespread adoption. Bridging the "Privacy vs. Protection" Gap Fleet managers face ongoing challenges securing driver buy-in for video telematics systems. However, a new pan-European survey ... Read More »

A notice of a safety violation or a post-accident report is a moment no fleet manager welcomes. It represents a failure in a system designed to protect drivers, the public, and company assets. While the immediate focus may be on the administrative and financial consequences, ... Read More »

The entire securement program hinges on the Working Load Limit (WLL). The WLL is the maximum load that a securement component can handle during normal service. The aggregate WLL of all tiedowns securing a piece of cargo must be at least 50% of the weight ... Read More »

If you're a fleet operator, chances are you’ve been feeling the squeeze: rising accident rates, tighter safety regulations, and sky-high insurance premiums. Traditional dashcams might have helped you record what went wrong—but what if your camera could help prevent the incident in the first place? ... Read More »

The Evolution of the All-In-One Fleet Platform For years, fleet professionals have struggled with a proliferation of in-cab devices, creating complexity and clutter that can distract drivers and complicate data management. Consequently, the industry has eagerly awaited truly unified platforms capable of consolidating safety, risk ... Read More »

Stop Paying for Surprise Roadside Blowouts Welcome back to the chaos of early fleet leadership. Tires are usually your second highest operating expense. However, roadside blowouts still catch unprepared managers by complete surprise. A single highway blowout costs thousands in towing and repairs. Furthermore, late ... Read More »

The health and well-being of your drivers are the most valuable assets in your fleet. A healthy driver is a safe, focused, and productive driver. However, the demands of life on the road present unique and significant health challenges that can impact not only the ... Read More »

Heads up, fleet operators! Running a small or mid-sized truck fleet in today's market feels a bit like navigating a minefield blindfolded, doesn't it? You're juggling skyrocketing operating costs, the never-ending hunt for good drivers, and the looming shadow of "nuclear verdicts" that can vaporize ... Read More »

When I attend fleet events, I often hear "We don't have a culture of safety at our company when it comes to fleet."  C-Suite executives don't want to invest in advanced telematics because the investment can be high. Fleet managers don't have access to data ... Read More »

A Closer Look at the New Regulation The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is reinforcing its long-standing rule on English proficiency for commercial drivers, a regulation that has been foundational to highway safety for decades. The rule, codified under 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2), explicitly requires ... Read More »

Are You Running a Reactive Fleet? Here’s How the Industry’s Top Performers Stay Ahead For U.S. truck fleet owners, the current economic landscape feels like a constant uphill climb. Between fluctuating fuel prices, the technician shortage, and the sheer complexity of modern regulations, "business as ... Read More »

Near-Miss Data Becomes the Primary Safety Metric New data indicates a transformative shift in how commercial fleets manage road risk during the first quarter of 2026. According to the recently released 2026 Motive AI Road Safety Report, severe collisions involving injuries and fatalities fell by ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has confirmed a significant and ongoing safety risk for fleets: over 190,000 Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders are currently in a "prohibited" status within the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. This alarming figure represents approximately one in every 30 ... Read More »

Mounting a wheel may seem straightforward – just pop it on and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts. However, this process is more crucial than expected. Properly mounting and maintaining your wheels is essential for ensuring safety on the road. WHY IS ... Read More »

A successful fleet is built on a foundation of trust and communication between the fleet manager and the drivers. As a new fleet manager, learning how to engage with your team of drivers is one of the most important things you can do to lead ... Read More »

Confronting the Hidden Enemy Winter weather forces municipalities to cover highways with harsh road salt. While salt makes winter driving safer, it creates a severe chemical hazard for metal truck parts. Fleet managers routinely struggle with rust jacking, which destroys brake linings prematurely. This hidden ... Read More »

Hyliion’s Q2 2025 Financial Results Highlight Progress Hyliion recently reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, providing some significant updates on the development and commercialization of its KARNO generator platform. This technology is a modular power plant that can run on various fuels, making it a ... Read More »

The Visible Costs of Fleet Incidents Fleet managers often view collision expenses through the narrow lens of immediate repair bills. However, these direct costs represent only a small portion of the total financial burden. Direct expenses include vehicle repairs, insurance deductibles, and emergency medical services ... Read More »

The ongoing driver shortage in the United States continues to present significant challenges for the trucking industry. This issue, in fact, has direct and serious implications for fleet safety. A smaller pool of available drivers often leads to fleets hiring less-experienced individuals. Consequently, these new ... Read More »

Let’s be honest: being a fleet professional is a bit like being a superhero, but instead of a cool cape, you get a stack of incident reports and a coffee habit that would concern a cardiologist. You spend your days obsessing over following distances, harsh ... Read More »

Unlocking New Federal and State Financial Incentives The landscape for fleet electrification has shifted dramatically in late 2025. Fleet managers now have access to robust financial support that directly offsets the initial investment costs. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), commercial clean vehicle tax credits ... Read More »

A strong safety culture within a fleet is not just about rules and regulations; it's about understanding the human element. The psychology behind a truck driver's behavior is complex, influenced by a blend of their demanding profession, prolonged isolation, and the inherent stresses of the ... Read More »

Many over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers consider their truck their second home, and for many, that home isn't complete without a furry companion. While having a pet can combat loneliness and stress on long hauls, it also introduces a new layer of safety considerations. Training and ... Read More »

Welcome to your first year as a fleet manager, where every phone call brings fresh drama. Keeping drivers safe on the road takes constant focus and strong tech tools. Fortunately, smart dash systems offer daily safety tools that stop crashes before they happen. Recent product ... Read More »

Avoiding the ‘Violation Vortex’: How to Reduce Unsafe Driving Incidents in Your Fleet Despite best intentions of most drivers and fleet managers, and a load of new safety tools, violation reports have a habit of showing up on the desk of most fleet professionals with ... Read More »

Mack Trucks publicly debuted its all-new Mack Anthem® at the 2025 American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MC&E), marking the first public reveal of the regional-haul model. Efficiency, Maneuverability, and Safety The redesigned Anthem features a shorter 113.5-inch bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) measurement, which significantly ... Read More »

Samsara, a leader in the Connected Operations Platform, recently announced the launch of a new commercial navigation solution designed specifically for U.S. trucking fleets. This new feature directly integrates into their existing platform, aiming to boost both safety and compliance for commercial drivers. Moreover, this ... Read More »

The Alarming Rate of Prohibited Drivers The latest data from the FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse reveals a major safety and compliance issue for motor carriers nationwide. As of the June 2025 report, over 190,000 Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders maintain a prohibited status, meaning ... Read More »

Moving Beyond the Rearview Mirror For a long time, safety in the trucking industry was reactive. This means a manager would look at dashcam footage or data only after something went wrong. If a driver slammed on the brakes or got into a fender bender, ... Read More »

Better Visibility for Tough Jobsites Mack Trucks has officially released a new technology called CommandView in March 2026. This system is designed specifically for vocational trucks, which are the heavy-duty vehicles used in construction, waste management, and utility work. These jobsites are often crowded and ... Read More »

A New Tool for Tight Spaces Volvo Trucks North America recently revealed the VNR 300 at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting. This regional hauler aims to help fleets that operate in crowded cities. Urban delivery is becoming more complex every day. New ... Read More »

The Nightmare of Missing Assets Tracking your multi-million dollar tractors is relatively easy with standard GPS hardware. However, keeping tabs on smaller support assets can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. Loose chassis, cargo containers, and valuable yard tools frequently disappear into the dark corners ... Read More »

The 2026 International Roadcheck wrapped up yesterday after a 72-hour enforcement blitz across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. CVSA won't publish official final numbers until later this year, but the inspection records flowing into FMCSA during the event tell a story no carrier can afford ... Read More »

Stopping the "Derate" Problem For years, truck drivers have faced a major headache: the "derate." This happens when a truck’s computer thinks something is wrong with the emissions system. To protect the engine, the computer forces the truck to slow down. Sometimes, it limits the ... Read More »

Preparedness and Simple Oversight The Emergency and Vehicle Equipment group includes vital, but often overlooked, items. With a monthly average of 24,739 violations, this category covers infractions for missing or defective safety gear. These include a non-functional fire extinguisher, a lack of required warning triangles, ... Read More »

The FMCSA publishes citation data, the Fleet-Connection real-time database keeps track of it, and the resulting picture for fleet managers is informative if not always flattering. We pulled May 2024 through February 2026, roughly 6.2 million violations across 61 categories, and sliced it by fleet ... Read More »

Digitizing the Foundation of Driver Safety Smith System has announced the launch of its new digital Trainer Center platform, aimed at modernizing the delivery of the Smith5Keys. For decades, fleets have relied on these principles to manage risk, but scaling the training has often been ... Read More »

As the summer ends and children return to school, traffic patterns shift dramatically. This season introduces more pedestrians, bicycles, and school buses, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. To combat these hazards, fleet managers can use a crucial safety tool called a toolbox talk. This ... Read More »

Fleet professionals consistently seek deeper data integration to improve operational efficiency. Consequently, the recent partnership between telematics leader Geotab and Mercedes-Benz USA is a significant development. This new collaboration provides fleets with a seamless, integrated telematics solution. The new offering eliminates the need for fleets ... Read More »

The transition to battery-electric vehicles (EVs) brings new safety challenges that fleet managers must proactively address. While EV fires are statistically less frequent than internal combustion engine fires, they pose unique dangers due to the risk of thermal runaway—a self-sustaining chemical chain reaction within the ... Read More »

The Looming Shadow of 2027 Regulations If you thought your first year in fleet management would be a simple walk in the park, the Environmental Protection Agency has a lovely surprise for you. The upcoming 2027 nitrogen-oxide standards are already casting a long shadow over ... Read More »

Advanced Telematics Enhancing Driver Safety The landscape of commercial vehicle safety is undergoing a rapid transformation as telematics giants integrate artificial intelligence into standard hardware. Samsara recently highlighted this shift by showcasing how their AI Dash Cams proactively identify distracted driving behaviors before accidents occur. ... Read More »

Managing fleet assets demands a constant focus on efficiency, especially as maintenance and labor costs surge industry-wide. Consequently, fleet managers must look beyond traditional maintenance scheduling. Tires represent a major operational expense, influencing both safety and fuel economy. A single underinflated tire can reduce fuel ... Read More »

Roadside inspections are a fact of life in commercial trucking. They happen at weigh stations, rest areas, and during ordinary traffic stops. They can occur at any time and almost never come with advance notice. For a new fleet manager, the best preparation you can ... Read More »

DOT violations can have serious consequences for a fleet, from increased insurance costs to a damaged Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) score, or even a suspended operating authority. However, not all violations are issued fairly, and fleet managers and drivers have the right to challenge them. ... Read More »

New York has taken the U.S. Department of Transportation to court over a fight that may sound like government paperwork theater, but could have real consequences for trucking fleets, driver availability, and state CDL compliance programs. On April 24, New York Attorney General Letitia James ... Read More »

New York City's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has unveiled its latest Safe Fleet Transition Plan Update . This updated plan focuses on integrating new safety technologies into the city's fleet to help prevent accidents and protect vulnerable road users. For example, the city ... Read More »

The Modern Cockpit Revolution Starting your career as a fleet manager today is much like being handed the keys to a spaceship while everyone else is still talking about carburetors. The industry has shifted rapidly from simple GPS tracking to complex, data-heavy ecosystems. According to ... Read More »

IntelliShift, the connected fleet intelligence platform for safety and operations teams, today announced a strategic partnership with Netradyne, the top provider of AI-powered camera technology, offering fleets 360° visibility across HD cameras for unmatched safety insight and full-scope coverage during all driving operations. Announced during National ... Read More »

Securement violations remain one of the most frequent and avoidable issues flagged during roadside inspections across the country. On average, thousands of securement-related citations are issued each month, with some states consistently seeing over 1,000 violations in a single month. These numbers point to a ... Read More »

Driver fatigue remains one of the most critical and difficult risks to manage in commercial fleet operations. Fatalities and accidents associated with fatigued driving continue to plague the industry, increasing liability and operational costs for fleet professionals. Historically, technology struggled to differentiate true fatigue events ... Read More »

Advanced AI Tackles Seasonal Road Hazards As winter weather continues to impact North American shipping corridors, Samsara recently announced a significant expansion of its AI-powered safety platform. This update introduces real-time weather intelligence overlays directly into the fleet visibility map. By integrating live meteorological data, ... Read More »

For small and midsize truck fleets, every dollar counts—and nowhere is that more true than when it comes to safety technology. That’s why we’re excited to share the release of our brand-new 2025 Fleet Safety Technology ROI Report—an in-depth look at how safety investments are ... Read More »

Moving Beyond Reactive Video to Active Prevention The commercial fleet industry has reached a pivotal turning point where data replaces intuition. According to the recently released 2026 Motive AI Road Safety Report, organizations are now seeing seven near-collisions for every single actual crash. These "close ... Read More »

Vocational vehicles—the dump trucks, cement mixers, and refuse haulers that are the backbone of construction and infrastructure projects—operate in inherently dangerous environments. These jobsites are often chaotic, characterized by moving machinery, ground workers, tight spaces, and constantly changing terrain. A persistent safety challenge is the ... Read More »

As the asphalt shimmers and temperatures climb, every fleet manager knows the "dog days" of summer bring a unique set of challenges. Heat isn’t just a comfort issue; it’s a direct threat to your equipment, your drivers, and your bottom line. Ignoring the sun's impact ... Read More »

The Administration of Safety Driver Qualifications and Medical violations, averaging 16,565 per month, center on administrative oversight. This group includes the failure to possess a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate. It also covers problems with the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) itself. Finally, it addresses inadequate documentation ... Read More »

In your first year as a fleet manager, you have one big goal. You need to show your boss that you can actually save money. Motive just released their new 2026 ROI Report to help you do exactly that. It's like finding a treasure map ... Read More »

At Fleet-Connection.com, we spend our days diving deep into the data that powers the American supply chain. Usually, that data tells a story of clear routes, verified carriers, and logistical precision. But lately, we’ve uncovered a statistical anomaly that should make every broker, insurer, and ... Read More »

In the fast-paced world of fleet, your operation is only as good as its uptime. As fleet managers, you are constantly balancing the scales between rising operational costs, a tightening regulatory environment, and the persistent pressure to deliver on time, every time. While technology has ... Read More »

The Problem Every Fleet Manager Knows Ask almost any fleet compliance manager how many portals they log into on a given morning, and you will get a tired answer. One system for driver qualification files. Another for toll management. A separate login for weigh station ... Read More »

Stoughton Trailers Sets New Industry Standard for Rear Impact Safety Stoughton Trailers has announced a major achievement in vehicle safety. The company recently met the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOUGHGUARD requirements at a test speed of 40 mph. This is a big deal ... Read More »

If you've been treating the non-domiciled CDL rule like a weather forecast — "eh, it'll probably change before I have to do anything" — this is your wake-up call. The rule didn't blow over. It went to court, took a swing, and walked out still ... Read More »

  The Immediate Need for ELD System Replacement The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently delivered a significant compliance alert to the industry. Specifically, the agency officially revoked the Robinhood Electronic Logging Device (ELD) from its list of registered devices. This action occurred because ... Read More »

Fleet safety leadership is increasingly prioritizing proactive, data-driven interventions over traditional reactive training methods. This shift is highlighted by the recent partnership between Geotab and Predictive Coach, which focuses on combining robust telematics data with targeted, automated driver coaching. This integrated solution is designed to ... Read More »

Proactive Detection Redefines Fleet Safety Standards The commercial transportation landscape is shifting rapidly as 2026 brings a new wave of predictive technology. Fleet managers now face skyrocketing insurance premiums and a 49% surge in fatal crashes involving large trucks over the last decade. Consequently, top ... Read More »

Federal regulators are taking a much firmer stance on technology compliance as we move further into the new year. On December 30, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officially removed four major devices from its list of registered Electronic Logging Devices. The agency ... Read More »

Retaining Drivers Through Continuous Development In today's highly competitive market, driver retention is a major challenge for many fleets, with high turnover rates significantly impacting operational costs and efficiency. However, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), high turnover doesn't necessarily mean drivers are leaving ... Read More »

Fleet safety remains a top priority for managers, yet accident rates and their associated costs continue to challenge the industry. Traditional safety measures, while important, often react to incidents rather than proactively preventing them. This reactive approach leads to increased insurance premiums, costly vehicle repairs, ... Read More »

On August 10, 2026, FMCSA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would formally codify a driver's failure to meet the English-language proficiency (ELP) requirement as an out-of-service violation. For carriers, this is the moment a policy shift that has been building for ... Read More »

The Study That Puts Leadership on Trial Fleet safety managers have long known that the best technology, training, and compliance programs can only go so far without genuine support from the top. Now, there is hard data to back that up. The J. J. Keller ... Read More »

Urgent Action Required on Non-Compliant Logging Hardware Fleet operators must immediately verify their electronic logging device (ELD) inventories to avoid severe administrative disruptions. Federal regulators have dramatically escalated their scrutiny regarding the technical standards of electronic logging systems. Using an unapproved recording platform will lead ... Read More »

Imagine a massive court case where a jury awards millions of dollars. These are called "nuclear verdicts." They can crush a trucking company. Often, these huge payouts happen because of poor safety records. A single missed inspection can be very costly. But there is a ... Read More »

It's one thing to know that small fleets get cited for more mechanical problems than large ones. It's another to watch how each group is trending over time. Using FMCSA roadside-inspection data from May 2024 through February 2026, we indexed every fleet size to its ... Read More »

CSA scores are one of the most talked-about topics in commercial trucking. They are also one of the most misunderstood. As a new fleet manager, understanding how CSA scores work is not optional. Ignore them long enough, and you will hear about it from your ... Read More »

Next-Gen Sensing Technology Two of the biggest names in vehicle safety are joining forces. On July 31, 2025, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Aeva announced a collaboration to develop advanced active safety solutions for commercial vehicles using next-generation 4D LiDAR technology. This partnership aims to ... Read More »

What is Samsara Physical AI Coaching On March 10, 2026, Samsara changed the game for trucking safety. They launched a new technology called "Physical AI." This system is designed to act like a second set of eyes for every driver on the road. Instead of ... Read More »

On May 15, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II that federal preemption does not shield freight brokers from state negligent hiring claims. Justice Barrett's opinion held that the FAAAA's safety exception covers exactly this kind of suit. Brokers who select unsafe carriers ... Read More »

The 2027 Cost Cliff and "Procurement Paralysis" On March 16, 2026, Fleet Advantage released a new industry report. It shows that many company leaders are stuck in "procurement paralysis." This means they are too worried to buy new trucks. They are frozen by the big ... Read More »

The landscape of fleet management is undergoing a profound transformation, moving beyond mere data collection to intelligent, autonomous decision-making. The recent launch of AI-native platforms, such as the one by the startup Flott in February 2026, signals a significant shift towards "outcome-focused" automation in telematics. ... Read More »

The Evolution of Real-Time Driver Coaching The landscape of fleet safety is shifting from reactive analysis to proactive intervention. On March 10, 2026, Samsara announced the launch of new automated coaching features designed to scale personalized feedback across large operations. These tools utilize "Physical AI" ... Read More »

If you only read the big industry websites and magazines, you’d think you need a team of data scientists and an enterprise-level software suite just to manage a dozen trucks. They showcase all-in-one platforms with predictive analytics and AI-powered dispatch, often hiding a price tag ... Read More »

Confronting Large Vehicle Blind Spots Even the most skilled commercial drivers struggle with tight spaces. Large semi-trucks possess massive blind spots where small passenger cars can easily disappear. Traditional mirrors help significantly, but they cannot show every angle around a long trailer. Consequently, minor sideswipe ... Read More »

New Standards for a Safer Road The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is moving forward with a major update to its drug testing requirements. Starting in late 2026, the standard Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing panel will officially expand. The most significant change ... Read More »

Fleet professionals transitioning to electric vehicles received critical performance benchmarks this week. Geotab recently released its updated 2026 EV Battery Health Study which analyzed data from over 22,000 commercial electric vehicles. The report indicates that average annual battery degradation now sits at 2.3 percent. This ... Read More »

A healthy driver is, without question, a safer driver. In fact, a driver's personal well-being directly and significantly connects to their performance on the road. The trucking career is undeniably demanding. It includes long hours, irregular sleep schedules, and unfortunately, limited healthy food options. Consequently, ... Read More »

Optimize Your Fleet Operations with the JJ Keller® FleetMentor® Program Managing a fleet can be complex, but the right tools can make it easier, safer, and more efficient. The JJ Keller® FleetMentor® program is a comprehensive online fleet management solution designed to help fleet operators ... Read More »

If you haven’t already adjusted your compliance strategies to align with FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS) changes, now is the time. Last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rolled out significant updates to its Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program, fundamentally reshaping how carriers ... Read More »

A New Build for Tough Jobs Vocational fleets operating in construction and heavy hauling require maximum durability and driver comfort. These demanding jobs drag vehicles through deep mud, over rough rocks, and into tight work zones day after day. To address these harsh demands, Mack ... Read More »

Let’s be honest. If you could solve the driver retention problem with a few extra-large pepperoni pizzas, you would have done it by now. The truth is, that Friday pizza party might be a nice gesture, but it doesn’t do much for a driver staring ... Read More »

The Critical Shortage Fueling a Crisis The logistics backbone of the United States is currently facing a silent infrastructure emergency: a severe, chronic shortage of safe and convenient parking for commercial trucks. This critical lack of rest facilities, for the nation's 2.4 million truck drivers, ... Read More »

Welcome to your first year of managing a commercial truck fleet. You probably thought you would be analyzing complex routes. Instead, you are likely drowning in endless spreadsheets and messy driver logs. Modern data can be completely overwhelming for a beginner. Fortunately, new generative artificial ... Read More »

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently placed two electronic logging devices (ELDs) on its revoked devices list. The devices, WALKER ELD and SR ELD, were removed because they failed to meet minimum performance and design requirements. As a result, fleets and drivers using ... Read More »

For a long time, dash cams were like the black boxes on airplanes—they only told the story of what happened after a crash. If a driver got into a fender bender, the fleet manager would pull the SD card to see who was at fault. ... Read More »

The regulatory landscape for commercial motor vehicles remains dynamic, demanding constant vigilance from fleet professionals. A recent action by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) underscores the critical nature of using certified technology. In May 2025, the FMCSA removed eight devices from its list ... Read More »

Integrating Telematics and Vision: The New Standard For fleet professionals, the challenge of mitigating risk and controlling spiraling insurance costs remains paramount. Consequently, the convergence of high-resolution video safety technology and deep telematics data has emerged as the most powerful defense against rising liability. Top-tier ... Read More »

Telematics, as we often preach, is an investment not a traditional cost for truck fleet operators.  That being said, there's no reason to spend more than you have to.  If you are a small to mid-size fleet, money definitely matters and we're here to help.  ... Read More »

The approach to fleet safety is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Initially, for years, video telematics only identified faults. They primarily focused on triggering alerts for hard braking or close following. In contrast, sophisticated AI systems today recognize and reward positive driving behaviors. This shift helps ... Read More »

Driving a massive truck requires sharp focus. However, many drivers struggle to stay awake because of a hidden medical condition. This condition is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). It is a silent hazard that impacts thousands of fleets every single day. The Danger of Drowsy Driving ... Read More »

Elevating Total Vehicle Safety Most discussions about fleet safety center heavily on the driver and the truck cab. Fleet managers routinely prioritize advanced driver assistance systems, lane departure warnings, and in-cab cameras. However, this narrow focus completely leaves out a critical piece of the safety ... Read More »

The Hidden Cost of Idle Engines Congratulations on surviving your first few months as a fleet manager. First, let us tackle a sneaky budget killer hiding in plain sight. Drivers often leave diesel engines idling to power cabs during rest breaks. In fact, an idling ... Read More »

Federal Audits Expose Massive CDL Licensing Failures Fleet managers must immediately review their driver qualification files following a major federal crackdown on illegally issued licenses. In December 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that a nationwide audit uncovered a "total collapse" in several ... Read More »

  Breaker one-nine, breaker one-nine—anybody got their ears on? If that phrase sounds familiar, you might be a fan of Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Convoy (1978), or even Dukes of Hazzard. These classic films and TV shows cemented the CB (Citizens Band) radio as ... Read More »

How to Make the Pitch Alright, so you’re armed with facts, figures, and a bit of fearmongering. Now it’s time to sell it like your job depends on it (because let’s be honest, it might). 1. Know Your Audience Does your boss love numbers? Bring ... Read More »

Managing a geographically dispersed team of drivers presents unique challenges for any fleet manager. Unlike an office setting, you may not see your drivers daily, which makes effective communication and fostering a strong team culture critical. Furthermore, a cohesive team is a safer team. Drivers ... Read More »

If your fleet operates anywhere near the West Coast, emissions compliance can feel like a secondary nightmare. Keeping track of changing state rules takes a lot of time and effort. However, Zonar Systems just announced a major regulatory victory that makes life much easier for ... Read More »

High-Risk Driving Behavior Dangerous and Distracted Driving represents a critical safety risk with 22,159 violations monthly. This group includes common violations such as Speeding at various levels. It also includes Phone Call and Texting while driving. General Dangerous Driving behaviors like erratic lane changes are ... Read More »

We’re past the halfway mark of the year. The initial rush of Q1 is a memory, and the results from the annual CVSA Roadcheck are in. Now is the perfect moment to take a breath, look at your score card, and ask the tough question: ... Read More »

The FMCSA’s Crash Preventability Determination Program, updated in December 2024, introduces a fresh approach for carriers and drivers to challenge the classification of crash preventability using DataQs. This new program reflects an evolving regulatory landscape where modern data analytics and technology are at the forefront ... Read More »

The Nuclear Verdict Crisis in Commercial Transportation The term "nuclear verdict" describes jury awards that far exceed the typical—and sometimes available—insurance coverage, often reaching tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. These staggering legal settlements are one of the most pressing financial threats facing ... Read More »

In the fast-paced world of logistics, the "dash-cam" has evolved from a simple recording device into a sophisticated, AI-driven co-pilot. As we navigate 2026, the data is clear: artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental luxury but a core operational tool for safety-conscious fleets. According ... Read More »

Mastering the Digital Dashboard Transition Starting your career as a fleet manager in the current market feels like trying to read a map while driving at highway speeds. Consequently, your first year is a high-speed lesson in balancing traditional logistics with a surge of new ... Read More »

Keeping drivers safe from robbery, hijacking, and cargo theft requires a multi-faceted approach involving pre-emptive training, technology, and clear company protocols for incident response. Proactive Safety Tips for Drivers The most effective way to prevent theft is to make the truck and its cargo an ... Read More »

The Daily Nightmare of Unproven Driver Claims Welcome back to another week in fleet management. First, let us talk about the nightmare of false accident claims. Drivers often face blame when anything goes wrong on the open road. In fact, staged accidents and fraudulent claims ... Read More »

The End of Traditional Metal Seals On March 5, 2026, Wabash introduced a new way to keep freight safe. For many years, trucking companies have used lead or plastic seals to lock trailer doors. These old seals are easy to break and do not tell ... Read More »

Supply chain disruptions have made many goods even more valuable. This has, consequently, led to a noticeable rise in cargo theft. Thieves often target high-value loads like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. This type of crime causes significant financial losses for companies. Furthermore, it puts ... Read More »

The Looming Crisis in Driver Comfort and Safety The long-haul trucking industry faces a critical challenge: a severe driver shortage exacerbated by an aging workforce and demanding job conditions. A significant contributor to driver attrition, beyond the long hours and time away from home, is ... Read More »

Fleet safety managers are constantly challenged to maintain compliance with federal regulations. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently issued a critical final rule that significantly amends the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse procedures. This update focuses on enhancing the exchange of drug and alcohol program violation ... Read More »

Beyond the "Too Many Tabs" Era For years, fleet managers have operated in a state of digital fragmentation. Monitoring a single driver often required toggling between a GPS tracking tab, a separate video safety portal, and a standalone distracted driving prevention tool. This "app fatigue" ... Read More »

Mack Trucks is raising the bar for highway safety with its all-new Mack® Pioneer, which integrates a suite of advanced active and passive protection technologies. The new truck aims to provide unprecedented levels of driver safety through features common in passenger cars but new to ... Read More »

The High Cost of Empty Driver Seats Congratulations on surviving your first few months in fleet management. However, your biggest challenge is likely keeping your best drivers in their cabs. Driver turnover burns through operational budgets very quickly. Replacing a qualified long-haul driver can cost ... Read More »

Top 5 Trends for U.S. Truck Fleet Operators in 2025 Adapting to new trends will be crucial for fleet operators to remain competitive, reduce costs, and comply with new regulations in 2025. Here are the top five trends we see facing truck fleet operators in ... Read More »

The Hidden Value Inside Your Old Tires Many fleet managers look at a bald tire and see a piece of junk. They see a bill for a new replacement. However, strategic leaders look at that same tire and see a valuable asset called a "casing." ... Read More »

Fleet safety is entering a new era of technological integration. Consequently, fleet managers must stay informed about regulatory shifts that could impact their operations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently took a significant step in this direction. The agency announced a notice of ... Read More »

  Navigating the most dangerous roads in the U.S. requires preparation, strategic rest stops, and safe driving habits. By following thorough inspections and utilizing truck-friendly rest areas, drivers can reduce risks and arrive safely. Stay vigilant, plan routes wisely, and take advantage of the best ... Read More »

In the world of fleet operations, risk rarely announces itself with a loud bang. Instead, it often creeps in through the back door during a moment of crisis. One of the most dangerous—yet common—vulnerabilities involves the use of substitute drivers. When an independent contractor falls ... Read More »

For new fleet managers, establishing a strong safety culture is paramount. Traditionally, safety management involved reacting to events like accidents or violations. Today, however, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in dash cameras and telematics allows you to build a truly proactive program that can ... Read More »

As insurance premiums for commercial motor carriers continue to climb, a new whitepaper from Safety Vision released in late March 2026 offers a data-driven path toward relief. The report, titled "The AI-Powered Fleet," reveals that fleets using AI-enabled video monitoring paired with structured coaching have ... Read More »

The 2026 Enforcement Blitz Details The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set the dates for its next major event. From May 12 to 14, 2026, inspectors will conduct a 72-hour International Roadcheck across North America. This high-volume effort aims to remove unsafe trucks and ... Read More »

Driving a truck or a van is a difficult job that requires constant focus. A new report from Geotab shows exactly how quickly things can go wrong on the road. Geotab analyzed data from millions of vehicles to find a "five-second window" that predicts a ... Read More »

The Critical Danger of Brake Failure Brake System Defect violations represent the second most frequent failure point in commercial vehicles, averaging a massive 62,624 monthly violations. This category includes Brakes All Others, Brakes Out of Adjustment, and Brake Out Of Service conditions. These defects directly ... Read More »

The Necessary Shift to Proactive Safety Fleet safety professionals recognize the critical importance of moving beyond reactive measures. Analyzing crash data after an incident occurs does little to protect assets or save lives today. Consequently, the industry is quickly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) powered telematics ... Read More »