A compilation of news about the trucking industry.
States pass bills regarding predatory towing
Legislation regarding predatory towing is being reviewed in several state chambers to protect consumers, especially truck drivers. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has been working with states to implement standards that safeguard truckers from unauthorized towing.
In Florida, bill HB179 aims to address abusive towing practices by establishing maximum fees and complaint resolution processes. On the other hand, in Kentucky, bill SB107 has been introduced to regulate fees and enforcement in towing companies, while in Mississippi, bills HB1622 and SB2635 seek to regulate unauthorized towing of commercial vehicles.
Similarly, in Missouri, bill HB2214 protects truckers against excessive charges for unauthorized towing. Additionally, two bills in Virginia seek to prohibit towing requests at accident scenes, protecting drivers from being pressured by towing companies in roadside emergencies.

OOIDA sent letter requesting support for the DRIVE Act
OOIDA sent a letter on February 20 requesting support for the DRIVE Act. In the letter, it explained that speed limiters could make roads less safe by forcing trucks to travel below traffic flow, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
The DRIVE Act aims to prevent the FMCSA from moving forward with regulations requiring speed limiters on heavy trucks. OOIDA, representing small business truckers, opposes these limiters and supports HR3039. In total, HR3039 has 36 co-sponsors, while the Senate bill has nine.
The FMCSA is expected to propose in May a requirement for most commercial vehicles to use a speed limiting device. Although the proposed maximum speed has not yet been revealed, options of 60, 65, and 68 mph are being considered, all significantly slower than traffic flow on many U.S. roads. The idea has faced resistance among truckers, with thousands expressing opposition when the FMCSA announced its plans in 2022, receiving around 15,000 comments, the majority from truckers disagreeing with the regulation.

Weekly diesel prices in the U.S.
According to data published by the Energy Information Administration, the national average price of a gallon of diesel decreased by 5.1 cents in the week ending February 26th.
The national average now stands at $4.058 per gallon. The average price of a gallon of diesel by region, according to the EIA report, is as follows:
- Lower Atlantic – $4.120
- Central Atlantic – $4.324
- California – $5.225
- East Coast – $4.185
- West Coast – $4.692
- Gulf Coast – $3.768
- Midwest – $3.961
- Rocky Mountains – $3.999


New identification process for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
The FMCSA has begun implementing new identity verification requirements for the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

OPEC: What the United Arab Emirates Exit Means for U.S. Fuel Costs and Logistics
The departure of the United Arab Emirates from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is reshaping the global oil market, introducing price volatility and creating new challenges for diesel costs, freight operations, and fleet planning across the United States.

Trucks only: Georgia plans dedicated commercial vehicle lanes on I-75
The Georgia Department of Transportation has begun developing a project that plans to add commercial vehicle lanes on I-75.

Tesla Semi moves toward scale
Tesla’s electric truck is already on the road—now the real challenge is scaling production for the freight industry

New US transportation map: adapt without wasting time
The U.S. government has implemented sweeping changes to regulations governing freight transportation, affecting everything from who can be behind the wheel to mandatory in-cab technology. This is an effort to strengthen safety and operational transparency.

The Longest Straight Road in the World: A Challenge for Drivers
Highway 10 in Saudi Arabia, the longest straight road in the world, stretches over 250 km without curves across the desert
