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More Perfect Union makes Documentary about Threats of Autonomous Trucks

-Lombard

We’ve mentioned driverless trucks in Tale Lites before, but a brand new documentary released by More Perfect Union, an independent non-profit newsroom with over 1.6 million subscribers on Youtube. I’m briefly in this documentary, as some of it was filmed at MATS. Below I synopsize the documentary, and the video is posted below, it’s worth the 13 and a half minutes

🚛 Driverless Trucks Hit the Highway

Aurora Innovation has officially launched driverless semi-truck service in Texas—with no human in the cab. They're not alone. Competitors like Waabi, Plus.AI, and Kodiak are also in hot pursuit.

Why Texas?
Lax regulations + heavy freight traffic = the perfect testing ground. Translation: if you drive in Texas, this is already at your doorstep.

🧑‍🏭 What It Means for Working Truckers

Every load moved by a driverless rig is a job not going to a human. Line-haul runs, the backbone of many middle class trucking jobs, are the first targets.

For many, trucking was a path to prosperity. Now, some drivers say they feel like "the last of the cowboys," watching their livelihood disappear in the rearview.

❓ Driver Shortage? Or Driver Shuffle?

The automation crowd claims there’s a driver shortage, but the numbers tell a different story:

• There are 3x more CDL holders than there are trucks.

• The real issue? High turnover, driven by low pay and poor conditions.

The "shortage" narrative isn’t about fixing a labor gap—it’s about justifying automation over investment in drivers.

⚠️ Safety and Oversight: Who’s at the Wheel?

Aurora says automation could eliminate truck fatalities. But without proof or public oversight, it's just talk. Meanwhile:

• Humans are capped at 11 hours per day

• Bots? They can run 24/7

Texas lawmakers are considering requiring human operators—for now. But the push to go fully autonomous—and take it nationwide—is gaining speed.

🔮 What’s Next?

Some suggest a middle ground:
“Platooning” — human-led convoys of autonomous trucks. This could mean fewer jobs but higher pay for skilled operators.

But without smart policy or union action, we risk trading solid middle-class jobs for unstable, lower-wage roles—or none at all.

💡 Takeaway

The future is no longer distant. Driverless trucks are here, and what are we going to do as an industry to get in front of it. The entire general public needs to have a say in how this technology is used, and should not be decided by the very few.

🚨 Truckers, unions, and communities need a seat at the table.
Whether this tech helps or harms working drivers depends on the choices we make now.

Stay tuned. Stay informed. Stay involved.
Because the future of trucking is being written today, and your voice matters.

I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

A Moment for Men’s Mental Health Month.

Over the weekend I attended an event that was heavily focused on the mental health crisis going on the country. The event is called Open Spaces, and is meant to be a place where people can come together break some bread, and talk about the hard stuff.

In 2023, suicide was among the top 8 leading causes of death for people ages 10-46, and it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. Suicide rates have gone up 36% from 2000-2002. I don’t think there is one thing to point the finger at when it comes to this issue, but I do believe that as technology has risen, we have seen less and less community support across cities, towns, and industries. Thus the creation of this Open Spaces event I was at, as a way to foster community, where technology wasn’t used, and there was no alcohol to dive into.

My friend Alex gave his life’s story which involved triumph and purpose, only to then be faced with his own identity crisis. While navigating a divorce, a miscarriage, and separation from his entire family and a life he built in Oklahoma, he was hit with crushing news that his best friend had tragically died by suicide. He moved forward by taking one step at a time. He found healing through movement and the fitness community here in Austin, and he’s now inspired to not only tell his comeback story, but also tell the story of his best friend.

This August Alex will run/walk over 2200 miles from Austin, TX to Oregon City, OR to fight for something that really matters: mental health, human connection, and the lives we’re losing too soon. This run is a movement, and a call to action. It’s a reminder that we don’t need to have it all figured out, but that we need to just take the next step.

Feel free to follow, share, donate, or join him on this walk. If you’re a driver who operates in the areas he’ll be navigating he would love to meet you, and talk to you.

You can find Alex on Instagram at The Next Step Movement

And if you need help, it’s okay to ask. I respond to all newsletter responses, and for immediate help call the number 988

If you would like to donate on behalf of mental health awareness you can go to this GoFundMe link below

Health Tip of the Week

💤 Risk of the Road: Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night, often without you even knowing it. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2017, where I used a CPAP machine. The use of it gave me more energy, energy to start my fitness journey in 2018, and since losing 100lb it became no longer needed, and even when I first got my CDL I was able to get a 2 year DOT physical from no longer needing it.

🚨 Why It’s Dangerous:

• Interrupted sleep leads to daytime drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and poor focus, a deadly combo behind the wheel.

• Over time, untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and depression.

🧠 Key Facts:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type, it happens when throat muscles relax and block your airway.

• Loud snoring, gasping, or choking sounds during sleep are red flags.

• Even if you think you “sleep fine,” waking up tired, getting headaches, or feeling foggy are signs you may not be getting restful sleep.

🚛 Why Truckers Are at Risk:

• Irregular schedules, poor diet, lack of exercise, and sleeping in a cab or sleeper berth can all contribute.

• Drivers with higher body weight or neck circumference are especially at risk.

• FMCSA guidelines may require treatment or documentation if diagnosed.

🛡️ How to Lower Your Risk on the Road:

• Get evaluated: If you snore or feel exhausted despite sleeping, ask your doctor about a sleep study many can be done at home.

• Maintain a healthy weight: Shedding even a few pounds can reduce sleep apnea severity.

• Avoid alcohol and sedatives: These relax your airway muscles and worsen the problem.

• Stick to a routine: Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep. Create a quiet, dark space in your sleeper berth.

• Use CPAP if prescribed: A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine keeps your airway open at night.

Sleep apnea is more than just snoring, it’s a silent risk to your health, safety, and livelihood. If you're feeling run-down day after day, it’s time to take sleep seriously.

👊 Your health is your horsepower. Don’t let exhaustion drive you.

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Partner Post of the Week

Wolfgang is a trucker who wants to help leave the industry better than he found it. He’s recently teams up with us to help drivers get parked. You can use his code wolfgang20 for $20 off a one time booking.

@wolfgangkw2

#fyp #foryoupage #trucking #truckersoftiktok

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