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Lawmakers Push FMCSA for Faster Action on HOS Rules

-Lombard

Whenever a natural disaster happens, truckers often drop everything to deliver fuel and emergency supplies. But lately, drivers have been running into a mess of confusing state rules around Hours of Service (HOS) waivers — and now, a group of lawmakers wants the FMCSA to finally do something about it.

This week, over 30 Republican members of Congress—led by Reps. Mike Bost (IL) and Mike Collins (GA)—sent a letter to the FMCSA pushing for a “preemptive and proactive” plan that would make it easier for truckers to operate ahead of predictable disasters like hurricanes and major winter storms.

Right now, emergency HOS waivers often come too late, sometimes just a day or two before the storm hits, leaving fuel haulers and other emergency drivers scrambling. These lawmakers want to see automatic HOS relief kick in at least five days out when a disaster is forecasted with enough certainty.

🔥 Why This Matters for Drivers

If you’ve ever tried to move FEMA loads or deliver fuel during a declared emergency, you know the deal:

• Each state has its own emergency declaration—with different start/end dates and rules.

• Some commodities (like fuel) are allowed in one state, but not in the next one over.

• Drivers lose time figuring out if they’re covered—and sometimes don’t find out until they’re already loaded and rolling.

This patchwork approach means drivers can’t plan routes efficiently across state lines, and it slows down critical relief efforts.

💡 The Fix: Regional & Automatic Relief

The lawmakers’ proposal asks FMCSA to:

• Create clear agency guidance that triggers relief automatically before forecasted events

• Standardize relief across regions so it doesn’t change from one state line to the next

• Use existing FMCSA authority (no new laws required) to get ahead of disasters, not behind them

To me, this sounds great, no new red tape, no new regulations. Just common sense preparation so the people doing the job, can actually do the job. What do you guys think?

Source: Landline

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Canadian Police bust Trucks hauling $47M in cocaine; $1.6M in stolen electronics

Cargo theft has been at all time highs, from the take down of an Armenian crime ring, to $1.6M worth of theft in Arizona, we’re seeing just how much can go hidden with the continuous movement of trucks operating across North America.

Canadian authorities arrested nine men this week after uncovering a cross-border drug operation using tractor trailers to move bricks of cocaine from the U.S. into the Toronto area.

• The year-long investigation, led by Peel Regional Police (just west of Toronto), seized $47.9 million worth of cocaine, the largest in Peel’s history.

• Police also recovered loaded firearms and tied the smuggling network to multiple trucking companies and warehouses.

Why it matters:
Smuggling operations like this don’t just end in arrests they add fuel to regulatory crackdowns, border slowdowns, and scrutiny on legit drivers. Be alert for suspicious activity, especially around cross-border freight.

🚛 Stolen Electronics Truck Worth $1.6M Recovered in Arizona

A shipment of electronics worth $1.6 million was stolen from DFW Airport in Texas and rerouted through New Mexico before being stopped in Flagstaff, AZ.

• Law enforcement worked with Overhaul, a supply chain risk firm, to track and recover the load.

• Three people were arrested, two of whom were in the U.S. illegally.

• The load was recovered intact and returned to its rightful owner.

Reminder:
As tech gets smarter, so are criminals. As fast as it takes us to adapt new technology, criminals work overtime to see how they can beat it. Make sure your dispatch is verifying load details, and if something seems off with a pickup, speak up.

📈 Cargo Theft Surges in IL and KY — Electronics a Top Target

New numbers from GearTrack and CargoNet show April was brutal for freight theft, especially in the Midwest:

• Illinois thefts: ⬆️ 81%

• Kentucky thefts: ⬆️ 200%

• Florida thefts: ⬇️ 44%

Top stolen items:
Electronics, vehicles, and apparel, with one heist involving $2.7M worth of bitcoin mining computers stolen at LAX.

Analysts say new tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts may also be triggering more thefts around those loads.

🛑 Truck Parking = Theft Prevention

This is why Truck Parking Club is going to be a huge part of the solution for cargo theft. As always, secure parking is your first line of defense. Because when drivers have safe places to stop, freight theft drops.

If you’re a fleet or solo driver looking for better overnight options, we’ve got spots waiting, and discounts weekly in this newsletter!

Health Tip of the Week

🚛 Thyroid Trouble on the Road? Here’s What Drivers Need to Know

Your thyroid is a small gland with a big job, regulating your metabolism, energy, and body temperature. But when it’s off, everything feels off. Truckers are especially at risk due to long hours, poor food access, and stress.

🧊 Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

🛑 Symptoms: Fatigue, weight gain, depression, cold sensitivity, brain fog
💥 Causes:

• Poor diet (low in iodine, selenium, zinc)

• Chronic stress

• Inflammation or autoimmune issues (like Hashimoto’s)

• Long term exposure to toxins (common in diesel-heavy environments)

🔥 Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

🛑 Symptoms: Anxiety, weight loss, sweating, fast heartbeat, restlessness
💥 Causes:

• Autoimmune disorders (like Graves’ disease)

• Excess iodine

• Thyroid nodules or inflammation

✅ How Truck Drivers Can Protect Their Thyroid

🧂 Eat Real Food

• Include iodine-rich foods like eggs, seafood, and dairy.

• Get selenium from Brazil nuts or tuna.

• Avoid ultra-processed junk that can trigger inflammation.

💤 Prioritize Rest

• Sleep restores hormone balance. Even 6–7 solid hours can help your thyroid regulate better.

💧 Filter Your Water

• Tap water may contain chlorine and fluoride—both can interfere with thyroid function. Use a filtered jug or truck-compatible purifier.

💪 Move Every Day

• Even short walks at truck stops or bodyweight workouts in your cab can help regulate hormones. Just that extra 30 minutes of intentional movement can change your life

🩺 Get Checked

• If you feel “off” for weeks at a time, ask your doc to check your TSH, T3, and T4 levels during your DOT physical or next check-up.

Your thyroid is small but mighty. Take care of it with solid nutrition, movement, and rest, even from the cab of your truck.

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