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🚛 FMCSA’s Derek Barrs Is Doing Q&A at MATS 2026

The Mid America Trucking Show is about a month away, and we’re excited to be returning! Where it is a great community event for the industry and lined up with chrome outside, in recent years policy makers have been more active in showing up to communicate with drivers

This year, MATS is on March 26-28 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, and the FMCSA has lined up a series of sessions you should definitely check out. All of them will take place in the Pro Talks Theater, Room B104.

Thursday, March 26 – Q&A with FMCSA Leaders

Kick things off at 11:30a-1pm with FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs and Deputy Associate Administrator Philip Thomas. They’ll share key updates on the agency’s initiatives and take your questions live, as well as get an inside look at what FMCSA is working on now.

Friday, March 27 – Technology Overhaul

From 10–11 am, FMCSA will dive into “What You Need to Know About FMCSA’s Technology Overhaul.” The agency is rolling out a new registration system to simplify processes, improve data accuracy, and reduce fraud. This is one that drivers should be giving their direct input into

Saturday, March 28 – Combating Fraud and Cargo Theft

Ending MATS on a high impact note, FMCSA hosts “Combating Fraud and Cargo Theft” from 10–11 a.m. With cargo theft losses topping $455 million in 2025, this session will highlight what FMCSA is doing to increase accountability, reduce fraud, and protect the motor carrier industry. If you have been dealing with double brokers and fraud, then you need to be there

Will the FMCSA be addressing how they plan on requiring all CDL tests to be done exclusively in English? Come to MATS and find out!

Don’t Miss Out - Register Free

If you’re headed to MATS, register by February 26 to secure your spot at these sessions and stay ahead of the curve in trucking safety and technology. Register here!

What do you think? For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

Tale Lites Throwback

A Trucker’s Lament - Written in 1967, can you relate?

🅿️ More Truck Parking In Ohio!

As part of the state’s effort to upgrade 36 rest areas, Ohio recently reopened rest stops in Troy and Piqua along I-75, adding 48 and 46 truck parking spaces, respectively. These locations had been closed for over a year during renovations.

Now, they’re focusing on Medina County along I-71, where two rest areas will be converted into dedicated truck parking facilities. These sites will close March 2 for demolition and reconstruction.

When completed, the upgraded facilities will include:

• 29 truck parking spaces northbound on I-71

• 66 truck parking spaces southbound on I-71

• Improved lighting and restroom facilities

The $6.8 million project targets a heavily traveled freight corridor that sees roughly 3,000 trucks per day. Officials say “converting these locations to truck focused parking will improve safety and accessibility for drivers.”

This project is just one piece of Ohio’s larger plan. Last year, the state announced a separate initiative to add 1,400 new truck parking spaces statewide. With freight expected to increase 26% by 2045, officials are racing to stay ahead of demand.

If completed as planned, Ohio could soon lead the nation in long term truck parking capacity on state owned property, at Truck Parking Club we are always in full support of states pitching into one of the industry’s biggest problems.

📩 What are your thoughts?
Reply to this email or text (423) 275-2444 

🩺 Health Tip of the Week: How to Read the Nutrition Facts

If you can read a rate con, you can read a nutrition label. This one habit can help you avoid junk calories, increase protein, and manage your weight better while OTR.

Step 1: Check the Serving Size first

This is where most people get tripped up. If the serving size is 1 cup but the container has 3 servings, and you eat the whole thing, you just tripled everything on the label.

Rule: Always multiply if you eat more than one serving.

Step 2: Look at Protein (your #1 priority)

Protein keeps you full, preserves muscle, and prevents fat gain.

Good target:

• Snacks: 10+ grams protein

• Meals: 30–50 grams protein

If protein is low, it won’t keep you full long.

Step 3: Check Calories (quick awareness check)

Calories aren’t evil, but mindless calories stack out of nowhere especially when you add condiments, or drink your calories.

Simple rule:

• High protein + reasonable calories = good

• Low protein + high calories = usually junk

Example:

• 250 calories, 25g protein = great

• 250 calories, 3g protein = poor choice

Step 4: Watch Added Sugar

Ignore total sugar, look at Added Sugar.

Good: 0–5g
Bad: 15g+

High added sugar spikes blood sugar and leads to crashes, cravings, and fat gain.

Step 5: Ignore most of the marketing on the front

“High protein,” “healthy,” “natural,” and “low fat” can be misleading.
The truth is always on the Nutrition Facts label.

Shortcut Rule:

Pick foods with:

• High protein

• Low added sugar

• Reasonable calories per serving

Partner Post of the Week

The Icebox is back showing you drivers where he found some great parking recently! You can get $20 off your next booking by using the promo code icebox20

@truckericebox

Use @Truck Parking Club for all your stays on the road. Promocode "icebox20" saves you $20 on your visit

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

Do you create content for truckers, want to help solve the truck parking crisis, and an opportunity to give drivers FREE parking? Let’s work together! Click below to apply for Truck Parking Club’s Partner Program today!