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Sean Duffy Makes MATS Appearance

🚛 FMCSA, DOT Promise Major Crackdowns at MATS

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy made an appearance last week at the Mid-America Trucking Show. This is the first time a DOT Secretary has attended MATS since Elaine Chao came back in 2019. Joining him was the FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs

Barrs kicked things off by recognizing drivers in the crowd, including several who had experienced serious or fatal crashes, before signaling what he called “a new FMCSA.”

“I hear you,” Barrs told drivers, emphasizing that while not every issue will see agreement, the agency is pushing for meaningful changes across the industry.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• New HOS Pilot Programs: Drivers are being invited to participate in upcoming Hours of Service pilots.

• English Requirement for CDLs: Duffy announced a forthcoming rule aimed at preventing non-English speakers from obtaining a CDL.

• Fraud Crackdown: A major push is coming against “ghost offices” and other Principal Place of Business fraud schemes.

• Spot Rates Outlook: Duffy predicted rates could rise as fraud is squeezed out of the market.

• “Make Trucking Great Again”: Duffy reinforced Donald Trump’s commitment to reshaping the industry.

Duffy’s appearance wasn’t even on the schedule, catching thousands of attendees off guard as he walked the show floor and delivered a forceful message directly to drivers.

Meanwhile, Barrs highlighted recent enforcement efforts already underway, including:

• Crackdowns on non-domiciled CDLs

• English Language Proficiency (ELP) enforcement

• CDL school audits and decertifications

• New scrutiny on ELD compliance

Duffy and Barrs joined American Truckers United in their push to pass Dalilah's Law, proposed federal legislation aiming to prohibit undocumented immigrants from obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses. Introduced in early 2026, it seeks to revoke existing CDLs held by illegal aliens, mandate English only tests, and improve road safety following a 2024 accident involving a young girl.

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 little humor from an insurance company on how to live a safe life! From Tale Lites in 1966

🚛 Stuntwoman turned Billboard Attorney Found Guilty in ‘Operation Sideswipe’

Tale Lites is no fan of Billboard Attorneys, who’s sole purpose has been to rob Motor Carriers. Because of them, everyone pays more for insurance, hurting consumers and small businesses. This time justice was served the right way! On March 20, a federal jury convicted multiple attorneys tied to Operation Sideswipe, a multi year scheme that staged crashes with big trucks to cash in on massive insurance payouts.

Those found guilty include:

• Vanessa Motta

• Jason F. Giles

• Their firms, Motta Law LLC and The King Firm LLC

They were convicted on charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.

💥 What was Operation Sideswipe?

Based out of New Orleans, the operation ran from 2011 to 2024 and involved:

• Recruiting passengers (“slammers”) to intentionally crash into 18 wheelers

• Targeting trucks with large commercial insurance policies

• Filing lawsuits to secure massive settlements sometimes worth millions

In some cases, participants were allegedly pushed to undergo unnecessary medical procedures to inflate claim values.

The scheme didn’t stop there:

• “Spotters” helped coordinate crashes and getaways

• Recruiters brought in new participants

• Attorneys handled the lawsuits from start to finish

⚖️ Attempts to Cover It Up

Prosecutors say the fraud extended beyond the crashes:

• One defendant allegedly tried to pay a witness to leave the country

• Another secretly recorded a co-conspirator to create favorable evidence

📊 The Bigger Picture

• 63 total defendants have been charged in connection with Operation Sideswipe

• The scheme exploited both trucking companies and insurers for years

They should be sentenced sometime in July

This case highlights how far organized fraud in trucking can go, and it’s not just brokers or shady carriers. Hopefully this signals that enforcement is headed in a good direction

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

🩺 Health Tip of the Week: Be Weary of Fasting Trends

I get a lot of questions about fasting when it comes to weight loss/management while out on the road. Where there are some short term health benefits to fasting, long term fasting, unless an individual is at an extreme risk, is unnecessary, especially if you’re a trucker. Here’s why,

⚠️ Energy Crashes = Dangerous Driving

Going long periods without food can tank your blood sugar, leading to:

• Fatigue

• Slower reaction times

• Brain fog

🧠 Focus

Your brain runs on glucose. Extended fasting can make it harder to:

• Stay alert

• Make quick decisions

• Handle stressful traffic situations

🏋️ Muscle Loss (Not Fat Loss)

Long term fasting often causes your body to break down muscle, not just fat. This has to do with not consuming any protein. This can,

• Slows your metabolism

• Hurt strength and endurance

• Make your normal activity harder

• Increase risk of injury

🍔 Leads to Bad Food Choices

After long fasts, most people end up:

• Overeating

• Grabbing high calorie truck stop food

• Falling into a binge/restrict cycle

🚛 The Better Move

Instead of fasting all day, aim for:

• Consistent meals (every 3–5 hours)

• High protein snacks (jerky, Greek yogurt, protein shakes)

• Balanced meals to keep energy steady

To lose weight, you need to be in caloric deficit. You can do that while still being on a regular eating schedule. If you are willing to attempt to eat nothing, why not just try eating a little bit less as a start.

Long Time Trucker Writes Book on the State of American Trucking Industry

Is there a quiet war being waged against America’s truck drivers?

That’s the argument behind End of the Road: Inside the War on Truckers, a new book by longtime driver and writer Gord Magill. Magill claims the industry that once represented freedom and independence is being attacked on all fronts, from government regulations, in cab surveillance technology, corporate consolidation, and the push toward autonomous trucks.

God Magill has decades of experience including 4 seasons on ice roads in Canada, road trains in Australia, and over the road in the US. He argues that drivers today face tighter control, shrinking margins, and a future where human truckers may be pushed out altogether.

If you drive a truck, have driven, or have a family member who drives then this book is a must read.

You can order the book HERE and use the promo code 4TRUCKERS20 for a discount at checkout!

Partner Post of the Week

Check out the good time Trucker Misty had at MATS! Get $20 off your next booking by using the promo code misty20

@truckermisty2.0

Showtime baby #mats26 #truckermisty2 #midamericatruckshow2026

🎸 Little Texas Headlining Walcott Truckers Jamboree

Country band Little Texas will headline the 48th Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree on July 10 at 7 PM at the Iowa 80 Truckstop — known as the World’s Largest Truckstop.

The three-day event (July 9–11) will feature live music, a Super Truck Beauty Contest, Antique Truck Display, Trucker Olympics, pork chop cookout, fireworks, and more.

Best part: Admission and parking are free. 🚛🇺🇸 

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

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