Fleet Brief: September 2025 Edition

Fast Updates for the Road

Sponsored by Cyclone Services, Bridgeway, and ATI Trucking

Welcome back to Fleet Brief: Fast Updates for the Road, your monthly rundown of safety insights, compliance updates, and industry trends. Fleet Brief is brought to you by Cyclone Services, Bridgeway, and ATI Trucking. I’m Samantha, and I’m happy to have you here for our September edition. Let’s dive right in with this month’s top violations and roadside updates.
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SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

The number one violation we’re seeing right now is speeding. Some of you must think you’re qualifying for Daytona instead of hauling freight because even a minor ticket can hurt your CSA score, and 15 miles an hour over the limit can put your job at risk. Slow it down, follow posted limits, and remember that a few minutes saved isn’t worth the cost of a citation or worse, a crash.

This past month, enforcement activity ramped up across North America with a major inspection blitz. Results aren’t published yet, but brakes and rotors were the main focus, with inspectors also watching closely for other violations. Treat every week like blitz week because enforcement doesn’t stop when the campaign ends. Stay prepared, and pay extra attention to your brakes, lights, and tires since those are the most common reasons to get pulled over.

On the HazMat side, a surprise blitz put nearly 600 trucks across the US out of service, which was 51% of all trucks inspected, an unusually high number that shows how strict enforcement has become. The top issues? Labeling and placarding errors, leaking packages, missing paperwork, and no emergency response info. In Georgia, a driver was cited because a securement strap partially covered a placard on a portable tank. Even though placards and other labels were visible elsewhere, that one strap earned the driver a ticket.

And if we haven’t driven home the point on checking placards already, here’s another example. A driver left the port with a container carrying radioactive material, but the placards were designed for another country and weren’t DOT or internationally compliant. Luckily, our phenomenal dispatcher Jasmine spotted the problem while reviewing inspection photos. She raised the flag right away, and after teaming up with Bridgeway safety and the customer, a plan was made to get the right placards to the driver. Thanks to her sharp eye for detail, the load moved on safely a day and a half later instead of getting shut down roadside.

To avoid becoming an out-of-service statistic, take extra time during pre-trip to verify your paperwork and placards, especially before leaving the customers yard or port. Because nothing ruins your day faster than an inspector pointing out what you could’ve caught in two minutes.

Beyond inspections and HazMat checks, the change of season brings its own set of challenges on the road. Fall means more than cooler mornings and shorter days, it also signals the return of school traffic. As we enter back-to-school season, be alert for buses making frequent stops, students walking or biking near the roadway, and student drivers. These situations can be unpredictable, a little extra caution goes a long way in keeping everyone safe.

Another way to keep yourself and those around you safe is by keeping your eyes on the road.Distracted driving is getting a lot of attention from police right now, and it can hit your wallet hard. It’s not just about being caught in the act anymore, investigators now use digital forensics to pull phone data and prove exactly what apps or videos were active during a crash. That means watching a video, even for a few seconds, can turn into smoking-gun evidence in court. The bottom line: don’t risk it. Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and save the scrolling or streaming for when you’re parked.

Professionalism isn’t just about how you drive, it’s also about how you show up for the job.Flip flops might be perfect for the beach, but they’ve got no place at a port or at a customers site. Wearing the right gear such as boots, hi-vis vests, and pants keeps you safe and also shows customers you take the job seriously.Showing up in shorts and sandals to unload a $20 million hazmat load sends the wrong message. Professionalism matters just as much as performance, and the way you dress sets the tone as soon as the truck door opens. At the end of the day, it is not just about looking professional, it is also about staying safe.
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FREIGHT DATA

Now that we’ve settled the debate on flip flops, let’s move on to freight market data.Spot load activity and rates give us a good pulse on what’s happening across the industry, and they’ve been moving in some interesting ways.

Generally spot load posts are down about 13% compared to last month, but they’re still up 20%from this time last year. That tells us the market is cooling a little in the short term, but overall demand is still stronger than it was a year ago. Flatbed freight has been steadier, posts dipped just 1.5% from July to August and are down less than half a percent year-over-year. In other words, the flatbed market hasn’t moved much, which can be both good and bad. It means less volatility, but also fewer spikes in opportunity. The takeaway is to stay flexible, watch your lanes closely and be ready to take advantage of areas where freight is holding strong.
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COMPANY UPDATES

Before we roll into driver recognition, let’s geek out on a little tech. We strongly encourage using cameras in your truck. They’re one of the best tools you can have out on the road, especially when it comes to protecting yourself if another driver causes an accident. A camera can provide clear evidence that shows exactly what happened, saving you from blame and giving peace of mind.We’ve already seen situations where having footage made all the difference.While it’s still your choice, keep in mind that drivers who decide not to use a camera will see higher rates. It’s worth taking advantage of this extra layer of protection for both your safety and your wallet.

Now let’s get to my favorite part, recognizing the amazing drivers who go the extra mile, literally and figuratively. Every month we like to shine a spotlight on those who go above and beyond with their dedication, teamwork, and safety. This month it is not just one driver getting the recognition, but a true powerhouse team.

We’re proud to recognize Melissa Hernandez and Linda Martinez as our Drivers of the Month.

Melissa andLinda tackled three back-to-back round trips from Seattle-to-Paducah, squeezed in a Saturday Everett project, and still managed to jump on last-minute loads when other drivers faced mechanical issues. They covered nearly 10,000 miles in August, all while maintaining a perfect safety score on Motive. Their flexibility, professionalism, and teamwork sets the bar high. Congratulations to our powerhouse team!
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As we wrap up, here are your key takeaways for September:

• Watch your speed, tickets are costly and dangerous.
• Placards and labels must be correct and visible on every load.
• Stay alert for school buses and student drivers.
• Wear proper clothing and footwear to maintain safety and professionalism.
• Keep a sharp eye on your BLTs, brakes, lights, and tires. Unfortunately, this sandwich comes with citations instead of chips if you ignore it.

That’s it for the September edition of Fleet Brief. Thank you for tuning in and keeping our freight moving safely and efficiently.

If you have feedback, a story to share, or want to nominate someone for next month’s spotlight, we’d love to hear from you.

Until next time stay safe, stay sharp, and keep those wheels turning.