Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025:
Grote's FMCSA waiver renewed for five more years
The Grote Auxiliary Strobe and Stop Lamp, a brake-activated, pulsating warning light designed to reduce rear-end collisions, has been granted a renewed five-year safety waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The renewed exemption is valid through 2030.
Originally granted in 2020, the waiver allows motor carriers to equip trailers and van body trucks with a brake-activated, pulsating amber warning lamp in addition to the steady-burning red lamps required by federal regulations.
Since the waiver was first issued, more than 150,000 vehicles have been outfitted with the Grote Auxiliary Strobe and Stop Lamp, logging over 250 million miles on the road. One large national fleet customer experienced a 33% reduction in rear-end crashes per mile compared to a baseline fleet without the system, based on data from over 1 billion miles driven. In cases involving personal injuries, the same fleet recorded a 75% reduction. A second major fleet customer reported a 52% decrease in overall recordable incidents per vehicle and a 75% reduction in the severity of incidents.
Averitt partners with Operation Stand Down Tennessee
Pictured are (from left to right): Pat Reilly – Five Star Food Service, U.S. Army; Colton Lewis – Crawford Electric, U.S. Army; Tony Brown – Averitt Ambassador, U.S. Navy; Randy Carr – Averitt Nashville (NAS) Operations Manager; Bridgett Goff – Averitt NAS Freight Clerk; Scott Potter – Averitt Director of Corporate Business, Sales; Dustin Haskin – Averitt NAS Transportation Specialist, U. S. Marines; Sean McDonald – RevHD, U.S. Army; Josh Smith – Averitt NAS Transportation Specialist; Joe Paul Tacket – Averitt NAS Service Center Director
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 25) has partnered with Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN) to provide additional support and resources for military veterans across the state. As part of this effort, Averitt was a sponsor for the organization’s annual Heroes Breakfast in Nashville, one of the largest events OSDTN hosts to raise awareness and contributions for its programs.
“Averitt has a long history of supporting our troops and veterans, both within our company and the communities we serve,” said Barry Blakely, president and chief operating officer at Averitt. “This partnership with Operation Stand Down Tennessee allows us to make an even greater impact, ensuring veterans have access to the resources and recognition they have earned through their service.”
Averitt was recently recognized with Military Friendly awards and also supports programs such as Patriotic Pies and “10,000 for the Troops” to assist active and veteran military nationwide.
18K Freightliner, Western Star trucks recalled for potential axle issue
Daimler Trucks North America is recalling more than 18,000 Freightliner and Western Star trucks in which the axle clamp fasteners may be loose due to improper installation, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents, the recall includes approximately 18,783 of the following models:
- 2020-‘26 Western Star 49X,
- 2020-‘26 Freightliner Business Class M2
- 2020-‘26 Freightliner 114SD
- 2020-‘26 Freightliner 108SD
- 2021-‘26 Western Star 47X
- 2021-‘23 Freightliner 122SD
- 2022 Western Star 48X
- 2023 Western Star 4700
The remedy to repair the issue is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 3. Owners can contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712 with recall number F1027. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-760.
