Trucking news and briefs for Friday, March 20, 2026:
Teamsters fighting driverless legislation in Colorado
Colorado Teamsters and their allies will gather at the state capitol today at noon to demand the passage of House Bill 26-1286, legislation that would allow Coloradans to vote on a referendum to require human operators in commercial vehicles. It will be the first-ever referendum on autonomous vehicles in the U.S.
Polling in multiple states and nationwide consistently shows voters are overwhelmingly opposed to sharing roads with fully driverless vehicles, the union claims. Bipartisan legislation requiring human operators in commercial vehicles passed the Colorado General Assembly last year, but Gov. Jared Polis vetoed it.
MVT to deploy 1,400 AI-powered cruise control systems
Mesilla Valley Transportation will equip its fleet with Traxen’s iQCruise system – an AI-driven technology distributed by Eaton – to further its mission of leading North America in fuel efficiency.MVT
Mesilla Valley Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 59) has agreed to purchase and install about 1,400 units of Traxen’s iQ‑Cruise system across its fleet over the next 18 months.
The advanced artificial‑intelligence‑powered fuel‑efficiency technology – developed by Traxen and distributed exclusively by Eaton – will support MVT’s goal to remain North America’s most fuel‑efficient transportation fleet, the company said. For both Eaton and MVT, the installation of iQ‑Cruise marks the first step toward improved fleet financials and efficiency.
“MVT’s evaluation shows iQ‑Cruise delivers significant efficiency and value to their operations,” said Tim Bauer, vice president, Aftermarket, Global Sales and Business Development, Eaton’s Mobility Group. “Their rigorous testing and thoughtful assessment underscore MVT’s commitment to advancing fuel‑saving solutions across the commercial vehicle industry.”
MVT plans to integrate iQ‑Cruise across its vehicles as part of its longstanding strategy to optimize fuel use and lead the market in miles per gallon. MVT has a long record of implementing technologies and vehicle configurations that reduce cost per mile. iQ‑Cruise is the next step in that effort.
“Partnering with Eaton to bring Traxen’s iQ‑Cruise technology into our fleet supports our long‑term fuel efficiency mission and reinforces our commitment to operating the most fuel‑efficient fleet in North America,” said Royal Jones, CEO of MVT. “This technology will help us continue to increase our fleetwide MPG and reduce the variability in MPG across our driver base. We believe it will further improve our industry‑leading fuel‑economy results.”
Traxen’s iQ‑Cruise system brings next‑generation intelligence to cruise control by combining adaptive and predictive capabilities in a single device. The system uses AI, high‑definition 3D maps, advanced algorithms and GPS to determine the most fuel‑efficient driving strategy for each route.
Working with all makes and models of automated manual transmissions, the technology continuously monitors real‑time traffic, weather and vehicle load to optimize vehicle speed. Based on performance data from over 25 million fleet miles in a pilot program, the system delivered 5-7% fuel savings.
Penske announces 2025 carrier award winners
Penske Logistics (CCJ Top 250, No. 13) honored its top supply chain management carriers during a recent ceremony at the Team Penske race headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. These honorees qualified via a company enterprise scorecard that is paired with customer, operations and sourcing feedback.
The 2025 Penske Logistics Supply Chain Management Carrier Award recipients:
- LTL U.S. National Carrier: R+L Carriers
- LTL U.S. Regional Carrier: Pitt-Ohio Transportation Group (No. 43)
- LTL Canadian Carrier: Speedy Transport
- Truckload U.S. National Carrier: Landstar (No. 11)
- Truckload U.S. Regional Carrier: Universal Transport II
- Truckload Canada: Lion Force, Inc.
- Brokerage Provider: Kirsch Transportation Services, Inc.
- Flatbed Transporter: Freedom Trans Dedicated
- Liquid Bulk Transporter: Andrews Logistics (No. 164)
- Mexico Cross-Border Carrier: Select Dedicated Solutions
- Intermodal Provider: Cornerstone Systems, Inc.
- Carrier of the Year: Landstar
“Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients,” said Tracy Urbanski, Penske Logistics senior vice president of operations, supply chain management. “They have proven to be elite members of our carrier network. Our customer’s freight needs are in great hands with these carriers.”
With more than $6.3 billion in freight under management, Penske Logistics currently utilizes a trucking carrier network of nearly 16,000 companies.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey upping ‘aggressive driving’ enforcement
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Highway Safety Network, and the State of New Jersey have launched a multi-state aggressive driving enforcement wave running through April 26.
The goal of the targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive-driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths in both states.
As part of the enforcement wave, agencies across both states will join together for a one-day coordinated enforcement on April 14.
“Aggressive driving crashes and fatalities are completely preventable,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Slow down, pay attention, follow all traffic signs, and just be kind! If we all stay calm and courteous while driving, we can create a safer and more respectful driving culture, ultimately leading to fewer aggressive driving crashes and traffic deaths. Please commit to safe driving for the benefit of everyone on the road.”
According to PennDOT, aggressive driving crashes involve two or more of the following factors:
- Making an illegal U-turn
- Improper or careless turning
- Turning from the wrong lane
- Proceeding without clearance after a stop
- Running a stop sign
- Running a red light
- Failure to respond to another traffic control device
- Tailgating
- Sudden slowing or stopping
- Careless passing or lane change
- Passing in a no passing zone
- Making an improper entrance to a highway
- Making an improper exit from a highway
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Driver fleeing police
Pennsylvania’s statewide aggressive-driving enforcement wave runs through April 26 and is focused on speeding, distracted driving, and work zone awareness. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or making careless lane changes will also be cited.
Throughout the enforcement period, PSP, along with approximately 300 municipal agencies from across Pennsylvania, will concentrate efforts on roadways that are known to have a high number of aggressive-driving crashes using traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional enforcement details to identify and cite aggressive drivers.
In partnership with the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, police departments across the Garden State will mirror the efforts made in Pennsylvania. Additional troopers will use radar and laser to enforce New Jersey’s speeding laws, look for drivers distracted by their cell phones, and enforce the Move Over law through the end of April. They will be supported by municipal officers statewide participating in this initiative through the “Goal Zero” campaign, with additional coordinated enforcement on April 14.
“The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety is proud to provide grant funding to support both of these initiatives,” said New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Michael J. Rizol, Jr. “The goal of this targeted enforcement is to decrease crashes caused by aggressive and distracted driving. New Jersey’s Goal Zero initiative fosters a shared commitment to zero deaths, zero injuries, and zero crashes on the state’s roads.”
