Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025:
31 truck drivers named finalists for next America’s Road Team
The American Trucking Associations this week released its list of 31 truck drivers named as finalists for the 2026-2027 America’s Road Team.
“These men and women were selected as finalists for America’s Road Team because they have outstanding safe driving records, share a passion for the trucking industry, and serve as role models among their peers,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “They proudly represent ATA and exemplify some of the very best professional truck drivers on the road today. Their dedication and professionalism continue to inspire the entire industry.”
America’s Road Team, a group of professional truck drivers with superior safety records, was created in 1986 to represent the trucking industry and is sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America. With support from their companies, America’s Road Team Captains dedicate a few days each month to attending industry events, speaking at schools, or meeting policymakers on behalf of the trucking industry.
The 31 finalists advance to the final round of the selection process, which will be held this January in Washington, D.C.. A panel of judges from different sectors of the industry will evaluate the contenders on their knowledge of the trucking industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages, and overall safe driving record. The finalists have a combined total of 57 million safe-driving miles and 737 years of professional experience.
The newly chosen 2026-2027 America’s Road Team will be announced on Tuesday, January 20, following a ceremony at ATA’s Headquarters. New Captains, after receiving their signature navy blue America’s Road Team blazer, will begin working to share the industry’s message of safety, essentiality, and sustainability with the motoring public, media, business and community groups, public officials, and their fellow truck drivers around the country.
This year’s finalists hail from 19 different states, haul a diverse assortment of products and materials, and range from short-haul drivers to over-the-road drivers operating in all the lower 48 states. The finalists are:
- Mark Behr, ABF Freight Systems Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 19), Michigan
- Cardell Benfield, Titan Transfer (No. 149), Mississippi
- Victor Blackburn, Prime Inc. (No. 15), Florida
- Robbie Cottrell, XPO (No. 10), Virginia
- Antonio Cruz, Groendyke Transport Inc. (No. 84), Florida
- Jason Damron, Convoy Systems, Kansas
- Nathan Evans, Tyson Foods, Arkansas
- Marshall Hopkins, Werner Enterprises, Texas
- Bruce Hoyes, ABF Freight Systems Inc., Missouri
- Izet Kanarevic, Werner Enterprises (No. 14), Missouri
- Benjamin Mansfield, XPO, Michigan
- Matthew McKnew, ABF Freight Systems Inc., California
- Matt Meadows, ABF Freight Systems Inc., West Virginia
- Aaron Mendoza, FedEx Freight (No. 1), Illinois
- Donald Michael, Werner Enterprises, Louisiana
- George Moore, United Parcel Service (No. 2), Florida
- Charles Pearson, ABF Freight Systems Inc., Georgia
- Myles Piotrowski, FedEx Freight, Indiana
- Selvin Ramirez, XPO, Rhode Island
- Jackie Reed, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
- Jeffrey Reed, United Parcel Service, New Mexico
- Robert Roth, FedEx Freight, Missouri
- Miguel Sanchez, United Parcel Service, Florida
- Gary Schmidt, Jacobson Transport (No. 180), Minnesota
- Matthew Simon, FedEx Freight, Minnesota
- Omar Stebbin, XPO, Florida
- David Swierenga, FedEx Freight, Florida
- Dave Thomas, ABF Freight Systems Inc., Iowa
- Kenneth Tolliver, Hoffman Transportation, Kentucky
- Darius Uible, United Parcel Service, Ohio
- Ryan Ybarra, United Parcel Service, California
TA suspends roadside assistance service
TravelCenters of America has temporarily suspended its Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA) service while the company assesses how to improve safety of its roadside workers.
In a statement to CCJ Wednesday, a spokesperson for TA parent company BP the company has paused its ERA work “on the highways until further notice. Roadside ERA will not resume until we have a better understanding of what improvements may be needed to support the safety of our employees.”
The statement added that the company is still responding to non-highway calls.
The decision to halt the roadside service was made after the Oct. 23 death of Ethan Schultz, who according to the Daily Voice was struck and killed by a truck in a hit-and-run incident at roadside responding to another disabled truck. Schultz’s obituary confirms he worked as a diesel technician for TA.
Free Drivewyze safety alerts now available in Louisiana
In a move to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities, Louisiana has become the latest state to offer sudden slowdown alerts and a virtual sign network to commercial drivers through Drivewyze by Fleetworthy’s Smart Roadways product.
The alerts are sent through ELDs, tablets and smartphones, and are available free of charge through Drivewyze Free. Louisiana is now the 23rd state to offer messaging through the Smart Roadways service and the 15th state to provide sudden slowdown alerts.
“As we move forward with transforming Louisiana DOTD, innovative technology and communication will play a major role,” said Glenn Ledet, Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development secretary. “This is a great example of advancing important safety messages to the trucking community, and Louisiana is a major freight corridor. Safety of the traveling public is the state’s number one concern, and this is an example of the state modernizing its safety efforts.”
Sudden slowdown and congestion alerts are provided in partnership with INRIX, which utilizes advanced algorithms to analyze traffic patterns from millions of anonymously connected vehicles traveling over a billion miles daily in the U.S. This data enables INRIX to detect and monitor traffic slowdowns in real time. That information is then delivered to Drivewyze by Fleetworthy and its Smart Roadways platform. Drivers receive alerts such as “Sudden Slowdown Ahead” and “Congestion Ahead” two to three miles before congestion begins, giving them ample time to adjust their speed safely.
Louisiana is also utilizing the Smart Roadways virtual sign messaging service, enabling the state’s DOTD to communicate real-time safety alerts to commercial drivers at specific geo-fenced locations. These custom messages can warn drivers about upcoming work zones, detours, lane restrictions, or hazardous conditions.
According to the DOTD, the virtual sign messaging service has helped the department inform commercial drivers of ongoing work zones and lane restrictions along I-10 since deploying Smart Roadways in July. In addition, the department is issuing safety reminder messages to drivers entering the state to watch for motorcyclists to encourage safe driving practices.
In addition to alerts from Louisiana and other participating states, drivers with the Drivewyze Free app also receive Drivewyze-sponsored safety notifications, including high-rollover risk areas, low bridges, steep grades, chain-up/brake check stations, runaway ramps, and more.
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