Road Scholar | Transport Blog's

Each July, National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month serves as a powerful reminder of the thousands of children and adults affected by facial differences.   It’s a time to honor their strength, educate the public, and support organizations that provide critical resources and hope.   For Road Scholar Transport, this month holds special meaning—not only in raising awareness but in rolling it across America on wheels. A Chance Encounter  The story of Road Scholar’s involvement with craniofacial awareness began in the most unexpected of places: a quiet pizza restaurant. Jim Barrett, founder and former president of Road Scholar Transport, was meeting with a man who had a simple but powerful request—a trailer to raise awareness for the Children's Craniofacial Association.   As busy as Barrett was at the time, he suggested they reconvene in a month or two when things had settled.  But fate—or perhaps something more divine—had other plans. As ...

The trucking and supply chain industries are entering a dangerous digital age.   As logistics operations lean more heavily into technology, a sobering trend is emerging: cargo theft is on the rise—and it’s evolving fast.   According to recent data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), cargo theft losses spiked by 27% in 2024 and are projected to climb another 22% by the end of 2025.   That would mark a record-breaking year of cargo crime, fueled in large part by sophisticated digital tactics.  In a parallel warning, CargoNet has issued a red alert to shippers and carriers alike: the July 4th holiday week is primed to become a hotbed for theft.   With criminal tactics growing more deceptive and effective, industry players must rethink security protocols or risk becoming easy prey. Tech-Driven Theft: The Digital Tools Criminals Use  The very tools that help modernize supply chains—GPS tracking, VoIP communications, and digital document sharing—...

The debate over English language proficiency (ELP) for truck drivers is gaining renewed attention as the U.S. Senate introduces new legislation aimed at codifying and tightening federal ELP mandates.   The Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act, spearheaded by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), seeks to enforce standardized English testing for all new CDL applicants and prohibit the use of any other languages during the testing process. While proponents argue the move enhances road safety and national cohesion, critics warn that it could sideline thousands of capable drivers at a time when the industry is already grappling with driver shortages.  What the Bill Proposes Senator Marshall’s bill would require that all CDL applicants demonstrate their ability to:  Read and understand road signs in English Communicate effectively with law enforcement officers Give and receive instructions in English It also specifies that the test cannot be administered in any la...

The pharmaceutical industry is once again in the national spotlight, as four U.S. senators reintroduced a bipartisan bill aimed at transforming how America sources, manufactures, and distributes critical medications.   Known as the Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug (RAPID) Reserve Act, the legislation proposes bold steps to counteract ongoing drug shortages and reduce the U.S.’s reliance on foreign countries—particularly China—for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drugs. As drug shortages continue to plague hospitals and pharmacies, this bill holds deep implications not just for manufacturers and policymakers—but also for shippers, carriers, and logistics providers involved in the delicate world of pharmaceutical transportation.  Why the RAPID Reserve Act Matters Now The RAPID Reserve Act was originally introduced in 2023, spurred by growing alarm over critical drug shortages across the nation.   According to data from the American So...

The trucking industry has long battled the issue of driver turnover.   According to the American Trucking Associations, turnover rates at large carriers have hovered around 90% in recent years.   Drivers are quitting in record numbers, citing a familiar list of grievances: lack of respect, unpredictable scheduling, and poor communication from management.  But while the industry at large struggles to hold onto its workforce, some carriers are breaking the trend.   Road Scholar Transport is one of them. Here’s a look at why so many truck drivers are walking away—and why Road Scholar’s driver-focused culture is keeping professionals satisfied, safe, and proud to stay behind the wheel.  The Top Reasons Drivers Are Leaving 1. Poor Communication and Lack of Respect Drivers often report feeling like a number—not a person.   Management makes promises they don’t keep.   Dispatchers communicate poorly.   There’s little transparency or appreciation for t...

The trucking industry is at a turning point.   As challenges mount—driver shortages, rising fuel costs, regulatory pressure, and customer demands for faster deliveries—technology is stepping in to offer solutions.   Among them is artificial intelligence (AI), which is quickly becoming a game-changer for freight operations across the country.  From Legacy to Leading-Edge Historically, trucking has relied heavily on manual processes: route planning by dispatchers, paper-based logs, and reactive maintenance schedules.   Today, AI is injecting intelligence and automation into nearly every corner of the business.   Carriers embracing AI are improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing safety.  Let’s explore the key ways AI is reshaping trucking. 1. Predictive Route Optimization  AI algorithms can process thousands of data points—traffic conditions, weather, road closures, fuel prices, and delivery time windows—to create the most ef...

For too long, motor carriers, brokers, and drivers have had little recourse when confronted with fraud, coercion, or unsafe practices.   Complaints submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) often disappeared into the void, lost in a system widely seen as outdated and ineffective.   But that may soon change.  The FMCSA has proposed a major overhaul of the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB)—a move that, if implemented properly, could serve as a game-changer for carriers looking to level the playing field.   This modernization effort isn’t just about fixing a clunky portal; it’s about empowering ethical players in the freight industry and bringing consequences to those who cut corners. A New Era of Accountability Prompted by a scathing 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the FMCSA’s proposed changes aim to inject transparency, traceability, and enforcement into the complaint system.   The overhaul includes:...

As summer temperatures climb, so do the risks associated with transporting alcohol.   Whether it’s a premium craft beer, a carefully aged bourbon, or a fine wine, alcohol is a delicate product that can degrade quickly when exposed to excessive heat.   This makes temperature-controlled shipping not just a matter of quality, but also one of brand protection and legal risk.  When alcohol is transported in non-refrigerated trailers during hot months, the consequences can be severe—ranging from product spoilage and financial loss to vicarious liability for suppliers and distributors.   That’s why selecting the right carrier is not just recommended—it's essential. Why Temperature Control Matters in Alcohol Transportation  Alcoholic beverages are highly sensitive to heat.   Extreme temperatures can cause changes in flavor, aroma, color, and overall composition.   For example: Beer: Heat can cause oxidation, leading to a "skunky" or stale taste. ...

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a sweeping initiative aimed at modernizing and reducing the regulatory burden on the trucking industry.   In a move lauded by some as long overdue and criticized by others for potentially impacting safety oversight, the DOT’s May 29 proposal includes rescinding or revising more than two dozen federal regulations, many of which are considered outdated or unnecessarily cumbersome for truckers and fleet operators.  A Clear Message from Leadership Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the initiative as a way to "slash duplicative and outdated regulations that are unnecessarily burdensome, waste taxpayer dollars, and fail to ensure safety."   He stressed that the reforms are intended to support a larger initiative to make the government more streamlined and adaptable to the current demands of the transportation sector.   “Big government has been a big failure,” Duffy said.   “These are common-sense c...

In a year defined by economic uncertainty and rapidly shifting logistics demands, one trend is raising eyebrows across the freight and supply chain industry: more than half of truckloads in 2024 ran underutilized. According to a new study conducted by Flock Freight and Drive Research, 58% of truckloads last year moved with significant unused space, up sharply from 43% in 2023.   In real terms, that translates to 34 linear feet of trailer space left empty—meaning every third truck on the road could have been completely consolidated into another. The Hidden Cost of Empty Trailers This growing inefficiency is not just a logistical oversight; it’s a serious financial and environmental concern.   While lower freight rates in a soft market have made it more tolerable for shippers to pay for empty space, the long-term costs—in emissions, fuel, and lost capacity—paint a more troubling picture. “We’re seeing more half-empty trucks on the road than ever before,” said Chris P...

The food, agribusiness, and beverage (FAB) industry plays a pivotal role in global trade and food security.   However, as the sector grows more complex and interconnected, it also becomes increasingly vulnerable to transportation and supply chain challenges.   From geopolitical disruptions to rising operational costs and evolving regulatory requirements, FAB companies must now balance agility, resilience, and compliance to remain competitive and trustworthy in the eyes of consumers. Understanding the Landscape: Key Takeaways Capital Optimization and Cost Containment FAB companies are navigating narrow profit margins amidst soaring commodity, labor, and packaging costs.   New regulatory mandates only add to these pressures, requiring businesses to find innovative ways to optimize resources and manage risks. A Shifting Logistics and Marine Cargo Environment Fraud, storage failures, and geopolitical instability are reshaping how goods ar...

A recent analysis of FMCSA data by trucking expert Adam Wingfield revealed a shocking fact: 4% of commercial truck drivers in the U.S. are operating without a valid license.   That means 1 in every 25 truckers sharing America’s highways may lack the proper credentials to safely drive a vehicle that weighs over 26,000 pounds—or more if hauling hazardous materials or passengers. What’s At Stake? When an unlicensed operator is behind the wheel of a big rig, the consequences can be catastrophic.   A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not just a formality—it’s a rigorous qualification process designed to ensure a driver understands how to safely handle a vehicle that could cause large-scale damage in the event of an error. According to Wingfield, 645 fatal trucking accidents occurred in Q1 of 2025 alone.   With each of these crashes carrying a cost of $7.2 million on average, the combination of human loss and economic fallout is staggering. CDL Breakdown: What’s ...