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Rob Carpenter

@RobCarpenter • 8,808 subscribers

Fleet fixer. Fact finder. WHCA. Investigator. ExpertWitness. Writer covering trucking & White House policy/Transportation. Long form loyalist. Conservative.

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The last 8 seconds of your life Ashley Chapman died in 2023 at a red light with 6 other vehicles because a driver fell asleep. The carrier incentivized per-load pay. Per-load pay and short haul meant tightened windows, which meant fatigue and speed were incentivized. Decision makers moved on. Richard Wright was sentenced to three years. The Executives went elsewhere. The owners closed, sold & retired. The trucks you hire and the drivers you hire matter now more than ever.

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The last 8 seconds of your life Ashley Chapman died in 2023 at a red light with 6 other vehicles because a driver fell asleep. The carrier incentivized per-load pay. Per-load pay and short haul meant tightened windows, which meant fatigue and speed were incentivized. Decision makers moved on. Richard Wright was sentenced to three years. The Executives went elsewhere. The owners closed, sold & retired. The trucks you hire and the drivers you hire matter now more than ever.

550,837 Aufrufe

That bridge you're on? It froze before the road did. Every year we gotta learn this again. If you're one of those people who needs to know why, the ground under a road retains heat. The bridge has cold air under it. Now you know. Stay at the house.

That bridge you're on? It froze before the road did. Every year we gotta learn this again. If you're one of those people who needs to know why, the ground under a road retains heat. The bridge has cold air under it. Now you know. Stay at the house.

1,702,494 Aufrufe

We had a driver this week in a litigation case lose their load because they didn't know straps werent the same WLL as graded chain. Not all drivers are created equal. A CDL is not a CDL is not a CDL. We’ve got plenty of dock-bumper drivers for basic freight. The real shortage is trained, mechanically inclined, mode-specific operators. Dry van is not open deck. Open deck is not tank. Tank is not hazmat. Hazmat is not heavy haul. When fleets add specialized modes and start sliding basic freight drivers into them without real training, securement knowledge, mechanical sense, or understanding of the exposure, that is where failure starts. The truck may look similar. The work is not.

We had a driver this week in a litigation case lose their load because they didn't know straps werent the same WLL as graded chain. Not all drivers are created equal. A CDL is not a CDL is not a CDL. We’ve got plenty of dock-bumper drivers for basic freight. The real shortage is trained, mechanically inclined, mode-specific operators. Dry van is not open deck. Open deck is not tank. Tank is not hazmat. Hazmat is not heavy haul. When fleets add specialized modes and start sliding basic freight drivers into them without real training, securement knowledge, mechanical sense, or understanding of the exposure, that is where failure starts. The truck may look similar. The work is not.

663,685 Aufrufe

You cannot lease on the revenue and pretend you did not lease on the risk. An owner-operator may not be your employee, but when they operate under your DOT number, pull your trailer and make an illegal interstate U-turn, you inherit the crash, claim and scrutiny. Vet them. Contract it right. Monitor behavior. Enforce accountability. Your trailer. Your authority. Your exposure.

You cannot lease on the revenue and pretend you did not lease on the risk. An owner-operator may not be your employee, but when they operate under your DOT number, pull your trailer and make an illegal interstate U-turn, you inherit the crash, claim and scrutiny. Vet them. Contract it right. Monitor behavior. Enforce accountability. Your trailer. Your authority. Your exposure.

207,158 Aufrufe

70% of todays truck drivers are not the truck drivers you envision after watching Over the Top or Smokey and the Bandit. The driver persona has changed a lot over the past 10, 20, 40 years from professionalism to skill to experience. This is who we're sharing the road with

70% of todays truck drivers are not the truck drivers you envision after watching Over the Top or Smokey and the Bandit. The driver persona has changed a lot over the past 10, 20, 40 years from professionalism to skill to experience. This is who we're sharing the road with

1,206,115 Aufrufe

Mexican-domiciled truck, crushed cab, wrecked trailer, still ending up under load in the US at some point. 1 in 4 inspections ends out of service. The ones caught deep in the interior, Tennessee, Arkansas, fail at 35%. The commercial zone is a fence with no gate. In other words. This truck might be next to you in Kansas tomorrow.

Mexican-domiciled truck, crushed cab, wrecked trailer, still ending up under load in the US at some point. 1 in 4 inspections ends out of service. The ones caught deep in the interior, Tennessee, Arkansas, fail at 35%. The commercial zone is a fence with no gate. In other words. This truck might be next to you in Kansas tomorrow.

34,972 Aufrufe

Smoke pouring off the rear tandems is not a “keep driving” event. Tires were the first ignited in about 30% of large-truck fires, and large trucks average about 15,462 fires a year. If you don't understand this..."cut it up." Underinflation, rubbing tires, brakes, bearings and wheel-end problems can all create heat. Check the mirrors. Check the tires. Check the seals. Carry the right extinguisher. The best tire fire is the one you catch before there are flames.

Smoke pouring off the rear tandems is not a “keep driving” event. Tires were the first ignited in about 30% of large-truck fires, and large trucks average about 15,462 fires a year. If you don't understand this..."cut it up." Underinflation, rubbing tires, brakes, bearings and wheel-end problems can all create heat. Check the mirrors. Check the tires. Check the seals. Carry the right extinguisher. The best tire fire is the one you catch before there are flames.

26,717 Aufrufe

This is still a classic. Virginia State Trooper 2024. Move-over laws exist because people keep almost killing the people who stop to help them. This trooper didn't create the hazard. The car was already stopped in a live lane on I-495. She was trying to get it moved when another vehicle started the chain reaction that nearly killed her. All 50 states have Move Over laws. 36% of drivers still neither slow down nor move over at roadside incidents. See the lights. See the obstacle. Move over. Slow down.

This is still a classic. Virginia State Trooper 2024. Move-over laws exist because people keep almost killing the people who stop to help them. This trooper didn't create the hazard. The car was already stopped in a live lane on I-495. She was trying to get it moved when another vehicle started the chain reaction that nearly killed her. All 50 states have Move Over laws. 36% of drivers still neither slow down nor move over at roadside incidents. See the lights. See the obstacle. Move over. Slow down.

47,843 Aufrufe

In this building with the black awning in this Nick shirley clip, there is a ELDT truck driving school in this building called Titan Driver Training. As far as we know they're legit. In that building alone 1821 University Ave W MSP MN, $400k in PPP loans and fed awards. Titan was the only tenant in the building to not receive government funding. Quality Learning Center got $108k next door by itself in just PPP funds. We got your back wellness is a chiropractor in the same building doing FMCSA CDL Medical Exams. This address doesn't touch 2905 NW Blvd Suite 150 MSP MN where 50 different entities have received $1.7M in PPP, federal and state awards all of them are in Suite 150. If you're interested in the data we have it from MN State and the feds for all zip codes with the prefix 554 as well as PPP data we started collecting it 2020 because we were having so many issues operating in truck and bus terminals in that area.

In this building with the black awning in this Nick shirley clip, there is a ELDT truck driving school in this building called Titan Driver Training. As far as we know they're legit. In that building alone 1821 University Ave W MSP MN, $400k in PPP loans and fed awards. Titan was the only tenant in the building to not receive government funding. Quality Learning Center got $108k next door by itself in just PPP funds. We got your back wellness is a chiropractor in the same building doing FMCSA CDL Medical Exams. This address doesn't touch 2905 NW Blvd Suite 150 MSP MN where 50 different entities have received $1.7M in PPP, federal and state awards all of them are in Suite 150. If you're interested in the data we have it from MN State and the feds for all zip codes with the prefix 554 as well as PPP data we started collecting it 2020 because we were having so many issues operating in truck and bus terminals in that area.

421,355 Aufrufe

Poor visibility. Stopped vehicles. People standing in live lane. Thats how 1 crash becomes 2. At 70 mph, traffic covers about 103 feet every second. Stay in the car. Drive for what you can see. Get out of the lane when you can. Dont survive the first crash only to become the pedestrian in the second.

Poor visibility. Stopped vehicles. People standing in live lane. Thats how 1 crash becomes 2. At 70 mph, traffic covers about 103 feet every second. Stay in the car. Drive for what you can see. Get out of the lane when you can. Dont survive the first crash only to become the pedestrian in the second.

73,731 Aufrufe

One of the things we've found is 3D printed cloned plates to name one of many ways trucks get cloned across the industry. We see this in visual photos like Genlogs and we see this in the actual inspection, violation, and crash data. A truck can't be in CA and VA the same day. Why do we care? Because when that truck crashes and kills somebody. The plate and the marking will disappear. Then insurance gets involved and at some point society and the industry as a whole will share in the absorbed cost of this crash through higher premiums. The carrier will move to their next shelves authority theyve had waiting since they purchased it on places like The name of the trucking identity whack a mole game is make the money, let everyone else pay the costs. Move on untouched.

One of the things we've found is 3D printed cloned plates to name one of many ways trucks get cloned across the industry. We see this in visual photos like Genlogs and we see this in the actual inspection, violation, and crash data. A truck can't be in CA and VA the same day. Why do we care? Because when that truck crashes and kills somebody. The plate and the marking will disappear. Then insurance gets involved and at some point society and the industry as a whole will share in the absorbed cost of this crash through higher premiums. The carrier will move to their next shelves authority theyve had waiting since they purchased it on places like The name of the trucking identity whack a mole game is make the money, let everyone else pay the costs. Move on untouched.

31,135 Aufrufe

Bad drivers never miss their exit. 40% of all highway crashes occur at or near interchanges. This isn't the truck's fault but I know when I see a junction coming up especially with informational road signs I know expect some foolishness.

Bad drivers never miss their exit. 40% of all highway crashes occur at or near interchanges. This isn't the truck's fault but I know when I see a junction coming up especially with informational road signs I know expect some foolishness.

345,180 Aufrufe

A 1,400 lb hay bale sitting in the road ain't just hay. A car hits it at 70 mph? ➡️ 116,000 lbs of force This is what unsecured and overheight "farm loads" really do. Strap it and plan your trip Or don’t haul it.

A 1,400 lb hay bale sitting in the road ain't just hay. A car hits it at 70 mph? ➡️ 116,000 lbs of force This is what unsecured and overheight "farm loads" really do. Strap it and plan your trip Or don’t haul it.

276,203 Aufrufe

Illegal U-turns arent just a truck or ELP problem. 4wheeler in right lane cuts left across a large car already passing beside it to use an authorized vehicles only median crossover. T-bone at interstate speed. FMCSA found the passenger vehicle was assigned the critical reason in 56% of two vehicle truck passenger car crashes studied vs 44% for the truck. Sometimes the truck is just the vehicle that gets handed somebody else’s BS.

Illegal U-turns arent just a truck or ELP problem. 4wheeler in right lane cuts left across a large car already passing beside it to use an authorized vehicles only median crossover. T-bone at interstate speed. FMCSA found the passenger vehicle was assigned the critical reason in 56% of two vehicle truck passenger car crashes studied vs 44% for the truck. Sometimes the truck is just the vehicle that gets handed somebody else’s BS.

54,293 Aufrufe

If we need a passenger endorsement to tell people, "We're at our stop, hold the rail," we need an open-deck load securement endorsement. This State Trooper must've been on break.

If we need a passenger endorsement to tell people, "We're at our stop, hold the rail," we need an open-deck load securement endorsement. This State Trooper must've been on break.

34,407 Aufrufe

Raised dump beds and a missed body-position check become a six- or seven-figure problem. Sign structure. Utility line. Traffic signal. Whatever it is, it won't be the same. Know the condition of the equipment before the bridge tells you.

Raised dump beds and a missed body-position check become a six- or seven-figure problem. Sign structure. Utility line. Traffic signal. Whatever it is, it won't be the same. Know the condition of the equipment before the bridge tells you.

39,007 Aufrufe

Who does this at an intersection of all places? Trying to save 20 seconds just cost this driver hours. Over 500 people die every year in passing crashes per nhtsagov. Most happen on rural two lane roads like this.

Who does this at an intersection of all places? Trying to save 20 seconds just cost this driver hours. Over 500 people die every year in passing crashes per nhtsagov. Most happen on rural two lane roads like this.

75,216 Aufrufe

A steer tire blowout at highway speed can be ugly, and his driver did it right, but the better save happens before the tire lets go. CVSA found 2,899 tire OOS violations in 2025, representing 21.4% of all vehicle OOS violations. Check the tires, they usually give you something to find before they give up.

A steer tire blowout at highway speed can be ugly, and his driver did it right, but the better save happens before the tire lets go. CVSA found 2,899 tire OOS violations in 2025, representing 21.4% of all vehicle OOS violations. Check the tires, they usually give you something to find before they give up.

13,713 Aufrufe

A truck from DOT 4316621 rolling down the road dumping fuel from the driver-side tank with what appears to be duct tape over a hole in the metal tank. The carrier’s numbers fit the picture: 66.7% vehicle OOS 47.1% driver OOS 46 violations 34 inspections. At some point the roadside condition tells you the culture.

A truck from DOT 4316621 rolling down the road dumping fuel from the driver-side tank with what appears to be duct tape over a hole in the metal tank. The carrier’s numbers fit the picture: 66.7% vehicle OOS 47.1% driver OOS 46 violations 34 inspections. At some point the roadside condition tells you the culture.

39,025 Aufrufe

This is actually where my yard was on yadkin Road in Chesapeake Virginia. I can't tell you how many of my drivers try to beat this friggin train drove me insane. About 6 vehicle-train crossing crashes happen every day in the US. FMCSA says a first railroad-highway grade crossing offense = at least 60 days disqualification, 120 days for a second, and 1 year for a third in 3 years. Hazmat cargo tanks and passenger buses are among the CMVs required to stop at certain crossings. You cannot beat a train. You usually cannot survive one. You can lose your CDL trying.

This is actually where my yard was on yadkin Road in Chesapeake Virginia. I can't tell you how many of my drivers try to beat this friggin train drove me insane. About 6 vehicle-train crossing crashes happen every day in the US. FMCSA says a first railroad-highway grade crossing offense = at least 60 days disqualification, 120 days for a second, and 1 year for a third in 3 years. Hazmat cargo tanks and passenger buses are among the CMVs required to stop at certain crossings. You cannot beat a train. You usually cannot survive one. You can lose your CDL trying.

30,789 Aufrufe

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Who's fault is it? Car versus bike. Aug. 24 Tennessee crash, the officer didn’t see the cyclist because he was looking at dispatch notes. THP said the cyclist failed to stop at trail signage before entering the road. NHTSA says 1,103 bicyclists died in traffic crashes in 2024. Drivers need to look. Cyclists need to obey signs. Right-of-way does not make anybody bulletproof. Fault matters. Avoidance matters too.

Who's fault is it? Car versus bike. Aug. 24 Tennessee crash, the officer didn’t see the cyclist because he was looking at dispatch notes. THP said the cyclist failed to stop at trail signage before entering the road. NHTSA says 1,103 bicyclists died in traffic crashes in 2024. Drivers need to look. Cyclists need to obey signs. Right-of-way does not make anybody bulletproof. Fault matters. Avoidance matters too.

82,887 Aufrufe • vor 6 Tagen

At 75 mph, 12 seconds means driving 1,320' blind. More than four football fields. You dont need driver-facing video to know there is a problem. Hard braking. Close following. Lane departures. Erratic steering. Pitch, yaw and repeated near misses. The telematics are the indicators, not managing those is what takes carriers to court and to the cleaners. Hard braking is usually not the problem. Its the symptom.

At 75 mph, 12 seconds means driving 1,320' blind. More than four football fields. You dont need driver-facing video to know there is a problem. Hard braking. Close following. Lane departures. Erratic steering. Pitch, yaw and repeated near misses. The telematics are the indicators, not managing those is what takes carriers to court and to the cleaners. Hard braking is usually not the problem. Its the symptom.

720,240 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

2023 PA DOT study found that spilled cooking oil reduces pavement friction by over 50%, similar to black ice. Clean-up can cost $1000s. In one Minnesota case, it took three fire engines, two sand trucks, and a HAZMAT unit to clean up a single cooking oil spill.

2023 PA DOT study found that spilled cooking oil reduces pavement friction by over 50%, similar to black ice. Clean-up can cost $1000s. In one Minnesota case, it took three fire engines, two sand trucks, and a HAZMAT unit to clean up a single cooking oil spill.

4,358,594 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Sometimes there is simply no time. At 55 mph you are traveling about 81 feet every second. If equipment suddenly rolls out of a construction zone 10' in front of you you might perceive it but reaction distance never existed. That is why dash cams matter.Without video, everybody gets a story. With video you get a witness.

Sometimes there is simply no time. At 55 mph you are traveling about 81 feet every second. If equipment suddenly rolls out of a construction zone 10' in front of you you might perceive it but reaction distance never existed. That is why dash cams matter.Without video, everybody gets a story. With video you get a witness.

214,636 Aufrufe • vor 22 Tagen

ICYMI Dallas jury awards $44M to family of a man killed during a 2021 ice storm after a semi slammed into stopped traffic on I‑35. The company, Prime, found liable because driver was driving too fast for conditions and had not received winter weather driving training.

ICYMI Dallas jury awards $44M to family of a man killed during a 2021 ice storm after a semi slammed into stopped traffic on I‑35. The company, Prime, found liable because driver was driving too fast for conditions and had not received winter weather driving training.

2,736,041 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

When you think decades in that you've seen it all...there's always that one that proves you wrong.

When you think decades in that you've seen it all...there's always that one that proves you wrong.

263,833 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

The hotshot world remains undefeated

The hotshot world remains undefeated

148,307 Aufrufe • vor 20 Tagen

15k collisions involving tractors and farm vehicles a year. Reflective tape and maybe some lights would've been good.

15k collisions involving tractors and farm vehicles a year. Reflective tape and maybe some lights would've been good.

1,566,023 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Auto hauling by train and they still hit the bridge. Overheight crashes average 4k per year in the US and cost $1B. Did the track get higher or the bridge get lower?

Auto hauling by train and they still hit the bridge. Overheight crashes average 4k per year in the US and cost $1B. Did the track get higher or the bridge get lower?

1,499,922 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

I know a guy....

I know a guy....

1,437,129 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Truck burns in Pharr, TX and more than one person on scene didn’t even know what “911” was. Nobody could explain the emergency in English. They're discussing what 911 is in the video. In Texas, about 1 in 4 working-age adults speaks English less than “very well.” Immigrants are 23% of the TX workforce, and a big chunk of our drivers and yard workers are in that mix. This isn’t about accents or perfection. It’s about minimum language skills in a job where seconds and words literally decide whether someone lives or dies.

Truck burns in Pharr, TX and more than one person on scene didn’t even know what “911” was. Nobody could explain the emergency in English. They're discussing what 911 is in the video. In Texas, about 1 in 4 working-age adults speaks English less than “very well.” Immigrants are 23% of the TX workforce, and a big chunk of our drivers and yard workers are in that mix. This isn’t about accents or perfection. It’s about minimum language skills in a job where seconds and words literally decide whether someone lives or dies.

1,437,350 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Just a solid PSA...if you're going to road rage, if they're driving a welding rig it's best you just move along unless you're prepared to go all the way 🙌

Just a solid PSA...if you're going to road rage, if they're driving a welding rig it's best you just move along unless you're prepared to go all the way 🙌

1,354,324 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

I don't know whose video this is but why is it always the super ego drivers

I don't know whose video this is but why is it always the super ego drivers

231,211 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

School is starting back up. School bus drivers reported 214k illegal school-bus passings every school day, or 38.4 million over a 180-day school year. NHTSA found 206 school-age children were killed in school transportation related crashes from 2012 through 2021, including 78 pedestrians. Sometimes the danger is the bus driver. Sometimes it is everybody driving around the bus. Either way, these are kids. Drive like somebody else’s child depends on it because they do.

School is starting back up. School bus drivers reported 214k illegal school-bus passings every school day, or 38.4 million over a 180-day school year. NHTSA found 206 school-age children were killed in school transportation related crashes from 2012 through 2021, including 78 pedestrians. Sometimes the danger is the bus driver. Sometimes it is everybody driving around the bus. Either way, these are kids. Drive like somebody else’s child depends on it because they do.

65,396 Aufrufe • vor 19 Tagen

New York alone recorded 350 bridge strikes in 2024. Know your height. We've got body-up alarms, geofenced overpasses, over height detectors and people still not out here checking their mirrors...the cheapest fix of all

New York alone recorded 350 bridge strikes in 2024. Know your height. We've got body-up alarms, geofenced overpasses, over height detectors and people still not out here checking their mirrors...the cheapest fix of all

16,522 Aufrufe • vor 5 Tagen

The guy makes a point but trucks do have curtains. "Driver truck stop etiquette for people that live in the "aquarium."

The guy makes a point but trucks do have curtains. "Driver truck stop etiquette for people that live in the "aquarium."

367,448 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

You can't convince me in America in 2026 that we don't have some kind of really bad parenting issue. It's either that or the education system or both. Something systemic is causing people to be inconsiderate, entitled idiots.

You can't convince me in America in 2026 that we don't have some kind of really bad parenting issue. It's either that or the education system or both. Something systemic is causing people to be inconsiderate, entitled idiots.

187,280 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Is this the guy doing merging the right way, the wrong way, or the guy everybody hates?

Is this the guy doing merging the right way, the wrong way, or the guy everybody hates?

509,803 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Overheight isnt always a bridge strike. Sometimes it is just the tarp. Still an overheight claim. Still expensive. Still avoidable. If it sticks up, hangs up, or stays deployed, it is part of your clearance profile. You need to know what that means before its on the road.

61,461 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Article dropping tomorrow on how The hotshot industry has a chameleon problem. We found “1-truck” operators tied to 1,000+ inspections across 400+ VINs. Some declare 1 truck for insurance, then lease on hundreds more. Some swap markings every day. Some run with no markings at all. Foreign hotshot chameleon clusters are our newest major exposure problem.

Article dropping tomorrow on how The hotshot industry has a chameleon problem. We found “1-truck” operators tied to 1,000+ inspections across 400+ VINs. Some declare 1 truck for insurance, then lease on hundreds more. Some swap markings every day. Some run with no markings at all. Foreign hotshot chameleon clusters are our newest major exposure problem.

92,446 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten