Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, March 19, 2026:
- Trailer manufacturer hits new safety milestone.
- Two Northeast states partner to cut down on “aggressive driving.”
- Volvo VNL 860 now available from truck leasing company.
Stoughton Trailers exceeds rear-impact crash safety standard
Stoughton Trailers is the first manufacturer to successfully complete a rear-impact guard crash test at 40 mph, exceeding the current 35-mph industry benchmark.
The test, conducted Dec. 22, 2025, at the Calspan facility in Buffalo, New York, met the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ToughGuard requirements at a speed 5 mph faster than the current benchmark.
The IIHS-Stoughton evaluation tested a 30% overlap rear impact.
Overdrive sister publication CCJ’s Jason Cannon reported that the evaluation tested the 30% overlap impact shown above, a configuration the company described as more challenging than full-width or 50% overlap tests. Despite the increased speed, which carries approximately 31% more kinetic energy than a 35-mph impact, the test vehicle -- a 2014 Honda Accord -- experienced no intrusion into the passenger compartment.
The reinforced rear impact guard is standard equipment on all Stoughton dry van and refrigerated trailers, noted Stoughton Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Sanders.
"What we're offering comes at no additional cost and no additional weight," added Stoughton Vice President Todd Eicher.
[Related: A simple following-distance cheat proves effective 'self re-training' in speed, space management]
Pennsylvania, New Jersey get after ‘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 an 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, participating agencies join together for a one-day coordinated enforcement on April 14.
The effort stands some chance to vault New Jersey's enforcement metrics beyond the 7.2% national average for moving violations issued to truck drivers and motor carriers. New Jersey-issued moving violations in 2025 accounted for just under that percentage of all violations issued to truckers and trucking companies, according to Overdrive sister data company RigDig's analysis of federal data.
Pennsylvania's long been known for its own aggressive roadside enforcement, with moving violations accounting for nearly 11% of all violations issued in 2025.
“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
- Fleeing police
Pennsylvania’s statewide aggressive-driving enforcement wave runs through April 26 and is focused on speeding, distracted driving, and work zone awareness. Drivers exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or making careless lane changes will also be cited.
[Related: ELD tampering in crosshairs for annual Roadcheck blitz]
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.”
TEL adds Volvo VNL to truck leasing lineup
Commercial truck leasing company TEL is adding the Volvo VNL 860 to its lineup of Class 8 trucks available for lease by owner-operators and fleets.
The Volvo VNL 860 will complement TEL’s existing sleeper offerings, which include the Freightliner Cascadia and Peterbilt 579, the company said, giving customers an even broader selection of premium, driver‑focused equipment options.
TEL will debut the all-new Volvo VNL 860 trucks at this year’s Mid‑America Trucking Show, March 26-28, marking an important expansion of the company’s product portfolio and its ongoing commitment to offering industry‑leading equipment solutions.
By adding Volvo to its lineup, TEL said it strengthens its ability to serve a wide range of fleet and owner‑operator preferences – whether the priority is fuel economy, driver comfort, safety technology or long‑haul performance.
“TEL has been a trusted provider to the transportation industry for over 20 years. We are committed to investing in equipment that supports our owner-operator and fleet partners in a way that gives them the lowest total cost to operate. Adding Volvo to our leasing lineup is a natural next step for TEL,” said Aaron Thompson, Vice President of Asset Management for TEL. “The Volvo VNL 860 brings a distinct combination of innovation, safety and efficiency that complements the rest of our fleet extremely well. This gives our customers more choice and flexibility while maintaining the high standards they expect from TEL equipment.”
MATS attendees will have the opportunity to see TEL’s VNL trucks firsthand and speak with TEL representatives about leasing options, specifications and availability.
