Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, April 1, 2025:
Legislation looks to require bathroom access for truckers
For the third consecutive legislative session, lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require shippers and receivers across the U.S. to give truck drivers access to bathrooms at their facilities.
The Trucker Bathroom Access Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House by Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania), who also both sponsored the legislation in the previous two Congresses.
While the bill would not require shippers and receivers to construct new bathroom facilities, it would require that truckers have the same access if a business has a bathroom available to their customers or employees.
The bipartisan legislation is supported by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the American Trucking Associations, the Women in Trucking Association, She Trucking, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), among others.
More than “70% of America’s freight is exclusively carried by trucks, yet every single day, men and women truck drivers are forced to 'hold it' because they aren’t allowed access to the restroom when picking up or delivering freight,” said Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA. “OOIDA and our 150,000 members thank Representatives Nehls and Houlahan for showing tremendous leadership on this issue, and we look forward to working with them and our coalition partners to get this commonsense, bipartisan legislation signed into law.”
The bill would require bathroom access for truck drivers picking up or delivering to a facility, as long as the bathroom is located in an area that “would not create an obvious health or safety risk” to the driver, and in an area that providing access “would not pose an obvious security risk” to the business.
It would also require port terminal operators to provide access to existing restrooms for drayage truck drivers while on port property, as well as additional restrooms if necessary, and places for drayage truck operators to park while accessing the restrooms.
[Related: Bill requiring bathroom access for truck drivers introduced in U.S. House]
Texas man gets six years in prison for smuggling people in pneumatic tank
A Euless, Texas, man has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in an illegal immigrant smuggling operation.
According to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, Oland Maurice McKenzie, 43, was the driver of a tractor-trailer that was stopped on June 29, 2023, as it was transporting 18 illegal immigrants in a pneumatic tanker.
A Maverick County Sheriff’s deputy initiated the traffic stop when McKenzie failed to utilize a turn signal as he entered a parking lot. The deputy discovered, however, that McKenzie did not have a CDL required to drive the vehicle.
During the traffic stop, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrived and initiated a canine inspection, which led to the discovery of 18 individuals inside the pneumatic tank trailer, which was a completely enclosed metal cylinder commonly used to transport powdered concrete or sand.
[Related: Dry bulk hauling offers easy handling, steady work]
McKenzie was arrested, charged in a criminal complaint, and eventually indicted by a grand jury for one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, placing lives in jeopardy, another count for single act itself. He was found guilty of both counts on May 1, 2024, by jury verdict.
“The disruption by law enforcement on the front end of this event absolutely saved lives,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “The tractor-trailer was loaded with human cargo and bound for San Antonio out of Eagle Pass. Fortunately, there were no injuries beyond heat exhaustion but, if not for our law enforcement partners, this event could have ended much worse -- potentially resulting in death.”
Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
[Related: 37 migrants found in trailer at border]
Women in Trucking crowns Driver of the Year
Women in Trucking at the Mid-America Trucking Show named its 2025 Driver of the Year. Shown, from left: Fritz Keel, Walmart (sponsor); Gina Jones, Werner (finalist); Kathy Blaies, United Road (winner); Sandy Winters, Leonard's Express (finalist).Women in Trucking
The Women in Trucking Association (WIT) announced last week at the Mid-America Trucking Show that Kathy Blaies, a car hauler at United Road, has been named the recipient of the organization’s 2025 Driver of the Year Award, sponsored by Walmart.
Blaies was among four finalists for the award. The other finalists include Ericka Norfleet, owner-operator, R.E. Garrison Trucking.; Gina Jones, company driver, Werner; and Sandy Winters, company driver, Leonard's Express.
The announcement was made during the Salute to Women Behind the Wheel event, hosted by WIT at MATS in Louisville, Kentucky. The event honors female commercial drivers for their contributions and successes in the trucking industry. WIT President and CEO Jennifer Hedrick lauded Blaies' "unwavering commitment to safety, and her dedication to mentorship, particularly of women in the trucking industry."
Blaies' journey into trucking began hauling cars. Despite being initially told she wouldn't make it, she proved her doubters wrong. She quickly earned respect not just for her exceptional driving skills but for efforts to help others succeed. She regularly advises newcomers, helping them navigate the complexities of car hauling and find success in an industry that's often known for its challenges.
Beyond technical expertise, Blaies' professionalism and leadership have earned her numerous accolades. With more than one million safe driving miles, she is a four-time recipient of United Road's prestigious Gold Elite Award and two-time recipient of the Damage-Free Elite Award, recognizing her consistent performance and commitment to excellence.
[Related: Trucker of the Year honored at MATS with replica of his T600, Bostrom seat]
Volvo, Mack dealer group expands Northwest footprint
Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment, a Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks dealer network primarily with locations in the southern Midwest and Plains states, is expanding its footprint in the Northwest with the acquisition of Transport Equipment, Inc. (TEI).
The acquisition will add three locations to the Bruckner’s network -- Lewiston, Idaho; Missoula, Montana; and Spokane, Washington.
Steve and Betty Bidlake founded TEI in 1983 after selling their trucking business, which had grown from a single logging truck to nearly 100 units hauling a variety of goods. TEI initially specialized in trailers before expanding into truck sales in 1985. Generations of the Bidlake family have contributed to the company’s growth and success, with customer service as the cornerstone of its operations.
With the acquisition, Bruckner’s now operates 41 locations across 10 states. Each location is a Volvo Certified Uptime Dealer, and the company maintains 33 mobile service trucks to maximize customer uptime.
All TEI locations will continue operating under the same schedule with no changes to contact details.
