Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Aug. 22, 2025:
- Goodyear's 2025 Highway Hero winner stopped to help a person lying in a road, moving them to safety.
- Tanker fleets report positive crash-reduction results since implementing flashing, brake-activated rear lights.
- The 500,000th Endurant automated manual transmission by Eaton Cummins was feted at a ceremony at Kenworth’s plant with Werner.
J.B. Hunt driver earns Goodyear Highway Hero award
J.B. Hunt driver Adam Medley is the 41st Goodyear Highway Hero.Goodyear
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced the winner of the 41st Goodyear Highway Hero Award: J.B. Hunt Transport truck driver Adam Medley, of Omro, Wisconsin.
Medley, with J.B. Hunt driver since 2019, was driving on County Road A in Green Lake, Wisconsin, on July 28, 2024. Like many truck drivers in the area, he was accustomed to seeing road debris. When he spotted something ahead, he instinctively began to steer around it. Yet as he drew closer, he was surprised to see a person lying in the road.
Quickly pulling over to a safe spot, Medley hurried back to help the individual off the road and contacted the police, who soon arrived to assist.
"In a moment where every second counted, Adam put the safety and well-being of others first," said Nick Hobbs, chief operating officer at J.B. Hunt. "His actions exemplified integrity and selflessness, and we are excited that Goodyear has recognized him with this year's Highway Hero Award."
The Highway Hero program was established in 1983 to recognize commercial drivers who go above and beyond and act courageously for the good of others on roadways across the U.S. and Canada. Each year, Goodyear conducts a nationwide call for entries, asking the trucking community to nominate a driver who demonstrated an extraordinary act of courage on the road. A panel of independent industry judges decides the winner.
"Adam's story continues to remind us that professional truck drivers are the unsung heroes of our roads," said Joe Burke, vice president, Goodyear North America Commercial. "His quick and professional response to this unexpected situation demonstrates the integrity, dedication and compassion that define what's the best of our industry."
Medley will be honored with a cash prize and an exclusive ride on the Goodyear blimp, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
[Related: Owner-operator holy grail: For Trucker of the Month, decades of direct freight in a 1981 359]
Tanker group seeks extended waiver for pulsating brake lights
The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) association petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for an extension of its exemption that allows motor carriers operating tank trailers to install red or amber brake-activated pulsating lamps in the upper center or in an upper dual outboard position on the rear of the trailers.
NTTC currently holds a waiver that was granted Oct. 8, 2020, and expires Oct. 8 this year.
Federal regulations require all exterior lamps (both required lamps and any additional lamps) to be steady-burning, except turn-signal lamps, hazard warning signal lamps, and other lights specified in the regulation.
NTTC’s waiver allows the pulsating lamps in addition to the required steady-burning brake lamps required by the regulations.
In its renewal application, NTTC reiterated its position that the use of a red or amber brake-activated pulsating lamp or lamps enhances rear visibility and contributes to overall safety by reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Since FMCSA first granted the original exemption, NTTC and its member carriers have continued to implement the technology and track its impact. Notably, Groendyke expanded installation of the pulsating brake lamps across its fleet from 38% in 2018 to 93% by 2023. During this time, Groendyke reported a significant reduction in rear-end accidents when vehicles were slowing or stopped -- from 19 collisions in 2018 to just 4 in 2023 -- representing a 79% decline.
Similarly, Trimac in 2024 reported equipping 863 of its tankers with the pulsating lights and has experienced a 20% reduction in rear-end collisions, NTTC added.
FMCSA will accept public comments on NTTC’s request for 30 days beginning Monday, Aug. 25, at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0260.
Eaton Cummins celebrates production of 500,000th Endurant transmission
Eaton Cummins this week celebrated the production of its 500,000th Endurant automated manual transmission.
The milestone unit was delivered to Werner, which Eaton Cummins said was one of the first fleets to adopt the Endurant when it debuted in 2017.Eaton Cummins
To commemorate the achievement of the 500,000th unit rolling off the assembly line, a special ceremony was held at the Kenworth Truck Plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, where a new Kenworth T680 equipped with the milestone transmission rolled off the assembly line. Eaton Cummins presented a commemorative plaque to Werner in recognition of their partnership and shared dedication to innovation.
“We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone and to celebrate it with Werner, a fleet that has been with us since the beginning of the Endurant journey,” said Josh Mejeur, Regional Director, Eaton Cummins. “This achievement reflects the strength of our partnerships and the value our customers see in the Endurant platform.”
The Endurant transmission family has grown to include multiple variants, including the Endurant HD, Endurant HD V, Endurant HD N, Endurant XD, Endurant XD Pro and Endurant XD N, serving both on-highway and vocational markets.
“Werner has worked with Eaton for more than 40 years, and we were proud to receive the very first Endurant transmission,” said Scott Reed, Werner’s Senior Vice President of Maintenance. “This milestone reflects our shared commitment to innovation and providing our drivers with reliable, efficient equipment that delivers for our customers.”
