Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025:
- DOT’s extension of highway-bill-input comment period offers a few extra weeks.
- Truckstop.com acquired a recourse factoring service.
- Melton Truck Lines driver Alexander Smith's big assist after witnessing a wild nighttime crash in Oklahoma. "You're put in places for a reason," he said.
More time to weigh in on next highway bill: DOT
Following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s invitation to trucking stakeholders last month to give their input on infrastructure and policy needs with the next highway bill, just 768 comments had been filed to the docket as of Tuesday morning, Aug. 19. The DOT has decided to give interested parties additional time to weigh in, extending the comment period until Sept. 8.
The current authorization for funding of federal surface transportation programs -- the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act -- is set to expire Sept. 30, 2026. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy kicked off the surface transportation reauthorization effort last month in an event with members of Congress and infrastructure stakeholders.
In its call for input from transportation stakeholders, DOT said it’s looking for comments from entities significantly affected by DOT administrative actions, including: state, local, and tribal governments; small businesses; consumers; non-governmental organizations; transportation system operators and service providers; and manufacturers and their trade associations.
The department asked stakeholders to assess what has worked, what needs improvement and what new priorities should be included The information gathered could help inform legislative priorities as Congress begins working toward a new highway bill.
Comments can be filed here through Sept. 8.
Truckstop.com acquires Denim factoring service
Truckstop.com announced Tuesday, Aug. 19, that it has acquired Denim, a transportation-focused financial technology company and factoring service that automates invoicing, reduces time-to-cash, and optimizes back-office processes.
The acquisition stands to assist both carriers and brokers in managing their freight businesses, Truckstop.com said of the deal.
By integrating Denim’s financial technologies into the load board’s freight matching and carrier identity offerings, the combined entity will enhance operational stability, improve liquidity, and reduce business risk for carriers and brokers alike. Denim’s investments in AI and automation technology have resulted in best-in-class cost-to-serve and time-to-fund, with 75% of payments processed in under one minute.
Truckstop.com has long offered a non-recourse factoring service to carriers and, with the addition of Denim’s recourse factoring product and automation technology, Truckstop.com said customers will gain access to faster payment options, modernized service and flexible pricing.
Said Scott Moscrip, CEO of Truckstop.com, "Carriers and brokers today are demanding tools to help them work more profitably, more efficiently, and more securely. With Denim, we can better deliver across all three of these priorities [with] Wimproved cash flow, lower operating costs, and reduced risk.”
[Related: Managing the trucking money: Best practices for healthy cash flow]
Trucker recognized for help at crash scene
Melton Truck Lines truck driver Alexander Smith has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for stopping to help during a horrific crash in the middle of the night in Oklahoma.
Alexander Smith
“I realized the guy was doing flips -- he was doing them right in front of the other semi,” Smith said, noting that the other truck did not stop, even though he had to have seen the crash. Smith immediately slowed down to create space between his truck and the wrecked car. He then pulled over, got out, and rushed to check on the driver.
“He landed right side up in the ditch,” Smith said. “All the airbags were deployed. Honestly after watching what happened, I thought there’s no way this guy is alive.”
When he reached the vehicle, the driver had some visible cuts and scrapes but was conscious.
“The guy was just sitting there looking at me,” Smith said. “Obviously he was in shock, but the first thing he said to me was, ‘Can you help me find my phone?’”
Smith asked if he was okay, helped him out of the car to safety, and called 911.
The young man was clearly shaken and had suffered minor injuries, but thankfully, nothing serious. He was deeply grateful that Smith had been there to help.
“I stopped because I was there,” he said. “Who else was gonna do it? I believe that you’re put in places for a reason.”
[Related: Thank a trucker today. I know i will]
