The Road Ahead

Road Check 2026: What Every Fleet Needs to Know Before May 12

Road Check 2026 runs May 12–14, and every certified inspector in North America will be working. This year's focus areas — ELD falsification and cargo securement violations — are among the most cited in recent inspection data. Is your fleet ready? In this episode of The Road Ahead, host John Van Nortwick sits down with Todd James, a Fleetworthy program manager and 26-year Colorado State Patrol veteran who ran the state's CSA program. Todd has conducted roadside inspections at every level, investigated post-crash incidents, and seen firsthand how fleets win and lose compliance battles on the side of the road. What you'll learn: * The three levels of roadside inspection and what officers actually do at each one * How inspectors detect ELD falsification in the field, and why falsification is treated more harshly than the underlying violation * Cargo securement requirements that catch fleets off guard, including what's required beyond flatbed loads * How personal conveyance and split sleeper berth rules are evaluated at the roadside * Why a clean Road Check inspection is an opportunity, not just a risk event Whether your fleet runs 10 trucks or 10,000, Road Check is the one week a year where your safety and compliance program is fully visible. This conversation gives you the insider view. Resources mentioned: * CVSA Road Check 2026 information: cvsa.org * Fleetworthy Safety and Compliance: fleetworthy.com The Road Ahead is a podcast by Fleetworthy, the only complete technology suite for fleet readiness.

Driver Shortages, Language Rules, and Visa Confusion — Sorting Fact from Fiction

Are we facing a true driver shortage, or just a shortage of qualified drivers? John and Rob discuss competing industry narratives, the role of immigration policy, and how English language proficiency and CDL regulations are shaping the workforce conversation.

AI, Automation, and the Future of Fleet Management

In this episode of The Road Ahead, John Van Nortwick and Rob Abbott sit down with Tim Henry and Toan Nguyen Le, co-founders of Haul, to discuss their journey joining Fleetworthy, how AI is being integrated into Fleetworthy’s safety and compliance solutions, and what the future holds for fleets embracing artificial intelligence. From transforming compliance workflows to unlocking new levels of efficiency, this conversation highlights the innovations reshaping the trucking industry and why now is the moment for fleets to lean into AI.

Smart Roadways: How In-Cab Alerts Improve Driver Safety

In this episode of The Road Ahead, Brenda Colombus from Drivewyze by Fleetworthy dives into the transformative impact of Smart Roadways. You'll discover how sharing real-time data through in-cab alerts not only reshapes driver behavior but significantly reduces accidents and makes our roads safer for everyone.

Operation Safe Driver Week 2025: What Fleets and Drivers Need to Know

In this episode of The Road Ahead, Fleetworthy safety expert Todd James breaks down what fleets and drivers can expect during Operation Safe Driver Week (July 13–19, 2025). Todd, a former law enforcement officer, shares firsthand insights into why CVSA emphasizes risky driving behaviors and what fleets can do to ensure their drivers stay compliant and safe. Learn about key enforcement targets, critical safety statistics, and practical advice for creating a year-round safety culture that goes beyond a single week of enforcement.  Key highlights: * Understanding Operation Safe Driver Week and its goals * Risky driving behaviors targeted this year * Real-world insights on enforcement and citations * Strategies for fleet-wide safety education and compliance Listen now and make sure your team is prepared—not just for Operation Safe Driver Week, but every day on the road ahead.