Beginning December 9, enforcement officers will begin inspecting rear underguards on trailers as part of a new federal requirement. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said examples of the type of rear impact guard damage that would result in the vehicle failing to pass the annual inspection would include visible cracks in the welds or missing bolts at the attachment point to the trailer.
While trucks that fail to pass will not be placed out of service (OOS) FMCSA says each violation could result in a maximum fine of $15,876 for carriers and $3,969 for drivers. We strongly advise ICSA members to be aware of and take action to avoid being penalized for damaged or faulty real impact guards.
For truckers, testing for marijuana continues. Just as with testing for cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, and opioids, testing for marijuana will continue to be conducted on a pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and return-to-duty basis.
As temperatures rise, so do the risks associated with tires, brakes, and overall vehicle condition. Summer heat doesn’t just stress drivers, it amplifies mechanical weaknesses, making maintenance and inspections more important than ever.
The 2026 road construction season is going to be one of the largest in U.S. history and anyone using the roads should be prepared for what’s coming.