Are your roads—and trucking regulations—ready for the future? Discover what's really happening behind the scenes as the trucking industry faces its biggest changes in years. In this riveting episode of Transportation Nation, Senior Vice President of Safety and Government Affairs at the Truckload Carriers Association, David Heller, joins Bennett’s own Caitlyn Folks and Lee Gentry for an urgent conversation about upcoming challenges, breakthroughs, and misconceptions in trucking today. As the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act draws near, David Heller breaks down what Washington’s looming legislative decisions mean for truckers, carriers, and the motoring public. You’ll get an inside look at: Why highway infrastructure funding is in jeopardy—and what it really costs to keep trucks and roads safeWhat most policymakers still don’t understand about trucking compliance, technology, and regulationHow leading carriers like Bennett are raising the bar in safety, advocacy, and driver trainingDon’t miss David Heller’s illuminating thoughts on the impact of new tech, the truth behind driver safety, and the real role of government in shaping industry standards. Plus, hear heartfelt stories highlighting the everyday heroism of America’s professional truck drivers—true “Highway Angels” whose acts of service rarely make the headlines. Whether you’re a trucking professional, policymaker, driver, or just want to know more about what keeps America moving, this episode is packed with insights, practical advice, and an inspiring look into the road ahead. Subscribe for more conversations like this—where we spotlight the people, purpose, and progress driving transportation forward. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Professional Truck Drivers: Safest on the Road 01:01 Highway Trust Fund Challenges Explained 03:27 Funding Truck Parking and Infrastructure 04:01 Electric Vehicles and Fair Road Funding 05:18 Time to Eliminate Outdated Excise Tax 06:35 Policymakers Misunderstand the Trucking Industry 08:10 Why Trucking Stories Matter in Washington 10:03 Debunking Truck Driver Misconceptions 12:18 Technology: Assist, Not Replace Drivers 13:34 ELDs—From Controversy to Acceptance 14:37 Protecting Both Drivers and Motoring Public 16:03 Show Up: How Great Carriers Stay Prepared 18:10 Fast-Tracking Regulations & Optimism for Trucking 20:22 Raising the Bar: Bennett’s Safety Culture 21:33 Communicate, Communicate: Regulators and Unintended Consequences 23:33 The Highway Angel Program: Unsung Trucking Heroes LINKS: Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) https://www.truckload.org/ Highway Angel Program (TCA) https://www.truckload.org/highway-angel/ Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) https://eld.fmcsa.dot.gov/List AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety https://aaafoundation.org/
