🚨 DOT to Truckers: "Tell Us How Freight Should Work" – Will They Listen?

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

🗣️ Introduction: Uncle Sam Wants Your Trucker Opinion (Seriously)

Yep, you read that right. The U.S. Department of Transportation — the folks behind hours-of-service rules, ELD mandates, and all those rest areas that never have room — is asking truckers, logistics pros, and the general public to weigh in on its updated National Freight Strategic Plan.

That’s the 30,000-foot blueprint that decides how freight will move across the country for years to come. From bridges and bottlenecks to ports and parking, this plan shapes where the money goes and what priorities rise to the top.

And for once, they’re handing the mic to the folks who actually deal with this mess every day.

But here's the big question: Will truckers actually show up and speak up?

🛠️ What’s in This "Freight Plan" Anyway?

The DOT is updating its strategy with five major focus areas:

🛣️ Infrastructure Upgrades – Think bigger highways, smarter traffic systems, better port access. (We’re talkin’ less Detroit pothole, more Autobahn dream… supposedly.)

🛑 Safety Initiatives – They claim they're working to reduce crashes and make things safer for drivers. That could mean anything from improved lighting to — fingers crossed — more truck parking.

📦 Supply Chain Resilience – Remember those COVID toilet paper shortages? Or when LA ports turned into parking lots? This part’s about preventing that chaos again.

♻️ Sustainability Goals – Electric trucks, clean energy, and reducing emissions. We all want clean air… but nobody wants to be stranded in Wyoming with a dead battery and no charging station.

🌎 Equity and Inclusion – The feds are saying underserved communities will get more attention and funding. That could mean better roads in neglected areas or support for minority-owned carriers.

All of that sounds good on paper, but let’s be real: what makes it to the road depends on who speaks the loudest.

🧠 What Real Truckers Are Thinking (And Probably Saying)

If you’ve been driving more than a week, this probably ain’t your first DOT rodeo. Truckers have seen plans come and go. Most barely make a dent in real-world problems.

Here’s what some drivers are probably thinking:

“Sure, they want our input — until we say something they don’t like.”

“Let me guess… they’re gonna pretend to listen, then spend billions on rail while we’re still hunting for parking at midnight.”

“Wait, there’s a comment section? Can I yell in all caps?”

And yet, there’s still a silver lining. The feds actually have to collect comments and acknowledge them. If enough real drivers say, “Fix parking!” or “Stop treating us like machines!” — it at least gets logged into the official conversation.

And that beats being silent while some desk jockey from D.C. decides what “freight efficiency” should look like.

💼 Who’s Already Speaking Up?

The big dogs are moving quick. Mega-carriers, logistics groups, and corporate lobbyists are already submitting comments. You can bet your last axle they’re asking for tech funding, regulatory leniency, and all kinds of goodies.

Meanwhile, independent drivers and small fleets? Most haven’t even heard about it.

That’s the problem. When only the powerful speak, they get to shape the freight future. And let’s be honest, their version of the future probably looks like driverless trucks, centralized control, and even more hoops for humans to jump through.

If you want the future of freight to still have you in it — it’s time to tap that keyboard and say your piece.

📢 How to Leave a Comment (It’s Not Hard)

It takes five minutes. You don’t need to be a policy expert or spell every word right. Just speak your truth:

What needs to be fixed in trucking?

What’s killing your profits or your health?

What would make freight flow better?

Here’s where to comment:
👉 https://www.transportation.gov/freight/NFSP-comments

Deadline ain’t announced yet, but the earlier you post, the better.

⚙️ Examples of What to Say (If You're Stuck)

Not sure what to write? Try these:

“There is a nationwide truck parking shortage. Until that’s fixed, you’ll never solve freight efficiency.”

“Fix detention pay. Shippers waste our time with no consequences. That’s theft.”

“Stop pushing automation while ignoring real driver burnout and pay problems.”

“Infrastructure money should go to truck stops, rest areas, and rural routes too — not just mega ports and urban hubs.”

Keep it simple. Keep it real. And remember — silence equals consent.

📦 Final Load: Don't Just Haul Freight. Help Shape It.

You already keep this country running. Now they’re asking how it should run better.

This is your chance to do more than just gripe on Facebook. Put your thoughts in front of the people actually making the decisions. No matter what you think about the government — this one moment gives you a shot to steer the wheel, even if it’s just a little.

So don’t let the tech bros, corporate suits, and driverless truck cheerleaders be the only ones talking.

💥 Call to Action

Tired of not being heard? Say something here:
👉 Comment on the DOT Freight Plan

And if you’re ready to stop depending on freight altogether?

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Build your plan B while you still have options.
👉 Visit RetireFromTrucking.com to start learning how.