The Road Ahead

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 oneHow inspectors detect ELD falsification in the field, and why falsification is treated more harshly than the underlying violationCargo securement requirements that catch fleets off guard, including what's required beyond flatbed loadsHow personal conveyance and split sleeper berth rules are evaluated at the roadsideWhy a clean Road Check inspection is an opportunity, not just a risk eventWhether 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.orgFleetworthy Safety and Compliance: fleetworthy.comThe Road Ahead is a podcast by Fleetworthy, the only complete technology suite for fleet readiness.

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.

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.

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.

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 goalsRisky driving behaviors targeted this yearReal-world insights on enforcement and citationsStrategies for fleet-wide safety education and complianceListen now and make sure your team is prepared—not just for Operation Safe Driver Week, but every day on the road ahead.

Are you ready for CVSA's International Roadcheck?Todd James, Program Manager at Drivewyze by Fleetworthy and former Colorado State Patrol Sargeant, joins John and Rob to give a detailed look at what inspectors are looking for, and shares tips for fleets and drivers to turn the inspection blitz into an advantage.

In this episode, Rob Abbott, fresh from the CVSA, joins John to discuss President Trump's executive order on English proficiency, and what it means for fleets and drivers.

In this episode, Rob and John speak to Lori Johnson, a Sr. Consultant at Fleetworthy, about the challenges for fleets and drivers when it comes to navigating the changing state laws and static federal regulations around cannabis and CBS.They will discuss the ways cannabis is impacting carriers and strategies fleets can adopt to ensure drivers are educated on the most up-to-date laws and regulations.For more information, you can download our report, co-written with Freight Waves, on the hidden risks impacting fleets and actionable strategies to protect their drivers and bottom line.

John Van Nortwick is joined by Rob Abbott, VP of Corporate Strategy at Fleetworthy and former VP of the American Trucking Association. While at the ATA, Rob was able to have a direct hand in advocating for enhancements at the CSA, witnessing the shift to include data that identifies not only areas for improvement, but highlights and incentivizes the great work already going on across the industry.In this episode of 'The Road Ahead' John and Rob discuss the recent proposed changes coming out of the CSA, the 15-year history that led to them, and what they could mean for drivers and fleets.