Trucking news and briefs for Friday, March 6, 2026:
49 trucks OOS in New York Thruway blitz
The New York State Police’s Troop T, which covers the New York State Thruway, on Feb. 26 conducted targeted traffic enforcements along the Thruway focused on unsafe driving behaviors, along with commercial vehicle safety inspections.
The initiative followed multiple recent crashes this winter that involved dozens of tractor-trailers, other commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles, NYSP said. While no serious injuries resulted, the incidents created major traffic impacts and necessitated large-scale responses, particularly for crashes that occurred in the western part of the state.
During the Feb. 26 detail, troopers issued 535 tickets to both passenger and commercial operators, of which 42% (224) were for speeding. Other tickets included Move Over Law violations, electronic device use/distracted driving, and no seatbelt, along with other vehicle and traffic law violations.
The tickets also included specific commercial vehicle violations such as equipment, permit and registration violations. Troopers with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (CVEU) inspected 148 commercial vehicles, and 49 were immediately taken out-of-service due to safety-related violations, including being overweight or over-height. Citations were also issued to 60 commercial vehicle operators who attempted to avoid the CVEU checkpoint. Additionally, Troop T made four DWI arrests on February 26.
“A core mission of the State Police is to ensure the safety of the state’s roadways, and our troopers work hard every day to successfully carry out this mandate,” said NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James. “Focused enforcement details such as these allow us to proactively respond to specific challenges, educate the public about safe driving, and when necessary, remove unsafe vehicles and motorists from the road. We’ve had an active winter and it’s not over yet. While we can’t control Mother Nature’s impact on road conditions, we can — and must — control how we operate behind the wheel.”
Mexican truck driver arrested with nearly 1K pounds of liquid meth in fuel tank
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers this week discovered 944 pounds of liquid methamphetamine concealed inside the fuel tank of a 2019 Kenworth T680 at the Otay Mesa Import Cargo Facility in Southern California.
The driver, 26-year-old Oscar Alonzo Cesena Camacho, a Mexican citizen traveling on a business visa, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance.
According to a complaint, on March 2 at approximately 11:20 a.m., a CBP officer observed a white, crystalline substance atop the passenger-side fuel tank.
Further inspection of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of 29 buckets-worth of liquid concealed in the passenger-side fuel tank of the vehicle, with a total approximate weight of 944.90 pounds. A sample of the substance contained within the fuel tank field tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.
The maximum penalty for the charge against Cesena Camacho is life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and a $10 million fine, if convicted.
EpicVue offering in-cab Starlink internet service
In-cab TV and Wi-Fi service provider EpicVue has announced the launch of a Starlink connectivity program designed specifically for truck drivers and fleets.
In partnering with DSI Systems and authorized Starlink reseller Pacific Dataport Inc., EpicVue brings to market the only fleet-focused Starlink offering currently available, the company said.
The program combines high-speed satellite connectivity, rugged in-motion hardware engineered for demanding trucking environments, and centralized fleet management into a single, purpose-built solution designed for life on the road.
“Fleet connectivity should never be a liability,” said Kyle Hales, VP of Sales and Partner at EpicVue. “EpicVue is proud to introduce the market’s first fleet-based Starlink trucking program, purpose-built for enterprise deployment. For under $100 per month, fleets gain uninterrupted coverage, enhanced driver quality of life, and enterprise-grade intelligence through an exclusive volume program unavailable anywhere else.”
EpicVue’s Starlink fleet program provides:
- 99.9% uptime across the United States and Canada
- Elimination of “Black Hole” zones on rural highways and mountain passes
- Continuous, high-speed roaming without service drops
- 2026-ready satellite technology for seamless cross-border transit
EpicVue said the program is designed to keep drivers safe and connected with emergency services and telehealth access even in areas without cell coverage; connectivity for HD video calls and more; and “home office” internet speeds for streaming, gaming and connecting with family during breaks.
For fleet operators, the program provides more visibility into their fleet through more uptime for GPS tracking and more.
In addition to delivering benefits for drivers and fleets, EpicVue’s hardware is engineered to withstand the demanding conditions of life on the road, including:
- Low-profile, high-performance units designed for high-vibration environments and rated IP69K for extreme weather conditions
- DC-powered operation that runs directly from truck power, eliminating the need for complex inverters
The EpicVue Starlink fleet program is available for $99 per month for 250 GB, with hardware either purchased upfront or included in a monthly service plan.
