With winter officially behind us and (hopefully) less snow on the roads, there are plenty of other potential distractions to be wary of while behind the wheel.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and National Alcohol Awareness Month. By practicing safe driving habits, such as avoiding cell phone use, being mindful of drowsiness, and never drinking and driving, everyone can make the roads we share safer. Truck drivers should be especially aware of risking their perfect record on the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse!
April is also Workplace Violence Awareness Month. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 733 workplace fatalities due to violent acts in 2024, with homicides accounting for over 64% of those incidents. These events can happen in any workplace and across any industry, which is why it’s critical for employers and employees alike to take steps to reduce risk and create a safer work environment.
Sign Up for or Observe Upcoming Safety Events
Numerous exciting events that relate to drivers, HR professionals, safety managers, and other transportation experts are taking place throughout the US this month, including the following:
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Transportation Intermediaries Association Annual Conference
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FHA National Work Zone Awareness Week
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American Trucking Associations Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition
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Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Workshop
Transportation Intermediaries Association ( TIA)Annual Conference
The TIA 2026 Capital Ideas Conference & Exhibition will take place April 15–18, 2026, at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. TIA calls it the only meeting for third-party logistics providers, making it a key annual event for brokerage-based logistics professionals across North America. In addition to three days of networking and education, attendees can explore sessions on topics shaping the industry now, including fraud prevention (can AI help?), how to grow your brokerage, cybersecurity strategies, and more. Check out the event details here.
National Work Zone Awareness Week
National Work Zone Awareness Week 2026 will take place April 20–24, bringing attention to the importance of work zone safety for both roadway workers and drivers. Led by the Federal Highway Administration, this annual campaign encourages everyone to slow down, stay alert, and use extra caution when traveling through active work zones. With construction season ramping up across the country, it’s a timely reminder that safer driving habits can help prevent injuries and save lives. Get all the details here.
American Trucking Associations Safety, Security & Human Resources National Conference & Exhibition
Taking place April 1–3 in Oklahoma City, this conference brings together trucking professionals focused on creating a safer, more secure future. The conference features three dedicated education tracks covering safety, security, and HR.
This year’s agenda highlights timely sessions on topics like cargo theft trends and freight fraud, AI-driven risk management and driver coaching, and best practices for hiring and retaining safe, qualified drivers. Attendees can also explore sessions on workplace mental health, OSHA enforcement strategies, and evolving camera and monitoring technologies, alongside hands-on roundtables and peer discussions. Learn more about this must-attend event.
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Workshop
The CVSA Workshop will take place April 19–23, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The event is designed to bring together government officials, enforcement, and industry stakeholders to advance commercial motor vehicle safety and collaborate on meaningful changes across North America.
This year’s schedule includes sessions and program meetings on IRP, IFTA and UCR; human trafficking prevention; Operation Airbrake; and International Roadcheck, along with committee discussions focused on areas like driver-traffic enforcement, hazardous materials, and policy and regulatory affairs. Register for the event here.
Helpful DOT Compliance Reminders
Have you kept up with your pre-employment Clearinghouse queries? These queries show the full details of a driver’s record, including any drug and alcohol violations and whether they have completed the return-to-duty process. Keep in mind — since all of the driver’s information is revealed in the FMCSA Clearinghouse from the pre-employment query, they must give electronic consent prior to running it. The limited consent form used to run the annual query will not suffice.
Remember, enforcement officers can check your drivers' Clearinghouse records during International Roadcheck in May. They will be able to see if they are in prohibited status, which is an out-of-service violation. If that's the case, your driver will be pulled from the road immediately and you will need to arrange for another driver to pick up and finish delivering the freight left behind.
Feeling unsure about your FMCSA Clearinghouse queries or even your DOT compliance as a whole? Foley is here to help. Our advanced DOT compliance software offers Clearinghouse query management in addition to numerous other programs required by the DOT.
Get your free software demo now and set your company up for success before the 2026 CVSA Roadcheck.
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