When you’ve driven trucks for more than half a century, you’ve gathered more than a few stories. In this special episode of Trucking with OOIDA, hosts Ashley Blackford and Scott Thompson welcome veteran trucker and OOIDA board member Doug Smith, who has over 54 years of driving experience and more than 4.3 million accident‑free miles to his name.

Doug shares his unlikely entry into trucking—and why he’s not stepping away anytime soon. He recounts the deeply moving experience of hauling The Wall That Heals, a half‑scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, describing it as more than a delivery—it was a spiritual moment.

Tune in to hear stories about his appearance on a reality TV show, a brief cameo in a classic baseball film, and why he still loves the road when others have long retired.

Since 1973, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has stood with truckers—and Trucking with OOIDA keeps spotlighting the issues that matter most to you.

In this episode, hosts Ashley Blackford and Scott Thompson tackle two critical challenges facing the industry today:

In this episode of Trucking with OOIDA, hosts Ashley Blackford and Scott Thompson shine a light on two of the biggest topics rolling through the industry:

First, they break down OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh’s recent testimony before a Senate subcommittee. Lawmakers are beginning to shape the next highway bill, and Lewie’s message was clear: truckers deserve to be heard. Ashley and Scott dig into what was said, what it means, and why it matters to every small-business trucker on the road.

Then, we shift gears to technology with Missy Cummings, a national expert on autonomous vehicles and Director of the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University. Missy joins the show to talk about what we actually know about AV safety—and what remains unanswered.

It’s a mix of D.C. policy, cutting-edge tech, and straight talk from the road. Buckle up.