Home

You are here

ATA urges Congress to change trucking safety tactics


Created: Friday, July 22nd, 2011 04:01 pm

Although truck driving can be a tolling occupation during difficult road conditions and looming deadlines, trucking safety should still be held in the highest regard to protect all motorists on the road. Recently, officials from the American Trucking Association (ATA) urged Congress to better protect big rig drivers for the hazards of the job.

Dan England, vice chairman of the ATA, lobbied for new regulations regarding highway safety. The biggest suggestion in his proposal is to have new trucking companies adhere to strict training and examination rules before being permitted to operate. Currently, new fleet management businesses do not need to have a safety audit for up to 18 months after their inception. The new proposal encourages inspection within six months.

However, other motorists habits on the nation's highways still remain the biggest variable relating to keeping truckers safe. England says efforts should be designed for the education of all drivers who use the roads for commuting and their jobs.

He said that, "The single largest factor impacting track safety is the behavior of other motorists. Hence, focusing almost exclusively on motor carriers and their drivers directs attention to a small part of the equation."

Although truck driving can be a tolling occupation during difficult road conditions and looming deadlines, trucking safety should still be held in the highest regard to protect all motorists on the road.

Contact Us