ATA Unveils Progressive Highway Safety Agenda

"While the trucking industry is now the safest it has been since the U.S. Department of Transportation began keeping crash statistics in 1975, we must continue to further the trend," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves at a June 9 press conference on Capitol Hill to unveil ATA's new highway safety agenda.

"Our 18 progressive safety policies will advance highway safety for all highway users by improving driver performance, creating safer vehicles, and improving motor carrier performance," said Graves.

In addition to calling for speed-governing all Class 7 and 8 trucks at 65 mph or below and advocating primary safety belt laws, ATA's Safety Agenda includes groundbreaking policies to improve motor carrier performance.

Policies supporting required safety training by new entrant motor carriers, a national clearinghouse for positive drug and alcohol test results of commercial drivers, and access to commercial drivers' past traffic citations will improve safety within the industry.

Safety experts from outside the trucking industry also at the press conference commented on the progressive agenda:

Road Safe America Executive Director Tom Hodgson said, "We admire the fact that many members of the ATA are among the most safety-conscious corporate citizens in America. Road Safe America is proud to throw its support behind these commonsense, cost-effective, straightforward safety rules as proposed by the ATA."

John Hill, former Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator, also applauded ATA's leadership on highway safety. "I appreciate all the work that's been done and I believe (the new safety agenda) is a good platform as we move into the next highway authorization process," said Hill. The cause of "88 percent of all crashes involve a driver, whether they be a passenger vehicle or commercial driver. The strategies today specifically address driver deficiency areas and give drivers tool they need to improve highway safety."

Access ATA's entire safety agenda with detailed explanations of the 18 initiatives here.