Statement by Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety on DOT Action on CDL Mills

“In 2023, 5,472 people were killed and over 153,000 were injured in crashes involving large trucks. This is a 62 percent increase in deaths since 2009. One of the most effective actions to reduce these tragedies is by ensuring that commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers are properly trained and licensed before getting behind the wheel.  Advocates applauds the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his team for shutting down over 500 training schools that failed to meet federal standards. We are hopeful that, as Secretary Duffy noted, the days of the trucking industry operating as the Wild, Wild West are over.”