Large truck crashes killed nearly 5,800 people in 2021.
Fatalities involving large truck crashes have increased 66 percent since 2009.
Truck driving is identified as one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Truck safety needs to be improved NOT weakened.
We urge you to OPPOSE Sections 131 through 134 in FY 2024 THUD Bill
- Sec. 131: Prohibits use of funds to advance rules for speed limiting devices. Speeding is a persistent and deadly issue that must and can be addressed with proven technology. These safety systems are used by the vast majority of trucks on the road today. The NTSB has recommended requiring the use of speed limiting devices since 2012.
- Sec. 132 and 133: Prohibits use of funds to require inward-facing cameras for the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP) and the SDAP is registered with the Department of Labor’s “industry-driven, high-quality career” Registered Apprenticeship Program to ensure the integrity of the SDAP. Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers under the age of 19 are four times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes and CMV drivers between the ages of 19 and 20 are six times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than all truck drivers. Clearly, this age group should not be driving big rigs across the country, but the pilot program allows them to do so. Commonsense safeguards for the program should not be removed or reduced.
- Sec. 134: Prohibits funding to enforce requirements related to electronic logging devices (ELD) for carriers transporting livestock and insects. Truck driver fatigue is a known and serious issue that contributes to truck crashes, fatalities and injuries. ELDs have been required since 2017 and are a proven technology to record hours of service (HOS) and to ensure drivers are not exceeding the maximum hours behind the wheel.
THUD funding bills should not be used for backdoor special interest industry exemptions from safety rules.