FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 2, 2021
CONTACT: Pete Daniels / [email protected] / 301-442-2249 (C)
Statement from Peter Kurdock, General Counsel of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), on Extension of Emergency Declaration and Exemptions from Certain Truck Safety Regulations
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) commends the continued dedication of commercial truck drivers whose work is vital to provide essential services and movement of goods during the ongoing public health emergency facing our nation. While exemptions from certain truck safety rules and protections may be necessary during this unprecedented event, Advocates believes they should be tailored in time and scope with appropriate safeguards to protect truck drivers and other road users. With the recent announcement by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extending exemptions pertaining to operations supporting direct assistance for COVID-19 relief efforts, we urge the agency to be transparent about their use by making any related data available to the public. It is essential to ensure this process intended to provide narrow flexibility does not result in needless fatalities.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to improve road safety in the U.S. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
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