Arlington, VA (March 14, 2012):  Today the Senate passed by a strong, bipartisan majority vote a monumental bill that will improve truck safety for all motorists and truck drivers.  Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act, MAP-21, (S. 1813) includes numerous provisions that will advance truck safety regulations.  Family and friends of truck crash victims and survivors expressed gratitude to Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK) as well as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for their leadership in shepherding this bill with lifesaving improvements to passage.

 

The Truck Safety Coalition (TSC) also thanks Senator John Rockefeller (D-WV), Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chair of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, and Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Chair of the Consumer Protection Subcommittee, for introducing the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2011, S.1950, which was incorporated into MAP-21.  The TSC commends these truck safety champions for their dedication and determination to pass this legislation which included numerous provisions to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and excluded truck size and weight increases.  The TSC now urges the House of Representatives to pass this bill as is immediately upon their return from recess.

 

“At a time when the number of overall motor vehicle crash fatalities decreased to its lowest level since 1949 yet truck crash fatalities increased by nearly 9%, with 3,675 people being killed in 2010, the Senate’s actions today demonstrated a true commitment to save lives by improving truck safety regulations.” stated John Lannen, TSC Executive Director.  “Unfortunately a couple of special interest farm truck exemptions passed, but the overall bill is a huge step in the right direction toward making our roads safer,” Lannen continued.

 

Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways Board member Tami Friedrich Trakh responded to today’s passage, “I want to give heartfelt thanks to the Senate and especially my Senator, Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, for her true grit and determination to pass a comprehensive bill that advances motor carrier safety.  The improved registration requirements for motor carriers and driver training and medical qualifications for commercial motor vehicle drivers will undoubtedly save lives on our highways.”

 

“In our work as truck safety volunteers, we are so grateful for victories such as this one.  The Senate demonstrated leadership and a forthrightness to improve motor carrier conditions.  I urge my Congressman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, and the House leadership to follow suit,” stated Jane Mathis, Parents Against Tired Truckers Board member.  “It is past time to have the advancements included in MAP-21 in operation, such as Electronic On-Board Recorders, EOBRs, in all trucks to reduce truck driver fatigue.  My son and his new bride were needlessly killed by a truck driver who fell asleep behind the wheel.  We need to stop these archaic work conditions that are forcing drivers to exceed their limitations by requiring EOBRs and other proven technologies and regulations,” continued Mathis.