Motor Carrier Safety

Each year about 4,000 people die in motor carrier crashes and more than 100,000 are injured. In fatal crashes involving a truck and passenger car, 98% of the fatalities are occupants of the passenger vehicle. Advocates' safety priorities include stronger oversight and enforcement of motor carrier safety rules.

Truck Size and Weight

In this Congress, Advocates is working to oppose legislation introduced by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME), the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011, S.747 and H.R.763, which would allow states to authorize 100,000-pound trucks, exceeding federal weight limitations, on the interstate system in the state. Bigger trucks mean bigger safety problems on our highways in terms of increased deaths and injuries and significant damage to our roads and bridges which threaten all motorists. Advocates continues to support legislation introduced in the 111^th Congress to “freeze” truck size and lengths on the National Highway System including the interstate system.  The Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (SHIPA), H.R. 1574, was introduced in the House by Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA). The Senate companion measure, S. 876, is sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). 

Electronic On-Board Recorders

Legislation has been introduced to require the use of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) in all commercial motor vehicles.  Advocates has pushed the required use of EOBRs to enforce hours of service (HOS) rules for decades at the agency and in the Congress. The Commercial Driver Compliance Improvement Act, S.695, introduced by Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), would require commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate commerce to be equipped with EOBRs that meet federal performance requirements in order to improve compliance with HOS regulations.

Text of Legislation:

S.876- Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (as introduced)

H.R.1574- Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (as introduced)

S.695- Commercial Driver Compliance Improvement Act (as introduced)

Motor Carrier Safety Resources:

Danger of Large Trucks Fact Sheet

EOBR Fact Sheet

Advocates' Testimony before Congress on Motor Carrier Safety:

July 21, 2011

Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee- Testimony by Jackie Gillan on "Making Our Roads Safer: Reauthorization of the Motor Carrier Safety Programs"