The board of directors of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has voted to expand the organization's safety agenda with the goal of further reducing the number of highway-related fatalities and injuries. During ATA's annual Management Conference and Exhibition, the board voted to adopt 18 recommendations made by the organization's Safety Task Force, which was established earlier in 2008.
Here is a synopsis of the 18 recommendations:
Improving Driver Performance
1. Policy on the use of non-integrated technologies while the vehicle is in motion.
2. Policy supporting uniform commercial driver license (CDL) testing standards.
3. Support for a CDL graduated licensing study.
4. Support for additional parking facilities for trucks.
5. Support for a national maximum 65 mph speed limit.
6. Strategies to increase the use of seat belts.
7. Support for a national car-truck driver behavior improvement program.
8. Support for increased use of red light cameras and automated speed enforcement.
9. Support for graduated licensing in all states for non-commercial teen drivers.
10. Support for more stringent laws to reduce drinking and driving.
Safer Vehicles
11. Support for targeted electronic speed governing of certain non-commercial vehicles.
12. Electronic speed governing of all large trucks made since 1992.
13. Support for new large truck crashworthiness standards.
Safer Motor Carriers
14. Support for a national employer notification system.
15. Creation of a national clearinghouse for positive drug and alcohol test results of CDL holders.
16. Support for a national registry of certified medical examiners.
17. Policy supporting access to the national Driver Information Resource.
18. Support for required safety training by new entrant motor carriers.