ATA Applauds Cotton, Westerman for Supporting Bipartisan Trucking Bill
On March 10, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Bruce Westerman along with a group of bipartisan legislators introduced the DRIVE Safe Act. The Arkansas Trucking Association applauds Sen. Cotton and Rep. Westerman for their support of this bill that addresses the growing shortage of professional truck drivers by expanding job opportunities for younger members of the trucking workforce, while also strengthening safety training and technology safeguards for select candidates looking to participate in interstate commerce early in their careers.
The DRIVE Safe Act addresses a federal regulation that prohibits commercial driver’s license holders under the age of 21 from crossing state lines. Barring safe, professional 18- to 20-year-olds from driving interstate only further exacerbates the significant truck driver shortage, which is expected to worsen as demand for freight transportation increases. Over the next decade, it’s projected that the trucking industry will need to hire an average of nearly 110,000 per year to keep up with demand.
“We thank Sen. Cotton and Rep. Westerman for their support and leadership of this practical bill that promotes careers in transportation and ensures proper, professional training,” ATA President Shannon Newton said. “This is exactly the pro-workforce, pro-safety kind of bill that you would expect to garner bipartisan support.”
The DRIVE Safe Act would allow certified CDL holders already permitted to drive intrastate the opportunity to participate in a rigorous apprenticeship program designed to help them master interstate driving, while also promoting enhanced safety training for emerging members of the workforce.
“This bill sets higher standards for training and safety technology above what is asked of the under-21 drivers who are already legally driving commercial vehicles in 49 states today,” Newton said. “Not only will the DRIVE Safe Act help create a safety-centered process for recruiting and training safe, responsible 18- to 20-year-olds to join our industry, but it will also create enormous opportunities for countless Americans seeking a high-paying profession without the debt burden that comes with a four-year degree.”
About the Arkansas Trucking Association: Since 1932, the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) has served as the voice of the trucking industry, promoting the vitality of this industry on which nearly 87 percent of Arkansas communities exclusively rely to move their goods. Made up of approximately 300 trucking and service companies, ATA helps members grow their business and profits while protecting the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas. For more information, visit arkansastrucking.com.
