Page 32 - ATR 6 2014 web

it isN’t just the legislAtors who Need to heAr from truckiNg iN 2015.
it’s the puBlic—the mothers, fAthers, frieNds, NeighBors ANd fellow
driVers who shAre our roAds—they Need to kNow whAt the iNdustry

BriNgs to commuNities ANd how sAfely you striVe to get it there.

to prevent tolling on existing roadways supporters invested more than six Now, more than ever, we need
and to regulate towing companies and months lobbying and supporting the drivers and potential drivers to know
nonconsensual tows within the state. passage of a federal mandate in 2012 to they are needed, respected and invested.
One of our top priorities for 2015 is require electronic on-board recorders in Our goal is to support promotional
to pass anti-indemnification legislation. all commercial trucks. programs to attract drivers and recruit
Currently, shippers can require indem- men and women who are prepared
nification clauses in shipping contracts to ProMote for the challenges of the road. If it is
that relieve them of all liability for But it isn’t just the legislators who training and funding that prevents good
damages, even damages caused by the need to hear from trucking in 2015. drivers from getting behind wheels,
shipper. In 2013, the ATA pursued leg- It’s the public—the mothers, fathers, ATA is prepared to pursue funding for
islation against these indemnity clauses friends, neighbors and fellow driv- Arkansas student drivers to receive
when thirty-nine (39) other states had ers who share our roads—they need to training in exchange for five years
transportation anti-indemnity statutes. know what the industry brings to com- driving in the industry.
Arkansas is now on an even shorter list munities and how safely you strive to We must also increase and
of states without protection for carriers. get it there. It is our ongoing resolution improve communication between board
In the months ahead, we will be educat- to promote the industry’s commitment and membership by opening board
ing our state legislators on this issue to to safety, to secure funding for promo- meetings to members. This invests the
prohibit shippers from requiring motor tional safety education programs and membership, creates transparency and
carriers to accept liability for all dam- use all the available means and plat- opens lines of communication.
ages, no matter the circumstances. forms to ensure the citizens know what We are successful when our
Another resolution is to protect the we know—Trucking Moves America members are successful. We resolve to
recent changes Congress passed to the Forward—to enhance the image of the provide our members with information
hours-of-service rules. Since its imple- industry. to further success by educating
mentation in July 2013, the new rule The work of protection and service members on best business practices.
has faced criticism from the industry, is impossible without strong contacts in We will continue to host educational
and members of Congress like Sen. the legislative branch. To promote the opportunities each quarter for members
Susan Collins (R-Maine) have success- trucking industry, we resolve to increase and councils.
fully worked to change the new provi- interaction between members and leg-
sions until further studies can verify islators. Our members need an avenue oUr vaLUeS
any added safety from the limited work to tell their stories to those in positions To serve as advocate and voice of
weeks, rest during overnight hours of power, and by planning opportunities the trucking industry in the state of
and required breaks. Congress has sus- for those interactions to take place, we Arkansas, we will especially focus on
pended the changes and reverted back invite legislators to become a positive living the values of respect, the power
to the pre-2013 rules until September part of those stories. We will be listen- of networking and inclusion in 2015,
2015. With a new Congress poised to ing to those who want to interact with and we will make resolutions of more
take over in January, it is the ATA’s goal legislators and finding ways to call on protection, louder promotion and better
to educate new senators and representa- Washington and gather at the Capitol service.
tives about the industry’s position to to make it happen. As you can see, we have a busy year
make the change permanent in a long- ahead of us. We have set our priorities
term federal highway bill. to Serve on protecting, promoting and serving
Supporting ELD implementation While we improve outgoing mes- YOU. In 2015, we resolve to be YOUR
is another ATA goal this year. FMCSA sages, we also resolve to communicate association.
is expected to issue the final rule in better within the organization and
September 2015 after ATA and other industry as well.

32 arkansas trucking report | issue 6 2014