Legislation to improve highway, interstate safety introduced

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) introduced legislation that would improve safety standards for brokers and shippers contracting with motor carriers.

The Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act would require the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a national safety standard for those brokers and shippers contracting motor carriers to transport goods. The legislation would make sure the motor carriers are properly registered with the DOT and have obtained the minimum required insurance coverage.

“When businesses select trucking companies to transport their goods, they should know that the trucks they are hiring are safe and road worthy,” Stauber said. “Unfortunately, the lack of a national safety standard has led to countless accidents on our highways and interstates. As a Member of the House Transportation Committee, I am proud to introduce legislation that will set a federal standard for vetting motor carriers to not only ensure safety, but to guarantee certainty for our supply chains.”

Currently, brokers and shippers lack a reliable standard, officials said. The new standard would be set by the Motor Carrier Safety Standard Act and would ensure that motor carriers have been confirmed by the FMCSA as following all required safety standards.

The legislation is supported by brokers.

“Representative Stauber knows how important commercial vehicle safety is from his days in law enforcement,” Ben Campbell, Chief Legal Officer of C.H. Robinson said. “Currently there is no federal standard for due diligence when vetting motor carriers for safety, and the result is a confusing patchwork of standards that threatens the nation’s economy and public safety.”

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