Trucking Group Calls for Enforcement Crackdown on Industry Bad Actors
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has joined its Canadian counterpart in urging stronger regulatory enforcement against unsafe operators within the trucking industry. In a recent blog post, the ATA advocated for consistent application of federal regulations across all states.
“We need to ensure all federal regulations are evenly enforced by every state,” the association stated. “Too many shady training providers across the nation are operating CDL mills, foregoing federally required curriculum to fast-track prospective drivers for a fee.”
The call mirrors similar demands from the Canadian Trucking Alliance, which has been fighting against driver licensing mills and carriers that misclassify workers. Both organizations emphasize safety as their primary concern.
ATA also praised the U.S. Department of Transportation for threatening funding cuts to three states failing to enforce English proficiency standards among commercial drivers. The action came after complaints that some jurisdictions weren’t implementing out-of-service provisions for drivers unable to demonstrate sufficient English skills.
“When states fail to enforce these standards, they put lives at risk,” said ATA leader Chris Spear. “The vast majority of professional drivers meet these requirements and take pride in their responsibility to keep America moving safely.”
The association’s increased focus follows a tragic Florida crash where a truck driver making an illegal U-turn caused three fatalities. Reports indicate the driver had obtained licensing in California despite being an undocumented resident.
“Safety must never be optional,” Spear emphasized in his statement supporting stricter enforcement measures.