A goat on AstroTurf
In recent months, we’ve really celebrated the forward traction on many issues that will benefit truckers. I won’t say that the tide has changed, because all of those things are still in play. But boy howdy. We’ve been covering a lot of news that leaves us a little confused about what people were thinking. Confused like a goat on AstroTurf.
First things first, the automatic emergency braking proposal. This proposed mandate from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is premature at best. It’s a perfect example of a Southernism about flawed logic: When people argue a ridiculous point, you note that they have a big hole in their screen door and can’t keep the logic out.
I cannot implore you enough to check out the comments from your fellow drivers and OOIDA detailed in the article starting on Page 14. It was a good turnout with quality comments. Also, Senior Editor Mark Schremmer dives into the head-scratcher of the timing of the proposal. There’s a lot to unpack on that issue.
Another thing they’re famous for in the South is the utility term “bless your/his/her heart.” Tone is everything on that one. But, more times than not, it’s a reference to not being very bright or to pulling a dumb move.
The Trucking Alliance certainly pulled a doozy lately. The 11-motor-carrier special-interest organization tried to tout the safety of its 98% speed-limited group as justification for speed limiters. It was quite fun diving into those safety records. You can check out my opinion piece on the “foolhardy stance” that group took on Page 12.
While on speed limiters, we do have some more good news: another ally! We now have legislation in the Senate to block a mandate thanks to Sen. Steve Daines. You can read about his efforts on Page 18.
Keeping with the theme of people who could screw up a rock fight (i.e. people doing dimwitted things), let’s talk about National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It’s one week, seven days, where the rest of society can get on board and show appreciation for truckers like we do year-round. It’s a nice week and a wonderful gesture.
So, what does the Highways and Transit Subcommittee do to honor the week? Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Nope, instead of doing something to honor truckers, it held a hearing on autonomous trucks during the appreciation week. That’s right: It heard about tech designed to replace truckers. The subcommittee’s “appreciation” of truckers all of a sudden felt more like being hugged by a rose bush. We take a hard look at that stunt and what OOIDA had to say about it. (Spoiler alert: a lot.) That starts on Page 26.
That’s not to say everything is going to hell in a handbasket.
OOIDA is continuing to put pressure on getting much-needed broker reform. The timeline was “this summer” for something to happen, and that’s been pushed back. I do not play a good Pollyanna in real life, but here’s hoping that we won’t even be off the presses before we have new news. In the meantime, catch up on the Association’s efforts on Page 20.
Speaking of OOIDA: As we start to wrap up our 50th-anniversary yearlong celebration, we take a look at new warriors in on the fight. We talk a lot about the “a-ha moment” when you realize you are here to fight for truckers and are all in. We’ve all had one around here at HQ.
Check out that commitment to continuing the fight on Page 42. It’s why we’re looking forward to the next 50 years and are fighting off some regulations and proposals that are about as welcome as an outhouse breeze. LL