TRAA Receives Thank You Letter from Senator Blumenthal

• By: TRAA Office
• On: 08/26/2022 13:27:24
• In: Legislation

TRAA has received a thank you letter from Senator Richard Blumenthal for our tireless work supporting the National Move Over Law Day Resolution and roadside safety on a national level. Senator Blumenthal writes, "TRAA has been a leading partner on S.Res.734, and I appreciate your outreach to secure critical bipartisan support." The full letter is attached below.   TRAA is proud to have assisted Senator Blumenthal in securing Senator Braun as the Republican co-lead via our friends, and affiliate member, the Indiana Towing & Wrecker Association (ITWA). Thank you to ITWA for helping TRAA secure Senator Braun's support. In addition to facilitating the co-lead, TRAA has also secured the official support of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).   TRAA continues working in cooperation with the Representative and Senators' offices to gain support and co-sponsors in each respective chamber. Both H.Res.1052 and S.Res. 734 are important pieces of legislation that support the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day and urge the national, state, and regional incident management organizations to promote existence of and adherence to State move over laws.

   

TRAA is the industry’s watchdog in DC!

Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program

• By: TRAA Office
• On: 08/09/2022 10:23:15
• In: Industry News

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish an apprenticeship pilot program that would allow drivers between the ages of 18-20 with an intrastate commercial driver’s license to operate interstate commerce under very specific conditions.    To meet this requirement, FMCSA established the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program (SDAP). This three-year program will help individuals ages 18, 19, and 20 explore interstate trucking careers and help trucking companies hire and train new drivers through an apprenticeship pilot program.    The application period is currently open. For more information, please view the SDAP Public Information Webinar which covers training qualifications, participation requirements, and instructions.

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TRAA is proud to have supported these provisions under the DRIVE Safe Act (S.659) and the IIJA!

TRAA SUPPORTS INTRODUCTION OF NATIONAL MOVE OVER LAW DAY RESOLUTION IN SENATE

• By: TRAA Office
• On: 08/03/2022 11:14:28
• In: Legislation

Today in the U.S. Senate, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced the National Move Over Law Day Resolution (S.Res. 734) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day and urging the national, state, and regional incident management organizations to promote existence of and adherence to State Move Over laws. The resolution helps ensure bipartisan and bicameral support in raising awareness of the dangers faced by roadside first responders and the need for motorists to slow and move over.

The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA) has been a longstanding champion at the federal level for policy to protect roadside first responders and applauds the introduction of this resolution. TRAA recently met with Members of Congress during its annual Hill Day in DC to advocate for this resolution and is thankful for the support of Senators Blumenthal and Braun. S.Res.734 is the companion resolution to H.Res. 1052, legislation TRAA has long championed with sponsor, Congressman Jim McGovern, (D-MA 2).

Every state has a “Move Over” law that generally requires motorists to move at least one lane over when there is an emergency or rescue activity taking place on the shoulder or side of the roadway; or, if unable to do so safely, to alternatively slow down and pass the scene with caution. However, according to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, there were still 65 traffic incident management responders who were killed due to roadside collisions in 2021 and additional data suggests that a tower loses his or her life every six days on America’s roadways.

“Our first responders and roadside assistance crews put their safety at risk every day to help people on America’s roads. Every state has laws directing drivers to reduce their speed or to move over if a vehicle is stopped on the side of the road, yet tragic collisions that injure and kill roadside assistance workers like Corey Iodice continue to happen. This resolution amplifies the simple yet effective way to keep workers safe on the roads: Slow Down and Move Over,” said Senator Blumenthal.

Reducing roadside fatalities is a priority for the towing industry at both the state and federal levels and TRAA advocates for a variety of policy initiatives in Washington, DC to protect the industry’s workforce.