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Archive March 2024

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TRAA Endorses & Secures Inclusion in National Work Zone Awareness Week Resolution

Again this year, a bipartisan Senate resolution introduced by Senators Braun and Blumenthal to recognize April 15-19, 2024, as National Work Zone Awareness Week (S.Res.613) has been agreed in the Senate. The goal of the resolution is to raise awareness and educate motorist on how to safely move through and operate in work zones and decrease the risk to those working on the nation's roadways. Thanks to TRAA's efforts towing and recovery professionals are specifically included in the resolution under Section (3) – Subsection (G) which states, "providing towing and recovery professionals room to facilitate the process of clearing crashes."

While the proposal is specific to work zones or “road construction sites", the dangers posed are not limited to highway or construction workers. Traffic incident management (TIM) partner disciplines, including towing and recovery professionals, are called to address and clear these crashes in work zones when they occur thereby also putting themselves in danger of being struck. Additionally, TIM partner disciplines are also roadway users in the execution of their duties which puts us at risk for being involved in a crash ourselves.

In addition to TRAA, the resolution is endorsed by several other national groups including AAA National, American Traffic Safety Services Association, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Organization, Governors Highway Safety Association, National Safety Council, and more.

As your voice on Capitol Hill, TRAA is proud to be advocating on behalf of the industry and our members. We appreciate the support of each and every member; we couldn’t do this critical work without you!

Event in Review: TRAA's Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day

TRAA's 6th annual Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day was another huge success with over 24 states from across the country represented! Together members made real progress towards garnering support for (a) our position that towing does not belong in the FTC’s “Junk Fees” Rule, (b) support for the House National Move Over Law Resolution (H.Res.152), (c) advocating against bigger truck policies, (d) educating members on EV issues, and more.

 

Collectively we had constituent meetings with over 103 Members of Congress and their staffers to discuss the industry and our needs. Plus, the group met with another 8 Members of Congress and professional staff on key committees for our industry including:

 

  • Senator Peter Welch, member of the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee
  • Representative Mark Desaulnier, member of the House Transportation & infrastructure Committee and member of the Highway & Transit Subcommittee
  • Representative Brandon Williams, member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Representative Val Hoyle, member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Vice Ranking Member on Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Representative Sharice Davids, member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Small Business Committee
  • Representative Dina Titus, member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Ranking Member on Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Representative Greg Stanton, Vice Ranking Member of the House Transportation & infrastructure Committee and member of the Highway & Transit Subcommittee
  • Steven Carlson, Chief of Staff for Representative Chris Pappas who serves on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

The group also met with Larry Minor, FMCSA’s Associate Administrator for Policy and Program Development to discuss the administration’s position on the “Junk Fee” Rule and other transportation regulations currently under consideration. Megan Meyer, TRAA’s Ambassador to Motorsports, shared her personal connection to Slow Down Move Over Law awareness and our shared national campaign. We also met with Ryan Woodward, Chief of Legislation and Regulatory Affairs for the National Volunteer Fire Council to explore avenues for promoting our shared industry concerns regarding the safe handling of electric vehicles (EVs). 

Lastly, we’ll be wrapping up our time in DC with a state association panel on the Industry’s Top Ten Issues. Your membership and support in TRAA make this good work possible on behalf of the industry.

 

Want more? Look forward to fantastic articles on TRAA's Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day in upcoming issues of American Towman and Tow Times.

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Who We Are

TRAA is the national association representing the U.S. towing and recovery industry. We act as the "voice of America's towing industry" by offering representation, education, and leadership at the federal level. Much of our focus is on representing the interests of the towing and recovery industry on Capitol Hill including promoting positive legislation and opposing potentially negative legislation. TRAA is the industry's watchdog on Capitol Hill!