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NEW Preventing Roadside Deaths Act

Last month, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) and Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02) introduced the bipartisan Preventing Roadside Deaths Act. If enacted, it would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to collect, analyze, compile, and publish accurate, detailed data on disabled roadside vehicle accidents and develop a strategic plan to stop these accidents.

 

As the towing industry knows firsthand, being stuck along America's roadways is a nationwide problem with an estimated 15,000 people being struck or killed annually in the United States.

 

Unfortunately, the legislation did not expressly mention towing and recovery professionals when introduced. However, TRAA and our expert lobbying team are working with the member's offices to explicitly name Traffic Incident Responders and put a focus on the towing industry. While we don't anticipate this bill moving this session, our goal is to see it reintroduced early next session with towing included. Bart Giesler with the Indiana Towing and Wrecker Association (ITWA) has been instrumental to these efforts; we appreciate his dedication and willingness to help.

 

The Preventing Roadside Deaths Act will increase awareness of the scope and causes of this problem so we can implement effective preventative countermeasures. The bill:

 

  1. Improves reporting and accountability by requiring the Secretary of Transportation to collect, analyze, and publish detailed data on Disabled Roadside Vehicle Crashes, and encourage local uniform data collection and sharing
  2. Creates a strategic plan from a working group convened by the Department of Transportation and relevant stakeholder groups to combat this issue
  3. Uses existing federal funding and authorization by utilizing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (the current Surface Transportation Act), where authorities and funding is already available for states and cities to provide the necessary data and implement programs to prevent these accidents.

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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!