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SAMPLE LETTER TO CONGRESS REGARDING HOURS-OF-SERVICE PROPOSAL The Honorable _______________________________
Dear Representative________________________: (Your company name) employs (number of employees) people throughout the United States and operates within your congressional district. We are also a member of Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation, a coalition of shippers and motor carriers working to increase both productivity and safety in transportation policy. We are very concerned with the recent hours-of-service proposal put forth by the Department of Transportation. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, I know that you are acutely aware of section 335 that was included in the Senate transportation appropriations bill for fiscal year 2001, that would halt the HOS proposal from going forward. Nationwide, approximately 80% of all commercial transportation is truck-driven. In an economy fueled by e-commerce and just-in-time delivery, trucks are increasingly needed to keep companies productive and consumers satisfied. Truck vehicle miles traveled have consistently risen in the past 10 years but the number of truck-related fatalities and injuries has remained almost constant. The current HOS proposal will inadvertently cause both productivity and safety to diminish greatly. (Your company) has concerns with the proposed HOS regulation but two issues in particular stand out. While DOT's objective is to reduce nighttime fatigue-related accidents, the HOS proposal is flawed in that it forces more trucks onto the road between 6:00 a.m. and midnight. Unfortunately, the vast majority of accidents involving trucks occur during the day and most are caused by automobiles and not trucks. Having more trucks on the road during peak automobile travel times will only increase the chances for crash exposure. Our second concern revolves around the nationwide driver shortage, with many companies unable to find qualified drivers. It is estimated that 50,000 to 100,000 new drivers will be needed if the HOS proposal is implemented. Where will these drivers come from? The reality is that in the end younger, less experienced drivers will have to be entrusted to drive these trucks. The cost of doing business will increase dramatically as motor carrier companies pay for both driver hiring and training as well as the cost of buying on-board recorders for every single truck. (Your company) has estimated the HOS proposal will cost our company (your $ amount - if you have done your own analysis) annually. We urge you to support section 335 of the Senate transportation appropriations bill. Both our company's financial security and the safety of the driving public are at stake. Thank you. Sincerely, [Your name, company and address] |