News From ASET - July, 1999
Write Your Congressman Today!
As ASET moves to garner more congressional co-sponsors for H.R. 1667 (ASET's Legislation), it is imperative that proponents of our effort contact members of Congress for their support. Click here for a sample letter and information on contacting your congressional delegation concerning the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act.
New Member of ASET
The Agricultural Ocean Transportation Coalition has joined ASET this month. Peter Friedmann, Executive Director for the coalition, made the decision to come aboard with ASET after deciding H.R. 1667 would have a direct benefit to intermodal transportation. Eric White, ASET’s Western Director, spoke to their national conference last month in San Francisco. To view ASET’s current membership list please click here.
ASET in the News
In the July 19 edition of Transport Topics, there was an editorial regarding how we should adapt to ever increasing truck transportation on our nation’s highways. It was a lead-in to two separate articles, one by Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN), and the other by John Smith, president of CRST International, one of the nation’s largest truck-load carriers. Congressman Oberstar wrote that he believed we should stay at the status quo in terms of moving freight. John Smith however, discussed ASET’s legislation and how it would not only create more productivity but how it would also mean less trucks on the highways directly leading to fewer accidents. You may view all three of these articles click below:
- Editorial: How to Move the Freight Congressman Oberstar's
- Opinion: Keep the Lid on Bigger Trucks John Smith's
- Opinion: Safety and Productivity can Share the Road
GAO Truck Safety Report
The United States Government Accounting Office recently released their report on truck safety. In this report, the GAO argues that truck vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has increased by 25% over the past 5 years and will continue to do so unless there are changes made in U.S. transportation policy. Much of the study certainly lends support to the idea that where safety and productivity can be combined, we should move forward. At ASET we believe H.R. 1667 achieves this goal.