News From ASET - October 6, 2000

Hours of Service Compromise

The hours-of-service proposal by the Department of Transportation was stopped dead in its tracks this week. The Senate and House of Representatives met in conference to decide whether funding should be allocated for the HOS proposal. The final result to come out of the conference committee was a compromise agreement that reflects a major victory for ASET members and the general public.

According to the agreement, Congress will not appropriate any funds for the DOT to finalize their current HOS proposal. However, the DOT is allowed to spend time, energy, and resources on both collecting comments and formulating a different proposal. This allows for a new possibility that the DOT will work with the trucking and related industries to find a solution to the HOS situation. The original HOS plan would have cost motor carriers and shippers billions of dollars annually while simultaneously causing more accidents on our nation's highways.

ASET will work closely with the American Trucking Associations and our other members to formulate a pro-active position on hours-of-service. ASET believes that HOS reform is needed but should not be implemented if the results will mean more daytime accidents involving passenger cars. We encourage anyone who wants to learn more about this issue to contact Jake Jacoby at jjacoby@aset-safety.org or click on ASET's hours of service section.

Weight Legislation Needed More Than Ever

Along with hours-of-service, ASET continues to push forward our 97,000-pound weight legislation. Next Congress will be our greatest opportunity yet to achieve our goal of empowering each individual state the ability to allow six-axle tractor trailers on their Interstates at this increased weight. Adopting such a measure would mean fewer trucks on the highways, reducing exposure to crashes with passenger vehicles as well as lower fuel consumption, less road wear, and an improved environment. With diesel fuel prices at an all-time high and congestion getting worse each year, there must be productivity relief for motor carriers and shippers. ASET will be working aggressively to push this legislation to the forefront of transportation policy discussion early in 2001.

Following the November elections, ASET will set up various congressional meetings to advocate our weight legislation and urge Members of Congress to cosponsor our legislation in January. ASET members are encouraged to contact their local Member of Congress to educate them on the necessity of our weight bill and its benefits to motor carriers, shippers, and consumers alike.