Transportation issues continue to be a growing area of concern for retailers — and a new House bill looks at the trucking industry.
Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) has proposed the SAFE Truckers Act of 2008 (H.R. 5915). The bill’s purpose, which is supported by the American Trucking Association, is to eliminate multiple background checks for commercial drivers’ license holders and to clarify the Transportation Worker Identification Credential regulations. Numerous operational systems for the trucking industry targeted at reducing terrorist’s attacks are also being studied and reviewed.
Some of the considerations include HAZMAT materials routing, detailed security transportation plans, inventory control systems, additional driver training, vehicle access systems, seal and lock control systems, panic button capability, and tractor and trailer tracking systems. All of these considerations are in addition to existing truck security and safety systems currently in use.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is working with industry to stop local governments from preempting federal laws, such as the HAZMAT rerouting regulations recently enacted by the city of Boston.
