There's a statement certain to cause controversy, and even have some questioning my sanity. In an industry trying to stay abreast of mounting federal, state and local laws and regulations, why on earth would we ask for more?

Recently the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, on behalf of thirty-one trucking associations, sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting the two agencies take a leadership role, along with the trucking industry and automotive engineers, in seeking a viable solution to the problem of ice and snow buildup on trucks.

To date, three states – Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – have enacted legislation that requires accumulations of ice and snow be removed. Failure to do so could result in a fine. These laws are a reaction to the dangers of ice and snow flying from a moving truck, causing damage or injury when it strikes another vehicle.

At this point you might think that asking for federal intervention isn't wise, especially since there are only three states with this statute. Why ask for more?

First of all, there's a very good chance other states will pass similar legislation. Politicians solve problems brought to them by their constituents by either passing regulations it or passing a law. Second, there's a very good likelihood that various advocacy groups may take a role in promoting this type of legislation without regard to whether the "solution" is practical or cost effective. For verification of this point, look no further than Public Citizen’s involvement in the HoS controversy. Third, we're likely to wind up with a patchwork of laws with varying and possibly even conflicting components. If you don't think that's likely to happen, look at the hodgepodge of widely varying state and local idling laws.

The trucking industry has only recently acknowledged that it should have been doing more to affect the outcome of the HoS issue. Although defending the current hours of service isn't the same as asking for new regulation regarding snow removal, the concept is the same. Get out in front of an issue before legislators and public interest groups have a chance to define the problem and more importantly, the solution.

As of this writing, no one has developed a workable solution for effectively removing snow and ice, yet truckers are mandated by three states to make it happen. Now is the time to act to preempt further action by other states and position the trucking industry as taking a leadership role in solving this safety issue. Being proactive and getting involved early will help ensure the final solution is one that is effective, workable and cost effective and not simply a legislative mandate with no thought to implementation.

Now that we’ve solved that issue, what other issues can we apply these same principles to?  How about CDL driver training standards or perhaps driver health and fitness standards?

There's no end to the issues that are affecting or will affect this industry. Perhaps if we start asking for more regulations, we just might end up with some workable solutions, instead of having unworkable ones mandated to us.