Bill Would Set Federal Standards for Trucking Safety

A recently introduced bill would require the Transportation Department to establish a test for shippers and brokers to improve safety. 

The Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act, announced July 25 by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), would apply a “safety fitness” determination test to ensure companies are licensed, registered and insured. 

“Our legislation is a common-sense measure to improve highway safety and end the confusion over motor carrier selection standards,” Fischer stated in a release. “Implementing a single, simplified federal rule will also strengthen America’s supply chain and provide much-needed clarity for the transportation sector.” 

The release notes that third-party logistics providers currently “lack a reliable national standard to determine the safety of a truck carrier.” 

A similar bill was introduced in the House in May by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).