Senator Introduces Truck Safety Act
Last week, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the S. 1739, the “Truck Safety Act.” The bill would require employers to pay truck operators for all hours worked, compared to the current standard of permile pay. Additionally, the bill would double the required minimum insurance for motor carriers to $1.5 million.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began work last year on a rule that could increase current liability minimums. The comment period has closed and the public awaits a notice of proposed rulemaking, which will outline the specific details and amount increases. The per-mile based pay system, builds upon a proposed offer by the Obama Administration, which was included in the White House’s highway bill proposals the last two years.
The bill also would require a rulemaking that all new trucks be equipped with collision avoidance systems and require FMCSA and NHTSA to finish their joint rule to mandate speed limiters on heavy trucks.
