No one, especially Maine’s trucking industry, wants to do anything to decrease safety on our nation’s roads. That’s why we fully support Sen. Susan Collins’ efforts to temporarily suspend a small portion of a new rule that went into effect last year.
Unfortunately, that rule — which took effect without a proper study of the consequences — not only restricts how often a truck driver can take a break, but it’s unintentionally forcing more trucks onto the road during the morning rush hours when the risk of accidents is greater.
That doesn’t make sense.
A Sun Journal story, “Truck safety advocate criticizes Collins” (Dec. 11), suggests Sen. Collins doesn’t care about safety. That’s simply not true. Public policy needs to be driven by facts, not emotion.
Sen. Collins understands that the trucking industry does not object to being reasonably regulated. That’s why she has made a common-sense proposal to allow the industry to temporarily go back to operating under rules that had already dramatically improved safety while the U.S. Department of Transportation conducts a proper study.
We can and should work together to do all we can to keep our roads as safe as possible.
Brian Parke, Brunswick
President and CEO, Maine Motor Transport Association
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