WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen road safety by requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to enact a Safety Fitness Determination test for trucking companies, as well as require manufacturers and shippers to ensure trucking companies are licensed, registered, and insured.

“The lack of uniform and enforceable federal safety standards for trucking companies puts American lives on the road at risk,” said Rep Owens. “The Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act implements effective licensing, registration, and insurance standards for trucking companies to prioritize road safety. As the first Utahn to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in over 20 years, I am proud to support this commonsense legislation and will continue working to increase transportation safety for all Americans.” 

Every year more than 100,000 truck crashes result in injury and more than 4,000 result in fatality. There are currently over 3,000,000 shippers and 20,000 third-party logistics providers (3PLs) choosing trucking companies that do not have consistent safety requirements in place to protect drivers and prevent accidents.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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