On March 14, 2017, CVSA Vice President Capt. Christopher Turner of the Kansas Highway Patrol testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, on “Continuing to Improve Truck Safety on Our Nation’s Highways.”
The hearing included panelists from government, academia and industry, including:
- Christopher A. Hart, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board
- Paul P. Jovanis, Professor Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University; Chair, Transportation Research Board Committee
- Jerry Moyes, Chairman Emeritus, Swift Transportation
- Adrian Lund, President, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
CVSA’s written testimony centered on three important issues: advocating for full FAST Act authorized funding for state safety and enforcement programs, highlighting CVSA’s opposition to legislative exemptions and asking for congressional action to improve motorcoach safety. Capt. Turner provided committee members with an overview of the challenges facing local and state law enforcement in an uncertain funding environment. Using the Kansas Highway Patrol as an example, Capt. Turner described the potential consequences of job loss and cuts to outreach and educational programs should states lose a portion of MCSAP funding this fiscal year.
A recording of the hearing can be accessed here.