Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/47076
Trucking groups find solidarity on truck weight T he American Trucking Associa- tions board of directors Oct. 18 voted to expand ATA's policy on truck productivity to endorse an op- tion for an 88,000-pound five-axle combination with enhanced braking capability. ATA's policy since 2006 has been to support 97,000-pound six-axle combinations, and the asso- ciation also favors harmonization of regulations governing longer-combi- nation vehicles. In a directly related action, the Truckload Carriers Association's board approved a two-tiered truck productivity policy that supports 88,000 pounds on five axles as well as 97,000 pounds on six axles. "The trucking industry, like any family, sometimes takes awhile to reach a consensus, but we're happy that we have been able to bring our respective policies on truck produc- tivity in line," said ATA President Bill Graves. "It is critical that we pe- tition our elected leaders with one voice, and this brings us closer to our industry unity." "Considering all of the challeng- es we face as an industry, it should always be our priority to find com- mon ground on as many issues as possible," said TCA President Chris Burruss. monitoring and enforcement activ- ities can ensure program compli- ance. The OIG will also measure if program participants are a represen- tative and adequate sample of Mex- ican carriers that would seek cross- border operations. All trucks that participate in the program will carry GPS-capable elec- tronic onboard recorders to ensure hours-of-service compliance and to monitor trucks to and from assigned U.S. destinations. Also, FMCSA will review the driv- ing records of each driver and re- quire U.S. labs to analyze all drug testing samples before that driver re- ceives approval. Read more about © 2011 CAT Scale Company Like us on Facebook. The CAT Scale Guarantee at www.catscaleguarantee.com. Circle 300 on Reader Service Card or visit truckersnews.hotims.com DECEMBER 2011 TRUCKERS NEWS 15 Studies have shown that more productive trucks are safer, more ef- ficient and "greener" than conven- tional combinations without caus- ing more wear and tear on roads, We've Got Your Back. ® AVERY VISE said new ATA Chairman Dan Eng- land. "Now that we and TCA have come together on this issue, we're in a better position to continue to make that case to policymakers." Guaranteed Accurate Weights At CAT Scale, we stand behind our weights. Period. The next time you need to weigh, look for the black and gold sign and get weights you can trust. " I weighed on a CAT Scale in Pennsylvania; got down to Texas and they wrote me a $455 ticket. I proved them wrong, but they wouldn't listen to me. We got ahold of CAT Scale and they took care of it – paid the whole $455. CAT Scale backed me up. I'll go back to CAT Scale; no doubt about it! – Rocky Kentucky "