Heads up — Congress is being told to stop talking and start putting truck drivers first. 🚛🛣️
Today the OOIDA showed up at the Senate Surface Transportation Subcommittee and made it plain: when lawmakers write the next highway bill, they need to lock in the stuff that helps drivers — not just nice words. Lewie Pugh, OOIDA’s EVP, said the U.S. Department of Transportation’s nine driver-focused initiatives announced last month are a good start, but Congress has to put those priorities into federal law.
What that means for us on the road: these talks could shape pay, parking, inspections, enforcement and even which lanes get fixed first. If Congress backs the DOT push, we could see more funding and protections aimed at real driver problems — and if they don’t, those initiatives might never make it to the cab. 💰🅿️
Big takeaways drivers should watch:
- 🅿️ Truck parking & rest area funding could get attention — fewer nights spent hunting for a safe spot.
- ⚖️ Rules and enforcement changes could affect inspections and compliance (so keep your logs and rig tight).
- 💵 Anything that strengthens driver-focused policy can influence pay and lane stability over time.
- ⛽ Infrastructure and highway funding decisions impact fuel access and route reliability — which hits your bottom line.
OOIDA pushed hard at the hearing for Congress to “match” DOT’s priorities with real highway legislation — not just promises. Translation: keep an eye on the reauthorization language that comes out of Congress. That’s where driver protections and funding actually happen.
Want to make your voice count? Keep tabs on updates, talk to your reps, and share what matters most on your lanes. 👍
Share your take — what driver issue should be at the top of the next highway bill?
#Truckers #OOIDA #RoadSafety #Freight