OOIDA Call to Action – Tennessee Members
Sept. 10, 2003

Attention: Tennessee truckers! You need to contact your elected state officials about a recommendation that would lower the interstate speed limit for trucks.

The Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board is proposing dropping the maximum speed for semis to 55 mph, down from 70 mph, to reduce the amount of ozone-causing compounds going into the air. The panel’s effort also suggests banning truckers from idling engines for long periods.

The board is trying to bring Tennessee into compliance with federal air quality rules that take effect in 2005.

It’s not a bill yet, but it very well could be when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said, “Tennessee truckers should embrace this discussion as an opportunity to get better acquainted with state lawmakers.”

Your state representative and senator’s contact information is available at www.legislature.state.tn.us/. For each official, click on the “House” and “Senate” links at left, then on “Members,” and scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see the yellow box asking for your home county. You can also call OOIDA’s membership department at 1-800-444-5791 and they’ll look it up.