OOIDA Call to Action - Texas Members
March 21, 2005

Heads up, Texas truckers! As a follow up to the notice you received from OOIDA this past week, it is important you also take the time to write a letter to the chairman of the state's House Law Enforcement Committee, Joe Driver, about a bill awaiting consideration before his panel that would hold suppliers of intermodal chassis responsible for their roadworthiness before they leave port.

HB1989, sponsored by Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, would require marine terminals in Texas that load and unload oceangoing vessels to check such items as brakes, suspension, tires and wheels, connecting devices, lights, and electrical system for every intermodal chassis - in essence to make sure the intermodal equipment is roadworthy when it's made available to drivers.

A similar effort in the House failed to pass from committee during the 2003 session.

OOIDA, which represents 11,500 Texas-based professional drivers, is hopeful the renewed effort combined with letters received from OOIDA members will have greater success this time around.

"Poorly maintained container chassis have long been a major problem for container haulers," said OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer. "It serves no worthwhile safety purpose to place penalties on drivers for poorly maintained container chassis. Drivers don't even lay eyes on this equipment until long after they are dispatched and in the container yard to load."

The letters received by Rep. Driver's office will be photocopied and attached to HB1989 when the committee brings it up for discussion. All letters will be read to the committee at that time.

Letters should be sent to:

Rep. Joe Driver
Chairman Law Enforcement Committee
CAP 4S.6
PO Box 2910
Austin, TX  78711