Calls to Action, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

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Call To Action

New Jersey

OOIDA Call to Action – New Jersey members
June 24, 2009

Heads up, New Jersey truckers! Your state Assembly member needs to hear from you NOW about an effort that continues to get more bizarre the longer that it's discussed.

The full Assembly could take up for consideration as soon as Thursday, June 25, a bill that would permit police to pull over truck drivers and others whose vehicles are not cleared of snow and ice.

S520 would make drivers responsible for making "all reasonable efforts to remove accumulated ice or snow" from the hood, trunk and roof of the motor vehicle, truck cab, trailer or intermodal freight container.

It is important to point out to your lawmaker the near impossibility of complying with such a rule, which requires people to climb atop large vehicles to remove snow or ice.

The bill has several provisions attached to it that are not sensible. One provision states that drivers would not be liable for snow or ice that accumulates on a vehicle while out on the road if they are traveling to a location with snow and ice removal equipment or technology, provided they have not already passed such a location prior to being stopped.

The bill also specifies that drivers would not be liable for snow or ice accumulated while the vehicle, trailer, or container was not in their possession.

To make matters worse, removed from the bill was a provision requiring the state to build snow removal facilities for trucks at state-run weigh stations. Instead, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority would be responsible for adding facilities at locations along the roadways. Apparently, truckers headed east or west had better keep a shovel handy.

If the Assembly approves the bill, it would move to the Senate for final approval. That would clear the path for the bill to head to the governor.

To voice concerns about the bill - S520, click here to scroll to find your district. Click on your district, and your lawmakers' names will appear. You can also call the OOIDA Membership Department at 800-444-5791 and they will look up the information for you.

An e-mail and a phone call could do wonders to head off this misguided effort!