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PARTICIPATION
OF THE GREATEST NUMBER OF
TRUCKERS POSSIBLE IS THE KEY TO CREATING
THE IMPACT THAT WE BELIEVE CAN BE ACHIEVED.
This is a chance to
demonstrate to America and the industry that professional truckers
are capable of coming together as one to address common problems.
What
can be achieved by a collective effort of strict compliance with
the regulations?
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It is
obvious to all who are familiar with how the industry operates
that there are strong disincentives to strict compliance with
some of the regulations intended to improve commercial vehicle
safety. This ongoing culture of noncompliance has become so
ingrained in the industry that it is expected of drivers in
general as a condition of continuing employment or as a necessity
for economic survival.
One contributing factor is the impracticality
of some of those regulations themselves, particularly the
hours-of-service regulations. It is estimated that strict
compliance with hours-of-service regulations would slow the
movement of commerce by as much as 30 percent. The true effect
and therefore the impracticality of those regulations remains
hidden because of the willingness of professional drivers
to do whatever it takes to deliver that load on time.
Strict compliance will bring
to light the true impact of those regulations and aid in the
development of more practical and reasonable standards. |
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Another
factor is the outrageous amount of unproductive and uncompensated
time lost by drivers as a result of antiquated loading and
unloading systems. Studies show this system costs drivers
as much as 30 to 40 hours a week in lost productivity.
If this time is recorded in
strict compliance with the regulations, the burden will no
longer be born exclusively by drivers. The burden of lost
productivity will be shared by the industry that has and will
continue to tolerate this outrageous system for as long as
it continues to cost them very little. The burden also will
be felt very quickly by those who perpetuate this system.
Shippers and receivers will see a sudden shrinkage in transportation
capacity and delayed deliveries. |
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The
deregulated industry that has become so fiercely competitive
that it has lost control of the ability to maintain profitable
rates. Driver compensation is the primary casualty in this
ongoing war of predatory pricing. The need for economic survival
in this atmosphere places added pressure on drivers to resort
to extreme measures to increase their productivity. The willingness
to do this, however, only serves to perpetuate the problem.
Compensation levels are reduced or
held back when the supply of drivers exceeds the demand.
If the estimate of 30 percent
of extra productivity generated by the existing driver force
is correct, then strict compliance will have a significant
impact on the supply and demand situation. |
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If all
of those regulations are practical and beneficial and if the
majority of drivers support and participate in the effort,
then June 2003 should turn out to be the safest period on
record for the trucking industry.
If, on the other hand, there
is little or no significant improvement in accident statistics
then maybe, just maybe, there will be some incentive to revise
the regulations and redirect some of those huge enforcement
resources in more productive directions. |
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Finally,
June 2003 could show the public and ourselves that truckers
can unite and make a stand in order to defend their profession
and way of life.
This final item is probably
the most important of all, especially in response to those
truckers who are reluctant to participate out of fear of retribution
or intimidation by their carriers. Remember, we are not
promoting any trucker to do anything illegal. On the contrary,
our plan is to encourage truckers to be completely legal
and in compliance with the regulations. For Truck Safety Month
to make its desired point, as many truckers as possible need
to commit themselves to participating.
The
effects of this demonstrated unity have far-reaching implications
in addressing industry problems with lawmakers. |
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Show
America the
strength of its truckers!
Run compliant during June 2003.
For more information
call OOIDA at 1-800-444-5791
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