Safer Trucking Provisions in the INVEST in America Act of 2020

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released the text of the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act.

This massive infrastructure bill includes several provisions that, if passed into law, will make trucking safer.

The Institute for Safer Trucking is supportive of these efforts and is committed to helping you learn more about these safer trucking provisions. Please contact us at contact@safertrucking.org if you have any questions.

Safer Trucks

Sec. 4404 – Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to complete a rulemaking to require newly manufactured commercial motor vehicles to have Automatic Emergency Braking systems.

Sec. 4405 – Directs the Secretary to:

o   Strengthen rear underride guard standards in newly manufactured trailers and semi-trailers,

o   Research the feasibility, benefits, and costs associated with installing side underride guards, and

o   Creates an Advisory Committee on Underride Protection.

Safer Truck Drivers

Sec. 4203 – Directs the Secretary to establish stronger reporting requirements for carriers utilizing exemptions, including requiring those seeking exemptions to Hours of Service rules to submit evidence of participation in a recognized fatigue management plan.

Sec. 4303 – Directs the Secretary to report on delays with implementation of the entry-level driver training rule.

Sec. 4304 – Directs the Secretary to collect and use data on driver detention to determine the link between detention and safety outcomes.

Sec. 4305 – Creates a Truck Leasing Task Force to examine lease and lease-purchase agreements commonly made available to truck drivers and the impacts of these captive leases on driver pay.

Sec. 4306 – Conduct a comprehensive review of waivers, exemptions, and other allowances that limit the applicability of HOS rules before finalizing recent changes to those rules.

Safer Trucking Industry

Sec. 4201 – Extend the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee through September 30, 2025.

Sec. 4202 – Directs the Secretary to:

  • Complete the revisions to CSA, FMCSA’s carrier oversight and intervention model,

  • Prioritize reinstating the public display of safety data, and

  • Finalize a safety fitness determination rule to rate the safety of carriers.

Harry AdlerInstitute for Safer Trucking