WASHINGTON - Noting that the truck is "critical to the health of our national economy" Transport Secretary Ray LaHood praised the industry for its efforts in the field of security and technology, and urged that the government and private companies to consider "all options and develop a plan to finance the improvement of infrastructure .
LaHood comments came in a speech to the American Trucking Associations' Board of February 24 here.
He said that the management of the driver's truck industry has long been working with the government to solve the problems of transport.
"I can think of no better example than in vehicle safety," said LaHood, noting that the government had reason to promote the commercial transportation will be more secure.
"In each of the last three years, our nation has achieved a significant reduction in the number of deaths related to the truck," he said, adding that at the same time, more and more truck drivers had a safety belt.
In 2004, less than 50 percent of truck drivers had a safety belt, and now the figure is 72 percent, he said.
The Secretary said that he expects the industry to continue to invest in "smart" that new technologies, such as increasing the security front and side collision warning systems, that the alley exit and electronic stability, the factors that the industry is also listed as a contribution to reducing the number of deaths related to the truck.
Security is one of the four areas of emphasis LaHood said that together with the Congress during his confirmation hearings.
The other was the economic, livability and sustainability.
Quality of life includes improving the quality of life for drivers of trucks, LaHood.
"I fear that last year nearly 73,000 jobs have been lost trucks," said LaHood. "In the third quarter of 2008, only 785 trucks running a business with approximately 39,000 truck fleet out of business."
As for the financing of roads, LaHood said the country must be "innovative".
"The charges for me, and privatization is part of the solution, but above all to support this new building," he said. "Taxes on fuel could also be part of the range, but we have to consider all the options and develop a comprehensive, viable plan."
He said:
• medicine, which combines the rules for the certification of medical and commercial licenses came into force on 30 January, as planned
• New sections on the revision was authorized to proceed as planned and entered into force on 17 February. LaHood, he said that many on board were interested in strengthening the knowledge aspect of the principle of federal safety standards for new airlines to operate, and the body, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering the frequency of issue
• Intermodal chassis section is progressing and will be effective June 17,
• Electronic Recorder board principle that was at the Office of Management and Budget in the direction of the White House, was referred to, is still under review.
"We want to ensure that (EOBR rule) is the best rule we can close," said LaHood, promising that the Board will hear more in the country after being informed of the policy options.
LaHood said that the national government drug and alcohol test database is moving forward and to give notice of proposed regulations this year.
He said that the project was also in the upcoming reauthorization debate.
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