The Transportation Intermediaries Association and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have joined together to support new legislation to fight fraud in trucking

Media Contact: Wally Weart 303-953-9295
E-mail: weart@tianet.org
Website: www.tianet.org

The Transportation Intermediaries Association and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have joined together in supporting S. 3483 (the “Motor Carriers Protection Act of 2010”), which would address issues of fraud that plague the marketplace. The bill was introduced on June 11 by Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Both organizations felt that a united approach was required to correct problems with unscrupulous operators who victimized both brokers and carriers. Past discussions with Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-4th/OR), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, led both groups to find a shared solution to the problems that members of both organizations were experiencing. “This was a far better approach than attempting to influence legislation and possibly having a solution dictated that would not be in the best interests of either group,” said TIA president and CEO Robert Voltmann.

“Few of the provisions in the Snow-Klobuchar Bill are new. Most exist in federal regulations. Unfortunately, these basic economic regulations were ignored by the Clinton and Bush Administrations. The result has been the growth of crooks that operate unchecked, broker surety companies that offer no surety, carriers that re-broker freight without permission or license, and undercapitalized companies that are ill prepared for the modern transportation marketplace,” Voltmann added.

“Brokers, forwarders, owner-operators, and carriers need each other, and the speed of today’s logistics marketplace means that companies must be able to reasonably rely on representations made in the terms of their agreement. Unfortunately, the seeping encroachment of fraudulent operations have left the legitimate industry vulnerable. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Owner-Operator and Independent Drivers Association to fight industry fraud so that our members can continue to grow their family businesses,” Voltmann said.