Truck safety will be getting more attention in Washington, DC, this week, at a three-day hearing by the National Transportation Safety Board that starts today.

The safety board, whose recommendations have a strong influence on national safety policy, is looking for information on the characteristics of accidents and the effectiveness of safety regulation. Testimony at the April 14-16 event will come from drivers and trucking executives, as well as from regulators, industry representatives and safety advocates.
This hearing focuses on safety information, human factors and operational regulation. Another hearing tentatively scheduled for July will focus on safety technology.
The first of four panels will feature remarks by U.S. Xpress driver Marilyn Cochrane and U.S. Xpress Co-Chairman Max Fuller, as well as Freightliner President Jim Hebe. Daphne Izer of Parents Against Tired Truckers will speak on the public's fear of trucks and buses. And Julie Cirillo, newly appointed chief of the Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety, will discuss federal safety regulation.
A second panel will cover the nature of trucking today. Featured are Jim York, safety specialist with the National Private Truck Council; Todd Spencer of the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Assn.; and William Leasure of the Truck Manufacturers Assn.
Julie Cirillo will return, joining Harry Eubanks of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, for a third panel discussion of federal, state and industry oversight of safety. And a fourth panel, including Cirillo and CRASH spokesperson Joan Claybrook, will discuss future regulatory needs.