A recent proposal to add mandated underride guards on all sides of commercial motor vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds has raised the concern of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), who dismiss the proposal as unnecessary, inefficient and costly.
It is not the first time the effort has been made — a similar proposal was launched last year, and was just as vigorously opposed by the OOIDA. Past efforts concluded the costs often outweighed any gains, and the OOIDA says such requirements would bring little to no safety benefits for the trucks that could actually host them, but would cost truckers billions of dollars to comply. To that end, they have peppered elected officials with letters opposing the change.
“Nothing has changed over these years,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “Proponents of this effort have given little consideration to the impact that front and side underride guards would have on the daily operations of truckers,” said Spencer. “Truck drivers would face serious challenges navigating grade crossings, high curbs and numerous other road conditions. Additionally, no front underride equipment is currently on the market because the concept lacks any practicality.”
Not all parts of the proposals have raised OOIDA concern, however. H.R. 1511 and S. 665 seek to update regulations on rear underride guards and the OOIDA has agreed that efforts could be made in that area.
“We agree that the underride guards on the backs of trailers could be improved,” Spencer said. “But the proposals as written go too far in broadly, retroactively requiring them on all trucks and trailers. Trucking is a diverse industry and such devices just simply can’t be attached to all types of equipment.”