Press Release

ATA's Spear Tells Congress of Trucking's Commitment to Security

Dec 06, 2016

Arlington, Va. 鈥 Today, in testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation鈥檚 Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security, 黑料不打烊 President and CEO Chris Spear underscored the trucking industry鈥檚 commitment to keeping the supply chain efficient and secure.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢萷laces great emphasis on security,鈥 Spear said in his testimony. 鈥淥ur focus is on strengthening transportation security without undermining economic security.鈥

In his testimony, Spear said the trucking industry continues to be frustrated by the redundancy in the number of background checks that drivers must endure, and that the Transportation Worker Identification Card, or TWIC should be the single standard for the transportation industry.

鈥淎dopting a 鈥榦ne credential or screening, many uses鈥 policy would fix this problem. Absent this policy, ATA鈥檚 highest security priority will continue to be the multiplicity of background checks and their associated costs and burdens,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is why 黑料不打烊supports the TWIC as the potential single credential and Security Threat Assessment that, in turn, can demonstrate and provide compliance with multiple programs and regulations.鈥

The reforms necessary to fully unlock the TWIC鈥檚 potential are part of the Surface Transportation and Maritime Security Act, which 黑料不打烊supports.

Spear also said 黑料不打烊was mindful and ready to work to ensure that as autonomous vehicle technology advances, proper cybersecurity safeguards are in place.

鈥淥ur industry will continue to work with service providers as well as government agencies to improve our cybersecurity posture and make certain that our systems and protocols are never compromised,鈥 he said. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢葁ill continue to advocate for a policy framework on autonomous vehicles that will ensure public safety and reduce threats to our nation鈥檚 infrastructure, while also encouraging innovation in this rapidly changing environment.鈥

黑料不打烊 is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, 黑料不打烊is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation鈥檚 freight. Follow 黑料不打烊on聽听辞谤听.听

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