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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
CVSA – The Ultimate Partnership
Whether you are in enforcement, industry, safety advocacy, government regulation, security, public sector or private sector, you will not succeed in our common goal of providing for safety and security in commercial motor vehicle operations without effective partnerships. In many ways CVSA may very well be the ultimate partnership as it brings together the resources of enforcement, engineering, education, industry, safety advocates and more to collaborate on a common goal of reducing commercial motor vehicle involvement in traffic crashes. More about that later. We can all think of many examples of partnerships that we have developed and nurtured throughout the course of our professional careers in commercial vehicle enforcement and safety. For example in the Midwest/Great Lakes region, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio have formed a regional partnership for sharing information and best practices and planning and executing cooperative joint enforcement operations. The result of this multi-state partnership is a synergistic impact each state could not achieve individually. In Michigan we have two commercial vehicle related partnerships that have been especially successful. The Michigan Truck Safety Commission (MTSC), created in 1988 brings together industry, education, engineering, enforcement and the general public in a unique partnership that promotes truck safety through a combination of education and enforcement. For more infor-
mation about this one-of-a-kind partnership please visit the MTSC website at www.truckingsafety.org. Another partnership we are particularly proud of in Michigan is the Michigan State Police/Michigan Department of Transportation Commercial Vehicle Strategy Team. Developed in October 2006, the CVST has been highly successful in enhancing communication, collaboration and cooperation between MSP and MDOT to levels never previously imag-
reducing CMV involved crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The sharing of ideas, information and best practices by the members and staff at CVSA is invaluable. The collaborative and unified voice of CVSA on major issues such as UCR and reauthorization is priceless. Yes, CVSA is truly a partnership on international levels that has and will continue to make a difference. What is it that makes CVSA the ultimate partnership? It is the mem-
CVSA brings together the resources of enforcement, engineering, education, industry, safety advocates and more to collaborate on a common goal of reducing commercial motor vehicle involvement in traffic crashes ined. The CVST, comprised of staff and field representatives from both agencies, meets quarterly. The real benefit of the CVST partnership is that both agencies now understand each other’s policies, procedures and limitations. Because of this partnership, both agencies are now more willing to share information and resources to achieve their common goal of enhancing commercial vehicle safety and security and better protect Michigan’s highway infrastructure. So what does all this have to do with CVSA? CVSA is the ultimate partnership in the world of commercial vehicle safety. CVSA brings together partners from state, local, and federal enforcement to work with industry, safety advocates, and others toward a mutual goal of
bers and staff. The strength of CVSA is dependent on active involvement of its members on the alliance’s standing committees and special ad hoc work groups. It has been an honor for me to partner with CVSA and its members for the past 14 years. CVSA is a great organization and a great partnership. Please keep CVSA strong and relevant by getting actively involved at the conferences, at the regional meetings, at the working committees, and by effectively deploying the principles, policies, and procedures of your alliance at the roadside.
Capt. Robert R. Powers, Michigan State Police, (Retired)
CVSA’s Guardian welcomes your letters and comments. To submit a letter, send an email to communications@cvsa.org or write to CVSA, c/o Guardian, 6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 310, Greenbelt, MD 20770-6319.
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