Bridging the Gap Between Law Enforcement and Trucking

By Mark Savage, ATA Law Enforcement Advisory Board Chairman; Director of Connected Truck Solutions for Drivewyze, by Fleetworthy

If you watch old-time trucking movies like “Smokey and the Bandit,” law enforcement and trucking are depicted as compatible as oil and water. And, for a long while, that wasn’t far from the truth.

Today, we're witnessing a transformative shift in the trucking industry. Drivers, fleets and law enforcement have not only gotten to know each other better but have also fostered improved collaboration. This dynamic shift in how we work together promises to create safer roadways for everyone involved.

Helping drive this change is a group called the American Trucking Association’s (ATA) Law Enforcement Advisory Board (LEAB). Formed in 2021, LEAB advises the ATA federation on strategies to grow and strengthen relationships between the trucking industry and law enforcement organizations across the country. The 27-person group consists of ATA members with previous experience in federal, state or local law enforcement. The group has a diverse mix of people currently working in the private sector, state trucking associations and law enforcement. This allows us to discuss several key issues our industry faces with varying perspectives on solutions and how we can best address them. Everyone on this board volunteers their time and has a shared mission of wanting to see our roadways become safer.

LEAB meets every two months to discuss topics and current issues, and leadership frequently meets with ATA to advise and consult on issues. We also talk with state trucking associations to address issues at the local level.

So, what are the hot topics LEAB is working to address?

Safe Parking Shortage

Safe parking has been and continues to be a big concern, so efforts in that area are ongoing. It’s a top issue on our list, but I’m happy to report that the U.S. Department of Transportation recently provided $300 million to bolster commercial motor vehicle parking in seven states.

Still, more needs to be done. The parking problem can’t be underestimated. Trucks still park on the sides of on/off ramps because no spaces are available. This creates a security and safety problem, and it’s especially problematic for female drivers. In addition, it can lead to cargo theft.

Cargo Theft

Cargo theft continues to be a significant and complex issue in our industry. It’s vastly underreported, but we know the cost is in the billions annually. Technology advancements are helping curtail the problem, but cargo theft can start on the brokerage side and hit at a terminal or occur on the road.

Human Trafficking

While groups such as TAT (formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking) are making great strides in helping to identify and report traffickers (TAT has trained more than 1.9 million trucking professionals), trafficking is still an ongoing problem. TAT has been instrumental in raising awareness within the trucking industry and empowering drivers to be vigilant against human trafficking.

However, the scale and complexity of the problem mean we need continued dedication and collaboration across various sectors. It’s essential to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the causes and contributing factors to eradicate human trafficking from its roots. In the coming year, the LEAB will explore various opportunities that will address the problem.

One significant change that has helped create more teamwork between fleets and law enforcement is technology. The new tools available now really help fleets, which in turn help law enforcement. Younger drivers and those working with fleets are especially tech savvy and not intimidated by trying something new.

Take weigh station bypass services, for example. When that was first introduced to the industry, many old-school law enforcement officers weren’t so sure about weigh station bypass technology or how it could help at weigh stations. Officers wanted to inspect vehicles and didn’t want to bypass any trucks. But they’ve come around to understand how weigh station bypass allows them to spend more time inspecting vehicles that truly do need inspecting.

Now more than ever before, the private sector, law enforcement and other stakeholders are coming together to work through the challenges faced by the commercial trucking industry. We all want safer roads and a stronger industry for all, and the collaborative efforts through LEAB are helping make that happen.