Legislation

TRAA Legislative Workshop a Virtual Success By Brian J. Riker

espite the restrictions imposed due to the continuing pandemic the Towing and Recovery Association of America’s Third Annual Legislative Workshop was a huge success. Done virtually March14th this year via Zoom the atmosphere was different but the impact was even greater than in 2020 when their group was the last public group inside the Capitol Building when the decision was made to close the Capitol to visitors on March 12, 2020. Meeting with over 45 members of Congress representing 13 states as well as both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Commerce Committee the towing industry had their collective voice heard on key legislative issues with a national impact. This is critical for the future of the

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industry and couldn’t be accomplished without the support and participation of the membership. Next year the TRAA hopes to have members from all 50 states attend an in-person event in Washington DC to speak on behalf of the entire industry. The issue with the greatest impact to the tower is roadside safety. Although all 50 states have some form of a slow down move over law we all know these laws are ineffective if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let alone tow trucks. This is why TRAA is working with legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as in both the House and Senate to address roadside safety with a strong push to have language included in the soon to be introduced Highway Bill or other infrastructure