FMCSA to Provide $180 Million in Safety Grants
The purported trucker shortage is partially fueled by the barrier of entry to becoming a trucker. It is fantastic that only the best and brightest should be allowed to operate a heavy-duty big rig, but at the same time, the trucking industry is imperative to the nation’s economic vitality. To that end, the FMCSA is issuing grants of up to $180 million dollars that will both put more truckers on the road and make our roadways safer.
Details
The five grant programs are as follows:
- The High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Grant Program funds the implementation of safety technology to commercial motor vehicles. $40,000,000 in funding.
- The High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Grant Program funds public awareness for CMV safety, which will hopefully lead to more well-behaved 4-wheeled companions on the road. Approximately $132,900,000 in funding.
- The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program funds training programs to better service members and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. $3,500,000 in funding.
- The Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant Program is to bolster the database on truckers to avoid fraud, such as someone with a DUI submitting false information to cheat the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse procedures. $84,400,000 in funding.
- The High Priority Enforcement Training and Support Grant Program provides training to state and local enforcement employees. $5,000,000 in funding.
“FMCSA’s core mission is safety. That’s a big job, and it’s one we cannot do alone,” said FMCSA Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless in a press release announcing these grants. “This grant funding is one way we bring in safety partners to help reduce crashes involving large trucks and buses. We are proud to support the critical CMV safety work happening across the country.”
Conclusion
FMCSA grant practices forbid for-profit enterprises from using the grant money for themselves, but we wanted to shine a light on these five programs because if they work, it will mean a healthier and safer trucking industry for the United States. Just the second grant, potentially leading to fewer “brake checks” on the highway by feckless sedans, is sure to be a reasonable use of taxpayer funds.
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