Chairman's Message

Happy New Year!

The New Year is here and for those of us in trucking, we enter the time of the year that really offers up the most challenges. Weather throughout the country gets dicey and we all know what that does to the OTR trucking operation and bottom line, not to mention the stress it puts on our drivers. Now more than ever, I encourage IMTA members to take the extra time and effort needed to ensure that our drivers are always encouraged to operate in the safest manner. Often, that means parking the truck and riding out the storm, which is never fun for anyone, but always the best course of action. I wish everyone in the trucking industry the best of luck over the upcoming months as we all navigate this challenging environment.

And while we are on the subject of challenging environments, this time of year is also when our state legislature convenes and while some would say this is not as challenging as driving a big rig in a snowstorm, there are certainly different storms brewing at the State Capitol.

Legislative leaders and our Governor are taking bold steps to create a pro-business environment and we must continue to show our support for their efforts. Trucking was specifically mentioned in the Governor’s Condition of the State speech when she urged lawmakers to address a legal system that is awarding millions of dollars in damages without regard to the consequences. She called for reasonable caps on non-economic damages for trucking accidents.

The Governor’s comments were a big deal and clearly sets her expectations and support for tort reform. It was also a very visible show of support for our continued efforts to get lawsuit abuse legislation passed. We are extremely grateful for the Governor’s support.

Even with the Governor’s support this will not be an easy effort. While Republicans have a majority in both the House and Senate, the Republican trial attorneys will never support this legislation along with a handful of other Republicans that aren’t supportive for various reasons. We will, however, continue to be relentless in our efforts to get the votes needed in the House and hopefully see these important reforms become reality. We are offering up solid legislation that has been passed in other states. Just last year, Texas passed legislation that is very similar to what we are trying to get done.

As of the writing of this column, this legislation is specific to commercial motor vehicles (identical to last year). There are a lot of commercial motor vehicles in the state that are represented beyond the IMTA membership. I am sure you know folks that fall into that category. One of the ways you can help with this legislative effort is to reach out to the small business owners, local grain elevators, farming operations and every person that you know that operates a commercial motor vehicle. Tell them about this important legislation and harness their support. We need their voice. We need the communicating with legislators. We need their help. IMTA has made lawsuit abuse a top priority based on feedback from the members. And while our work at the Capitol is important, we are offering up additional assistance in this area too. IMTA has contracted with one of the top experts in the nation to provide tactical litigation training. Dr. Bill Kanasky with Courtroom Sciences has assisted with deposition preparation and provided guidance to help folks be prepared for possible litigation. I have had the pleasure of sitting through one of his sessions and it was not only the most educational session I had attended but also the most compelling. The trucking industry is being

I HAVE HAD THE targeted by plaintiff attorneys and we PLEASURE OF SITTING must fight back. The best way to do THROUGH ONE OF HIS that is to be educated and informed. SESSIONS AND IT WAS IMTA is offering a once in a lifetime NOT ONLY THE MOST educational opportunity and there is no excuse for anyone to miss out. The EDUCATIONAL SESSION initial sessions are being offered in a I HAD ATTENDED BUT virtual platform and then in April there

ALSO THE MOST will be a 2-day, in-person event that will

COMPELLING. offer up even more extensive training. Yes, there is a fee associated with this training, but it pales in comparison to what it could potentially cost you when you are sitting across from a plaintiff attorney. This is yet another storm we are facing right now and like the way we approach the winter months in trucking, we simply need to get out there and get the job done. I am counting on you to join me in this fight.

BRENDA DITTMER BRENDA NEVILLE IMTA’s Chairman of the Board IMTA President & CEO