The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its heavy-duty affiliate association, the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), lauded Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) for re-introducing the Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act of 2009 (H.R. 2024) on April 22.
The measure would provide tax credits to help facilitate the accelerated adopting of advanced safety systems for commercial vehicles.
The bill includes the following technologies: electronic brake stroke monitoring systems: vehicle stability systems (electronic stability control and roll stability control) lane departure warning systems (with blind spot detection); and collision warning systems (with adaptive cruise control).
The legislation will encompass both the original equipment (OE) and aftermarket installation of these safety systems. It also would:
- Create a tax credit for fleet owners, valued at 50 percent of the retail cost of the system with a maximum of $1,500 per technology;
- Allow fleets to purchase multiple technologies, but limit the total amount of tax credit permissible to $3,500 per vehicle.
- Allow the overall tax credit for each truck owner or trucking company of up to $350,000 per year for all covered technology purchases.
“These tax credits will provide the necessary incentive for heavy duty vehicle operators, especially those that are small to medium-sized companies and independent owner operators to purchase and install these safety-enhancing technologies in order to protect against traffic fatalities and injuries,” said Tim Kraus, HDMA’s president and chief operating officer.
Thompson and Davis were joined by 10 other original co-sponsors. H.R. 2024 will make a wider range of safety equipment more affordable in order to meet heavy duty vehicle owners and fleet’s specific needs.
“Safety on our nation’s highways has always been one of my primary concerns. With over 9 million large trucks and over 830,000 buses registered in the United States, accidents involving commercial vehicles continue to be a problem. Safety technologies can work hand in hand with regular safety enforcement in further reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. This legislation will provide the necessary incentives in installing these devices on large trucks, transit and school buses to help protect the commuting public,” said Thompson.
According to the Department of Transportation, there were more than 4,800 fatalities and 101,000 injuries in accidents involving heavy duty vehicles on U.S. highways in 2007.
Kraus stated that a 2006 study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identified specific causes for heavy vehicle crashes. The study found that rear end collisions, side swipe accidents, running off the road or out of the lane, and brake problems account for more than 60 percent of the total large vehicle accidents. Kraus also noted that heavy duty vehicle suppliers are currently manufacturing technologies that address these specific types of accidents.
“We commend Reps. Thompson and Davis for their understanding and leadership on this important issue,” Kraus said. “We urge all members to support this critical bill. These technologies will have a tremendous positive impact in ensuring the safety of the traveling public.”