The Michigan State Senate has recognized OOIDA's June Safety Month effort, adopting a resolution that designates June 2003 as National Truck Safety Month. The resolution, Senate Resolution 100, was introduced by Sen. Jud Gilbert of the 25th District.
The resolution was suggested by OOIDA’s Bob Esler, a resident of Taylor, MI. Esler is the executive secretary of OOIDA, an office he has held since 1983. He’s been a member of OOIDA since 1980.
Sen. Gilbert offered the following resolution designating the month of June 2003 as Michigan Truck Safety Month:
“Whereas, over two million long-haul trucks and 138 million automobiles share our nation’s highways each day; and
“Whereas, the loss of more than 5,000 lives each year in accidents involving large trucks raises important safety issues; and
“Whereas, truckdrivers, who experience more workplace fatalities than any other single occupation, are acutely aware of their responsibility to contribute to highway safety; and
“Whereas, long-haul truckers serve vital business just-in-time delivery schedules at great personal sacrifice, including driving at all times of the day and night and under adverse weather, road and delivery conditions; and
“Whereas, our state and national economies depend upon our long-haul truckers, who deliver 71 percent of the dollar value of freight hauled in the United States; and
“Whereas, truck safety has become the highest priority of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and the federal government invests nearly $200 million in truck safety enforcement activities each year; and
“Whereas, truckdrivers across the country have committed themselves to make June a model month for compliance with the truck safety rules; now, therefore, be it
“Resolved by the Senate, that we designate the month of June 2003 as Michigan Truck Safety Month; and be it further
“Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) as evidence of our appreciation for their efforts in promoting highway safety awareness.”
