Rep. Frank
Wolf (R-VA) has asked the U.S. Transportation Secretary to block
the creation of a pilot program that would allow drivers under
21 to operate large commercial trucks. "While I understand
the importance of the trucking industry to the U.S. economy, the
safety of the traveling public must be put first," Wolf wrote
in a July 26 letter to Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta. "I
am very concerned about such a move and ask that you take action
to prevent it."
The Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering a pilot program
that would lower the age requirement for getting a commercial
driver's license to operate large trucks from 21 to 18.
"Statistics
show that drivers in the 18-20-year-old age group are three times
as likely to be involved in a fatal crash as drivers over 21,"
Wolf wrote, citing a University of Michigan Transportation Research
Institute report.
