Trucking industry criticizes FMCSA nominee

Jul 27, 2009

Members of the trucking industry have spoken out against President Barack Obama's nomination of Anne S. Ferro for administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Members of the Truck Safety Coalition, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Parents Against Tired Truckers, and Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways sent a letter (.pdf file) in June to Obama criticizing his choice of Ferro, the current president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association. The letter said Ferro supported the Bush administration's federal rule raising the number of consecutive hours truck drivers can be behind the wheel. The group also questioned whether Ferro would "stay the course" by continuing policies set forth by the Bush administration.

Ferro served as Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administrator from 1997 to 2003, according to a June 4 White House press release. She also serves on a number of regional advisory committees relating to freight planning, highway safety and transportation funding.