Letter to the Editor: Tax Benefits

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>It is traditional for trucking to oppose increases in motor fuel taxes. Nevertheless, it is worth considering whether the 2-cent-a-year increase being proposed deserves a second look.

Here’s why: First, the proposal intends to raise spending on highway improvements up to the level the Transportation Department says is really necessary to eliminate congestion, add capacity and make other system upgrades. Second, making these changes will help eliminate the 30% or so of fatalities that occur because of poor road conditions. Third, there are benefits for the trucking industry from faster travel times and less congestion.

With just-in-time manufacturing converting trucks into mobile warehouses, do you want to sit in congestion, using up valuable hours-of-service time while getting nowhere? The benefits in terms of safety and efficiency may just make it worth it for ATA and other trucking associations to at least talk to us instead of simply saying no.

I>Executive Director

aryland Highway Contractors Association

len Burnie, Md.

This article appeared in the the Jan. 6 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.