Trucking Advocacy in Action
We believe hard-working truckers deserve honor and respect – both on the road and in Washington.
Advocating for Truckers and Customers
At Advantage Transportation, our top priority is delivering freight for our customers on time, safely, and cost-effectively – while maintaining the highest standards of driver safety and industry integrity.
To help support these goals, Derek Roberts, CFO of Advantage Transportation, has proudly served as a board member of the Utah Trucking Association (UTA) for several years. Through this involvement, we gain valuable insights and ideas that enhance our service, improve safety, and keep us at the forefront of trucking industry trends.
Taking Utah Trucking to Washington
The UTA is affiliated with the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the national organization that advocates in Washington DC for policies that strengthen the trucking industry and support the hard-working truckers who help keep the US economy moving. As part of that mission, Derek joined a delegation April 8-10, 2025, visiting every office in the Utah congressional delegation. We met directly with US Senators, Representatives, and staff to discuss critical issues affecting our truckers and the trucking industry.
Key Legislative Issues in Trucking
1. CDL Pilot Program Expansion for Young Drivers
Support for expanding programs allowing younger drivers (ages 18-20) to operate commercial vehicles across state lines after completing rigorous training.
2. Rescinding the Federal Excise Tax (FET)
Advocacy to eliminate the 12% federal excise tax on the purchase of new trucks and trailers – encouraging fleet modernization and improving environmental and safety standards.
3. Lawsuit Reform and Nuclear Verdict Protection
Support for legislation aimed at curbing excessive and fraudulent lawsuits that drive up insurance premiums and threaten small carriers.
4. Truck Parking Expansion & Safety Grants
Support for federal investment in safe and accessible truck parking facilities nationwide. Learn more about the Truck Parking Crisis on American Trucking Associations’ website.
5. Increased Flexibility in Hours of Service (HOS) Rules
Requests for common-sense flexibility to allow drivers to rest when they need to, rather than following rigid hour caps.
6. Combating Staged Accidents & Insurance Fraud
Push for tougher penalties and investigations into organized fraud rings targeting commercial vehicles. The Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act would make engineering such accidents a federal crime.
7. Supply Chain Resilience and Port Modernization
Advocating for improvements in infrastructure and port systems to reduce bottlenecks and enhance freight flow.
8. Driver Workforce Development Initiatives
Support for grants, training programs, and outreach to recruit and retain a strong, professional trucking workforce.
Whatever Happens,
We Will Keep On Truckin'
Our experience has shown that this advocacy work makes a real difference. Just the day after returning home to Salt Lake City after this trip, Derek was extremely pleased to learn that one of the US Representatives we met with had already added his name to 3 of the bills we’d discussed with him during this trip. To learn more about Derek’s trip to DC, stay tuned for our upcoming blog article. If you’re ready to work with a family-run freight shipping business willing to fight for trucker safety and fair pricing for customers, complete an instant free quote to get started.
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