Repost Of Contact Info For Virginia Issue...

[Frederick Schaffner]

I have been asked to repost all contact info together of who we have been aggressively calling, regarding Virginia's law enforcement forcing truckers to violate HOS reg's. We encourage everyone to stand up and speak out about this very serious issue.

Virginia Departments:

Governor's Office
Tim Kaine
804-786-2211

VA DMV/Motor Carrier Services
MCSAP Administrator
804-367-0266

Secretary of Public Safety
Ms. Hazelgrove
804-786-5351

Secretary of Transportation
Ms. Evelyn Shelton or Ms. Melanie Roberts
804-786-8032

Senators of the Virginia General Assembly:
Phone Number Listing

Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly:
Phone Number Listing

Following is the Senators for all the districts along the I-81 corridor. As I locate the Delegates...I'll update this discussion.

Sen. Mark D. Obenshain [(R) District 26] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. William C. Wampler, Jr. [(R) District 40] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. Phillip P. Puckett [(D) District 38] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. Wm. Roscoe Reynolds [(D) District 20] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. John S. Edwards [(D) District 21] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. Ralph K. Smith [(R) District 22] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. [(R) District 24] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. R. Creigh Deeds [(D) District 25] ~ [phone] [phone]
Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel [(R) District 27] ~ [phone] [phone]

GHSA
Governors Highway Safety Association

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans.

GHSA
750 First St. NE, Suite 720
Washington DC 20002
202-789-0942
202-789-0946 (fax)
e-mail

Truck Safety Coalition
P.A.T.T. (Parents Against Tired Truckers) e-mail
C.R.A.S.H. (Citizens for Reliable And Safe Highways) e-mail

Truck Safety Coalition
2020 14th Street N
Suite 710
Arlington, VA 22201
[phone]
(703) 294--6406 (fax)

Following are talking points to assist you when contacting any of the above contacts.

1. Ask for the lead person in the specific agency your contacting. Example: Secretary of Public Safety Administrator Ms. Hazelgrove. Always ask for the administrator, but expect to possibly get their assistant.

2. Be clear on why you're calling. This is an issue of truckers being ticketed and forced to violate HOS regulations and drive tired by law enforcement. Impress upon the individual you're speaking with the seriousness of this issue. That a situation is being created by Virginia's law enforcement which could result in a tragic situation, and they are using a law which is incompatible with FMCSA regulations.

3. Point out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's regulation being violated. It is Part 355, Compatibility of State laws and regulations effecting interstate motor carrier operations. The state is required to review and determine whether state laws are compatible with FMCSA regulations. And in this specific case...a "Waiver of Determination" [355.25(d)] must be on file to allow the enforcement of the laws being enforced.

4. Remain respectful and don't become frustrated when ignorance is being relayed back to you in the conversation. Take whatever contact info offered and follow through with contacting the individual you are told to contact. When you do...let that individual know exactly who told you to call them.

5. This is the important part...repeat call 2 to 3 times a week. Do exactly the same thing with your communication. Make it known through this process we are not going away until they abide by the laws which are already in place, and being violated.


Virginia's enforcement of parking time limits and forcing truckers to violate HOS reg's and drive tired is an outrageous action regarding safety. For state representatives to not acknowledge this very serious situation and bring a stop to it is appalling. At the same time the state of Virginia is planning to eliminate 412 available parking spots...during a time when truck parking in the transportation industry is in extremely high demand. This will only create even more tired truckers, and citizens, to drive tired.

The State of Virginia's tag line in the major media is..."Safety is our number one priority." Well it's time the State of Virginia acts like safety is their number one priority. This serious situation must be corrected before someone gets seriously hurt, or worse...killed. This is a battle we can win. The law is very clear regarding this issue...and it's on our side.

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT OR ACCEPT WHAT COMES!!!

Safe Trails and God Bless,
-SilverSurfer-

[J.R. HORTON]

keep up the good work my who knows it just might work.
J.R. HORTON