On July 22, Senator Frank Lautenberg, D-NJ, introduced a new bill aimed at updating and transforming the United States’ freight transportation infrastructure. The Focusing Resources, Economic Investment and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2010, or FREIGHT Act (S. 3629) would create:

Depending on whom you talk to, the new Motor Carrier Protection Act is either an example of true compromise and collaboration — or a significant threat to all small brokers.

Background

For many people, we have learned and heard about etiquette since our youth. Don’t chew with your mouth open, hold the door open for other people, cross your legs, say “please” and “thank you,” etc. These rules for public behavior have been drilled into our heads, but it seems like technology has turned the rules for basic manners on their head.  

Last week, I wrote about Brandon Farmer’s drunken ride on the back of a tractor-trailer. After traveling 17 miles on top of the truck, Farmer was eventually arrested and fined for his actions. When discussing the case, a representative from the sheriff’s office in Washington Court House, Ohio — where the joy ride began — was asked whether any charges were possible against the driver who unknowingly carried Farmer on his grain-hauler’s ladder.

These days, it seems like everyone is jumping on the social networking bandwagon.