Lawmakers Crack Down Dangerous Materials Transported

May 24 - KGO (KGO) -- The impact of that tanker truck accident has lawmakers talking about new rules concerning the transport of hazardous materials.

Assemblyman Pero Nava, (D) Santa Barbara: "The overarching concern is safety to members of the public."

No one wants another devastating accident to cripple commutes on a major California freeway.

Last month's fiery crash caused by an overturned tanker in Oakland is prompting state lawmakers to crack down on drivers and companies that haul hazardous materials.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava: "In the days after April 29th, I think many of us were surprised to find out how lax the standards were."

The driver in this accident received his commercial license and hazardous certification at the same time: Eleven months before the crash. A new proposal would require drivers to have three years of accident-free experience before they're allowed to transport dangerous loads. That lag time worries some in the trucking industry.

Deborah Mattos, California Independent Oil Marketers Association: "There is a driver shortage in California. Everone needs to know that. Everybody likes to get their fuel for the vehicles, farms, hospitals and ambulances. Those are all the people we deliver fuel to."

The proposal also mandates in-person CHP inspections of trucks carrying hazardous materials every two years, doing away with the current practice of automatic stamps of approval if there had been no past problems.

Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier (D) Martinez: "The focus of this bill is on safety. Safety for the driver, for the operator, and obviously safety for all Californians."

The Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland are the three of the busiest in the country, each trucking loads of goods on highways everyday. Combine that with 22 million motorists and the odds aren't good.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava again: "Let's face it. As bad as this accident was, it could have been much worse. Fortunately, no lives were lost."

The Governor has also proposed giving the CHP $7 million dollars over two years to hire 55 more truck inspectors, helping out the current staff of 200.

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