Making Our Roads Safer

Trash truck crews are constantly exposed to the danger of being struck as they get off and back on collection trucks to pick up trash. In 2004, PWIA launched a series of radio spots on 60 stations throughout Pennsylvania to promote safety awareness with the slogan, “Slow Down to Get Around.” The slogan encourages motorists to slow down and be careful when they pull around a stopped trash truck—or other any other kind of truck.

In 2002, PWIA worked with state agencies, legislators, and the trucking industry for passage of the Waste Transportation Safety Act. The law promotes truck safety and compliance with environmental regulations. Haulers must obtain an authorization sticker issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to transport waste to landfills and transfer stations. The law also allows DEP to review the compliance history of hauling companies, deny authorization to those with poor records, and revoke the authorizations of haulers that fail to comply with safety and environmental regulations.