TheTrucker.com - Safety system tax incentive bill draws support of manufacturers

North America's top providers of on-board commercial vehicle safety systems have come out in support of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Advanced Safety Technology Tax Act of 2011, introduced recently by Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Ky., and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif.

The bill, HR 1706, would provide an income tax credit for proven advanced safety technologies to owners of commercial trucks, buses and commercial motor vehicle fleets.

“We strongly support the introduction of this legislation and would like to thank the congressmen for their continued efforts in advocating for commercial vehicle safety technologies,” Jon Morrison, president and general manager of Meritor WABCO.

“This bill will assist carriers and owner operators to specify safety technologies needed to prevent thousands of crashes annually involving commercial vehicles. Highways would be safer for fleet drivers and passenger car drivers alike.”

Fred Andersky, director of marketing-controls at Bendix Commercial Vehicles System, expressed his company's support.

“We are in support of this type of legislation because it really helps get these safety technologies in the hands of truck fleets and owner-operators,” Andersky said. “Not only does it benefit fleets and contractors, it also benefits all of us who use the roads because it helps improve safety and these technologies certainly do that.”

Andersky also noted the benefit of on-board technologies in the CSA environment where fleets and drivers have become more aware of the importance of BASIC scores.

The proposed bill facilitates the accelerated development and deployment of advanced safety systems by providing tax credits to purchasers of commercial vehicles of up to $1,500 per safety system and $3,500 per vehicle.

The tax credit cannot exceed $350,000 annually per taxpayer.