In 1946, then President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 creating our nation’s system of interstate highways.  In recognition of the men and women who work in the transportation industry, in 1957, Congress declared the third Friday in May as “National Defense Transportation Day.”  In 1962, Congress then declared that the week during which that Friday falls be designated as “National Transportation Week.”  During the month of May, we will be celebrating all things trucking in a two part series.  

I take great pride in representing truck drivers, trucking companies, and other commercial transportation interests.   The transportation industry is a vital function of our infrastructure.  Indeed, the importance of the trucking industry is best illustrated by the adage “if you bought it, a truck brought it.”  I am sure many of us remember the bare shelves following Hurricane Florence when trucks were unable to reach our area and replenish supply.  Our economy depends on the trucking industry.  

Truck drivers are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate most commercial vehicles.  Interstate drivers must abide by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations which control nearly all aspects of the trucking industry.  These restrictions govern everything from weight restrictions, to hours of service, to restricted routes.  It is important that commercial drivers and their employers be familiar with and follow these guidelines.  This will not only help to prevent regulatory and compliance issues, but will also help to ensure driver safety and minimize the likelihood of accidents. 

There are an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S.  I encourage you to take National Transportation Week as a time to say thank you and to appreciate truck drivers and their employers for keeping America moving! 

Deedee Gasch has over a decade of experience litigating catastrophic claims involving serious injury or death. While Deedee’s practice is primarily focused on the defense of premises liability, trucking and commercial vehicle accidents, and medical malpractice, she also has a wide range of civil litigation experience. She spent approximately half of her career representing injured plaintiffs before returning to her first love of civil litigation defense work. This experience on both sides of a case uniquely situates her in negotiations and at trial if settlement is not possible. Deedee is a third-generation Tar Heel and attorney, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, a North Carolina Resident Superior Court Judge (deceased), and her father, a career trial lawyer. She has dual degrees in Journalism and Political Science and earned her law degree cum laude from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida, where she attended on a prestigious merit based scholarship. She is licensed to practice law in both North Carolina and Florida.